New York, NY, United States
About this listing
1968 Gibson L-5C — Sunburst Acoustic Archtop w/ Duneland "Blackpole" Floating Pickup (Bob Palmieri) Nut width: 1 10/16" (perfect middle ground, not to small and plays insanely easy)Serial number: 896138 Includes a custom made bridge as well as the original bridge and a custom foam plug for feedback (pictured together) (photo 2)A breathtaking example of Gibson's flagship archtop, hand-built in Kalamazoo and dressed to the nines. This 1968 L-5C is a single rounded-cutaway, fully carved acoustic archtop finished in a warm tobacco sunburst — and the wood on this one is special. The back, sides, and neck show gorgeous, deep quilted/flame maple that absolutely comes alive in the light (see the photos of the back and neck). It's everything the "Cadillac of archtops" is supposed to be.Appointments are all top-shelf L-5: bound ebony fingerboard with large pearl block inlays, multi-ply body, neck, and headstock binding, the classic flamed-torch/"Custom" headstock inlay, and gold hardware including the Gibson gold Imperial-style stair-step tuners. The carved spruce top wears a hand-fit rosewood bridge and gold tailpiece.The standout feature is the amplification: a Duneland "Blackpole" floating pickup, hand-wound by Bob Palmieri, in a brushed-metal cover mounted at the end of the fingerboard with the controls set discreetly into the pickguard. This is the purist's way to electrify an L-5C — the top is completely un-routed and original, so you keep the guitar's full carved-acoustic voice while gaining a warm, woody, articulate amplified jazz tone. Nothing permanent was done to the instrument; the floating setup preserves its originality and value.Tone is exactly what you'd hope: rich, resonant, and three-dimensional unplugged, and dark, vocal, and beautifully balanced through the Palmieri pickup. A serious player's archtop and a genuine piece of Gibson history.Details:Year: 1968Model: Gibson L-5C (rounded acoustic cutaway)Finish: Tobacco Sunburst over quilted/flame maple back, sides & neckFingerboard: Bound ebony, pearl block inlaysHardware: Gold, gold Imperial-style tunersPickup: Custom Duneland Blackpole floating, hand-wound by Bob Palmieri (top un-routed/original) ($650 pickup)Serial #: 896138Case: Gibson hardshellCondition: Plays and sounds excellent. Beautiful, clean example showing some light finish checking/crazing to the top and normal vintage playwear consistent with its age — no cracks or structural issues [confirm/adjust to reality]. See photos for exact condition.Serious inquiries welcome. Happy to provide additional photos, weight, measurements, or a sound clip on request.
Original Price$11,499
$2,046.50 price drop
New Price$9,452.50
+ $100 Shipping
