Burst or Blonde Gibson L-5 Wes

[Max405]

There you have it gentleman.
Too bad the choices were only limited to Natural and VSB..
JD

Both also.

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[SandChannel]

The sides and back of the Blonde are amazing. That's the one for me. I have no idea which is the one for you!

[omphalopsychos]

Sounds like the collective wisdom forum has voted for "both".

[vinnyv1k]

I don’t think I haver ever met a L-5 I didn’t like regardless of color.

Well I take that back - Those army green and copper L-5 Studios…YUK !

[Paulie2]

OMG. I MUCH prefer wider flame like this over the narrow tiger stripe flame. It's so crazy and random.

The back on this is absolutely insane

[Woody Sound]

I don’t think I haver ever met a L-5 I didn’t like regardless of color.

Well I take that back - Those army green and copper L-5 Studios…YUK !

How about purple sparkle?

[TAA]

I may have had an early pre-production Wes model. In 1967 I ordered a new L-5C with a single Johnny Smith pickup. I used it like that until 1971 when I sent it back to Gibson to have a single humbucking pickup installed and to have it refinished to remove a billion and one hair line finish cracks. It sounded OK that way but different before the conversion. I eventually sold it in 1982, when I quit playing out.

Looking at the OP’s photo of the sunburst version of his Wes model, the most striking visual difference, comparing my old crappy photos to those here, is the “whiteness” of the body binding. The one shown here really emphasizes the border of the body, as you look at the black portion of the sunburst and where the white binding contacts the black area. My older binding is not as white, being more of an off-white. And my darkest area is not quite as black.

It’s just interesting to compare, nothing more.

Being a sunburst fan, I voted for it. But…nothing wrong with the natural version, it is very attractive in its own right and I can see how some of us would prefer it.

Tom

[Hammertone]

How about purple sparkle?

Look like a Triggs joint. I want it.

[Cunamara]

Doesn't answer the question, but I like the refection of the rug in the tailpieces. Ties the room together.

Actually, all my archtops are blondes, but I really like that burst!

[omphalopsychos]

Looking at the OP’s photo of the sunburst version of his Wes model, the most striking visual difference, comparing my old crappy photos to those here, is the “whiteness” of the body binding. The one shown here really emphasizes the border of the body, as you look at the black portion of the sunburst and where the white binding contacts the black area. My older binding is not as white, being more of an off-white. And my darkest area is not quite as black.

I think that also has to do with the aging of the lacquer over time. With more exposure to UV light, the lacquer over the binding will turn more yellow, reducing the contrast between it and the dark shade of the sunburst.

[Danny W.]

I've always hated to have to choose:





Danny W.

[rolijen]

Both also.

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Vinny, that’s about the prettiest, most uniform book-matched back I’ve seen on a burst. Just plain gorgeous.

[rolijen]

I've always hated to have to choose:





Danny W.

Wowsers, Danny!

[6v6ster]

Well, if forced to choose, I guess blond. It’s pretty striking even though sunburst is THE jazz guitar color and does look great.

[Max405]

Danny,
You are my idol..
Joe D

I've always hated to have to choose:





Danny W.

[TAA]

Looking at the opening post, I noticed the old Gibson amp in the background. Nice touch to the photo. And then the photo of the (5) WM models….seems like you walked into WM museum.

Wouldn’t that be an interesting photo….stage one example of every Gibson that he used and take a good HD photo of it. Put a Standel and Twin Reverb at each edge of the photo frame.

Just rambling I guess….

Tom

[Spook410]

I don’t think I haver ever met a L-5 I didn’t like regardless of color.

Well I take that back - Those army green and copper L-5 Studios…YUK !

Have to admit that while I'm not a fan of painted archtops, I like the army green model. Just ugly enough to be cool.

Of course.. it's crazy how much $$ people are asking for them.

[TAA]

I must be lucky as I’ve never seen the Army green (olive drab?) version!

Tom

[orri]

A part of me is thinking about trying to convince you that you like the burst more, and you're better off selling the blonde one to me.

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

I've always hated to have to choose:





Danny W.

Now that looks "blonde". Or is it honey blonde? Regardless, a nice change-up from the more common "natural".

[Spook410]

I must be lucky as I’ve never seen the Army green (olive drab?) version!

Tom

Luck had to run out some time...

[omphalopsychos]

If you want to get into the really grotesque, there's also an "Aged Olive Drab" option from Collings, complete with pointless finish checking.

[TAA]

Might have gone over well 1941-1945 (WWII) but now….? Ouch, that thing hurts!

No more Casino visits!

Tom

[Little Jay]

Midrangy and punchy works better for me when playing live.
So the burst (prefer the look of a burst as well).

[Spook410]

So... isn't it true that the better woods are selected for the blond models? '89 L5 CES..