Wes Montgomery L-5

[2-5Guy]

Does anybody know if Gibson has any plans to make a new run of these? I'm not really interested in vintage anything.

Thanks

[Woody Sound]

By vintage, do you mean anything used? There's a new one on Reverb, but it's a bit pricey.

Gibson Custom Shop L-5 Wes Montgomery 2013 Sunburst | Reverb

[2-5Guy]

Yes, I was referring to used.
I did see that 2013 NOS one in Australia you referenced but the price is a bit too much compared to what they were selling for when they were still in production.

I was hoping that Gibson would start up the line again on this model and offer it as a regular production guitar thus bringing the price down to a more realistic number.

Thanks for the post.

[vinnyv1k]

I just bought this 2022 from The Music Zoo

[2-5Guy]

Hold on.
That's a new in-production model Wes?

[vinnyv1k]

Hold on.
That's a new in-production model Wes?

Yes brand new 2022.

[2-5Guy]

So I guess that answers my question about it still being produced. Wow.

Thanks!

[2-5Guy]

BTW - You have a beautiful specimen there. I never thought I'd care for a solid color archtop but I'll certainly make an exception with yours!

[Oscar67]

Spectacular guitar. Congrats!

[2-5Guy]

Ok, this is getting weird...again.
I contacted my dealer who has a close relationship with the Custom Shop and he said that they haven't heard anything about Gibson making NEW archtops.

[2-5Guy]

I just wrote The Music Zoo about your particular guitar.
Here's the screen shot of their reply.

[Dennis D]

Not sure where you're located but - -

Gibson Custom Shop L5 Wes Montgomery 2014 Xlnt Condition - musical...

And that hasn't sold.......

Good luck !

[2-5Guy]

Wow.
That's exactly the finish I want.
Man... I live in Oregon so actually seeing it first is obviously not going to happen. Craig's List is always a gamble. The price is right too. Especially when it's OBO.

Now the question is, do I want to roll the dice. Thanks for the post!

[bluejaybill]

Wow.
That's exactly the finish I want.
Man... I live in Oregon so actually seeing it first is obviously not going to happen. Craig's List is always a gamble. The price is right too. Especially when it's OBO.

Now the question is, do I want to roll the dice. Thanks for the post!

I wouldn't be too concerned about buying used if the guitar has been well cared for. A ding or two isn't a deal breaker for me, and you usually get a discount! Plus you can usually suss out the seller's vibe when you talk to them, should help figure out if it's a less than reputable situation.

If you are concerned about getting a dud, just make sure you can return it. I have not heard that they have made many dud Crimson series however. And make sure the seller knows how to pack and ship a guitar of this quality! It's tricky.

[vinnyv1k]

I just wrote The Music Zoo about your particular guitar.
Here's the screen shot of their reply.

Actually I ordered it 13 months prior to getting it. TMZ advised me that Gibson is not taking brand new orders till 2023. They have a serious backlog wait.

LOL…..with your quest.

[Jabberwocky]

Not sure where you're located but - -

Gibson Custom Shop L5 Wes Montgomery 2014 Xlnt Condition - musical...

And that hasn't sold.......

Good luck !

Wow.
That's exactly the finish I want.
Man... I live in Oregon so actually seeing it first is obviously not going to happen. Craig's List is always a gamble. The price is right too. Especially when it's OBO.

Now the question is, do I want to roll the dice. Thanks for the post!

Looks nice and a pretty reasonable asking price considering the Crimson Custom price hike in 2014. Worth a long drive or a plane ticket just to see it. Mark McGuire was the Custom Shop foreman in 2014 before he retired, replacing the sorely missed James "Hutch" Hutchins. Not that I have seen many but the few Crimson Custom archtops I came across were all finely made and sounded great to my ears. I have a 2012 LeGrand (black COA booklet) which was made just before the Crimson Custom Shop was launched.

An 8- to a 10-year old archtop is going to sound much better than a brandnew one, I aver, and I consider the ageing a bonus. Like a great slab of beef, get it well hung!

[Woody Sound]

Looks nice and a pretty reasonable asking price considering the Crimson Custom price hike in 2014. Worth a long drive or a plane ticket just to see it.

+1 (plane ticket plus uber) worth it for an $8k guitar. Oregon to LA shouldn't be too much.

[garybaldy]

By vintage, do you mean anything used? There's a new one on Reverb, but it's a bit pricey.

Gibson Custom Shop L-5 Wes Montgomery 2013 Sunburst | Reverb

The link to this 2013 model now takes me to a 2009 model for sale in the UK. I had a quick noddle on it unplugged last week.
My experience with L5s is almost zero having only tried a couple many years ago when I was only a rock guitarist and jazz string bass player.
It was a beautiful guitar to look at, felt really comfortable to play and had a very smooth sound. The strings were surprisingly (to me) light and roundwound.
The only thing was I struggled to stop the low E string from slipping off the frets. That occasionally happens with my LP on the high E string but never to the extent of this L5. I'm OK with all my other guitars.
Would you say this is possibly an inherent problem with modern L5s, just this one, the light strings or me?
Thanks

[vinnyv1k]

I have 4 modern L-5 ‘s and never had a problem with strings rolling off the edge. Maybe the bridge was off center ?

[2-5Guy]

OP here.
Thanks for the information but I've already found a beautiful L-5 that I just couldn't pass up. 1994 (Terry Ryan built) '52 Reissue. A+ condition and plays as good as it looks.

[garybaldy]

I have 4 modern L-5 ‘s and never had a problem with strings rolling off the edge. Maybe the bridge was off center ?

I checked that but it was perfect.
PS meant to say thanks for the info!

[2bornot2bop]

OP here.
Thanks for the information but I've already found a beautiful L-5 that I just couldn't pass up. 1994 (Terry Ryan built) '52 Reissue. A+ condition and plays as good as it looks.

More than worth the wait! Congratulations!