L-5 CES Hollowbody Electric Guitar with Florentine Cutaway

The rich, deep, and resonant tone of the Gibson L-5 CES has won it worldwide acclaim as a fine jazz guitar from the most discriminating artists. The tonal quality of the acoustic guitar and the advantages of an electric are combined in one instrument. Very few of these guitars are built each year because of the scarcity of the wood required and the handcrafting involved. This is the only model with the elegant, technically difficult Florentine cutaway.

The building of the L-5 is overseen by Jim Hutchins, a Gibson builder since 1963. The process has remained relatively unchanged since the 1950s, including the hand-tuning of the top and back. Guitarists sing the praises of the comfortable vintage neck; fast, easy action; and rich beauty of the carved spruce top. Other features on the guitar include a figured, carved maple back with solid maple rims; a pearl inlaid ebony fingerboard; and beautiful multi white-black binding. With the creation of the L-5 in the 1920s, the modern archtop guitar was invented and it has set the standard for all carved guitars that have followed.