1978 Custom L-5 CES Wine Red

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 March 30, 2023.