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Average Price: $14,000
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Description
The Gibson L-5 CES EB is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship that define Gibson's legacy. Designed for the discerning musician, this semi-hollowbody electric guitar combines vintage aesthetics with modern playability, making it a favorite among jazz, rock, and blues guitarists. The L-5 CES EB is renowned for its carved solid spruce top and maple back and sides, delivering a rich, warm tone that resonates with clarity and depth.
Its neck is crafted from a single piece of mahogany, offering a smooth, comfortable playing experience, enhanced by the ebony fingerboard. The guitar's dual humbucking pickups are tailored to capture the subtleties of every note and chord, ensuring your sound is as expressive as your playing. With a classic Florentine cutaway, the L-5 CES EB allows for easy access to higher frets, making it versatile for both rhythm and lead playing.
Every detail of this guitar, from its gold hardware to the mother-of-pearl inlays, reflects the high standards of Gibson. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the L-5 CES EB stands out not just as an instrument, but as a piece of musical history.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody design for rich, warm tones
- Carved solid spruce top with maple back and sides
- Mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard
- Dual humbucking pickups for a wide tonal range
- Classic Florentine cutaway for easy fret access
- Gold hardware and mother-of-pearl inlays for an elegant finish
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | L-5 CES |
| Finish | Ebony, Natural, Sunburst, Wine Red |
| Year | 1986 - 1992 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Red, Tan |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Model Family | Gibson L-5 |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson L-5 CES |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson L-5 CES EB?
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The Gibson L-5 CES EB features a comfortable, rounded neck profile, which is ideal for jazz players who require smooth playability and easy access to all frets.
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What kind of pickups does the Gibson L-5 CES EB have?
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The Gibson L-5 CES EB is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, providing a warm, rich tone suitable for jazz, blues, and other genres requiring a full-bodied sound.
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Is the Gibson L-5 CES EB suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson L-5 CES EB is ideal for live performances, offering a robust, clear sound and excellent projection due to its hollow body design and quality electronics.
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How does the Gibson L-5 CES EB differ from other semi-hollowbody guitars?
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The Gibson L-5 CES EB is distinguished by its high-quality craftsmanship, ebony fretboard, and signature archtop design, delivering a classic jazz tone with superior sustain and resonance.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson L-5 CES EB?
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The Gibson L-5 CES EB features a maple neck, an ebony fretboard, and a hollow body, contributing to its elegant appearance and rich, resonant sound.
Videos
Vintage Guitar Oldenburg
Gibson L-5 CES from 1979 in black presented by Vintage Guitar Ol. & Tobias Hoffmann
Gibson L-5 CES from 1979 in black presented by Vintage Guitar Ol. & Tobias Hoffmann
Vintage Guitar Oldenburg
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson L-5 CES EB.
Comparisons
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Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds are preferred over D'Addario Chromes for a warmer, fundamental-focused sound, particularly in jazz applications.
Source
User experience
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Thomastik-Infeld strings are praised for their longevity, with some users reporting minimal degradation even after a year of use.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Gibson L-5 CES is noted for achieving its signature jazz tone with flatwound strings, specifically Thomastik-Infeld, enhancing its suitability for jazz styles.
Source
Features and functionality
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Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds are described as having a lighter gauge on bass strings, offering a more balanced sound across the strings compared to D'Addario.
Source
4.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video, John Mayer plays a Gibson L-5 CES guitar in natural finish.
In an article by Gibson about the Gibson L-5 archtop guitar, the author mentions John Mayer's usage of it. They write, "Mayer is proof that the L-5 has a place in modern pop. He pulls the silvery tones of “Slow Dancing on Mulholland Drive” from his Where the Light Is DVD out of a gorgeous natural finish L-5."
This Gibson L5-CES is owned by George Benson
Throughout this video, Wes Montgomery plays a Gibson L-5 CES. This article from Jazz Guitar says "During his entire career Wes Montgomery played almost exclusively on a Gibson L-5 (cutaway electric spanish) from 1963. He wasn't really interested in equipment. In his own words: 'I got a standard box. I don’t never want nothing special. Then if I drop my box, I can borrow somebody else’s." This article from Gibson confirms Wes' use of the L-5.
This photograph suggests that R.L. Burnside uses a Gibson L-5 CES EB, as it shows him holding the semi-hollowbody electric guitar.
Gibson made me an L-5 with a deep cutaway in the late ’50s. They did it reluctantly. I played that guitar for a while, but it was too heavy. It had a much bigger block; they thought the body wouldn’t hold the neck with the deep cutaway otherwise.
Andy Fairweather Low used this guitar for his work with Eric Clapton in the late 90s and early 2000s.
In this YouTube video of the Herbie Hancock Group on Dutch TV in 1976, Wah Wah Watson can be seen playing a Gibson L-5. He can also be seen using one in a video of a USC master class from 2013.
What kind of guitars were you using back then? I was using the Cadillac of guitars – a big Gibson L-5 hollowbody. And sometimes a Gretsch. They were both perfect for what I did with Sam. Sam would do “You Send Me,” or “Twistin’ The Night Away.”
I was a rhythm guitar player. Eventually, I started getting into Strats and Telecasters. For amps I always used a Fender Twin. My favorite guitar, to this day, is a 65-year-old Guild acoustic.
In this post tony can be seen using his gibson hollow body guitar
Guitars, Amps, Strings – and Attitude For someone so identified with archtop guitars, Smith had a checkered, often unfortunate, history with his instruments. When he got the letter in Portland to report to NBC, his Gibson L-5 had been stolen from a check room. So he arrived in New York with no guitar. He met Harry Volpe, a guitarist on staff at Radio City Music Hall who also owned a music store.
Album Usage
The Gibson L-5 CES EB has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson L-5 CES EB, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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