Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Guitar  

reference-Jazz guitarist that has "performed/toured" with Andy Williams/Jack Jones/Houston Symphony Orchestra/Houston Grande Opera/numerous "Show productions" ie Chorus Line/Oklahoma/Porgy and Bess-Guitar Chair/sight reader-Gibson L-5 from Custom Guitar shop set up terribly-as per Luthiers in Austin,Tx-Mark Erlewine/Ed Shaeffer-Archtop specialists-"Nut" not cut properly/bridge not "set" properly/Frets not "dressed" properly/Frustrating that Gibson lets such a "Fine" instrument leave their shop without ANY attention to detail

The L-5CES is a wonderful instrument.  Yes, it's expensive, but it's truly worth it when you think about what you are getting for the money compared to other high-end guitars. My only complaint about the Gibson Custom Shop is that no one there knows how to cut a nut.  Every Custom Shop guitar I've purchased, including my L-5, have needed to have the nuts recut.  You really can't judge any Gibson Custom Shop guitar until you've taken it home and set it up yourself first.  Yes, for this price Gibson should do it right, but they don't -- or can't.  Gibson's quality standards are not nearly as high as PRS or other high-end makers.  But once you set the guitars up properly (and fix whatever needs fixing), they can be a joy to own.  An L-5 will only get better as the top breaks in.  Other than the nut, the only other consistent issues I've had with Gibson Custom Shop guitars is that the necks moved a lot and the truss rods needed to be adjusted frequently for the first couple of years.  I can only assume this is because Gibson doesn't dry and handle its woods with the same level of care as PRS and other makers do.  But once the guitars have settled in, they've all been absolutely wonderful.  I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that Gibson Custom makes some fabulous instruments -- especially the L-5 (although the Historic Les Pauls are happening guitars too), don't expect the guitar to be perfect right out of the box.  None of the 6 Custom Shop guitars I've purchased (all new) were perfect out of the box.  Plan on taking the guitar home and putting some sweat equity into it first -- think of it as a "feature" with Custom Shop guitars.  Once you've corrected the set up and the guitar settles in, you will be rewarded with an outstanding instrument.  It just takes a little time and effort for the guitar to reach its potential.

I have owned a Gibson L5 for 56 yrs. The case is a little ragged and the Guitar shows its wear. I play it in Church and for my own enjoyment. The quality is very good and you don't have to tune it every time you pick it up.

I am not a rock 'n roller, I have been playing archtop guitars for 31 years for jazz, blues, country, fingerstyle. The L5 is vastly overrated. If you want a quality archtop in the 8-10 grand range, I recommend having one made or seeking an older Epiphone or Guild. I own an L5, and I use it, but it is an underacheiver. Warped neck, unbelievelably inappropriate frets for a jazz guitar, rattling body, cheap knobs, crappy tuners, crappy customer service from gbsn, a case that fell apart. All things I had to pay to fix. There are great L5s out there, but gbsn does there best to screw 'em up!