Here is a very unique archtop instrument. Built by Gibson in 2008, this guitar started life as a Gibson L7 but has since been converted to a 1939-spec Gibson L5. Extensive reconstruction has been carried out, including a new neck, new top, new (original vintage 1930s) tailpiece, and a Charlie Christian pickup, courtesy of CC Pickups in the UK. This has been a no-expense-spared reworking of the guitar, and it looks fantastic and sounds just as good.
The L7 was built by Gibson as a stripped-back, more affordable version of their flagship jazz guitar—the Gibson L5. The Gibson L5P was the first guitar in the Gibson line to feature a cutaway in 1939. This, combined with F holes, set the benchmark for archtop guitar design for decades to come.
The 2008 Gibson L7 had some differences from the original model: it had a shorter scale length (24.75” vs 25.5”) and smaller F holes with X bracing, rather than the parallel bracing found in the L5.
To convert it into an L5, the top was replaced with 150-year-old aged carved spruce, parallel bracing was added, and the F holes were cut to the standard L5 dimensions. The top bracing was made wide enough to accommodate the Charlie Christian pickup. L5s could be ordered from the factory with a CC pickup in the 1930s and '40s, and, as on this guitar, the top bracing would be installed wider to accommodate it. The Charlie Christian pickup was made in the mid-2010s, has an additional notch under the G string for improved string balance.
The neck was replaced with a three-piece maple neck with a center stripe, and it features an L5-style fretboard with a 25.5” scale length. In 1939, the fretboard extension was flat on the body, with a shim between the fretboard and the body. This neck has been constructed the same way.
The tailpiece was replaced with an original late 1930s Gibson L5 tailpiece (note the “patent applied for” stamp on the underside). These original tailpieces are extremely hard to find.
The body measures just under 17” wide at the lower bout—approximately 16 7/8” in total width.
It should be noted that this guitar would benefit from a neck reset. There is a slight angle, with the neck leaning slightly clockwise when viewed from the front. This causes the bridge to be positioned closer to the bass-side F hole for proper string alignment on the fretboard. This can result in tuning instability.
While the guitar is largely built to 1939 specifications, the headstock is oversized, similar to those found on Gibson guitars made in 1965 or later. The inlaid script logo is also incorrect, resembling the silk-screened logo used on pre-1948 J-45s and the like, rather than the pearl-inlaid logo typically found on old Gibson archtops.
The neck has a nice, wide profile, measuring 43.3mm at the nut and tapering to 56mm at the 12th fret. There is plenty of real estate on the fretboard, and the fretboard radius is unusually flat, measuring approximately 16” at the 12th fret.
When the original luthier replaced the top and neck, they also removed the original Gibson badge and serial number. However, original paperwork and photos documenting the construction process are available, providing the necessary provenance. The original Gibson paperwork, including the serial number, is included in the original hard shell case that comes with the guitar.
Many hours of meticulous craftsmanship have gone into the construction of this guitar, as well as considerable investment. This guitar is now available for considerably less money than the build cost. A rare opportunity to own a beautiful and unique instrument!
Brand: Gibson
Model: L5 (L7 conversion)
Year: 2008
Country: USA
Case: OHSC
Serial: 008XXXXX
Colour (Body): Sunburst
Colour (Neck): Sunburst
Finish Type: Nitro
Body Material: Maple/Spruce
Neck Material: Maple
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Nut: Bone
Scale Length: 25.5”
Fret Number: 20
Neck Radius: 16"
Action: 1.5mm
Neck Profile: Wide C
Nut Width: 43.3mm
12th Fret Width: 56.1mm
1st Fret Depth: 20.5
12th Fret Depth: 22.9mm
Pickups: Charlie Christian
Electronics: Volume and Tone
Knobs: Vintage style CC
Pickguard: Tortoiseshell with binding
Hardware: Gold
Weight: 3.28kg
