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GIBSON CERTIFIED VINTAGE

Curated. Authenticated. Certified.

1978 CUSTOM L-5 CES

#71738056

1978 CUSTOM L-5 CES

#71738056

‘78 CUSTOM L-5 CES

An Iconic Vintage Jazz Guitar

  • 17” hollowbody with Venetian cutaway
  • Carved solid spruce top, Maple back and sides
  • Wine Red nitrocellulose finish
  • Floating bridge with L-5 trapeze tailpiece
  • Black “Witch Hat” knobs with gold inserts
  • Kluson Sealfast tuners with metal tulip buttons
  • Patent number stamped humbuckers, 7.5k DC resistance 
  • Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle
  • CTS potentiometers

The L-5™ is a monolithic presence in the history of Gibson. Designed by the legendary Lloyd Loar, it debuted in 1923 and was the world’s first guitar design to feature f-holes. Though it began life as an acoustic instrument, the L-5 was electrified in the 1940s. The L-5 CES came along in 1951 and quickly became iconic, with a who’s who of jazz musicians soon getting hip to its warm, articulate, and dynamic tones.

Having resided for many years alongside other coveted vintage instruments in the Gibson Vault, this beautiful 1978 L-5 CES is finished in Wine Red and features a Venetian cutaway and a custom-inlaid headstock with a floral design. In addition to a solid carved spruce top, other specifications include a two-piece maple back, a three-piece figured maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block inlays.

Availability Date: The purchased instrument will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the US, starting April 27, 2023.

The L-5™ is a monolithic presence in the history of Gibson. Designed by the legendary Lloyd Loar, it debuted in 1923 and was the world’s first guitar design to feature f-holes. Though it began life as an acoustic instrument, the L-5 was electrified in the 1940s. The L-5 CES came along in 1951 and quickly became iconic, with a who’s who of jazz musicians soon getting hip to its warm, articulate, and dynamic tones.

Having resided for many years alongside other coveted vintage instruments in the Gibson Vault, this beautiful 1978 L-5 CES is finished in Wine Red and features a Venetian cutaway and a custom-inlaid headstock with a floral design. In addition to a solid carved spruce top, other specifications include a two-piece maple back, a three-piece figured maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl block inlays.

Availability Date: The purchased instrument will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, or shipment to an address in the US, starting April 27, 2023.

CERTIFIED AND PROTECTED

A NEW WARRANTY AND LETTER OF APPRAISAL

Alongside a certificate of authenticity and limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by both Gibson’s Senior Director of Product Development Mat Koehler and Director of Brand Experience Mark Agnesi.

CERTIFIED AND PROTECTED

A NEW WARRANTY AND LETTER OF APPRAISAL

Alongside a certificate of authenticity and limited lifetime warranty, enclosed will be a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by both Gibson’s Senior Director of Product Development Mat Koehler and Director of Brand Experience Mark Agnesi.