1952Gibson L5-C Archtop Jazz Guitar with DeArmond 1100 Rhythm Chief Pickup
Up for sale is my 1952 Gibson L5-C Archtop Guitar. I purchased this guitar 10 years ago from a professional player who used this guitar in the orchestra at Radio City Music hall in NYC for over 10 years. Plays perfectly and sounds wonderful. Treble and bass balance are excellent. The guitar has great sound projection and would record very well just acoustically. This guitar shows minor play wear for aprofessionallyplayed 62 year old guitar but with all that playing the guitar has opened up and produces a beautiful sound. An un-played museum piece would never produce the warm tones of this instrument. If you are looking for a great playing and sounding jazz box that is very collectible, you just found it. Here are the particulars:
• Serial number on label is A-11216. It is not stamped on the headstock. The serial number indicates the year of manufacture was 1952.
• Original Frets are in very good condition with no dents or significant wear. The neck binding that covers the ends of each fret is still there and looks original which is why I believe these are the original frets
• The neck angle and action is just right. Width at nut is 1 11/16” measured edge to edge with a ruler. The back of the neck shows little wear and the neck action is low with no fret buzz. It is a big neck and plays like a dream.
• Body binding is complete and in very good shape
• The guitar hosts the original tuners, truss rod cover, bridge and tailpiece
• A strap button was added near the neck heel
• The pickup is a gold plated cerca 1950\'s DeArmond Model 1100 Adjustable Rhythm Chief with twin controls mounted in thepickguard. The gold plating on the treble side of the pickup is slightly worn. The original pick guard was replaced when the DeArmond was installed. There is a small pick guard mounting screw hole on the cutaway side of the neck under thepickguardwhich is only visible by looking underneath thepickguard. The pickup is quite and projects the great sound of this guitar. This pickup alone is worth close to $1,000 if you can even find one.
• Side of the neck near the pickup has two small screw holes from a previous pickup installation - see photo.
• Guitar has no cracks or damage except that the input jack was pushed in, cracking the wood around it about an inch. It was professionally repaired and is solid and barely visible – see photo
• The original nitrocellulose finish is in good condition. There is of course some lacquer checking as would be expected with a 62 year old guitar. There are very minor finish scratches and nicks but overall the body condition is very good.
• The electronics are quiet with no pot noise.
• The guitar weighs a light 5 lb, 13 oz on my electronic scale.
• The case is in good shape but does show wear. I think it is the original case
I will ship the guitar by UPS fully insured for the Buy It Now price and a signature will be required for delivery. Shipping will be a flat $125 in the continental United States. Alaska and Hawaii will be additional so please contact me for a quote in advance and please send me your zip code. The guitar will be very well packed. I will sell to US customers only. buyers with 0 or negative response\'s must contact me before offerding. Payment is expected within 3 business days after purchase and I will ship the instrument within two days of receiving cleared funds. I will accept PayPal only and will ship to PayPal confirmed address only. If you are in the New York area, the guitar is available for local pickup. If payment is not received with Buy It Now, I reserve the right to relist the guitar. The guitar is sold As Is. All Sales Are Final. No returns or refunds. I you need additional pictures or have questions please contact me before you offer. I want whoever purchases this instrument to be pleased with their purchase and enjoy playing it.I am thinning out my collection so please check out my other vintage instruments and tweed amps that are for sale.
