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1966 Gibson L-5C

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Serial #: 406770, orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 17", Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 19/32" Neck depth: .76/.93, 1st/10th frets

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; full-depth handcarved solid flame maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays; abalone torch and headstock logo; 5-ply body and neck binding; bound f-holes.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes Kluson Sealfast tuners, engraved Art Deco tailpiece with Varitone adjuster, compensated adjustable pearl inlaid ebony bridge. Vintage correct 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard, with tone and volume controls, endpin jack.

Notes: By the time this handsome instrument left the Gibson factory in the mid-60's, the acoustic archtop had become almost an anachronism, with production just a fraction of the newly popular electric L-5CES. One of a mere 25 examples from its model year, this striking guitar is carved of tonewoods of exceptionally fine quality, with a bookmatched Sitka spruce soundboard, and back, sides and neck crafted of deeply flamed Northern Michigan bigleaf maple, of wonderful depth and intensity.

The instrument shows no cracks, and the original light cherry sunburst finish is notably free of pick, buckle, or thumbwear, with a few scattered lacquer nicks on top, mostly near the edges, and fairly light checking for an instrument of its vintage. The binding is all original and tight to the body, showing only a few hairline cracks at a couple of the fret ends. The engraved art deco Varitone tailpiece appears to have been refinished, and the headstock is fitted with its original gold Kluson Sealfast tuners, the most prestigious tuning machines to ever grace a peghead.

The classic no-volute neck has the slim, elegant profile seen only on instruments from this era, with smooth, low action over fine pro fretwork, excellent bridge height, and a fresh high precision setup. At just a hair over 6lb, the instrument is far lighter than later examples, and balances deftly on the lap or the strap. The voice has opened nicely over decades of play, with a warm, rich timbre, clear and well balanced across the range. And all conveyed accurately to the amp by the Bartolini floating humbucker, whose volume and tone controls are both mounted to the pickguard, and connected a 1/4" endpin jack.

Vibrant, lustrous, and effortlessly playable: an outstanding example of true 60's Gibson craftsmanship at its very finest, all nestled in its original black Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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.

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