Gibson Byrdland
Thin line semi-acoustic guitar

Top: mid sixties Byrdland, with Florentine cutaway. Below: 1970 Byrdland with Venetian cutaway

Jazz strings suitable for this guitar Dean Markley 2506B (Dean Markley Nickelsteel Electric - Jazz) D'Addario EXL115W (D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings Blues/Jazz Rock Wound 3rd) D'Addario XLS590 (D'Addario Stainless Steel Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Light) Thomastik-Infeld JS111 (light flatwound jazz swing electric guitar strings) D'Addario EHR350 (D'Addario S/Steel Half Round Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Light) D'Addario ECG24 (D'Addario Chrome Flat Wound Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Light) D'Addario XLS600 (D'Addario Stainless Steel Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Medium) D'Addario EJ20 (D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Extra-Light) D'Addario EHR360 (D'Addario S/Steel Half Round Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Medium) D'Addario EJ22 (D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings Jazz Medium)

The Byrdland is a particularly fine Gibson jazz guitar, designed by, and taking its name from, Billy Byrd and Hank Garland - two jazz guitarists. It debuted in 1955 and has been on Gibson price lists ever since. Initially it had a rounded Venetian cutaway; the same body shape and size as the L-5 CES, ES-5 Switchmaster and ES-350, although it , and the ES-350 were shorter scale than the L-5CES and ES-5 (23 1/2" compared to 25 1/2") - specifically for easy jazz chording and soloing

The Gibson New for '61 flyer heralds the change to a "deeper Florentine cutaway body... for easier, more comfortable playing in the upper register, and to permit the playing of many chords and intervals previously beyond reach"

From 1962 the Byrdland was adverised in price lists as custom order only.

The following description is taken from the 1970 Gibson catalogue

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Gibson Custom Shop L-4 CES 3-Pickup Vintage Sunburst one of a kind electric guitar

Even though Gibson had originally created the laminated top ES-175 in 1948 to fill the need for an electric version of the acoustic, carved-top L-4C, the demand still existed for an electric L-4 with a fully carved top. In the late 1950s, Gibson answered this call by releasing small runs of variously configured L-4 CES guitars, some with Charlie Christian pickups, some with alnico pickups, and some with humbuckers. This Gibson L-4 CES 3-Pickup Vintage Sunburst one-of-a-kind electric guitar is a modification of the final incarnation of the L-4 CES with 3 - '57 Classic humbuckers and solid mahogany back and sides.

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All of Gibson's century-long experience crafting high-quality archtop instruments can be felt when you lay your hands on this delicious, full-bodied jazz machine. The precision-carved solid spruce top emits a sonorous, silky, deep, rich tone. Full binding with a sharp multi-ply binding on the top combines with a multilayer pickguard, goldtop-style knobs, pearl parallelogram inlays on the ebony fretboard, a substantial gold-plated brass tailpiece, and an ABR-1 bridge with pearl inlays in the ebony base to make this one astoundingly gorgeous electric guitar with vintage appeal. But the real beauty rings through when you plug it in. 2 - '57 Classic Humbuckers with individual volume and tone controls generate a phenomenally smooth sound with a thick midrange, more tonal options than you might expect, and great response to the top's vibrant resonance. The Gibson L-4 CES has a carved solid mahogany rims and back, one-piece mahogany neck.

Epiphone Elitist Byrdland Guitar Natural Gold Hardware

One of the all-time most-revered hollowbodies with astounding appointments and peerless tone.

A solid spruce carved top and AAA flamed maple back and sides plus precision craftsmanship and USA humbuckers result in the sumptuous tone of the Epiphone Elitist Byrdland Guitar. Features 24K gold-plated hardware, an ebony fretboard, and a gorgeous flaming-chalice headstock inlay. Easy-play 23-1/2" scale and thinline body.

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Gibson Custom Shop L-5 CES Electric Guitar

Tone and beauty for artistic performance!

The depth and mellowness of the Gibson L-5 CES is winning acclaim for this fine jazz guitar from the most discriminating artists. The tonal quality of the acoustic guitar and the advantages of an electric are combined in one instrument. Very few carved guitars are built each year because of the scarcity of the wood required and the handcrafting involved. The building of the L-5s is overseen by Jim Hutchins, a Gibson Builder since 1963. The process has remained relatively unchanged since the 1950s, including the hand-tuning of the top and back. Guitarists sing the praises of the comfortable vintage neck; the fast, easy action; and the rich beauty of the carved spruce top. Other features on the Gibson guitar include a figured, carved maple back with solid maple rims; a pearl inlaid ebony fingerboard; and beautiful multi white-black binding. With the creation of the L-5 in the 1920s, the modern archtop guitar was invented and it has set the standard for all carved guitars that have followed. (Click on "Private Reserve" at left to see more gorgeous pics.)