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When I saw Vinny's post (thank you Vinny) in the For Sale section on this forum about this guitar from Gryphon I did what any normal guitar player would do: 5 minutes of frenzied, shallow and incomplete diligence followed by credit cards and shipping forms. It was a good call.
Gryphon's has a reputation as a good source so that was good. However, I have never received a guitar packed or prepared this well. They appear to have custom plastic/air pads that fit over the head of the case to make sure it can't move in the outer box. Then the sides are filled in with bubble wrap. Inside the case the guitar was full secured from any bounce. It wasn't going anywhere. I have never seen packing this good. And the guitar.. perfectly polished. Not even a fingerprint. Very impressive. They spent some time going over the guitar and prepping it.
The guitar.. not sure it's been played. There is no fret wear. The truss rod appears to have never been turned. There is not a bump, pick indent, scratch, haze, or anything else I can find. There isn't a front strap pin. Haven't had it long so something may turn up but a quick search found just shiny, polished guitar. And a stunning shaded deep brown (not black) burst. It's a very nice looking guitar. No bling. Just polished surfaces, nickel plate, and the bare minimum inlay. It looks better in person than in pictures.
Over time we'll see how I bond with it. Putting .012 Tomastik Infeld Jazz BeBop's on it. Will set the action a bit lower and see how the relief is after it sets awhile with the new strings. Then I will play it rather a lot. A quick check with what appears to be chrome .011's was pretty good actually. This is going to be good.
Some quick poor pictures from my bench.. and a few from Gryphon so you can actually see it.
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03-22-2022 10:53 PM
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Congrats! May she inspire your playing for many years to come.
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Bravo!
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The burst looks nicer in your pictures than in Gryphon's.
In your front shot I love the way you can see the contour of the spruce grain through the finish.
Last edited by Woody Sound; 03-23-2022 at 10:45 AM.
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I've played an L5 Studio that was the exact twin of it, and now I have an L5ces. Except for the bling, same guitar. Plays and sounds exactly like the L5 because, well, that's what it is!
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I like it! I've never been the biggest fan of gold hardware, or other bling.
Last edited by BigDaddyLoveHandles; 03-23-2022 at 02:49 PM.
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A beautiful score. If Gibson had a brain they would bring back the L5 Studio.
Most players can no longer afford the CES. Bling don’t make tone.
The Studio was a much better idea than the Sold Formed IMO. Gorgeous sunburst.
Congrats ! Yes Gryphon is a class act.
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Just beautiful! Congratulations, and play it in good health!
Also, Reason # 85,438 why JGO is the best hang on the net - the Archtop Underground! Thanks Vinny!
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Congratulations, that’s truly a beautiful guitar, and for a great price considering its condition!
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Very nice.
I've always thought this model was a real sleeper. A lot of guitar for the $, and in my personal opinion, a great looking instrument too.
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I couldn't say no to a fat bodied tone machine like that--congradulations!
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling
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Well.. this one was also on the market.
Originally Posted by silverfoxx
Last edited by Spook410; 03-24-2022 at 03:15 AM.
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That really prompts the question: Can there be too much of a good thing? Originally Posted by Spook410
Well.. this one was also on the market.
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Originally Posted by cmajor9
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Ooh! Very Cool! I didn't know that Gibson made a Studio version of the L5, I thought at the time when yours was made, that only Les Pauls were made in a Studio version. Ya gotta love a great 17" archtop.
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Originally Posted by Woody Sound
That's the perfect proof that "enough good things" vs. "too many good things" depends on the taste of the person applying them... O:-)
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A solid find! Between this and the 1992 to 2003 L-4CES I don't know how to choose. You got a minty nice ASB version, the best version of all. I recall a Solid White, Red Burst and Aquamarine Burst L-5 Studio. The Aquamarine Burst turned a sickly Pond Scum Green as the blue faded and nitro clear coat yellowed.
Gryphon priced it very fairly at $4000. About 10 years ago they were asking $3500 for it. In today's environment the L-5 Studio ASB would probably have a MAP of $6499.
Play it in good health, Spook.
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Appreciate everyone's comments. Always impressed with the knowledge here. Both of guitar history and what the guitar market is up to.
I'm a little surprised that the tone really is what it's hyped to be. Warm. Round. Rich. Hard to put it down. It's a good addition to my more acoustic archtops. And it's a fine looking guitar. I'm just not a mother-of-pearl kinda guy. As for the market, there just isn't much in between the price of an ES175 and a full on L5 CES. And I would rather have something closer to the L5 end of the spectrum. Though, actually, I may still grab a 175 before things get even crazier.
Thanks to all for helping celebrate NGD. Even if you own too many guitars they don't happen all that often. And your first Gibson archtop only happens once.Last edited by Spook410; 03-25-2022 at 04:29 AM.
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I am very happy for you.
good to hear, that the guitar is living up to the hype about it.
I still want one.
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L5 Studio... Yours is MINT!!
I've had this one for awhile..never regretted the purchase.
I use TI- George Benson 14's for the "THUNK"
+ a shout out to the fine friends at Gryphon...
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. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Jabbs. I have a 2002 L4CES custom red , IMHO nice tone and preferred to a 175 ,On the matter of colour ,I remember your earlier description
of the" Army Green" L5, as Duckshit Green, I prefer that to Aquamarine Burst
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Just stunningly yummy ... honestly i didn't know that such a thing existed, a L5 "studio", just like a Les Paul studio.
Very sober yet super cool ... how is the headstock ? Any more pics ?
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The f-holes look odd. Originally Posted by Spook410
Well.. this one was also on the market.
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