20/12/12 1964 Gibson L-5C

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1964 Gibson L-5C

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Serial #: 67134, orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale

length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"

Finish: Sunburst finish, nitrocellulose

lacquer type.

Materials: Solid bookmatched

handcarved fine grain spruce top; full-
depth handcarved solid maple back and
sides with Venetian cutaway; tiger flame
maple neck with walnut centerstripes;
solid ebony fingerboard with block
mother of pearl inlays; abalone torch and
headstock logo; 5-ply body and neck
binding; bound f-holes; solid bone nut.

Hardware: Original hardware includes

engraved gold tailpiece with deco insert,
gold Kluson Sealfast tuners. Gibson
compensated adjustable rosewood
bridge, vintage correct 5-ply bound
tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Introduced in 1923, the Gibson

L-5 was the first commercially produced archtop guitar. Almost 90 years later, it remains the most renowned
archtop guitar of all time. Designed by Lloyd Loar himself, the L-5 was the guitar that D'Angelico copied, that
Eddie Lang brought to fame, and players from Wes Montgomery to Mark Whitfield carried to glory.

One of just 23 L-5C models made in its production year, the instrument is a very lightweight example, just
5lb. 12oz, with clear open voice and excellent projection. A well kept example, this guitar is largely free of

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pick, thumb, buckle and fingerboard wear, and shows just a few random nicks in the gleaming sunburst finish.
Even the sort of typical checking one expects over half a century of age is minimal. The carved maple back is
imbued with deep vertical rollers of flame, and the neck is constructed of tiger flame maple of stunning
intensity.

The guitar has spent its career in the New York area, and the last owner has indicated that the neck was once
oversprayed at D'Angelico's shop (presumably by Jimmy D'Aquisto), an assertion supported by the presence
of an original D'Angelico bridge that accompanied the guitar. (If any repair was made to the neck at that time,
we cannot visually locate it, despite close and repeated examination.) The neck has smooth low action over
fresh pro frets, and an exceptionally comfy profile, with great acoustic volume and the deep warm voice of a
well-played soundboard.

An exceptionally fine example of Gibson's classic jazz guitar, and an unbeatable combination of playability
and collectabilty alike.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will
accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64"
at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or
raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Brown Gibson plush hardshell case.

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