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No idea. Though I'm not sure I've ever seen them go down.
Originally Posted by McGregor
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04-14-2024 05:41 PM
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Thanks Zig, looking forward to your insight.. all the response is very cathartic in the process and great feedback!
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@ McGregor
I bought my first Gibson guitar in 1974, currently own 9 Gibson guitars and I have owned many others over the years. My experience is that along with Martin guitars and American Fender guitars, Gibson guitars ( the popular models of which the L-5 is included) have consistently gone up in value, mostly exceeding inflation, and have been easy to sell (compared to other maker's instruments). That said, Stocks, bonds, and real estate are probably a better long term investment. It is hard to say what values will be in three years. I do not expect them to fall in that time frame, but I also do not expect them to go up at the same rate we have seen over the last 20 years.
Buy a guitar to play and enjoy. It is one of the few toys for big boys that does not depreciate rapidly. IMO, the most important reason to buy a guitar is to have an instrument to inspire your playing.
If you have narrowed the choice to a Bravo or a WESMO, my advice is to buy the WESMO. I was offered an artist discount on a Bravo from Howard Paul, the owner of Benedetto guitars and I passed. Gibson offered me nothing. I was a retail buyer of my WESMO and it won't be for sale until I am dead. HTH
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Peter Bernstein, who has an outstanding jazz tone, transitioned from playing a Gibson 175, to a WesMo (briefly), then to a Zeidler (which he’s played since to establish his signature sound).
While I loved his 175 tone, for me the WesMo was, surprisingly, a step backward; and the Zeidler was a huge leap forward. It was also an entirely different sound from the classic 175 laminate jazz-box tone. In fact, Peter was downright disparaging of the WesMo instrument. Perhaps he got a real dud as it’s hard to imagine it being as uninspiring of an instrument as he described it. (Do a web search to find his comments.) Perhaps comparing the 175 and the WesMo to a high-end luthier built carved-top instrument is not fair.
If you’re like most, it will likely take owning/playing several instruments in order to really understand and identify your preferences, and put you in a position to make knowledgeable choice(s). The experience you gain may wind up costing you a few dollars, or you might just get lucky with your Bravo out of the gate. It happens.
Finally, while Gibson may not be building many new archtops, there are a number of well-built relatively inexpensive instruments of various brands for you to “play around with” if you are not rushed. I suggest taking your time, though that’s easier said than done. And be mindful of comments that characterize entire instrument brands based on personal preferences and limited sample sizes.
AKA
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Yeah he mentioned it had some setup issues. But I remember in an interview with Mike Moreno that he said he was torn bw the Zeidler and the L5. I'd trade one of my L5s for a Zeidler. Probably not for a Benedetto.
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Any Zeidler; any Benedetto? For me, it comes down to the particular instrument. Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
AKA
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Here’s the 3 choices-
what would the forum’s choice be?
Given the price ranges from $7K- $9K-
I think I’ve made up my mind but the feedback I’ve received is very insightful.
thanks for all those that took the time to add their experiences.
I know it’s Guitar Porn…
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Take the 2014 L-5 Wes Mo Blonde.
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I’m partial to blondes and agree with Jabberwocky.
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÷3 on the Blonde WESMO
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+4, definitely the blonde.
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Purely visually, +5 on the blonde. But as I have found, outward appearance and personality don't always match. Play them first, if you can, or at least hear them played.
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Thanks Cunamara!
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Gentlemen prefer blondes but marry brunettes.
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As an object to look at, nothing beats an L5 (I think sunbursts are prettier than naturals, fwiw), but as something to actually play? There's a big difference between a 17" x 3-3/8" and 16" x 2-1/2" body. You really need to know which size works for you. I know 17" guitars don't work for me (having tried several), so if those were the only two guitars in the world, and I had to pick one it would be the Bravo. Now if there were actually only three guitars in the world -- those two plus a custom 16" L5 WesMo, I'd take that.
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Originally Posted by John A.
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Yeah, that too. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Is there an interesting story in this history?
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One of my Wes L5s is a thinline version (2.75” deep). It’s insanely comfortable and makes zero sacrifice on tone.
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I’d take the sunburst Wes because Wes himself played one. The blonde looks like a signature model with the wrong color.
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I prefer 17”, 3 3/8” depth, acoustic archtop guitars and a nice burst finish. The traditional burst WesMo would be my pick out of these three. I would like to play or hear them first before making my final decision.
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Yes, Wes played a Sunburst Gibson L-5 (several different ones actually and he played quite a few other Gibson guitars over the years as well), but he never played a Gibson Wes Montgomery. Wes owned at least two (custom made for him) single pickup L-5's which were essentially L-5C models with an added built in pickup. The Gibson Wes Montgomery was a creation of the 1990's where Gibson took their venerable L-5CES (Wes played a few of those over the years) and installed one less pickup and one less brace (and less electronics). The Gibson Wes Montgomery is first and foremost, an electric guitar. The single pickup L-5's that Wes Montgomery owned and played were first and foremost, acoustic guitars. Originally Posted by Bebop Tom
There is an album cover with Wes holding a Blonde L-5CES, but I believe that was a borrowed guitar for the photo shoot. It does seem that Wes Montgomery (and Joe Pass for that matter) preferred a sunburst guitar.
I own a Gibson Wes Montgomery and also own a Custom Mark Campellone with a single built in pickup. IMO, the Campellone get's the Wes Montgomery tone much closer than does the Gibson.
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I wouldn’t get a Wes for the sake of imitating Wes (same goes for any signature model). I’d get it because it’s a great guitar.
Ive yet to play a Campellone but from what I’ve heard I can see what SS said to be true. The modern Gibson Wes model has a thicker carved top and a thicker more midrangey tone than what I associate with Wes. I can see a thinner carve sounding more like Wes because the Gibsons from Wes’ era had thinner carves and overall lighter builds.
Some people don’t like the modern Gibsons for this reason. I just think they’re two distinct and great guitar designs.
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I'd second this. Try to play a 16" 2.5-2.75" depth guitar and a 17" over 3" depth guitar if you can, even if it is not the exact models. While the difference in measurements appears very small, they feel entirely, entirely different. I owned both a Bravo and L5, but I also prefer 16" guitars under 3" in depth and ended up selling the L5. Originally Posted by John A.
I have wanted to try one of these thinline L5s so badly, but never have come across one in person. It might be the ticket for me. Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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Paulie, thanks for the insight, did you note a difference in tone and depth tween the two?
the WesMo 2002 I had a chance to noodle on had that sound- What amp are you playing your Benedetto through? Something you can dial in on or is it in the instrument?
You are right size matters!
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