Signed by late 1980’s on Gibson shop manager James Hutchins, in 1986, the first year of Gibson’s return to form after the much maligned Norlin era, this great old L5 is a good example of how the old stalwart designs of the mid 20th century absolutely are viable in a modern world: the L5 is still the archetype after which all archtops are patterned, and this later example still has as much gravitas as its 50’s and 60’s predecessors that fetch prices into the tens of thousands.

Following the designs of the L5-CES introduced in 1951, the latter period L5’s feature laminate maple bodies, 5 piece maple necks with ebony strips sandwiched in-between, a rounded Venetian style cutaway, and Humbucker pickups, most likely Tim Shaw T-Tops from this era.

This guitar has a big, fat, L5 sound, like you’d expect. Warm, with plenty of treble and mid range to roll off with the tone knobs.

The 1 11/16 nut, paired with the comfortable C shaped neck profile, make a very playable guitar with a still vintage feel, but a 1960’s type of vintage.

Cosmetically, this guitar is very clean, with the barely any of the expected wear. The only major foible is the pickguard, which, like many guards of its era is starting to disintegrate in one small spot. This has led to a little bit of oxidation on the bridge pickup cover.

The frets are the original Gibson Jumbo frets, and are very low, but are still playable within reason.

This guitar comes with the original blue lined Gibson hard case.