Gibson L-5C Cutaway Acoustic Archtop 1948 - Natural Refin

Product Description

Here we have a great-sounding blonde Gibson L-5C from 1948! This guitar is in great shape with some restoration work performed.

Specs include a hand carved spruce top, hand carved figured maple back, figured maple sides, two piece figured maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It has parallel braces, block inlays, a rosewood bridge and a Varitone tailpiece with L-5 engraving. The tuners are original Kluson Sealfast units. The scale length is 25.5".

This guitar was refinished in the 1970s. The pickguard is a competent replacement by John Boynton. It has been refretted and has a replaced nut. Additionally, the neck was reset and the neck profile was slimmed down a touch. All of the work was expertly executed. The guitar remains in very good condition with some light play wear, a few light dings over its surface, and some topical scratches. There is a touch of checking on the back of the headstock and there are small areas on the edges where the old nitro refinish has worn through already. The interior label is missing, but the guitar dates to around 1948 due to the rosewood fingerboard and script logo.

This one weighs 5lbs 15oz. The neck measures .840 to .920 at the 1st and 10th frets. It has a medium C profile with slightest hint of a V apex down low. It's rounded and fills out subtly higher up the register. The shape is quite modern feeling and comfortable without much shoulder. Plus, with the reset, the neck angle and geometry of the instrument are spot on.

Simply put, this one sounds fantastic. It's one of the nicest sounding and looking acoustic L-5 examples we've had. It resounds effortlessly with excellent volume and endless sustain. The tone comes from deep within the body and there is plenty of natural reverb around each note. It has good mid-range bite with a glassy top end and sounds sweet played intimately. The top drives easily when pushed and the guitar produces a jaunty, spanky tone at full volume. A great example and ideal instrument for professional use.

Ships in the original Lifton case which is in excellent condition.

1948 Gibson L-5C Specs

• Hand Carved Spruce Top
• Hand Carved Curly Maple Back
• Curly Maple Sides
• Highly Figured Two Piece Maple Neck
• Rosewood Fretboard
• Block Inlays
• 20 Frets
• Narrow Tall Fret Wire
• Kluson Sealfast Tuners
• Script Logo
• Bound Neck & Headstock
• Cantilevered Neck
• Bound Body
• Bound F Holes
• L-5 Varitone Tailpiece
• Rosewood Bridge
• Bound Tortoise Pickguard
• 17" Body
• Venetian Cutaway
• Parallel Braced Top
• 12" Radius
• 25.5" Scale Length
• 1 11/16" Nut Width

Product Details