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Average Price: $5,000

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Description

The Gibson L-5 Signature is a masterful blend of classic craftsmanship and modern innovation, making it a standout choice for discerning musicians. Known for its rich history, the L-5 has been a favorite among jazz, blues, and rock guitarists who appreciate its warm, resonant tones and articulate sound. This hollowbody electric guitar features a hand-scalloped X-bracing, ensuring optimal acoustic response that translates beautifully when amplified.

Crafted with a carved solid spruce top and flamed maple back and sides, the Gibson L-5 Signature resonates with a full-bodied, rich sound. The neck, carved from a single piece of select maple, provides a smooth playing experience that complements the guitar’s elegant aesthetics. The ebony fingerboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl block inlays, adding a touch of sophistication to its classic look.

Equipped with Gibson's MHS humbuckers, this guitar delivers the perfect balance of clarity and warmth, allowing for versatile tonal expression. The floating bridge and tailpiece provide exceptional sustain and tuning stability, ensuring your performance remains impeccable. Whether you’re performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Gibson L-5 Signature offers a timeless sound that continues to captivate musicians around the world.

Key Features:

  • Hand-scalloped X-bracing for enhanced acoustic response
  • Carved solid spruce top with flamed maple back and sides
  • Single-piece maple neck with an ebony fingerboard
  • Mother-of-pearl block inlays
  • Gibson MHS humbuckers for versatile tone
  • Floating bridge and tailpiece for improved sustain and tuning stability

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model L-5 Signature
Year 2001 - 2004
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson L-5
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What kind of tonal characteristics can I expect from the Gibson L-5 Signature?

The Gibson L-5 Signature offers a warm, rich tone with a strong midrange presence, ideal for jazz and blues genres. Its hollow body design and dual humbucker pickups provide a smooth, resonant sound with excellent sustain.

Is the Gibson L-5 Signature suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Gibson L-5 Signature is well-suited for live performances, especially in jazz and blues settings. Its hollow body design and set-neck construction offer great resonance and playability, making it a favorite among professional musicians.

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson L-5 Signature?

The Gibson L-5 Signature features a comfortable set-neck construction with a mahogany neck, offering smooth playability and easy access to higher frets, which is ideal for complex jazz chords and solos.

How does the Gibson L-5 Signature handle feedback?

The Gibson L-5 Signature, being a hollow body guitar, is prone to feedback at higher volumes. However, its well-crafted design helps minimize unwanted feedback, making it manageable for most live and studio settings with proper amp settings.

Does the Gibson L-5 Signature come with a case?

The Gibson L-5 Signature typically comes with a high-quality hard case to ensure safe transport and storage, protecting the guitar's exquisite finish and construction.

Lorenzo Petrocca Jazzguitar

Lorenzo Petrocca Jazzguitar

Gibson L5 Signature, "smile" played by Lorenzo Petrocca

Video thumbnail for Gibson L5 Signature, "smile" played by Lorenzo Petrocca by Lorenzo Petrocca Jazzguitar

Gibson L5 Signature, "smile" played by Lorenzo Petrocca

Lorenzo Petrocca Jazzguitar

Lorenzo Petrocca Jazzguitar

Video thumbnail for Gibson L5 Signature 2001 by David Chamberlin

Gibson L5 Signature 2001

David Chamberlin

David Chamberlin

Video thumbnail for 2001 Gibson L-5 Signature Master Label James Hutchins by GregsGuitars

2001 Gibson L-5 Signature Master Label James Hutchins

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson L5 Signature 15.5 Inch Limited Edition 2002 played by Erwin van Ligten | Demo @ TFOA by TFOA Demos

Gibson L5 Signature 15.5 Inch Limited Edition 2002 played by Erwin van Ligten | Demo @ TFOA

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson L-5 Signature.

Build quality

  • The "flower pot" headstock inlay is highly praised for its aesthetic appeal and distinctive style.

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Setup and maintenance

  • No fret nibs might indicate a refret, but it's also possible they were custom ordered this way for additional fret space.

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Features and functionality

  • Some models include a 'finger style' Oettinger type tailpiece and have the output jack at the tail block.

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Comparisons

  • Fakes often have oversized dimensions or lack proper truss rods, unlike genuine L-5s, which maintain correct specifications.

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  • The Walkin' Archtop Tribute 175 is noted to play better than an authentic ES-175 in a side-by-side comparison.

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  • An Ibanez 2355, with a tuneomatic and flatwounds, matched the sound of a vintage ES-175 for an Ernest Ranglin tone.

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  • The D'Angelico NYL-2DH is highlighted for its dual humbucker setup and construction that closely resembles the Gibson L-5.

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  • An Eastman AR 371 is cited as closer to a 50s ES-175 than recent Gibsons, due to features like a 1 3/4" nut and thin lacquer.

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User experience

  • Owners appreciate the aging nitro finish for its authentic look, unlike the artificial appearance of poly finishes.

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  • Owners of Eastman guitars, like the AR372CE, report they are lightweight and resonant, akin to 50s Gibson models.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners recommend replacing the neck pickup of Aslin Dane guitars with a P-90 for personalized service.

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Use cases and applications

  • A user noted that a 16" acoustic archtop works well with a guitar-violin-bass trio, though vintage models are rare.

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Value and pricing

  • A Walkin' Archtop Tribute 175, despite not having vintage tone, holds up well in comparison and is praised for its build quality.

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