2014 Gibson Custom Crimson L-5 CES

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 06:30 PM

Hey All, new member here.
I just bought a new 2014 L5 CES from Guitar Center on their big labor day sale. This one was in a glass case for a couple of years and I never thought to check it out because of the 10k+ price tag. I tried a Wes Montgomery model that they had on clearance a few weeks ago, but it was just okay. On a whim I tried out the CES, and it felt, sounded, and looked great! I wasn't expecting that because of the fact that it had been sitting so long with no one buying it. I have to imagine that it's because of the high end price, and that it was at GC, that it didn't sell.
Anyhow, I noticed that the price tag had fallen to the bottom of the case it was in, and saw there was a second tag next to it. Turns out It was reduced by 35% for Pres Day! So I took it home and now have 45 days to try it out. So far the tone, fit and finish, intonation, and playability is great. My only gripe, not a big deal, would be the weight)
So my questions are, does anybody know of things to look out for, or why they're blowing out such a nice Custom Gibson. What's the catch (other than it's still a lot of $ for me ; )
Would this guitar hold it's value and be good to hang on to as an investment, since I got it at a good price?
Thanks, and sorry for the long winded first post.

**lawson-stone** · 02-21-2017, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by compoundz

Hey All, new member here.
I just bought a new 2014 L5 CES from Guitar Center on their big labor day sale. This one was in a glass case for a couple of years and I never thought to check it out because of the 10k+ price tag. I tried a Wes Montgomery model that they had on clearance a few weeks ago, but it was just okay. On a whim I tried out the CES, and it felt, sounded, and looked great! I wasn't expecting that because of the fact that it had been sitting so long with no one buying it. I have to imagine that it's because of the high end price, and that it was at GC, that it didn't sell.
Anyhow, I noticed that the price tag had fallen to the bottom of the case it was in, and saw there was a second tag next to it. Turns out It was reduced by 35% for Pres Day! So I took it home and now have 45 days to try it out. So far the tone, fit and finish, intonation, and playability is great. My only gripe, not a big deal, would be the weight)
So my questions are, does anybody know of things to look out for, or why they're blowing out such a nice Custom Gibson. What's the catch (other than it's still a lot of $ for me ; )
Would this guitar hold it's value and be good to hang on to as an investment, since I got it at a good price?
Thanks, and sorry for the long winded first post.

The weight of the L5ces is part of what makes it play and sound like it does. That mass is part of some highly complex tonal calculus that makes the L5ces tone one of the most sought-after tones in the entire jazz guitar world. It has a purity that is not acoustic, a clarity that is not trebly, a thickness that isn't muddy, and a punchiness that isn't twangy. The only guitars that come close to duplicating that tone are themselves, also fairly heavy instruments.

Congratulations on owning one of the most sought-after instruments in the world of jazz guitar!

**Jimmy Mack** · 02-21-2017, 08:31 PM

That sounds like a great purchase. And at what? 35% off?
Enjoy it.....please! Think of the enjoyment factor vs. the ROI. I never regret buying mine, and it was a stretch $$.
And send pictures.

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

The weight of the L5ces is part of what makes it play and sound like it does. That mass is part of some highly complex tonal calculus that makes the L5ces tone one of the most sought-after tones in the entire jazz guitar world. It has a purity that is not acoustic, a clarity that is not trebly, a thickness that isn't muddy, and a punchiness that isn't twangy. The only guitars that come close to duplicating that tone are themselves, also fairly heavy instruments.

Congratulations on owning one of the most sought-after instruments in the world of jazz guitar!

Thank You! Your description is spot on.
Does the Crimson Custom Shop seem to have a good reputation these days? I've heard mixed reviews, but generally pretty good.

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack

That sounds like a great purchase. And at what? 35% off?
Enjoy it.....please! Think of the enjoyment factor vs. the ROI. I never regret buying mine, and it was a stretch $$.
And send pictures.

Yes 35%! I usually don't consider resale value too much, I'm a player not a collector. But this was the most most I've ever paid for an instrument.
Here are some pics.

**Max405** · 02-21-2017, 09:40 PM

Congratulations. That's a Guitar of a lifetime.
I have a question. What made this guitar better to you than the Wes?
JD

**citizenk74** · 02-21-2017, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by compoundz

Thanks for the response! Any idea why they'd be blowing them out like that?

I suspect it had been on the books long enough. Inventory's got to move. By the way, that sunburst L-5CES is my dream guitar. Fortunately for me, even 35% off is still out of reach. You've got a real prize there. Again, congrats!

**Gitfiddler** · 02-21-2017, 10:05 PM

GC has inventory taxes to pay. So here's the question and answer the store manager has to deal with...

Why not move that liability into the asset column by selling near dealer cost on President's Day Sale rather than another annual tax hit on unsold inventory?

Bottom line...you are the beneficiary!

Congratulations on purchasing an iconic archtop! Play it in good health.

**QAman** · 02-21-2017, 10:29 PM

Compoundz,
Congrats !! You did well on the price - these are expensive instruments and the Gibson L5 is considered by many to be the blue chip stock of the Archtop guitar market.

Of course it's subject to price fluctuations , but an investment in guitars is both quantitative and qualitative. It sounds like the guitar pleased your senses in a way like no other instrument ...and that's invaluable. So - whats the investment worth on enjoyment - priceless .

As for the physical weight .......Lawson - Stone's explanation is spot on. The modern Gibson L5 , while not as acoustically loud as the Orchestra period guitars, has this amazing throaty / thick Gibson vibe with endless sustain and balance that only comes out of a Gibson.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment.

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Max405

Congratulations. That's a Guitar of a lifetime.
I have a question. What made this guitar better to you than the Wes?
JD

Thanks! I played them a few weeks apart, so I didn't do a side by side comparison. I thought the Wes sounded very good as well, but the CES just felt nicer, played easier, felt more solid, and the fit and finish was flawless. The Wes had a few spots where the finish was iffy. So overall it was a feel and playability thing.
BTW, The Wes was burgundy, not my favorite finish.

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

I suspect it had been on the books long enough. Inventory's got to move. By the way, that sunburst L-5CES is my dream guitar. Fortunately for me, even 35% off is still out of reach. You've got a real prize there. Again, congrats!

Thank You!
Agreed, that is a lot of money for a working musician, but that's why we have credit cards! Ha ha!
I won't be laughing when I get that Credit Card statement though.

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by QAman

Compoundz,
Congrats !! You did well on the price - these are expensive instruments and the Gibson L5 is considered by many to be the blue chip stock of the Archtop guitar market.

Of course it's subject to price fluctuations , but an investment in guitars is both quantitative and qualitative. It sounds like the guitar pleased your senses in a way like no other instrument ...and that's invaluable. So - whats the investment worth on enjoyment - priceless .

As for the physical weight .......Lawson - Stone's explanation is spot on. The modern Gibson L5 , while not as acoustically loud as the Orchestra period guitars, has this amazing throaty / thick Gibson vibe with endless sustain and balance that only comes out of a Gibson.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment.

Thanks QAman! I'm sure I will enjoy it for a long time. I've always wanted one since I played a 60's sunburst
over 20 years ago, that tone really stuck in my head.
I like your adjectives, throaty and thick. I'd like to add thuddy and deep to that list ; )

**Guitarbean25** · 02-21-2017, 11:22 PM

It's marked down cuz the nut isn't bone...wait...or is that the other way around

**compoundz** · 02-21-2017, 11:29 PM

I gotta say that I'm not into shiny, new, flamed out, ornate guitars, with gold hardware but somehow it just works on an L-5 and doesn't bother me!

**Jabberwocky** · 02-22-2017, 02:02 AM

Congrats on a fine instrument. You got a good price on it. Does it come with the Gibson warranty?

There is nary any difference between a 2014 L5CES and one made in 2017. You paid about $6500 for it? That is about what some of us pay to buy it used, +/-$500. If you wish to keep it I would get it set up by a good tech. You did not talk about strings? What do you plan on using?

GC is infamous for losing the Gibson COA or mismatching it with the guitar's serial number. There can't be too many L5CESs in that GC you bought it from so that tules out the latter. Did you get the red COA booklet with it? It affects resale.

Play her in good health. Gibson Polish in a Pump, Orange label works well to keep the shine.

**compoundz** · 02-22-2017, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Congrats on a fine instrument. You got a good price on it. Does it come with the Gibson warranty?

There is nary any difference between a 2014 L5CES and one made in 2017. You paid about $6500 for it? That is about what some of us pay to buy it used, +/-$500. If you wish to keep it I would get it setup by a good tech. You did not talk about strings? What do you plan on using?

GC is infamous for losing the Gibson COA or mismatching it with the guitar's serial number. There can't be too many L5CESs in that GC you bought it from so that tules out the latter. Did you get the red COA booklet with it? It affects resale.

Play her in good health. Gibson Polish in a Pump, Orange label works well to keep the shine.

Thanks! I believe that I saw the warranty card in the case, should be good to go there. The Crimson COA is there with matching serial# along with all the tags, and two little bubble wrap pillows under the headstock.
The original tag was $10,299, and the sale price was $6699 before tax 8.75%.
It had round wound 12's on it in the store, But I got a free set up and set of of Flat wound 12's with it. The guitar already had nice action and good intonation, but I thought it might need a slight bit of tension on the truss rod. Turns out that the new set of 12's had some lighter gauges in it than the original set, and that seemed to straighten things out. He did need to lower the pickups a bit to put them back to factory spec.
If I keep it I will take it to my tech for sure.

**vinnyv1k** · 02-22-2017, 04:01 AM

Wildwood offered me a smoking deal on a L5/BJB Premier. New/old 2014. Been thinking but my wife will kill me. That would make 4 L5's but I do need a floater model :-)......BTW congrats !!!

**compoundz** · 02-22-2017, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Wildwood offered me a smoking deal on a L5/BJB Premier. New/old 2014. Been thinking but my wife will kill me. That would make 4 L5's but I do need a floater model :-)......BTW congrats !!!

Wow four? Think that'll be enough? ; )

**silverfoxx** · 02-22-2017, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Wildwood offered me a smoking deal on a L5/BJB Premier. New/old 2014. Been thinking but my wife will kill me. That would make 4 L5's but I do need a floater model :-)......BTW congrats !!!

Hope you've got a Kevlar Helmet and a bulletproof vest, Vinny, plus an outsize Tennis Racquet to
ward off the hand grenades and frying pan. If there is complete silence from you in the next few
days, we shall fear the worst ! blame it on Greg Koch

**JazzNote** · 02-22-2017, 05:05 AM

Congratulations on your L5. The L5CES is a incredible instrument, i wish you countless joyful hours with it!

**silverfoxx** · 02-22-2017, 05:12 AM

Compoundz, welcome to JGF, the best Forum on the net, you will quickly recognise that
you can expect the best advice and technical expertise from other members only too willing
to help with the most complex guitar and amplifier questions.
If I may say that IMO, and others might agree ,the L5CES is the iconic Jazz Guitar.
I have a 2013 Crimson Custom Shop model; natural finish. Without question the best guitar
I have ever owned, It's playability , tone and feel is second to none. ( I have reduced my
collection ,all Gibsons, to six only ) You will notice a number of members here own many
more guitars. I too tried a side by side comparison with the Wes model, which was the model
I had lusted after for years but the L5CES spoke to me instead and after 2hours of deliberation
she was mine !!
I predict that will not regret your NGD.
kind regards
Silverfoxx

**vinnyv1k** · 02-22-2017, 07:58 AM

L5's are definitely at the top of the food chain.

**stringmaster** · 02-22-2017, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by compoundz

Thanks! I believe that I saw the warranty card in the case, should be good to go there. The Crimson COA is there with matching serial# along with all the tags, and two little bubble wrap pillows under the headstock.
The original tag was $10,299, and the sale price was $6699 before tax 8.75%.
It had round wound 12's on it in the store, But I got a free set up and set of of Flat wound 12's with it. The guitar already had nice action and good intonation, but I thought it might need a slight bit of tension on the truss rod. Turns out that the new set of 12's had some heavier gauges in it than the original set, and that seemed to straighten things out. He did need to lower the pickups a bit to put them back to factory spec.
If I keep it I will take it to my tech for sure.

Congratulations! Curious which GC you got her from?
Enjoy!

**Bluedawg** · 02-22-2017, 01:40 PM

Congrats ... I love L5s and I have a CES and a WES .... I really would like to pick up one of the L5 Premiers with the floating pickup, but I decided to go all out and get a Super 400 instead for my latest madness

A few years ago Gibson dealers were forced to buy several top of the line archtops .... L5s, Byrdlands, Super 400s .. etc.

Up until recently most of the big on line dealers had several Gibson archtops .... but they never move fast and they tie up money that could be put into faster moving products or other business investments ... many of these guitars were unsold for 3 or more years

Most of the dealers let them go at very good prices just to move them out ... just over half of Gibson's suggested list price

That's why you got the great price you did

future prices are impossible to predict, but history is on your side as far as your financial investment goes ..... you picked it up at a great price ... you could probably sell your guitar now for 5 or 6 K US$ if you had to .... hold onto your L5 for 10 or 20 years and you should be able to get more than what you paid for it (not accounting for inflation) ... I'm hoping to keep mine until I can no longer play or it goes to my heirs

Guitar Center's no interest credit card deals are dangerous .... that's how I got my Super 400 ...

**Woody Sound** · 02-22-2017, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by compoundz

Hey All, new member here.
I just bought a new 2014 L5 CES from Guitar Center on their big labor day sale. This one was in a glass case for a couple of years and I never thought to check it out because of the 10k+ price tag. I tried a Wes Montgomery model that they had on clearance a few weeks ago, but it was just okay. On a whim I tried out the CES, and it felt, sounded, and looked great! I wasn't expecting that because of the fact that it had been sitting so long with no one buying it. I have to imagine that it's because of the high end price, and that it was at GC, that it didn't sell.
Anyhow, I noticed that the price tag had fallen to the bottom of the case it was in, and saw there was a second tag next to it. Turns out It was reduced by 35% for Pres Day! So I took it home and now have 45 days to try it out. So far the tone, fit and finish, intonation, and playability is great. My only gripe, not a big deal, would be the weight)
So my questions are, does anybody know of things to look out for, or why they're blowing out such a nice Custom Gibson. What's the catch (other than it's still a lot of $ for me ; )
Would this guitar hold it's value and be good to hang on to as an investment, since I got it at a good price?
Thanks, and sorry for the long winded first post.

Not that it's important, but I'm confused. You just bought it on Labor Day sale with a 45 day trial, but Labor Day was more than 5 months ago(?)