The Gibson L-5 is one of highest regarded instruments in the world. A crown jewel archtop amongst jazz, country, and folk players - they've become quite rare and coveted instrument among collectors as well. Powerful and sonically well balanced, this L-5 has a nice dark tone that really does well when chopping chords. This is a nice punchy one! This example is intriguing, as it comes to us in what some might call "player grade", but more accurately could be defined as "well maintained". The original white label is present in the bass side F hole, the serial accurately dating this instrument to 1941. Interestingly, while investigating the label, one will notice some black lacquer inside the body - leading to the potential that this blonde is perhaps a very well done refinish. Jumping ahead, one might also notice the later 70's gold Gibson stamped tuners. It is likely that this guitar had a well done overhaul when the guitar was in its 30's - a reasonable need for a nice sounding instrument like this. A 70's issue Gibson case begs the question if this work was done at the factory... The body on this L-5 fits standard conventions, with a 17" lower bout, constructed with a carved spruce top, with a maple back thats not too show-y. The body shows fairly typical cosmetic wear, scratches and nicks are present - mainly from what might have been a button on a sleeve from the players picking hand. The binding is in good shape, but appears "too" clean. The sides show a slight separation present on the back at the bass side lower bout (see photo). The bass side shoulder has an old well repaired shoulder crack that has been sealed. The backs center seam has been repaired with two small pieces of maple spliced in at either end nearest the heel and the base end (see photo). Original gold L-5 tailpiece, and ebony bridge are present and in good condition. Internally, the kerfing and dual tone bar bracing appears in good shape. There is hole drilled into the fingerboard extension side profile from a previous monkey on a stick pickup. The pickguard appears slightly later, and in excellent shape free of off gassing wear. Refretted, this neck plays very well, with an appropriate neck angle all yielding low action. The profile feels more like a medium heavy C, with a depth that measures .88" at the first fret and about .94" at the ninth fret. The binding appears original - the newer thin frets, without nibs spliced into the binding. The frets themselves show little wear, but are leveled and crowned quite low - like a slightly smaller fretless wonder. Maybe the most unusual thing about this guitar is the fingerboard inlay - which appears to have been replaced with parchment colored ivoroid. It has a standard 25.5" scale length and 1 23/32" nut width, the action measuring a comfortable 5/64" in height at the twelfth fret with further room for adjustment at the saddles thumb screws. The truss rod is virtually maxed out currently, the neck very straight overall - with the truss rod nut tighted to exposing nearly 1/4" of the threads. Original peg head overlay had been resprayed with black lacquer - the Gibson script logo and flower pot inlay showing very clean and non ambered by aged finish. As mentioned, the tuners had been replaced, and there is slight evidence of the touch up with the doweled area slightly noticeable. Includes later 70's era hardshell case. Weighs 6.1 lbs