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I did this write up for the UMGF. Thought I would post it here as I know there are some archtop fans here.

This is the ebay L5 that was written up in a post a few weeks back. As a confirmed archtopian I saw the sale. I was intrigued because the price was within reach of a mere mortal. Only problem, I didn’t have the money. I sold a couple of guitars then went in search of more information. I contacted Brian of Rifle Creek Guitar Works who was the agent for the owner. We exchanged emails about the FON and the serial number. While waiting on that information I found a facebook page of Rifle Creek Guitar. He had more pics of the L5 and hinted at a back story. Brian and I got the FON question answered, it is FON 642. He then told me about the backstory and sent me a link with more information on the previous owner.

The guitar had belonged to musician and Gibson employee Andy Nelson. Andy acquired the guitar in the 50s. The neck was bad and while employed at Gibson he had the neck replaced. The work looks like c1958 because of the newly released Grover tuners, which were the high quality tuners of that era. No other tuners have been on the guitar.

The guitar came to the new owner with the pick up and guard installed. They did not work so they were taken off and put in storage. When he contacted Brian about selling the guitar he told him that Andy Nelson had owned the guitar. Brian did a little research and found the online book written by Andy’s relative after his death. Andy is pictured in the book with the L5 pick up and all. Brian found the pickguard and pick up and took it upon himself to repair it. Brian does custom pick up winds. Evidently the DeArmonds from that era are not an easy job. Brian contacted a retired fellow who gave him some tips on the doing the rewind. Brian did the pick up re wind, repaired the pots and replaced them on the guitar.

As a Gibsonite I was amazed at the story published online. It is more than a Gibson story, but a story about a professional musician who worked at Gibson and Fender during the 50s and 60s. I was familiar with a couple of the stories in the online book. Some had been previously published years ago.

The book is around 36 pages and a great read. It is full of pictures, stories, anecdotes from this man’s playing career and his work at Gibson and Fender. Anyone interested in instruments, history, music will enjoy.

The online book is here. Take your time.

The L5 is in great condition, plays wonderfully and sounds excellent. It has a well done over spray. The neck is 1.72 and feels great. Although I have not examined them I was told it has the kerfed tone bars.

I have a 1932 L10, 1933 L12, 1941 L4 to compare. The L10 has sold braces. The L10 is not going anywhere.

Terry

1944 Southern Jumbo $11,000
1945 Maple Banner J45 $6800
1928 Nick Lucas SOLD Reduced to $6500
1947 Gibson/National $4200
1932 Duolian $2100
65 Country Western SOLD $3200 (offer pending)

See pictures and descriptions at Humble Street Music

Thanks, Mr. Humble

1928 Nick Lucas Special FON: 9010 Serial number: 84059 on a perfect label. A classic Gibson guitar that fits in any collection. I have two and selling one. I have owned this guitar for over 12 years and it is still a joy to play or even look at. These guitars have been and will always be held in high regard especially by those who are own them. You can’t always find them hanging in your local guitar shop, high or low end. You can find the others currently for sale. If you can’t find them let me know I will direct you. At least you have a couple to compare.

These small bodies get overlooked by the big Nicks, but then how many of those come around? I have one of those also and they are very different guitars.

This guitar is the standard H braced model. Beautiful rounded neck, 13/4 nut and short scale. As responsive a guitar as you will put your hands on. With the short scale they are easy to play, it takes very little effort to get a lot of sound. You can really make these guitars bark. Listen to Nick Lucas play one. I can understand how much these guitars fit his style, quick, sharp single note runs and a nice chord all with projection of an arch top.

I never played a guitar that sounds quite like these H braced beauties.

The guitar came with mini schallers the holes were enlarged. I bought a set of waverlys for slotted head and had the post drilled. I notice that Stew mac sells imitation waverlys for solid head. At the time these were as close to originals as I could find. There are unfilled holes from previous tuners. Better than gold minis.

The nut looks original as do the frets, neck binding. Nice clean fingerboard. Action at the 12th 3/32.

The fingerboard drops off at the body. A neck set would certainly set that straight. I didn’t, wouldn’t. I’ll let the new owner decide that.

The guitar had three small holes from a tailpiece. Standard bridge repair of the day. New bridge as pictured.

A ridge on the center seam and fine line next to it (pictured) no repairs here on the inside, neither move.

Label is perfect.

Finish is original and beautiful.

Comes in a newer hard case, nothing fancy.

$7100 plus shipping and any paypal fees. Trades? Gibson memorabilia , advertising items, displays, banners. catalogs not so much, guitars not so much.

Fred, J185me, broke the story on these guitars a few years back. the bodies were built with some stashed, European Sycamore as I recall. Fred will can tell the story. I happened on one of these a few years back. It was a sunburst. A great J 200 and just a little above the ordinary. A bit of Bozeman lore. There are two on ebay that are virtually unplayed, both blonde.

Here andHere.

Have yourself a Merry Christmans with these. I will be in the hunt if the guitar I look at tonight does not work out.

Hey Fred tell the story again.

Forgot to mention a special blonde J-185 on ebay. I'm waiting on the serial number to confirm.

Terry

This SJ came into a friend’s guitar shop to have the bridge re-glued about 5 years ago. It had a trapeze on it. The holes from the trapeze are still there. Also a jack hole on the treble side. The bridge was re-glued by a local violin maker and repair shop. He says he put some new frets, but could not remember how many. The grandson of the original owner decided to sell the guitar. So here it is. Doubt I will see another one this clean. The number is 2785. I believe it is a 1944. From the sound and the look of the top it is Adirondack. Very powerful guitar that plays very well. I have hi res pics on my webpage. Comes in a nice Martin hard shell case from the early 60s. Price is $11,500 plus shipping/insurance. I will not pay paypal fees. Contact me at tmitchell59@comcast.net. Thanks, Terry.