Gibson / L5 CES / 1953 / Sunburst / Guitar
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From the year that Bird and Dizzy gave us Live at Massey Hall and saw the passing of Django Reinhardt, a superb 1953 Gibson L5 CES anyone?
Initially conceived as a member of the Mandolin family alongside the F5 mandolin (as the popularity go Mandolin orchestras was waining), the L5’s enduring popularity was due in no small part to the great jazz guitarist Eddie Lang who pioneered the use of the guitar in the dance band rhythm sections, finding that the Gibson archtop could easily keep up with the rest of the band. Its elegant Cremona Brown finish and f holes gave the guitar a decidedly violin-like look and set a president for competitors and the company themselves that still exist to this day.
This is a stunning example of Gibson’s longest serving archtop. The sunburst finish is gorgeous and unfaded, a fantastic showcase for the carved spruce top. The guitar has been really well cared for and although are a few minor knocks, the body hasn’t suffered any breaks or cracks.
The chunky C neck is built in that classic three piece maple and mahogany sandwich with an ebony multi-bound fretboard and large block mother of pearl inlays. The script logo headstock has the iconic flowerpot inlay emblazoned upon it, framed by the continued multi-layer binding. The gold-plated Kluson ‘Seal Fast’ tuners work very well and the whole thing makes for a very impressive package.
Electrically everything looks correct. This guitar has a pair of excellent AlNiCo 5 staple pickups. They’re both well balanced and really complement the guitar tonally.
The plastics are in excellent condition as are the hardware. and the rosewood bridge. As to be expected the pickguard is starting to deteriorate a bit but it is nowhere near as bad as some we have seen.
The guitar comes with its correct brown Hardshell case with the blue lining that like the guitar is in superb shape, especially for its age.
The L5’s reputation was built on being able to keep up with a horn section and this one is no exception. It has an authoritative voice acoustically that has a wonderful three dimensional quality that’s translated well when amplified.
The definitive archtop, this L5 would make stunning addition to anyone’s collection.
ATB Guitars, UK 
Hello we’re ATB Guitars.
We are one of Europes leading sellers of vintage and rare guitars. We only sell vintage Gibson and Fender electric guitars from 1950 until 1975 and have an extensive inventory to browse in our bricks and mortar store in Cheltenham, UK or in our online web store.
Payment and p/x:
All prices are in UK GBP £ Sterling. Payment can be made by Paypal, bank transfer, cash, or money order cashiers cheque etc.
Should you not be absolutely delighted with your purchase you may return it to Cheltenham, at your own expense, within 7 days from the date of delivery for a full refund. The item must not have been altered or tampered with in any way, and it must arrive in the same condition as it left us.
Postage and shipping:
We ship within the UK by Royal Mail Recorded (small items under 2Kg), TNT or UPS and Worldwide by Royal Mail Airmail Signed For (small under 2Kg) Parcelforce, UPS or FedEx. All shipping prices include expert packing, cartons and packing materials but not insurance which is typically around 2% of items value. Currently approx shipping rates for a single guitar are as follows:
UK excluding Northern Ireland and Highlands £29
Most of mainland Europe £49
U.S.A. £129
Asia £149 - £190
Rest of World including S. America £149 - £275
