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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
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12-08-2023 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by ThatRhythmMan; 12-09-2023 at 11:41 AM.
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Originally Posted by Len R
The Gibson L5
by Adrian Ingram
ISBN-10: 1574240471
ISBN-13: 978-1574240474
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It helps to look at it like this. I don't know your age or how long you plan to own it, but even at 10 grand if you play and enjoy the guitar for 20 years the cost is only a dollar and change per day.
It's $1.37 per day over 20 years for an initial cost of $10,000.00
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Originally Posted by Rickco
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Originally Posted by Len R
I noticed while shopping that it would be great to understand the differences between vintages, but, you have to just take what you can get. In other words, when you're ready to buy, the selection will be whatever's available on the used market at that time. They all sound great and likely similar. My advice is just to narrow down the main type you want (e.g., 16", 17" PostWar, Late model [>60's], etc.) and then see what's available paying more attention to condition. In other words, regardless of the difference between a 1950, 1953 or 1957 (none by the way) you likelly won't have the choice of all three. You'll just have to take (or not at all) what's currently available. Honestly, you can't go wrong.
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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
Btw, there are some minor differences in specs in 1950 vs builds made after that in the 1950s, mainly fretboard woods. I don’t think the use of Brazilian rosewood vs ebony yields significant changes in tone, but I’m sure others would disagree.
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Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan
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Originally Posted by skykomishone
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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
Care to post a pic?
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
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sure looks like ebony to me but then again the Super should be rosewood but looks like ebony also.
hmm.....
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
400 = A2402 = 1948
L5 = A6437 = 1950
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those numbers check out, very interesting that you have 2 late 40s early 50s w/ebony.
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The current fingerboard wood discussion got my attention.
This is my only guitar, an L-5 C. The FON is from 1951 and the serial # from 1952, so I call it a '51 1/2...ha!
If the fingerboard is rosewood, did it get dyed black? Not 100% sure what this is.
Regards,
Tom
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Hey there Tom,
There's a chance your L-5 had a new neck installed which would explain why it's an ebony board.
This would also explain why a Johnny Smith pickup was such a tight fit.
I believe this is it.....
1951 Gibson L-5c – TR Crandall Guitars
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
Wow. What great forensics work. I guess you never know what the complete history is with these old guitars.
Although I can't imagine that Gibson doesn't have repair records. It'd be great if there was a way to put in your serial or FON and find out if the guitar had ever come back to them for anything.
Like Carfax.
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Originally Posted by pawlowski6132
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan
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George (#43) is correct. That's the ad I saw and eventually bought in April 2022.
The seller's description, as all of you know, can be either incorrect, accurate or intentionally misleading. One of the bumps in the road, when buying without playing or seeing personally, especially something sourced in NYC and shipped to MN. In this case the word "or" is present in the ad, so the seller "appeared" to be unsure.
When I had the Biltoft CC replica pup installed I asked the luthier to carefully examine the neck, asking if it appeared to have been replaced and he said it had not. Not a big deal...I bought it, I have it and I enjoy it!
But I still question the fingerboard material. What is it and if rosewood, were fingerboards dyed black?
Thanks for any help!
Tom
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Originally Posted by TAA
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Maybe a "deep dive" of sorts.
The subject of wood density can be searched on the interweb. A common unit of measure for density (of almost every solid) is expressed as pounds per cubic foot.
You can find rosewood having a bulk density of 50-55 pcf. Ebony is expressed as approx. 60 pcf. So according to some sources, ebony is slightly “denser” than rosewood. That also might help to explain why these two woods are so difficult to cut, shape, form, etc. I once tried to make a rifle stock out of rosewood. I started but gave up. That wood is really “tough”.
Tom
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This is a really helpful thread. Much appreciated.
Thoughts on the closest thing to a short-scale L-5? I love the tone and aesthetics but the 25.5" doesn't work well for me. Nor do narrow necks as I play exclusively (and poorly) with natural nails.
I recently purchased a very nice ES-165 from another forum member that sounds cool and is sooo easy to play but have always felt the call of the tone/size/look/carved top and history of the L-5.
I'm years deep in M.Campellone's list so someday a custom will be an option but it doesn't seem like there are many 17"ers with a short scale (and preferably a wider neck). And no Gibsons?
Thomastik Jazz BeBop 12 set - $10.
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