1928 Gibson L5
1928 L5's are widely recognised to be among the best sounding L5's ever made.
Mother Maybelle Carter, Eddie Lang and Les Paul himself all owned 1928 models and considered them their favourite instruments. The L5 is the most historically and culturally significant archtop guitar of all time. The model set a precedent in construction and appearance. A true icon!
Surely very few early period L5's have survived in such incredible condition. This example is 100% original with patent stamped bridge, tailpiece and pickguard. It has a hand applied sunburst which used several different levels of stain and was applied using different grades of soft cloths. It was called 'Cremona' sunburst and this has a very rich colour which has aged beautifully.
The nitrocellulose finish has mildly checked throughout. The tightly grained Spruce top has some superb cross grain which looks like pinstripe flame in places. This instrument is subtly decorated with Mother Of Pearl: 'The Gibson' logo, dot position markers, tuner buttons and even the nut, making this instrument look, and feel like a million dollars. The highly flamed Maple back and sides are amazingly deep and 3-dimensional.
This very clean L5 has an equally clean original 'red-line' black case with cerise pink plush lining. Inside the case pocket sits an old faded black and white photograph showing this guitar with another one like it, played by two brothers in someone's garden for an 80th Birthday celebration. This guitar is now well into its 80's too! So, who has the other L5 in the photo?
The tone, volume and projection of this guitar is incredible, and the carved archtop body seems to have its own ghostly natural reverb. Outstanding in every way.
1936 Gibson "Super 400"
The small upper bout Super 400 was made between 1934 and 1936. A masterpiece in carved archtop construction and an awe-inspiring instrument to behold.
The wood selections are stunning. High-grade quilted bubble Maple for the back, sides and neck , tightly grained carved Spruce top, and Ebony fingerboard. Outfitted throughout with luxurious Mother of Pearl inlays and detailing. A total of 93 first-model Pre-War Super 400's (1934-1936) were made with the smaller upper bout measurement. Les Paul played one of these in the 1930's and 1940's.
This Super 400 once belonged to Clive 'Skeets' Yaney, a country artist who released several recordings in the 1940's-1950's. A very young Chester (Chet) Atkins produced a few of his records. The brass tailpiece is engraved with his name. Has the original tan coloured leather covered pink plush lined case.
1 of 29 made in model year.
1947 Gibson L5-Premier (L5-P)
Superb example of a post-war L5 Premier, and in fact still considered Pre-War. The L5-P (Premier) designation changed to L5-C (cutaway) in 1948 All Premier designated models are considered Pre-War.
This instrument is In superb original condition. The back of the neck shows some loss of the lacquer finish due to honest playing wear over half a century. Some very mild finish checking over the lacquer. Very balanced tone, incredible volume and projection. Has had a re-fret in it's time.
The sunburst is a beautiful 'ice tea' colour and the finish is really deep and rich.
Some Gibson models from 1947-1949 had Brazilian Rosewood fingerboards due to a lack of exotic wood supplies during and immediately after WWII, but this near-perfect example has an Ebony board.
1 of 23 made in production year.
1955 Gibson L5-CES
All original condition 1955 Gibson L5-CES with two 'Alnico 5', P-90 pick-ups. The Alnico 5 P-90 was the top-of-the-line pickup and issued for just 3 years, after the regular P-90 and before the PAF humbucker pickups which were introduced by Gibson in 1957.
Fantastic vivid reddish-brown coloured sunburst. The curly flamed eastern maple back and sides are mesmerising. Ebony fingerboard and Mother of Pearl inlays.
Wes Montgomery performed and recorded on many records with one of these between 1955 and 1960.
This particular guitar appeared in a center-spread feature in 'Guitar' magazine. (July 2004, Vol 15, No 3).
1 of 19 made in production year.
1959 Gibson ES-5 "Switchmaster"
Big, blonde and beautiful with a lovely figure! The ES-5 was originally designed in 1949 as a fully 'electric' version of the L5 with a laminated body construction rather than carved. This helped to alleviate feedback problems when playing at a higher volume. In 1957 the three P-90 pickups were replaced with three PAF humbucker pickups. The model was discontinued in 1961.
Three PAF stickered humbuckers with individual and combined volume and tone settings deliver a multitude of sounds, from Rock 'n' Roll to Blues to Jazz to Rock and back again. Very dark Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard which almost looks like Ebony.
You need a pilot licence to operate this thing!
100% original, right down to the frets!
1 of 33 made in production year.
1959 Gibson ES-330T
Constructed with the same body shape as the legendary ES-335T (but hollow bodied rather than semi-solid) the ES-330T was originally introduced in 1959 as a replacement for the single cutaway ES-225T. The single P-90 pickup version was discontinued during 1963, but the model remained in production until 1972.
This first year variant of the ES-300T is characterised by its dot-inlaid fingerboard, rounded 'Mickey Mouse' cutaway horns and black plastic-covered P-90 pickup. Oterwise, the model did not undergo any real modifications until 1962. It was offered in sunburst and natural finishes originally, but during 1960 the popular cherry red finish was substituted for the natural finish.
100% clean and original.
1 of 349 made in production year.
1960 Gibson ES-175D
Totally untouched mid-1960 ES-175 with two stickered PAF humbucking pickups. The gorgeous graduated sunburst retains all of its original colour with little or no fading. Very resonant acoustically, and the PAFs sound superb. The neck profile is just perfect. With the 23 ¾ inch scale length this makes for an extremely playable guitar.
1 of 426 made in production year.
1960 Fender Stratocaster
Extremely clean and original 1960 Fender 'Custom Colour' Stratocaster. This rare Olympic White model has become absorbed into the public consciousness as an iconic Strat finish thanks to Jimi Hendrix, Jimmie Vaughan, Robin Trower and many other guitarists.
This 1960 has the famous slab board made from Brazilian Rosewood over the solid maple neck, and was the first year to feature a multi-ply pickguard. The clay dots work really well with the custom colour! Classic and very sought after.
1961 Gretsch 'Chet Atkins' 6120
One of the last single cutaway 6120's. Between 1960-1961 the body thickness was reduced making it a very comfortable guitar to play.
This particular 6120 has some fabulous wavy flame on the front and back of the body, and has retained its vivid original colour – which could be likened to a warm Arizona sunset.
This is a great finger-pickin' guitar. As well as Chet Atkins styles of playing, this guitar is just great for rock 'n' roll, blues, rock and cowboy twang stuff.
Complete with rare and original white, leather bound Cowboy Case. Rock and Roll heaven!
Another 100% original guitar.
1963 Gibson L5-CES (Florentine cutaway)
High-end electric Gibson archtop instrument with superb playability and tone. Very resonant when played acoustically. The jazz guitarist's dream!
This L5-CES has a laminated two piece back which was typical of top of the range 1962-1964 Gibson electric archtops. It is fitted with two original Patent Number stickered humbucking pickups, which are exactly the same as PAF's but without the PAF sticker! Amazing sound combined with the carved Spruce top.
1 of 51 made in production year.
1964 Gibson L5-C with Charlie Christian 'Bar' pickup
High-end jazz instrument with incredible resonance and tone. The hand carved spruce top has some of the tightest grain ever seen, and shows some beautiful flame-like cross-grain. It looks like a single piece of carved Spruce – it's impossible to see a join line. The back is made from two pieces of carved Maple.
It is difficult to know whether the Bar pickup was factory-fitted in 1964, or retro-fitted a little later.
Sounds extraordinary! Very resonant and loud when played acoustically. Sounds very warm and dark amplified, but allows plenty enough midrange and treble.
1 of 23 made in production year.
1997 Gibson Custom Shop & Historic Division 1959 re-issue 'R9'
Monster guitar - both in looks, sound and playability. You don't see uber monster top R9's like this everyday! Looks equally impressive with the pickguard on or off.
One of the best tops on any reissue - period! It weighs just 8.2 Lbs, and resonates like a tuning fork.
This R9 is outstanding!
Special thanks to Jon Case for his photographic skills and studio facilities.
Please Note: The guitars on this Gallery page are NOT for sale, with the exception of the 1963 Gibson L5-CES, 1964 Gibson L5-C and 1997 Gibson Les Paul Historic. These are available for sale. Please refer to our Guitars For Sale section for more information.
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