Gibson L-5CES
Electric acoustic guitar

1958 Gibson Electrics catalogue Hand-graduated, carved top of select close-grain spruce • arched, highly figured curly maple back with matching curly maple rims • alternate black and white ivoroid binding • modern cutaway design • small, comfortable feeling three-piece curly maple neck with Gibson Adjustable Truss Rod From the 1963 Gibson electric guitar and bass catalogue The inherent quality, versatility, and rich, impressive appearance of the L-5 CES have won acclaim from the most discriminating artists. Guitarists everywhere praise the slim, comfortable neck, the fast, easy-playing action and quick response 1966 Gibson full line catalogue The 1970 Gibson electric acoustics catalogue Professional musicians enjoy the fast neck action and quick response of the L-5 CES. This electric acoustic offers performance to match its rich, impressive appearance Gibson 1983 guitar and bass catalogue The Gibson L-5CES is the heart and soul of the entire Gibson line - the proud descendent of Lloyd Loars masterpiece L-5, the worlds first arch top, f-hole guitar in 1923. Today's L-5CES has specially designed bracing, a carved maple back, hand-shaped rims and a beautifully finished spruce top In 1972 Gibson launched a flyer devoted to the L-5CES - The Gibson L-5CES Guitar of the Month Showcase. The spruce used on the L-5CES is from a tree approximately 450-500 years old. Only a very small portion of the world's spruce yield is good enough to use in production of the Gibson L-5CES The L-5CES was a particularly fine instrument, and as such was made in relatively small numbers, and had a relatively high purchase price. It was first available in 1951, and is still available today - either in sunburst or natural finish. Initially the pickups were P90 single coils, changing to Alnicos from 1953 to 1957. Thereafter the Gibson humbuckers came as standard. As previously mentioned, the L-5CES was an expensive instrument - only cheaper than the Super 400 and Johnny Smith (and the Citation, when it was launched). After 1962 it was marked in price lists as a custom order instrument - but despite this, sales rose throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. The following description is taken from the 1970 Gibson catalogue L-5 CES - Cutaway Professional musicians enjoy the fast neck action and quick response of the L-5 CES. This electric acoustic offers performance to match its rich, impressive appearance. FEATURES: Carved top of select close-grained spruce. Carved back of curly maple with matching rims. Slim, fast low-action neck joins the body at the 14th fret. Five-piece curly maple neck, adjustable truss rod. Ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlays. Adjustable Tune-O-Matic bridge. Exclusive L-5 tailpiece. Powerful twin Humbucking pickups. Separate tone and volume control for each pickup. Three position toggle switch to activate either or both pickups. Gold-plated metal parts. Deluxe individual machine heads. 17" wide, 21" long, 3 3/8 " deep; 25 ½ " scale, 20 frets. L-5 CES - Sunburst L-5 CESN - Natural 600 - Faultless plush-lined case ZC-6 - Deluxe zipper cover for 600 case

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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.

Gibson Custom Shop L-4 CES Mahogany Electric Guitar Natural

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.

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.)

Gibson Steve Howe Signature ES-175 Guitar Vintage Sunburst

Based on the '64 ES-175 that was Steve's first good guitar and the one to which he has returned throughout his long career, this stunning signature model features everything he loves best: maple top, back, and sides, split-parallelogram mother-of-pearl inlays on a rosewood fretboard, full body and neck binding, inlaid ebony bridge base, unique nickel T-trapeze, and 2 '57 Classic humbuckers. Independent volume and tone controls with a 3-way toggle. Deep, rich tone rings out from a full hollowbody with a deep cutaway for easy high-fret access.

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.