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EDIT: This is posted at a loss for a QUICK sale to pay for a wedding, It is currently located in New York and will be shipped from there (I'll ship it worldwide for the listed fees, I cover everything else, personal inspection and pick up in New York, payment through reverb of course) to ensure a smooth and efficient buying experience, the price includes 10% reverb/paypal fee's. 1940 Gibson L5NSerial #: 96509, white oval label. FON: 1231F– 4Body Size at lower bout: 17” Scale Length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" The top of Gibson's 17” line, this is one of only 38 L5’s in Natural finish produced by Gibson in 1940. Here is a sweet, sturdy 17" L5N from the golden era, striking to the eye in natural finish, 83 years old and still a blast to play, going strong. Comfortable, well-balanced and weighing 6.5lbs, currently setup with D’addario .13’s phosphor bronze strings and delivering that unmistakably chewy 40’s L5 tone, with all the warmth, drive and sparkly high-end character these guitars are known for. Details: The neck has a gentle, somewhat neutral profile between a “C” or “D” shape, neither clubby nor vee-d. Non-original fretwork showing wear but with some life left. Action is smooth and low. Chord melody is balanced and lovely, voice is deep and throaty with clear sustain, overtones, warm and strong midrange, assisting strong overall projection. There is one small area of overspray located on the back over a minor patch of buckle rash which the pictures show. Some taps and dings are evident. The light clear lacquer is in basically good shape throughout, thinning in heavier play areas and with some light finish checking. Tuners work perfectly. Intonation, truss rod etc., all good. The instrument shows no structural cracks or loose braces and appears solid in every respect. Note: There is a small area along the fingerboard neck extension where a shim added to the bass side (olde) repair is visible. *Not perfect attempt aesthetically, but fully functional and playable all the way up. (See pics)5-ply binding remains tight to the body. The gold Grover Imperial tuners are correct for the model and seem original. The rosewood bridge appears original and the guitar is fitted with a vintage correct five-ply bound tortoise pickguard, (o.g. pickguard which has off-gassed is also included). An acoustic powerhouse by design, there is evidence of a floating (d’Armond?) pickup’s presence at some point from the tiny holes on driver’s side of fingerboard/neck (pictured)? Currently no pickup installed though it has been wired with an endpin output jack. I am including an “Archtop Acoustic” contact pickup from archtop.com with the sale. Original endpin and nut also provided.Other info…Materials: Solid bookmatched, figured maple back and sides; handcarved, bookmatched solid spruce top; 2 piece flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; quintuple bound solid ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlay; quintuple bound peghead and body with bound f-holes; solid bone nut.Hardware: Original engraved L-5 ‘Vari-Tone’ (brass w/ silver plated) tailpiece. Original Grover Imperial stair-step Art Deco tuners. Vintage correct five-ply bound tortoise pickguard replacement (degraded original included). Original compensated adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge/saddle.Case: This natural blonde relic is accompanied by its original Geib striped tweed 'aircraft cloth' hardshell case, which is fully functional and intact except for replacement handle. All latches and bumpers accounted for, with some natural wear to the plush pink velvet as expected. I have enjoyed and been inspired by this “prewar” Gibson L5N’s companionship in the living room, on the bandstand, at the jam, the studio, to infinity and beyond… hoping to find it a loving home where it continues to get played and enjoyed!

The Gibson L-5 is a high-end archtop jazz-style guitar first introduced in 1922. Known for its warm tone and smooth playability, it features a carved spruce top, maple body, and an ebony fretboard. The L-5 has been used by many famous jazz guitarists and continues to be a popular choice among professionals.