Sparkling new L5 CES ... sort of

[Bluedawg]

Now you know that under that glitter finish, which, admit it, is the lacquer equivalent of a primer/stucco wall that can make a wall of bullet holes go away, can be anything. So I think we're on to something here:
Make a 17" laminate, like a low end Tal Farlow, but let's use only the scraps of laminates that are full of knots and checks, and put this gem into production.
Put this in the hands of a well known artist and really play it up with an ad campaign and ads, posters, TV ads and Capital One collaborations, offer a limited edition relic'ed series signed by the artist with a certificate of authentication and a photo op with the artist, maybe even a Gibson provided glass cabinet with an exclusive CD of the artist playing YOUR guitar, and sell the package for $22,000. Only 10 of these extremely collectable guitars will be issued.
BUT the rest of us can get the stock production model for the collectors out there for only $15,000 during the one year limited and custom order ahead via waiting list only. Fully $35,000 less than a signature Benedetto.
Once the year is done, instant historical classic guaranteed to become a collectable. No more will EVER be made. Call it the LEGACY L-5 made all the rarer because Gibson just doesn't build archtops any more.

C'mon Gibson. Get with it!

[Bluedawg]

Another one from Gibson's "Certified Vintage" shop:

Gibson | 1978 Custom L-5 CES



$13,500 is too much if you ask me. But it is blessed by Gibson ... LOL

In comparison to the mod shop sparkle L5 and the 1981 date they don't say anything about solid back and sides for this one either and it's a 1978.

[vinnyv1k]

At least that is a nice L-5. Just way overpriced.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Sloppy miter joints on the headstock binding and no fret nibs so a refret.

They may have stuck a NOS L-5 fingerboard on a NOS studio neck and installed the frets the easy way. After all, it's just an entry level L-5 for the bottom feeders. After seeing this one, $30k for a "real" one in a future archtop resurrection line will seem like a bargain.

As for the headstock binding, that's yet another legendary and time honored American tradition:

[ThatRhythmMan]

They may have stuck a NOS L-5 fingerboard on a NOS studio neck and installed the frets the easy way. After all, it's just an entry level L-5 for the bottom feeders. After seeing this one, $30k for a "real" one in a future archtop resurrection line will seem like a bargain.

As for the headstock binding, that's yet another legendary and time honored American tradition:

An L-5 Studio neck doesn’t have binding on the headstock or an inlay other than the Gibson logo. Also, presumably based on what they say in the description, the back of the headstock must have a 1981 serial number stamped on it.


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[Bluedawg]

Guitars from the mod shop often have some noticeable QC issues AKA: "minor cosmetic defects" and they are up front about that.

Probably why they went the mod shop in the first place.

[Hammertone]

Another one from Gibson's "Certified Vintage" shop:
Gibson | 1978 Custom L-5 CES
$13,500 is too much if you ask me. But it is blessed by Gibson ... LOL
In comparison to the mod shop sparkle L5 and the 1981 date they don't say anything about solid back and sides for this one either and it's a 1978.

Well, they refer to a "two-piece maple back" in their summary description. Clearly, whoever is writing copy for this corner of their website is not paying that much attention.

Old Gibson full-depth archtops always had solid rims, IIRC. I'm not sure when or if that ever changed to laminated wood. It's probably tucked into the corner of some small print documentation somewhere. Anyone know for sure?

I think the sparkle paint job on the first is hilarious. I'd rebind that sucker like an L-5, bind the f-holes, put some gold-plated hardware and a proper L-5 tailpiece on it, and beat it hard it while wearing a Nudie suit. Maybe some gold sparkle binding, like a Gertsch White Falcon, woohoo!

[Bluedawg]

Well, they refer to a "two-piece maple back" in their summary description. Clearly, whoever is writing copy for this corner of their website is not paying that much attention.

Old Gibson full-depth archtops always had solid rims, IIRC. I'm not sure when or if that ever changed to laminated wood. It's probably tucked into the corner of some small print documentation somewhere. Anyone know for sure?

I think the sparkle paint job on the first is hilarious. I'd rebind that sucker like an L-5, bind the f-holes, put some gold-plated hardware and a proper L-5 tailpiece on it, and beat it hard it while wearing a Nudie suit. Maybe some gold sparkle binding, like a Gertsch White Falcon, woohoo!

Yea, if I buy that I'll have to move to Nashville for sure ... at least that's closer to my family than where I am now.

My guess is whoever is writing for the mod shop doesn't have much experience with the nuances of archtop specs. This is the first carved top guitar I've seen in the mod shop.

[Jimmy blue note]

Guitars from the mod shop often have some noticeable QC issues AKA: "minor cosmetic defects" and they are up front about that.

Probably why they went the mod shop in the first place.

Like "Rapid unscheduled dissasembly" describe it right and it's OK.

[Jimmy Mack]

Please don't. Insulting to L 5's.