fab432 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hello, I recently came across a 1935/36 Gibson L 5 and I was wondering what is the current market value for this guitar. The guitar has a 17" body, has the X bracing, has unbound "f" holes, fret board is tapered at the end. Block inlays starting at the 1st fret. Serial number started with 93xxx The guitar is in amazing condition - action low, no cracks or chips, slight marks on the top finish that look like players marks, back is nice an clean. Sound is out of this world with incredible sustain. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brians356 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I'd estimate $7-10k. Do you own it? I might be interested in buying that guitar myself, I've been looking for a vintage archtop along those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fab432 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Thanks for the reply - yes I do own the guitar - I might try and post some pics. It also has the OHSC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 An L-5 with unbound f-holes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thermionik Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 . . I saw a 1925 L-5 with unbound f-holes - but it was about $30k so I picked myself up of the floor and walked away, but I would have loved to have taken it home with me - sexier shape than most women..... “No reason to get excited,” The thief he kindly spoke. “There are many here among us Who feel that life is but a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brians356 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Elderly Instruments has a '25 L-5 that looks to have un-bound f-holes. http://elderly.com/vintage/items/45U-1106.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Yeah, I'm pretty sure the earlier ones had unbound f-holes, just as the early ones had dot inlays... but there was a transition to blocks and binding, I'm thinking 1929 maybe? A 1935 advanced (17") should have had bound f-holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fab432 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Definitely has unbound F holes and it has the block inlays. I'll see if I can add some photos later on tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Excellent. I love a Gibson mystery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fab432 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hello - Just a quick question - Can't seem to add pictures to a reply or should I say I can't figure it out. Is there a posting on this or does anyone know how to do it. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 If you're interested in archtops, I'd send you to Joe. Joe Vinikow at archtop.com. I've bent his ear a number of times, and he set me onto my 1934 L7 that is my one 'untouchable' guitar. Joe's a great guy- he'll give you an idea of what is a fair price for your instrument. By the way, everything he has listed is set up to PLAY. When you get one of his guitars, it's ready to go. (I'm a fan- can you tell?) A real 'player's' shop. I'm tempted to swing by every time I check out the site and see what's in the store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Here's the pics of his L5. It sure looks like an early advanced model to me, just like he said, but I never did find out when they went to bound f-holes. I have no guidance as to value because something like this is so far out of my league. Someone like Gruhn will appraise it for $50 (I think) and I have found his values are often inflated compared to what I've seen on the street. He will undoubtedly make an offer on it, and that offer will likely be about 2/3 of whatever he valued it at. He doesn't always make an offer but if it sparks him he will seize the opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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