NGD: Gibson L-5 1934 RI

[DanR]

Love the update pics. Thanks for posting ♫

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

It should be pointed out, though, that an actual 1934 Gibson L-5 would have a marker on the first fret as well..........

Hey Howard,

I actually found a semi twin to my reissue -- from 1934 -- which doesn't have a marker on the first fret...

I guess Gibson were never super consistent with such details.

https://youtu.be/y7MCIDGy27c

Originally Posted by DanR

Love the update pics. Thanks for posting ♫

Thanks Dan. It's such a difficult guitar to photograph. With all the curves reflecting all over the place, I'd need a lot more space to come up with good shots.

[terryj47]

Very nice JoeCharter! Nice guitar and nice playing.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by terryj47

Very nice JoeCharter! Nice guitar and nice playing.

Thanks -- but which "playing" are you referring to?

[bayoubengal]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Thanks -- but which "playing" are you referring to?

I believe he thinks you are Joe Chung in the video.

[Silly Moustache]

Hi, I don't consider myself an archtop player, but a few years ago , maybe 2006, I suddenly got an urge to possess one and learn another style.

As I tend to do, I researched and researched to find the most suitable design...yes I made a mistake or two - I bought an electric one first - a Peavey Rockingham, nice, but not my style.

I'm an acoustic bloke. I bought a '64ish Harmony Monterey, which I stil own which has the best neck I've ever seen on a Harmony, but it became a wall hanger. as I went to an Eastman AR805e - acoustic with floating pickup, wonderfully easy to play beautifully built, but it looked like an electric to me.
I started studying with a fine Freddie green style player who had an Epiphone Emperor, ('36ish) and a 1934 L5. I fell deeply in love with the L-5, but out of my range.

I found a late 1934 L-4 (f-holes and Nick Lucas inlays at a "specialist" Archtop dealers in the North west of the USA. They sent it to me and it arrived OK, but they did not follow the shipping instructions so it cost me far more to iport than it should have done, and they had shot the frets down almost to the board, so I had to have a refret.

It is here now, on my oofice wall, in very good condition, in fact little played over its 83 years. When I took it to my teacher he a/bd it with ihis same year L-5 and said he couldn't tell the differnce.

Ah but the overal finish of an L-5 ! The subtle beauty of the back, neck, fretboard !

I sincerely believe that the 16" carved top acoustic guitar was a design incon, and that the first one to really go into production, in ,was it 1925?) has never been bettered.

I truly hope that the Op's new L-5 will have been as well made as it would have been in 1934. Enjoy !

[terryj47]

Originally Posted by bayoubengal

I believe he thinks you are Joe Chung in the video.

Correct. I just thought it was you.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Hi, I don't consider myself an archtop player, but a few years ago , maybe 2006, I suddenly got an urge to possess one and learn another style.

As I tend to do, I researched and researched to find the most suitable design...yes I made a mistake or two - I bought an electric one first - a Peavey Rockingham, nice, but not my style.

I'm an acoustic bloke. I bought a '64ish Harmony Monterey, which I stil own which has the best neck I've ever seen on a Harmony, but it became a wall hanger. as I went to an Eastman AR805e - acoustic with floating pickup, wonderfully easy to play beautifully built, but it looked like an electric to me.
I started studying with a fine Freddie green style player who had an Epiphone Emperor, ('36ish) and a 1934 L5. I fell deeply in love with the L-5, but out of my range.

I found a late 1934 L-4 (f-holes and Nick Lucas inlays at a "specialist" Archtop dealers in the North west of the USA. They sent it to me and it arrived OK, but they did not follow the shipping instructions so it cost me far more to iport than it should have done, and they had shot the frets down almost to the board, so I had to have a refret.

It is here now, on my oofice wall, in very good condition, in fact little played over its 83 years. When I took it to my teacher he a/bd it with ihis same year L-5 and said he couldn't tell the differnce.

Ah but the overal finish of an L-5 ! The subtle beauty of the back, neck, fretboard !

I sincerely believe that the 16" carved top acoustic guitar was a design incon, and that the first one to really go into production, in ,was it 1925?) has never been bettered.

I truly hope that the Op's new L-5 will have been as well made as it would have been in 1934. Enjoy !

Your vintage L-4 is stunning. I realize the L-5 is the "all dressed" model but I think the L-4 and L-7 can be quite beautiful instruments as well. I really like the fretboard inlays on your guitar.

Congrats on a fantastic find and thanks for sharing the story here.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by terryj47

Correct. I just thought it was you.

Larry is a cool guy and a fine player -- but I play a different style and I'm from Canada...

[BradleyS]

Ooooo...color me Green with envy. Congratulations!

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by BradleyS

Ooooo...color me Green with envy. Congratulations!

Thanks so much.

It's really pretty but I wish I could play it properly...

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Taylorplayer

Now, here's my dumb question of the week. What kind of strings should I use? Just to give you an idea, I play John Pearse PB Lights on my Martin, which I think is a popular choice. What would be the equivalent for acoustic archtops?

I'm sorry, but in order to answer that question we will need proof of purchase - such as actual pictures of your guitar

Wow, it sounds like a beauty - how cool!

Congrats on an eye-wateringly beautiful guitar!

I have a '34 L-4 - same 16" f-hole body etc., and after messing around with various strings, I've settled on plain ol' D'addario P/B Ej17s.

If you wanted a lighter top, you might consider EJ19s (bluegrass guage- to give you light G,B.E.

It's an acoustic guitar and I think it will respond nicely to about the most consistent acoustic strings.

(Jealous!)

[rokdog49]

I just saw and played one of these live and in person at my luthier's shop.
It was in very good condition.