L5 Double-Cut - I don't get why?

[jads57]

Apparently Billy Byrd had a double cut Byrdland in the 1950’s.so I’m sure that someone got the idea “How about an L-5CES ?” Those marketing guys need to keep their jobs, Lol!

[Archie]

Guild made something similar back I the late 70's.

[Hammertone]

Apparently Billy Byrd had a double cut Byrdland in the 1950’s.so I’m sure that someone got the idea “How about an L-5CES ?” Those marketing guys need to keep their jobs, Lol!

Gibson built a double cutaway guitar for Billy Byrd in @1962. Now owned by Gibson collector Mike Thompson. It's badged as a Byrdland and had a Byrdland tailpiece, but it has a 25 1/2" scale, like the double-cutaway L-5 thinline version introduced in 2014. Note that the three-way switch is on the treble side on the original version, but on the bass side on the newer version.

[Average Joe]

I kinda like it. It's sort of a Gretsch look, just without all the bling and switches. Unfortunate heel though.

If they reissued the ES-150 or made a double cut ES-175 I'd be interested.

[Woody Sound]

OP here, my point was, the heel is still at 14, which makes the double cut useless.

[jads57]

Well turns out, there is actually no $$$ above the 3rd fret anyway!

[John A.]

I just don't get it. Once you reach the heel, it's already too big/deep to get your hand around it.

Gibson L-5 Double Cutaway 2014 Sunburst | Reverb

Unless you're this guy ...

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I see you've met my urologist

[Bluedawg]

I don't spend much time playing above the 12th fret anyways. Lots of thinner archtops and solid bodies made with that in mind if that's what you want to do.

The double cut seems to be more for looks than any actual player benefits. No need for all of us to like those looks.

Then again upright bass players have been playing in the upper registers past a massive neck joint on a deep body for centuries ...

Not that it's easy, but it can be done even with a deep body.

[wintermoon]

it looks off just because everyone is used to seeing a single cut on a deep body
if archtop guitars had been double cut since the days of Lloyd Loar and someone came out w/a single cut today not many folks would like it imo
that said I have no desire to own one

[blkjazz]

I had a chance to play a double cutaway L5 a few months ago. I liked the look just fine. Played and sounded nice too, but I wasn't blown away. I actually like the feel and sound of my ES 175 better in terms of "jazz" guitars.

[Woody Sound]

When I post pictures of my Campellone’s or my old Gibsons this one guy pops up and always adds a picture of his double cut L5 and he loves it because he plays with his thumb around the neck and it is a beautiful guitar

BigMike

I'm not denying it's beautiful, but the heel is in the same place as the single cut, no? How does that help with left thumb technique?

[jazzkritter]

Gibson. Marketing. Disposable Income. Nuff said.
Analyzing the double cut L5 is like trying to analyze why there are approx 1,768,001 Les Paul models.
Gibson. Marketing. Disposable Income.

Wait, it’s 1,768,003 now.

[joeUK]

I can confirm that the heel is the same as a regular L5, so the double cut is just a cosmetic change with no playing benefits. Personally, but I really like the looks and it plays and sounds every bit an L5. Apols for the pic angle

[2bornot2bop]

[YUri Dingleberry]

I’d play it sure why not… it looks like it sounds big - lol looks better than the Barney K model…. “K for Klingon”

Poor Barney… He hated that thing

[kseton]

For posterity sake, reposting from a chat between myself and Earl Presley about our L-5 Double Cut's and tracking the 14 that were made:

Tracking the Gibson L-5 Doublecut’s
1st - The Original, The Byrdland Double Cutaway, built in 1962 for Billy Byrd.
Cherry Sunburst with a Byrdland tailpiece, serial 57085.
Now owned by Michael Thompson of Mike’s Arch Angels, and Bigsby tailpiece added later.

1 x Collector’s Edition in Natural was posted online pre-2019 – it’s no longer seen online (year and serial unknown)

1 x 2014 - Fretted Americana – Tri-burst-Vintage Sunburst – serial 11484003
1 x 2014 - Musicians Friend – Tri-burst-Vintage Sunburst - 11964003
1 x 2014 - Willcutt Guitars and Panther Guitars - Tri-burst-Vintage Sunburst – serial 10874002
2 x 2014 - Wildwood – Tri-burst-Vintage Sunburst – serial 11004002 and serial 12394002
2 x 2014 - Greg’s Guitar’s – Tea-burst – serial 12324002 and Tri-burst-Vintage Sunburst, serial 12464007

1 x 2014 - Mine - Ken Seeton (formerly Oliver Doering, Orange Sunday/Michael Thompson) – Tea-burst – serial 13564003

1 x 2015 - Greg’s Guitar’s – Tea-burst – serial 10245001
1 x 2015 - Musicians Friend – 2015 – “Epiphone-style, Crimson Edition” bright tea burst – serial 11964003
1 x 2015 - Imperial - “Epiphone-style” Vintage Sunburst – serial 10855001
1 x 2015 - Achtop.com – Quilted Tea-burst – serial 11475002

1 x 2018 - Wolfe Guitars, Achtop.com, Musicians Friend - “Epiphone-style”, Crimson Edition (bright Tea-burst) – serial ending in 11798001 - Owned by Earl Presley.

[AllanAllen]

So did Billy Byrd request this? Is it akin to a custom shop guitar?

[kseton]

Hey Allan,

Yes it would have been, with the exception that it was an Artist Relation custom build...

[Woody Sound]

I suppose a lefty could play it. But your right arm might bump the knobs.

[daveg]

You have to look at the rear view of a Barney K. There were two versions. The first version was just like the single Cutaway with an extra CA. The second version was more like a fat ES 355 with the heel shortened to give better access to the higher register.

DG

[gitman]

The double cutaway L5/Byrdland/ES150 models never appealed to me but the Barney Kessel models do, in a BIG way : for me the sharp double cutaway just symbolizes the spirit of the era,
the somewhat naive, optimistic and utterly positive look to a bright future, where hip jazz musicians supply the soundtrack .... I'm also associating that look with the super-cool tail-fins on the sleek and imposing cars coming out of Detroit during these times. Many years ago I foolishly passed on a slamming deal for an early version Kessel Custom recently I missed another opportunity for a Standard BK with a nicely faded top, it was almost blonde - it now resides with a very fine player in Amsterdam and I'm cool with that. One of these days ....

[GuyBoden]

This reminds me that I had a similar style, very inexpensive MIJ 1970's Kasuga guitar, many, many, many years ago. It was an extreme feedback guitar.

One of these:

[pingu]

I can confirm that the heel is the same as a regular L5, so the double cut is just a cosmetic change with no playing benefits. Personally, but I really like the looks and it plays and sounds every bit an L5. Apols for the pic angle

that dc is lovely
whats the depth ?
that’s the depth I want I think

[L50EF15]

The double cutaway L5/Byrdland/ES150 models never appealed to me but the Barney Kessel models do, in a BIG way : for me the sharp double cutaway just symbolizes the spirit of the era,
the somewhat naive, optimistic and utterly positive look to a bright future, where hip jazz musicians supply the soundtrack .... I'm also associating that look with the super-cool tail-fins on the sleek and imposing cars coming out of Detroit during these times. Many years ago I foolishly passed on a slamming deal for an early version Kessel Custom recently I missed another opportunity for a Standard BK with a nicely faded top, it was almost blonde - it now resides with a very fine player in Amsterdam and I'm cool with that. One of these days ....

NFI, but RetroFret has a BK on sale, recently marked down from its initial asking price:

Gibson Barney Kessel Custom Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1965) | RetroFret

I have been curious about these since the mid 1980s; Trevor Rabin used one with Yes, specifically on the tune “Changes” from 90125.

A BK, ES-150D, or L5DC would be awesome to have. And playing up high is not a problem for me. I have always done that, even on flattops and non-cutaway archtops.