Gibson L-5 CES Wes Montgomery Archtop

Gibson L-5 CES Wes Montgomery full front view

Comments	Wes Montgomery was and is still one of the most influential jazz guitarists ever, and relied on a Gibson L-5 CES for most of his working life. Gibson, with Lloyd Loar, started building the L-5 in 1922 as the first guitar with F-holes. In 1951, the L-5 gained a pickup and gained the CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) designation. The Gibson L-5 CES Wes Montgomery Archtop is a faithful re-creation of the instrument he custom ordered and used during the 1960’s, with 25.5 inch scale, one pickup at the neck, carved spruce top, carved flame maple back, maple sides and maple neck. It includes the Gibson Custom archtop case and Ccertificate of Authenticity. Those details aside, it’s a fantastic guitar to play!
Serial Number	Varies as new; this one is 12073001, built during 2013 at the Gibson plant in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Pricing	8,500.00 CAD with original case. SOLD
Neck	3-piece flame maple neck with bound ebony fingerboard; mother of pearl block markers; mother of pearl Gibson logo and flowerpot inlay on bound ebony headplate. 25.5 inch scale length,
Frets	20 frets in total, medium wide wire.
Body	Classic 17-inch L-5 CES body with carved spruce top, carved flame maple back, and flame maple sides. Multi-layer binding on the top and back.
Finish	Gloss, vintage sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Also available in natural, ebony, and wine red.
Hardware/electronics	Gold plated hardware; Gibson-branded Schaller M6 sealed tuners with metal ‘tulip’ style buttons, L-5 tailpiece with Wes Montgomery insert; ABR-1 bridge on ebony base; bound faux tortoise pickguard; ’57 Classic pickup in the neck position, with volume and tone controls.
Playability/Action	This is just a joy to play. And of course it’s fully adjustable.
Case	Original Gibson archtop hardshell case included.