Gibson Custom L5S – USA 1972

‘Introduced in 1972, the Gibson L5S was essentially a smaller, thinner solid-body version of the popular Gibson L-5 hollowbody. Like the L-5, it featured multiple binding on the single-cutaway 3-ply solid maple body, 5-piece maple neck, and headstock, and also featured an ebony fingerboard with block inlays. The headstock featured a flower-pot inlay similar to the L-5 archtop and most L5S models featured the L-5 trapeze tailpiece (though some had stop-bar or TP-6 fine-tuning tailpieces). The L5S was available in various finishes, such as ebony, cherry sunburst, wine red and natural. 

Upon its introduction in 1972, the L5S featured two low-impedance pickups, similar to those found on several Gibson Les Paul models of that period, such as the Recording model, the Signature model, the Personal model, and the Professional model. This incarnation of the model was not a success, however, thus Gibson switched from low-impedance pickups to regular humbucker pickups. 

The L5S was a unique high-end solid body, and once Gibson adorned it with super humbuckers, famous guitarists took notice, especially jazz and fusion virtuosos like Pat Martino and John McLaughlin. Additionally other players picked up the L5S such as Paul Simon and others including possibly Keith Richards at one time. Ronnie Wood has been seen playing a new incarnation of the Gibson L5S which is currently a signature model in production, the 'Ronnie Wood L5S'as well as Mark Farner from Grand Funk.’ 

Features: 

Body Type: Solid 

Body Material: Maple 

Neck Material: Maple 

Fingerboard: Ebony 

Inlay: Abalone Block 

Hardware: Gold-plated 

Controls: 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-way Selector 

Scale: 24 ¾”  

Nut Width: 1 11/16” 

This Gibson L5S was bought in 1983 from a professional US player. It was purchased by the stepfather of the current owner, who was a well-known jazz player around Sydney. The pickups had been changed by the original owner pre-1983, and they now certainly have a lot of wear, especially the neck pickup, which has been played so much the pick has eaten away at the wiring! The pickup still works though - what a miracle! 

This guitar has definitely been played, which is a good thing, displaying some dings and dents all around the body but nothing structural or taking away from its playability. The gold-plated hardware has a lovely tarnish and the guitar has all the trimmings of a nicely worn vintage instrument. 

This beauty is a very interesting guitar, it certainly catches the eye, commanding the player to pick up and well....play! You don’t see many of these around, so it would fit very nicely into someone's collection; a rare find. 

Comes with non-original hardshell case.