This is a very good condition, original 1970 Gibson L5-CESN archtop jazz guitar with OHSC that plays really well and was a owned by a professional for most of its life. It is showing some play wear on the top where your arm would rub plus some by the bridge, lower side where your knee would rub and a small amoun to the back of the neck. Apparantly the owner’s band leader told him to buy a new guitar as it was looking too old!

So far as I can tell, it is all original apart from the knobs which are the more user friendly speed knobs rather than the witch hat types. Original frets are in great condition, there is very little wear on the beautiful ebony fingerboard and action is very nice with plenty of room for adjustment. 

Rare to see, only 24 L5-CESN’s were made in 1970 as it was an expensive beast! It has a 1970-72 serial number but I am of the opinion it is a 1970 model as it has ‘made in USA’ on the back but no volute. It also has the late 60’s style, yellow lining case not the later 1970 purple lined case.

As is usual with these guitars the original pickguard has been gassing and has caused some corrosion on the gold plating of the pickup covers, switch and mounting bracket. At least it does have the original pickguard and pickup covers - most of these late 60’s early 70’s L5’s have had these parts replaced long ago!

Really nice guitar to play, the owner was sad to see it go especially as all that was wrong with it was it ‘just looked old’ There is a small feintly engraved social security number by the serial number on the back of the headstock which if it offends, I am sure it can be touched over. There are no breaks or repairs anywhere, no cracks and headstock is nice and solid.

Please have a good look at the photos and see for yourself what you are getting.

I actually really like this guitar and you cannot help fingering jazz chourds as soon as you pick it up!