1974 Sunburst Gibson L-5 (Pictures added)

[Stringswinger]

The Starving Musician in Santa Cruz California has a 1974 Sunburst Gibson L-5CES for sale and they are asking 7K.

I have not played it and I am certain that the cats who work there are clueless about archtops. But it might be worth checking out. I have heard that they are negotiable on price (sometimes).

If I did not already have two L-5's, I would have an interest. I hope this PSA is useful to someone here.

The Starving Musician - SANTA CRUZ, We Help You Play

USED ELECTRIC GUITAR GIBSON CUSTOM L-5 1974 W/ '72 PICKUPS W/CASE [06172661] - $6,999.99 : The Starving Musician - SANTA CRUZ, We Help You Play

[DMgolf66]

Boy, not even pics or did i miss something?

[Stringswinger]

Boy, not even pics or did i miss something?

There are no pics on their website. The cats who own this business and their employees are not going to be of much help, but perhaps someone here can get an L-5 at a fair price?

[nyc chaz]

There are no pics on their website. The cats who own this business and their employees are not going to be of much help, but perhaps someone here can get an L-5 at a fair price?

If they are that lazy,i would say stay away unless you can go and see it in person.

[Stringswinger]

I had time this morning and I went down to the store and played and photographed the guitar.

The guitar is probably a 1972 or 1973. It has the embossed pickup covers. It plays well and sounds great (even with the 10's that it is strung up with). The Pickguard is a black replacement. The original tortoise guard is in the case pocket and is slightly warped. All else is original except perhaps the bridge saddle. It has a TOM and I think it would have come with an ebony saddle. The tuners, tailpiece and knobs appear original. There is some checking and it has a crack on the lower rim (about 3 inches long). The case is original but the tolex is gone. It is a slim taper neck and there is no volute. It is a 1 11/16 nut. It looks like a faded cherry sunburst and there is some figure on the back. The pickup covers and the tuners have lost some of the gold plating. It is a cool vintage L-5, a bit on the heavy side (it felt like 8.5 pounds) like most Norlin L-5's. It is a pretty cool archtop all in all. And it is way beyond the pay grade of this store and the cats who work there.

[wintermoon]

looks like a good players grade example. is it a jack crack?
the guard in the case isn't original, it's a cheap repro

[Stringswinger]

looks like a good players grade example. is it a jack crack?
the guard in the case isn't original, it's a cheap repro

The crack is under the pickguard bracket. Perhaps the original guard gassed out?

[wintermoon]

Perhaps the original guard gassed out?

Highly likely

[Fear the Reaper]

Thank you for taking the time to investigate this and the report. I think it could be a good fit for someone here on the forum to give it a good home.

I had time this morning and I went down to the store and played and photographed the guitar.

The guitar is probably a 1972 or 1973. It has the embossed pickup covers. It plays well and sounds great (even with the 10's that it is strung up with). The Pickguard is a black replacement. The original tortoise guard is in the case pocket and is slightly warped. All else is original except perhaps the bridge saddle. It has a TOM and I think it would have come with an ebony saddle. The tuners, tailpiece and knobs appear original. There is some checking and it has a crack on the lower rim (about 3 inches long). The case is original but the tolex is gone. It is a slim taper neck and there is no volute. It is a 1 11/16 nut. It looks like a faded cherry sunburst and there is some figure on the back. The pickup covers and the tuners have lost some of the gold plating. It is a cool vintage L-5, a bit on the heavy side (it felt like 8.5 pounds) like most Norlin L-5's. It is a pretty cool archtop all in all. And it is way beyond the pay grade of this store and the cats who work there.

[2bornot2bop]

And to think, I sold an actual mint ‘73 Super 400 for $6400, complete with a rare Gibson denim case wrap. What was I thinkin!

[Stringswinger]

2B, Gibson guitars are better than money in the bank. What were you thinking?

[Wildcat]

Not to stir the pot, thinking about it, given the circumstances with the guitar what would be a fair counteroffer to the posted price? [Given the nature of this particular business and no photos, it could be around for a while. Almost depending on word of mouth.]

A guitar of this condition/ grade as reported, thanks to Stringswinger, appeals to me. Not pretty or perfect, but playable with good tone.

However, ultimately resale value down the road is another consideration with a buyers offer. But to be honest I haven't seen many sales of this grade of vintage Gibson archtops.

[Stringswinger]

This store offers free shipping and if you are outside of California, they should be able to sell it to you without sales tax.

I think 6K would be a fair price to both buyer and seller.

[Wildcat]

Thank you.

This store offers free shipping and if you are outside of California, they should be able to sell it to you without sales tax.

I think 6K would be a fair price to both buyer and seller.

[Mick-7]

If they are that lazy,i would say stay away unless you can go and see it in person.

Many small music stores don't list their inventory on a website - at least not their complete inventory. Updating a database with pics and descriptions is time consuming and many small proprietors don't want to bother with it. But if you go to one at the right time, you may find a rare treasure.

[garybaldy]

Many small music stores don't list their inventory on a website - at least not their complete inventory. Updating a database with pics and descriptions is time consuming and many small proprietors don't want to bother with it. But if you go to one at the right time, you may find a rare treasure.

I believe that gear finds you sometimes.

[Stringswinger]

Many small music stores don't list their inventory on a website - at least not their complete inventory. Updating a database with pics and descriptions is time consuming and many small proprietors don't want to bother with it. But if you go to one at the right time, you may find a rare treasure.

The right time is important. Make offers that work for you and if you are lucky, it will be the right time for the seller and your offer will be accepted.

Many years ago, I saw a D'Angelico advertised by Bernunzio Music in upstate New York. After a few months, they reduced the price and I researched the guitar. It had sold at auction and I now knew what they were in it. I took a chance and called and was connected with the owner, John Bernunzio. I offered him what he was in it. It was a long shot, but always worth a try. It is not like he was going to fly to California and slap me, the worst that could happen is that he would decline my offer. John told me that he had a shipment of Martins coming in and business had been slow and he needed the cash, so he accepted.

Regarding the L-5 in this thread, if you read the store's we buy gear page, they indicate that they pay 50% of what they think they can get for a guitar. If they own this L-5 (it could be a consignment), that means they paid $3500 for it. If anyone here has an interest (Wildcat?), make an offer that works for you and see what happens. Good luck!

[garybaldy]

The right time is important. Make offers that work for you and if you are lucky, it will be the right time for the seller and your offer will be accepted.

Many years ago, I saw a D'Angelico advertised by Bernunzio Music in upstate New York. After a few months, they reduced the price and I researched the guitar. It had sold at auction and I now knew what they were in it. I took a chance and called and was connected with the owner, John Bernunzio. I offered him what he was in it. It was a long shot, but always worth a try. It is not like he was going to fly to California and slap me, the worst that could happen is that he would decline my offer. John told me that he had a shipment of Martins coming in and business had been slow and he needed the cash, so he accepted.

Regarding the L-5 in this thread, if you read the store's we buy gear page, they indicate that they pay 50% of what they think they can get for a guitar. If they own this L-5 (it could be a consignment), that means they paid $3500 for it. If anyone here has an interest (Wildcat?), make an offer that works for you and see what happens. Good luck!

If that's the case then the person they bought it off must have been desperate.

[Stringswinger]

If that's the case then the person they bought it off must have been desperate.

There is an old saying : Easily acquired, lightly regarded". People who inherit stuff they do not want, will take an easy cash offer from a dealer. And then there are people who have had unforeseen disasters or who have made some bad decisions in life who need money fast. They too will take an easy cash offer from a dealer.

I was in the nightclub business 40 years ago and my partner was a very successful used car dealer (he is worth several hundred million dollars today). I used to watch him buy cars at prices that informed me that the old adage "a fool and their money are soon parted" is very true.

Some folks are more concerned with a quick cash deal than the amount of money. Remember, in any deal, the power is always in the buy.

[wintermoon]

I wonder where it was stored that the case tolex peeled that severely.

[Stringswinger]

I wonder where it was stored that the case tolex peeled that severely.

Perhaps it was stored in an attic or a garage. The air here is moist and salty being right by the ocean with an onshore air flow most of the time. It sure is a rough looking case.

[wintermoon]

Perhaps it was stored in an attic or a garage. The air here is moist and salty being right by the ocean with an onshore air flow most of the time. It sure is a rough looking case.

I wonder if that was the cause of the crack, too bad you didn't get a shot of that but if that's the worst thing that happened the case did it's job, though I suppose it's possible the case was stored sans guitar.
But yeah, unless it's a consignment the store probably bought very low.

[Wildcat]

Stringswinger thank you for your words of wisdom based on your experiences over the years. For myself at almost 67 years old I found there is wisdom that just comes with the years.

This guitar speaks to me. It's unassuming presence appeals to me. Very modest in appearance but excellence in function. As for a offer considering it was listed in the catalog September 22 2024. Perhaps too soon for a offer on par with your suggestion? I don't know. Also, the I wonder if your visit sparked the seller in some way. Once again I don't know.

Also I like Wintermoon's observation "the case did it's job.". I find the 10's as reported on it interesting.

Bottomline I am not much to look at this point in my life. But much like this homeless L5 looks can be deceiving.

The right time is important. Make offers that work for you and if you are lucky, it will be the right time for the seller and your offer will be accepted.

Many years ago, I saw a D'Angelico advertised by Bernunzio Music in upstate New York. After a few months, they reduced the price and I researched the guitar. It had sold at auction and I now knew what they were in it. I took a chance and called and was connected with the owner, John Bernunzio. I offered him what he was in it. It was a long shot, but always worth a try. It is not like he was going to fly to California and slap me, the worst that could happen is that he would decline my offer. John told me that he had a shipment of Martins coming in and business had been slow and he needed the cash, so he accepted.

Regarding the L-5 in this thread, if you read the store's we buy gear page, they indicate that they pay 50% of what they think they can get for a guitar. If they own this L-5 (it could be a consignment), that means they paid $3500 for it. If anyone here has an interest (Wildcat?), make an offer that works for you and see what happens. Good luck!

[guildx500]

Thanks for posting some photos. I went in there and looked at it hanging above the counter when they first listed it. For some reason it didn’t look too appealing to me and the L5 CES model is my dream guitar. They first listed it at 9 grand and it’s been at this price for a couple months now with no takers.

[Stringswinger]

Stringswinger thank you for your words of wisdom based on your experiences over the years. For myself at almost 67 years old I found there is wisdom that just comes with the years.

This guitar speaks to me. It's unassuming presence appeals to me. Very modest in appearance but excellence in function. As for a offer considering it was listed in the catalog September 22 2024. Perhaps too soon for a offer on par with your suggestion? I don't know. Also, the I wonder if your visit sparked the seller in some way. Once again I don't know.

Also I like Wintermoon's observation "the case did it's job.". I find the 10's as reported on it interesting.

Bottomline I am not much to look at this point in my life. But much like this homeless L5 looks can be deceiving.

Wildcat, I too am about to turn 67. My life has been superb and if it ended today, it would be a "life well lived" with few regrets. This L-5 speaks to me very much as it sounds and plays great (assuming one likes a thin neck with a full size nut, which I do). The play wear indicates to me that this is one of the good ones (the good ones usually get played....because they are good!). I have two L-5's and a Super 400, so my carved Gibson archtop needs are more than met. If I did not have those guitars, I would have made an offer for this one. It has the mojo and they ain't making very many these days (plus, I will not live long enough to get a new one to sound as good as this one does. Only time and playing does that to a guitar).

I told the guys that I had a friend who "might" have an interest when I asked if I could take the photos, and if you make the photo of the top bigger, you can see the crack in the lower rim. It is through the wood, but seems stable to me. The time to make an offer if you have an interest is now, as someone else could make an offer and grab it before you do. If I am right about what they paid, I think they might very will take a 6K offer including shipping.

I played this guitar through a Silverface Deluxe Reverb that was bone stock and it was "the sound". I am a huge Wes fan, and for me nothing beats the sound of a Gibson L-5. They are getting hard to come by at any price and if one can get past the natural relic look of this guitar, I think the only regret the new owner of this guitar will have is the fact that they did not obtain an L-5 sooner in life. IMO, this is the top of the guitar food chain, but again, my view might be skewed by the fact that Wes is my all time favorite guitar player.