Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends

archtop.com

2002 Gibson L-5 Wes Montgomery

Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.

Serial #: 22202014, orange label.

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"

Finish: Wine finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; solid handcarved bookmatched AAA tiger-flame 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: Hardware includes gold Gibson humbucking pickup, 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard; Gibson gold speed volume and tone knobs; engraved gold tailpiece with Wes Mongomery nameplate; gold Kluson Sealfast tuners, compensated adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid foot; adjustable truss rod.

Notes: At the top of virtually everyones' short list, the great Wes Montgomery was arguably the most influential jazz guitarist of the 1960's. Introduced in 1993, this version of the legendary L-5CES is a faithful rendition of the master's own instrument, built with the single humbucking pickup in just the right place.

This superb example is in great shape, in the rarest finish color for the model. She's 100% original, with all factory hardware and finish, without cracks, pick, buckle or thumbwear, and shows just a bit of tarnish on the gold art-deco tailpiece. The tiger flame maple back, sides and neck show deep bookmatched chevron figure. Neck is a classic "D" profile, neither too skinny nor overly full, and the fretwork is high and perfectly crowned. Tone is warm, rich and sweet, and the body is just a tad lighter than the standard CES. An instant classic, and a fitting tribute to the Man With the Golden Thumb.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge roundwound nickel 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. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original Gibson logo plush hardshell case.

Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends