Product Description

Here we have a non-cutaway L-5 acoustic archtop from 1947. This guitar is serial number A-356, one of the earliest white label "A" serial number instruments. The iconic L-5 features a carved spruce top, carved maple back, maple sides, two-piece maple neck with stringer, and an ebony board with block inlays.

This guitar is highly original without any breaks or issues. The Kluson tuners, bridge, and tailpiece are original to the guitar, while the pickguard and mount are recent competent reproductions. The varitone adjustment lever is missing from underneath the tailpiece. The finish has warmed to a nice orangey amber sunburst and shows checking over most of its surface. The body shows pick marks, light scratches and dings randomly. The neck has a section of finish wear to the wood in the middle. The lacquer is worn through along the binding edges in many areas, and the finish has flaked off the headstock inlays subtly. The back seam has been reglued it appears and there is one small semi-circular crack on the lower bout bass side that seems old and stable.

This parallel-braced guitar is built for the music of the time. It's a loud, direct, and jaunty acoustic instrument designed to cut through the brass section of a big band. However it is one of the better sounding examples we've had from this period with a bit more sweetness about its tone than others. The color is beautiful and rich, and the blistered maple back shines. The neck is a full c-shape, a bit bigger than a '50s Les Paul but still quite comfortable. It measure .920 at the 1st and 1.010 at the 10th. The frets show subtle wear but notes ring out clear and true. The guitar weighs in at 6lbs 4oz.

Overall a well-kept L-5 that would be a great addition to any collection. If you don't own one yet, it's worth exploring these pre-electric models. Ships in a modern hardshell case.

Product Details