
( Brand: Gibson Custom Shop ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: UU5XB ), ( Series: L5 ), ( String Configuration: 6 ), ( Body Material: Carved Spruce Top, Maple Back And Sides ), ( Body Type: Hollow Body Archtop ), ( Model Year: 2015 ), ( Dexterity: R ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States )
The Gibson Wes Montgomery Signature L-5CES 2015 Archtop Guitar is an exquisite and meticulously crafted instrument, designed in collaboration with the legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. This model, finished in the breathtaking Crimson Ebony UU-5xb, is a testament to Gibson's unwavering commitment to producing top-tier instruments that embody the essence of traditional jazz aesthetics and modern playability.
Body and Neck:The centerpiece of this guitar is its stunning L-5 archtop body, a time-honored design that has been a favorite among jazz musicians since the 1930s. The L-5 body is crafted from maple laminated arched maple top, back, and sides, offering a rich, warm tone with remarkable sustain and resonance. The 17-inch body size adds to the instrument's acoustic capabilities, contributing to its balanced and articulate tonal character.
The neck on this Wes Montgomery Signature L-5CES 2015 is a beautifully figured mahogany, engineered for optimal playability and comfort. Measuring 1.724 inches at the nut width, this guitar offers ample room for decexterity and fretwork agility without compromising its classic look. The Slim Taper neck profile, which has been a standard feature on Gibson archtop guitars since the 1940s, is designed to mimic the vintage feel of early Gibson archtops while catering to contemporary preferences.
Hardware and Electronics:The hardware on this Gibson Wes Montgomery Signature L-5CES 2015 Archtop Guitar is just as impressive as its body and neck. It features a Tune-O-Matic bridge and a stopbar tailpiece, providing superior sustain, intonation, and ease of string changing. Gibson's Deluxe 18:1 butterfly tuning machines grace the headstock, ensuring that your strings remain stable and in tune.
To cater to the modern jazz musician, this instrument is equipped with a Gibson P-90 single-coil pickup in the neck position. This versatile pickup delivers both depth and clarity, allowing you to extract the desirable tones that Wes Montgomery made his own. For those seeking a warmer, fuller sound, you can engage the Chambered Maple Top (CMT) feature, which allows for a reduced weight and increased resonance by hollowing out the body's top.
The Crimson Ebony UU-5xb finish on the Gibson Wes Montgomery Signature L-5CES 2015 Archtop Guitar is a sight to behold, making this instrument a true showpiece. This lustrous, dark finish enhances the beauty of the maple body, and the subtle "Wes Montgomery Signature" inlays on the fingerboard pay homage to the guitarist's legacy.
Overall, the Gibson Wes Montgomery Signature L-5CES 2015 Archtop Guitar in Crimson Ebony UU-5xb Finish is a masterpiece in craftsmanship and design, offering a perfect blend of timeless jazz aesthetics, contemporary feel, and the unrivaled tonal qualities for which Gibson is known. Whether you're a seasoned jazz musician seeking to expand your tonal palette or a budding guitarist striving to develop a truly authentic jazz voice, this instrument will empower you to create evocative and captivating music that defies conventions and transcends conventional boundaries.
The Gibson Wes Montgomery Jazz Archtop in the Crimson Ebony UU5XB finish is a highly-regarded instrument among jazz guitar enthusiasts. Taking a closer look at its features, advantages, and disadvantages can help inform your decision before making a purchase.
Features:1. Semi-hollow body: The L-5 CES 2015 features a semi-hollow body, which provides a balance between the rich, full sound of a hollow-body guitar and the feedback resistance of a solid-body guitar.
2. Maple top: The body is topped with a highly-figured maple cap, providing excellent resonance and projection.
3. Mahogany back and sides: Mahogany back and sides contribute to the instrument's warmth and richness in tone.
4. 5-ply maple and walnut laminate neck: The 5-ply maple and walnut laminate neck offers durability and stability.
5. Rosewood fingerboard: Rosewood fingerboards are known for their smooth texture, excellent tonal properties, and resistance to wear.
Advantages:1. Superior craftsmanship: The L-5 CES 2015 is built with exceptional attention to detail, making it a high-quality investment that can last a lifetime.
2. Tone and versatility: The semi-hollow body and traditional materials result in a warm, rich, and versatile sound that suits a wide variety of musical genres and playing styles.
3. Aesthetic appeal: Its striking crimson ebony finish adds an elegant and distinctive look, making it a desirable choice for those who appreciate the visual appeal of their instruments.
Disadvantages:1. Price: The Gibson L-5 CES 2015 in Crimson Ebony UU5XB is a premium instrument with a high price point. guitarists with tighter budgets may prefer more affordable alternatives.
2. Weight: The semi-hollow body design adds some weight to the instrument, which may be less appealing for some players who prefer a lighter guitar.
Conclusion:Overall, the Gibson L-5 CES 2015 in Crimson Ebony UU5XB is a fantastic option for jazz guitarists or those seeking a high-quality archtop guitar with excellent tonal characteristics and superior craftsmanship. However, its premium price and higher weight might be significant Drawbacks for some. After evaluating the features, advantages, and disadvantages, if the budget allows and the additional weight is an acceptable trade-off, this Gibson archtop could well be an excellent investment that will provide years of musical enjoyment.
Recommendation:For players looking for a similar-sounding but more affordable alternative, consider searching for a used L-5 CES model from previous years or considering other high-quality semi-hollow jazz archtops from brands like Epiphone, D'Angelico, or Ibanez. By exploring these options and carefully weighing the differences in the cost and features, one can find a great instrument that meets their budget and tonal preferences.
00our conditions are the following. The guitar is perfect in every aspect with an ebony board.
See photos below. However we definitely stand behind what sell, and make good on all our pieces in obvious cases of factory defect. Wes didn't have that luxury because he couldn't read music. We hesitate to do that, but reserve the right.
Most jazz players learn from charts and them commit to memory. Abbr-1 bridge assembly. This guitar is a brand new 2015 model. This guitar is a gorgeous example of the gold standard in archtop jazz guitars.
C profile neck. There is a smear of polish on the tail piece, that comes out with gentle buffing.
Single pickup is a classic 57. Map is satisfaction guaranteed. Ships in original case with all paperwork bout.
The Gibson l5 wes montgomery. Wes played his in sunburst all the time, and for a guy who could not read music, with thumb, he amazingly went down as one of worlds greatest players ever.