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While the Gibson L-5 was most certainly a jazz guitar, the Gibson L-6S was used primarily by rock guitarists like Carlos Santana and Keith Richards, and by jazz-influenced rockers like John McLaughlin, Pat Martino and Al Di Meola.
The original run of these guitars began in 1973 and ended in 1979, but the guitar was re-introduced in 2011.
This guitar has the serial number 00143450, and this dates it to 1976. Gibson's use of serial numbers has sometimes been chaotic. Between 1975 and 1977, Gibson used a decal that had eight digit serial numbers and the model name, with the first two digits denoting the year - but not directly. For 1975, the first two digits were 99. For 1976, they were 00 and for 1977, the numbers are 06. This guitar dates to 1976 based on the 00 at the start of the serial number, and its feature set.
The Gibson L-6S is a straightforward solidbody electric. It's got a fairly thin, solid, single cutaway body made of maple and a maple neck with a maple fingerboard. The original pickups were Bill Lawrence humbuckers with extra leads for coil access, and the wiring featured a six-position selector control. The selector control allows for getting either one or both coils from the pickups (but not a combination of single and humbucking). Tuners are Gibson branded made by Schaller, the bridge is a wide-travel 'Nashville' tune-o-matic bridge and there's a stop tailpiece.
After 1976, the distinctive rotary switch was dropped for a standard toggle switch and the guitar was renamed the L6-S Deluxe.
This guitar is in good, original condition and plays well. There is some natural lacquer checking and light fretwear, and the original hardshell case is included.
Visit the Gibson USA site to learn more about the current Gibson L6-S solidbody electric guitar!
