Gibson L5s built for Ranger Doug

**kkfan** · 12-30-2016, 03:07 AM

Here's a photo of a collection of Custom L5s that Gibson built for Ranger Doug (right). Apparently, that's how he wanted the tailpieces.

**oldane** · 12-30-2016, 05:05 AM

Both the tailpieces and the shape of the F-holes mirrors the Stromberg guitars he have loved for many years.

**Max405** · 12-30-2016, 07:43 AM

If I didn't know any better, I'd a thought that was Vinny..

**Archtop Guy** · 12-30-2016, 08:04 AM

When they came out with this photo I thought they were going to be an actual model.I believe that Martin Thurman still holds the rights to Stromberg,perhaps that's where the model hit a roadblock. Would have loved to have gotten my hands on one. A nice blend of both styles.

**fws6** · 12-30-2016, 09:24 AM

Yes Gibson built him some Stromberg copies a couple years ago, which is strange, as the Stromberg brand at that time was also operational and was building korean laminate electric Gibson knock offs ;-)

who's martin thurman ??

**hot ford coupe** · 12-30-2016, 03:58 PM

I'll take the one on the right, thank you.

**nopedals** · 12-30-2016, 04:07 PM

They look a lot like L5Cs with super 400 tailpieces. They could have issued that, and put some other schmo's name on it, without owing anything to whoever owns the Stromberg copyright.

**MarkRhodes** · 12-30-2016, 04:12 PM

Love to hear Ranger Doug play.

**2bornot2bop** · 12-30-2016, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by fws6

Yes Gibson built him some Stromberg copies a couple years ago, which is strange, as the Stromberg brand at that time was also operational and was building korean laminate electric Gibson knock offs ;-)

who's martin thurman ??

Stromberg should have sued Gibson. That would have been very fitting.

**kkfan** · 12-30-2016, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by MarkRhodes

Love to hear Ranger Doug play.

Yeah, he's truly amazing! And what a voice!

**sgosnell** · 12-30-2016, 06:37 PM

Why would anyone need that many L5s? Oh, one has a pickguard, so there's that.

**Archtop Guy** · 12-30-2016, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by fws6

Yes Gibson built him some Stromberg copies a couple years ago, which is strange, as the Stromberg brand at that time was also operational and was building korean laminate electric Gibson knock offs ;-)

who's martin thurman ??

Marty Thurman is the man who started up D'Angelico ll. He began it with Jim Triggs making them and then moved to Heritage for production.

**Hammertone** · 12-30-2016, 11:49 PM

The bodies are the same as those of the Bozeman L-7C, with Strombergian f-holes and tailpieces, and L-5-style maple/ebony necks. Very cool guitars.
They probably sound remarkably similar to Bozeman L-7C instruments.

**JazzNote** · 12-31-2016, 06:48 AM

I easily could fall in love with all the guitars on the foto! I guess the one to the left is a 18", the one with the pickguard a 16" - not sure though.

**bananafist** · 12-31-2016, 06:54 AM

Those tailpieces are very similar to one I've seen on photos of Triggs guitars.

**Ol' Fret** · 12-31-2016, 07:46 AM

The concept of these guitars might be the most advanced (or most retro-style - if you like) of all Gibson made acoustic archtops with cutaway. Just have a look at these nice recurves around the cutaway horns...

>> The bodies are the same as those of the Bozeman L-7C, with Strombergian f-holes and tailpieces... <<

>> Those tailpieces are very similar to one I've seen on photos of Triggs guitars. <<

Similar tailpieces, yes, but not resulting in the same string afterlength. Triggs (externally) copied the Stromberg design without curtailing the tail...

**Archtop Guy** · 12-31-2016, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

The bodies are the same as those of the Bozeman L-7C, with Strombergian f-holes and tailpieces, and L-5-style maple/ebony necks. Very cool guitars.
They probably sound remarkably similar to Bozeman L-7C instruments.

Now if they only had the shorter scale length,1 3/4"nut and larger frets. They would be the perfect guitar.IF THEY WOULD PRODUCE THEM.

**gmek** · 12-31-2016, 04:55 PM

I wanted to learn more about him and found this video, he certainly has a nice collection!

**Hammertone** · 01-01-2017, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by kkfan

Originally Posted by Ol' Fret

The concept of these guitars might be the most advanced (or most retro-style - if you like) of all Gibson made acoustic archtops with cutaway. Just have a look at these nice recurves around the cutaway horns...
>> The bodies are the same as those of the Bozeman L-7C, with Strombergian f-holes and tailpieces... <<
>> Those tailpieces are very similar to one I've seen on photos of Triggs guitars. <<
Similar tailpieces, yes, but not resulting in the same string afterlength. Triggs (externally) copied the Stromberg design without curtailing the tail...

**Dennis D** · 01-01-2017, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

Now if they only had the shorter scale length,1 3/4"nut and larger frets. They would be the perfect guitar.IF THEY WOULD PRODUCE THEM.

Right or wrong : MHO ( 'guesses ' ):

I'm just guessing that Gibson would've gladly provided any fret and scale length combination Ranger Doug wanted on one of their current ( Nashville' ? ) models.......

I am also just guessing that he too thought the current crop of new Gibson acoustic archtops need some more volume......

So, RD tells Gibson, " Ok, take the Montana L-7, w/ it's acoustics, however different, add the tp and scale I want, and I'll take, what 4 or 5 ?? "

Then Ren Ferguson builds them, leaves Gibson Montana and no more is heard.........

I just have to think RD has always liked some volume, and maybe these new standard catalogue ones aren't all it for him either....

just MHO....