Any Gibson L5s or L4s for sale in the UK?

[Maxxx]

Greetings all..

I've been trying for over a year now to find a very good Gibson L5 CES or even possibly a Gibson L4 CES.

Since brexit it has become practically impossible to find one and even European or international sellers don't want to go through the extraordinary hassle and expense of shipping one to the UK.

I found a beautiful one in Italy for £12,000 but the dealer absolutely it doesn't want to ship it for the same reason not to mention and shipping and insurance aside the import duty alone would be almost £2,400!!

Then if any kind of return was required I'd have to do the whole process in reverse and that would be hell.

I've gone through at least 20 semi hollow and full hollow body guitars in the last few years and ended up frustrated on all of them because they just don't have that tone I need. Unless I get that sound I think
I will never be satisfied.

It's a guitar tone I've listened to my entire life and I've wanted one for over 45 years but could never afford. Well, I just won a couple of quid on bingo and now have a chance to get one.

So I'm reaching out call the wonderful folks here, if anybody has a very good condition L5 or L4 in the UK that they considering selling co the wife needs a new handbag or could be bribed to sell please do not hesitate to contact me.

[Tal_175]

Looks like it's time for a trip to New York. You can find L5's in good condition for around 8000$. For what you're willing to pay for an L5 in the UK (apparently 15000 pounds), you get the plane ticket and Airbnb for free. Besides you can try them out in person.

[Ob Com]

Hi Maxx

this uk dealer has a players grade L4 CES - he had a wes recently and also has a beautiful Super 400 ces hutch:

Archtop ES Guitars

[Maxxx]

Looks like it's time for a trip to New York. You can find L5's in good condition for around 8000$. For what you're willing to pay for an L5 in the UK (apparently 15000 pounds), you get the plane ticket and Airbnb for free. Besides you can try them out in person.

I did try searching the stores in New York and did'nt come up with any L5's. Except these two at Rudys at $24,995.00 . (UK £19,291)
Gibson 1968 L-5CESN Blonde — Rudy's Music Soho

And this at $30,000 (UK £23,153)
Gibson 1965 L-5CES — Rudy's Music Soho

Maybe a trip to Rome instead of New York.. This one is in Italy - Gibson L5 Master model 1996 - vintage sunb Excellent Cond.
(£11,261.20)

[Maxxx]

Despite several emails Italy is not responding so request still stands..

I did ask for UK sellers but if anyone in Europe has a good one to sell I can jump on a plane.

[David B]

Mak's Guitars in London recently had a '73 L5-CES pass through. Don't know how it was priced. It would be worth making contact and asking if they can alert you when they have an L5 or L4 come in.

Archtops and Semi-Acoustic Guitars
– Mak's Guitars

[Herbie]

Despite several emails Italy is not responding so request still stands..

I did ask for UK sellers but if anyone in Europe has a good one to sell I can jump on a plane.

Welcome to Finland:

GIBSON CUSTOM L-5 WES MONTGOMERY HEART 1997 - Kitarapaja

[Maxxx]

Welcome to Finland:

GIBSON CUSTOM L-5 WES MONTGOMERY HEART 1997 - Kitarapaja

Thank you very much Herbie for the link, really appreciate it.

That could have been a definite possible candidate, but as much as I love and adore Wes Montgomery I'm not sure I could live with that big obtrusive heart staring
at me every single day, and I see that it's embedded and carved right into the top and lacquered over so it's not something you can just peel off or remove sadly.

[Maxxx]

Mak's Guitars in London recently had a '73 L5-CES pass through. Don't know how it was priced. It would be worth making contact and asking if they can alert you when they have an L5 or L4 come in.

Archtops and Semi-Acoustic Guitars
– Mak's Guitars

Thanks Dave.. I know Mak, have bought guitars from him before. I check his site very regularly as when they do appear they vanish just as quickly.

[Herbie]

Thank you very much Herbie for the link, really appreciate it.

That could have been a definite possible candidate, but as much as I love and adore Wes Montgomery I'm not sure I could live with that big obtrusive heart staring
at me every single day, and I see that it's embedded and carved right into the top and lacquered over so it's not something you can just peel off or remove sadly.

I hear You! But You can always cover it with a Hello Kitty sticker:

[ksaric]

Well, how about a visit to Croatia? This absolutely mint WesMo would like to meet you...

[Maxxx]

Well, how about a visit to Croatia? This absolutely mint WesMo would like to meet you...

That would be perfect Ksaric and thank you for sharing.. but I already have too many 'blond' instruments, (and women) in my life.. was hoping for a brunette (vintage Sunburst or wine red)

[Maxxx]

Anyone here close to Oldenberg Germany?

[gitman]

It MUST be a CES model or could you warm up to a wonderful late 50‘s
L5C ( with a floating pickup) ? I happen to have just that for sale….?

[Maxxx]

It MUST be a CES model or could you warm up to a wonderful late 50‘s
L5C ( with a floating pickup) ? I happen to have just that for sale….?

Body mounted humbuckers for me thank you Gitman. I find floaters give a slighter lighter tone. I need thick, dark and moody.

[Herbie]

If a L4 is ok:

Gibson L-4 m Custom Shop in Hamburg-Nord - Hamburg Eppendorf | kleinanzeigen.de

[Herbie]

Bingo!

No wonder there is no L-5s in UK, they are all in Germany!

1968 Gibson L5 Florentin ,jazzgitarre,archtop in Deggendorf - Mietraching | kleinanzeigen.de

Gibson L-5 Gitarre USA vintage archtop jazz sunburst in Nordrhein-Westfalen - Kleve | kleinanzeigen.de

Gibson L5 ces in Bayern - Dingolfing | kleinanzeigen.de

(No affiliation.)

[gitman]

In France :

https://www.zikinf.com/annonces/annonce-2319620

[339 in june]

Some are in France, but very few :
Gibson L5 ces annee (2001) d’occasion - Zikinf
Gibson l5 wes montgomery sunburst 2001 hutch d’occasion - Zikinf
Gibson L5 CES 1969 d’occasion - Zikinf

No affiliation

[Maxxx]

Yes sir..

[Maxxx]

Bingo!

No wonder there is no L-5s in UK, they are all in Germany!

1968 Gibson L5 Florentin ,jazzgitarre,archtop in Deggendorf - Mietraching | kleinanzeigen.de

Gibson L-5 Gitarre USA vintage archtop jazz sunburst in Nordrhein-Westfalen - Kleve | kleinanzeigen.de

Gibson L5 ces in Bayern - Dingolfing | kleinanzeigen.de

(No affiliation.)

Thank you very much... site won't let me register as Brits seemed to be banned..

The 2nd guitar looked very viable.

[Maxxx]

Come, Watson! The Game is Afoot!

Ok, so thanks to some wonderful people in this forum I have links to sellers and have narrowed it down to 5 viable guitars in 4 different countries.
One in Holland, two in Germany, one in Switzerland and one in Finland.
I decided that catching flights to all these countries and then some kind of transport and endless foot work to get to the various locations it's going to be a huge pain in the backside, so I'm
going to take the far more practical, far more economical, and certainly more fun option which is to ride my trusty steed PEGASUS to all of them..

Gonna be a nice little adventure topped by hopefully bringing the guitar of my dreams back home with me..
She's a wild beast and is already chomping at the bit.

[Herbie]

Come, Watson! The Game is Afoot!

Ok, so thanks to some wonderful people in this forum I have links to sellers and have narrowed it down to 5 viable guitars in 4 different countries.
One in Holland, two in Germany, one in Switzerland and one in Finland.
I decided that catching flights to all these countries and then some kind of transport and endless foot work to get to the various locations it's going to be a huge pain in the backside, so I'm
going to take the far more practical, far more economical, and certainly more fun option which is to ride my trusty steed PEGASUS to all of them..

Gonna be a nice little adventure topped by hopefully bringing the guitar of my dreams back home with me..
She's a wild beast and is already chomping at the bit.

All right!

[Maxxx]

[Maxxx]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I walked out of my house at five minutes notice, and rode 1,100 miles on two freezing cold nights through 4 different countries and back again with practically zero sleep to get and acquire and bring this thing home strapped to Pegasus's ass...