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GIBSON | ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC | L-5CES | 1972 SHOWCASE BROCHURE

Gibson L-5CES 1972 showcase brochure

Gibson L-5CES - the master's guitar

In 1972 Gibson produced a series of flyers, each devoted to a specific instrument, and named them the Guitar of the Month Showcase. The brochure for the L-5CES is reproduced here. The first part shows a detailed image of the guitar, with key features labelled. The second part shows the brochure cover (front and back), and an amount of text describing the long history of the L-5CES and the guitars from which it descended.

Gibson L-5CES showcase

CARVED SPRUCE TOP An adaptation of fine violin construction the carved and hand graduated Spruce top is the foundation of pure, acoustical reproduction. The Spruce used is of the finest available in the entire world. A large Spruce block is actually carved to form the ultimate shape and exact dimensions required to offer excellent tonal response. The Spruce used on the L-5CES is from a tree approximately 450 to 500 years old. Only a very small portion of the world's Spruce yield is good enough to use in production of the Gibson L- 5CES. This material must be straight and close grained in order to offer superb appearance and performance.

ADJUSTABLE TUNE-0-MATIC BRIDGE This innovative feature serves a dual purpose. First, it allows flexibility of "tuning" a combination of string gauges. Secondly, it enables adjustment of the action height relative to the fingerboard.

GIBSON ADJUSTABLE TRUSS ROD First developed by Gibson, the adjustable truss rod has often been copied but never duplicated. This feature assures perfect alignment of the guitar neck at all times.

LAMINATED MAPLE NECK The neck of the L-5CES is laminated to offer increased strength and aid in the prevention of neck warpage. The grain of the outside pieces of Maple run in the same direction while the grain of the centerpiece is reversed.

CARVED MAPLE BACK The carved Maple back assures excellent tonal performance. The material used on the back of an instrument is critically important to the projection of tone. Being carved and graduated to demanding specifications, the Maple back offers a brilliant and responsive "presence" in tonality.

MAPLE RIMS Gibson employs the use of a traditional craft of hand bending the Maple rims on the L-5CES. Accomplished with a heated form and roller, this hand operation assures a perfectly contoured rim that will retain its shape and rigidity.

GIBSON HUMBUCKING PICKUPS Gibson Humbucking pickups have become known to millions of guitarists as the finest on the market. Although the design and name have been copied, the internal function cannot be duplicated due to a protective patent. The purpose of the Gibson Humbucking pickups is to offer a consistent strong output signal void of extraneous noise. The clear bell like guitar tone is a result of special shielding and unique pickup coil design. Although sensitive to the smallest string vibration, this high impedance pickup will reject interference such as hum, static or radiated noise.

SCALE LENGTH The L-5CES incorporates a 25 1/2" scale length. Longer than most conventional electric guitars, the L-5CES scale length is designed in direct proportion with the body size and tailpiece length. The scale length is very important to the proper "feel" and tension of the guitar strings.

ADVANCED BODY SIZE The body size of the L-5CES is most important to a full, responsive tone. Referred to as the "Tone chamber", the cubic air space when related to the vibrant qualities of the carved top creates the "heart and soul" of the ultimate tone. "F" SOUND HOLE DESIGN This Gibson innovation contributes a great deal in the performance of an acoustic, electric guitar. Even more so when incorporated with a quality, carved Spruce top, The placement and size of the F sound holes are ultimately important to a balanced sound.

Other brochures in the 1972 guitar of the month showcase series

1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - Les Paul Recording guitar
1972 Gibson Showcase - Les Paul Recording guitar
1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - L-5CES
1972 Gibson Showcase - L-5CES
1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - ES-175D
1972 Gibson Showcase - ES-175D
1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - Super 400 CES
1972 Gibson Showcase - Super 400 CES
1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - ES-355TD-SV
1972 Gibson Showcase - ES-355TD-SV
1972 Gibson Showcase leaflet - Byrdland
1972 Gibson Showcase - Byrdland
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Vintage 1950s Gibson Rosewood Archtop Bridge and Base - L-5ces, Super 400 ES175

Vintage 1950's Gibson Rosewood Archtop Bridge and Base - L-5ces, Super 400 ES175

Chicago, Illinois, 606**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$495

Vintage Correct Parts is proud to offer, for your consideration,
A completely original and fantastic
Vintage Gibson 1950's thru 1960's Rosewood Archtop Bridge
This original Brazilian rosewood bridge and base is in fantastic original condition
Correct for the L-5CES, Byrdland, Super 400, ES-175 and any other Gibson arch tops from this era. The tone on these is INCREDIBLE! They don't make them like this anymore.
Perfect for the restoration of your vintage Gibson OR dress up... more
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Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Archtop Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Archtop Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9495



Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Archtop Hollowbody Guitar Sunburst + OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Archtop Hollowbody Guitar with a Sunburst Finish! One of Gibson's classiest full-body electric guitars, the L-5 CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) was a company mainstay for many years, and a particular favorite of many jazz and classic R&B players. This example is from the early 1972, with ... more
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Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Archtop Guitar Honey Burst + OHSC

Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Archtop Guitar Honey Burst + OHSC

Thousand Oaks, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9995



Vintage! 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Archtop Guitar Honey Burst + OHSC

Google us! Lovies Guitar Shop
Lovies Guitars is excited to present this Vintage 1974 Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Archtop Hollowbody Guitar with a Honey Burst Finish! One of Gibson's classiest full-body electric guitars, the L-5 CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish) was a company mainstay for many years, and a particular favorite of many jazz and classic R&B players. This example is from the early ... more
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Vintage 1965 Gibson L-5 CES Sunburst Archtop Florentine Hollowbody Guitar w Case

Vintage 1965 Gibson L-5 CES Sunburst Archtop Florentine Hollowbody Guitar w Case

Russell, Pennsylvania, 163**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15999

Here we have a Gorgeous Original 1965 Gibson L-5 CES Sunburst Archtop Florentine Cutaway Hollowbody Guitar with the Original Hard Case! One of Gibsons vintage flagship guitars in the flesh. This guitar just returned from a Buffalo NY Luthier who replaced the strings and set it up. Guitar plays beautifully and is really a one owner as the original owner passed away last year at the age of 99! The body condition is excellent with little wear. Back has almost no markings, surprisingly. One very ... more
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1962 Gibson L-5CESN Natural w / OHSC

1962 Gibson L-5CESN Natural w / OHSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$25995

1962 Gibson L-5CESN
This Guitar Is Located At Imperial Vintage Guitars Sherman Oaks
In Excellent Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
All Parts Are Original
Original PAF Pickups Sound Incredible
Professionally Reset Neck Done Years Ago, Neck Is Perfectly Straight
Original Natural Finish Has Some Overspray
Set Up With Flat Wound 12's, Very Low 3 / 64" Action At The 12 th Fret
No Other Repairs Or Issues
Early 60's Neck Profile with Wide 1 & 11 / 16" Nut ... more
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1971 Selmer guitar catalogue

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1970 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns Celebrated Classics' catalog

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1971 Rose-Morris 'Exciting Electrics Wonderful Westerns' catalog

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1967 Vox Stroller

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1963 Vox Clubman Bass (left handed)

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1959 Hofner Committee

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1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

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1965 Gretsch 'For the Spectacular Sound of the Times' guitar and amp catalog

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Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret ends

Guitar Repair: fixing fret buzz and sharp fret endsLoose frets are especially problematic in certain old guitars, but are generally very easy to fix. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few tools, a bit of knowledge, and a little time. Fixing loose frets can eliminate fret buzz, remove sharp fret ends, and greatly improve the tone of any guitar. If your luthier bill will be greater than the value of your guitar, definitely time to have a go yourself!

1966 Hagstrom 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog (Merson USA)

1966 Hagstrom guitar catalogHagstrom guitars were distributed in the mid-1960s United States by Merson of USA. This eight page 'worlds fastest playing neck' catalog, printed in two-colors contained six solid body electrics, three solid body basses, two electric acoustic guitars, two electric acoustic basses and five acoustics.

1965 Hofner President

1965 Hofner PresidentThe President was produced by Hofner in Bubenreuth, Germany, specifically for Selmer, who distributed the brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other commonwealth nations. The President was a hollow body electric acoustic, available as a full body or thinline, and with blonde or brunette finish. It was a great playing guitar that sold fairly well in the second half of the 1950s, throughout the 1960s, and into the very early 1970s. The example shown here is a full-body depth guitar in blonde - and as a 1965 guitar, one of the last to feature the rounded Venetian cutaway. From late 1965 until 1972, the President sported a sharp Florentine cut. Naturally, such an electric acoustic suggests jazz and blues, but many of the original British Hofner President players were part of the rock 'n roll, skiffle and beat scenes of the late 50s and early 60s.

1963 1964 Fender catalog

Fender 1963 catalogue"The Choice of Professional and Student Musicians Everywhere" This eight page catalogue was included as an insert in the 1963 annual "school music" issue of Downbeat magazine (September 1963). As well as keyboards and pedal steels, this catalog contains seven guitars, three basses and ten amplifiers - from student guitars such as the Musicmaster and Duotone to professional models like the new Jaguar.