Burst or Blonde Gibson L-5 Wes

[omphalopsychos]

Getting to spend some time with these guitars this weekend. The blonde is 2004, Hutch signed. Burst is 2007, Culbertson.

The blonde is brighter, more airy, more refined tone. Burst is more midrangey and punchy. Which one do you like?

[Stringswinger]

Both.

[icr]

Personally, my L5-Style Non-Gibson is blond, but my real L7 is sunburst. So, I'd like with a sunburst L5, to go with my L7.

[Woody Sound]

I've always been burst guy. That one looks a lot like a nice 20's L5. Would like to see the backs.

[omphalopsychos]

Here are the backs.



One thing to note is the blonde will continue to age and take a more amber tone as it gets more UV exposure.

[omphalopsychos]

Here’s the blonde compared to a younger but less coddled CES.

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

Based on looks the burst, based on your description of sound, the natural.

the natural looks great too, BTW.

[rpjazzguitar]

I tend to prefer blonde, but the L5 is the exception.

[bluejaybill]

I love blonde, and that one’s a beauty, but that is a killer sunburst.

I would say pick the sound you like better, otherwise the ‘burst.

Especially if you already own the other natural.

no wrong choice here!

[zephyrregent]

I'd have to say both. I have a blonde early 70's L5 but saw a picture of an early '50's L5 with P-90's on Reverb and like the looks of that one a lot. I don't care for the look of Tone-A-Matic bridges, it makes it look too "electric".

[John A.]

Red. I’ve never had a red guitar

If restricted to those choices, based on your description I think I’d prefer the burst. But descriptions of sounds are tricky thing, so I’d have to try both. I’m around today if you want to bring them by.

[plasticpigeon]

You can't really go wrong, but I would choose the blonde simply because Wes's sunburst single pickup is pretty iconic and I personally wouldn't feel happy playing a guitar so similar to his while making music that can't compare, in my mind that is Wes's guitar and nobody elses. Purely an emotional response I know.

[omphalopsychos]

FYI after some pickup height adjustments the sound is very very close between them now.

[Woody Sound]

I've always been burst guy. That one looks a lot like a nice 20's L5. Would like to see the backs.

On the other hand, that natural exudes real class. I'm starting to lean toward it..

Is there a price differential? (If that matters to you.)

[NSJ]

I have to admit I like the burst better. At what point did Gibson go away from the deep YELLOW guitars? those were better looking to me than the modern “blond”.

[burchyk]

Voted blonde. A burst looks more "correct" on a Wes L5, but the blonde makes you look a bit less of a Wes fanboy. Some players value originality even in such superficial aspects. I prefer nickel hardware on blonde combo though. If I was buying I'd rather pick the one that sounds and plays better.

[DawgBone]

Since they both have gold hardware I'll play whichever one I"m handed.

[Woody Sound]

At what point did Gibson go away from the deep YELLOW guitars? those were better looking to me than the modern “blond”.

Perhaps the older ones had aged into a bit of yellow?

[Max405]

I am a burst guy. And I think the Gibson L5 Wes looks “right” in Vintage Sunburst.
But I am slowly realizing that Gibson got something very right here. Let me explain.
I always thought the natural finish made the L5 Wes kind of boring. I’ve been told, Gibson allocates the very best wood for their Natural guitars. And here it makes sense. Even the silking on the top of the Natural is more dynamic. The figuring on both the back and sides are mesmerizing. Much more so than on the VSB. The shading on the VSB’s make the guitars look more dynamic. But the natural needs nothing except it’s shimmering and superbly figured wood to make it look, extraordinary.
Dawgbone I like what you said, “I’ll play any one I am handed”…
It’s an absolute privilege.
Joe D

[omphalopsychos]

I have to admit I like the burst better. At what point did Gibson go away from the deep YELLOW guitars? those were better looking to me than the modern “blond”.

Nav I don’t believe Gibson made them yellow but rather natural. Check out this photo from 1946 featuring Oscar Moore’s blonde L5, which couldn’t have been more than 7 years old at the time. You can see that it is a more pale blonde compared to what we’re used to seeing on guitars that have aged several decades.



Although Kodachrome already existed by 46, color photography wasn’t super prevalent at this time, meaning this may have been a colorized photo, but I imagine they’d have tried to represent the colors accurately.

[wintermoon]

that's a great cd btw

[vinnyv1k]

Both also.

[omphalopsychos]

All these “both” answers are killing me.

[Stringswinger]

All these “both” answers are killing me.

You should have made that a choice in your poll.

[Woody Sound]

both also.

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