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I don’t normally post New guitar days (NGD) but when something interesting comes along I like to share the experience.
Recently , during my ongoing guitar searches I stumbled upon a 2008 Gibson reissue of a famous L10 purchased by Les Paul, and later owned by Chet Atkins.
Les ordered this guitar with the neck extension so he could play Django runs.
Here is the 2004 Gibson press release.
Gibson recreates Chet Atkins' custom L-10 archtop
I acquired this unplayed example from Madrid Spain. I personally completed the commercial invoice and all the necessary plant declaration paperwork for the import and it was smooth sailing back into the USA.
The dealer where I purchased the guitar originally ordered it new for the same client who returned it back 10 years later for resale. The gentlemen was too old to play - and actually the guitar had little signs of any play .
The guitar had a piezo pickup added to the original rosewood bridge - which required a trough to be cut under the bridge saddle which compromised the structural integrity of the bridge - so it had to go .
So I spent the afternoon at my good friend John Monteleone’s who was kind enough to create a gorgeous bridge from Madagascar ebony - followed by a set up to perfection.
The guitar has a smooth powerful tone and sustains forever - and possess this very warm characteristic , unlike many post war L5 I’ve played - likely due to the Monteleone bridge which liberated this instrument to its full potential.
The woods are extraordinary - and it’s a late period Hutch build with the same precise workmanship found on the Lee Ritenour I sold to Paulw10.
The guitar has a mahogany neck and dark finish on the back plate - just like the original , with gorgeous book matched flame. The back pic taken outside is riddled with reflections - and in reality it’s stunning without a single mark.
The instrument is is mint condition with all the case candy in the original custom case without a single scuff mark. What a find !
For those looking for a post war L5 - keep your eyes out for one of these - they are diamonds in the rough- and have the very playable 24- 3/4 scale typically used in the late 30’s.
No - it’s not for sale . John M really liked it and said it’s a keeper. Here are a few pics of guitar and John M holding this beauty.
Last edited by QAman; 03-31-2018 at 04:32 PM.
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03-31-2018 04:02 PM
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beautiful!
congrats and enjoy
cheers
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A keeper for sure!
Congrats!
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SS- thanks ! This guitar has a remarkable sustain and richness - perhaps from the Mahogany neck. Nothing bright. I’m really enjoying it- definitely has that late 30’s vibe.
Originally Posted by Stringswinger
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Excellent!
A few years ago the L-10 was also available in a natural finish.
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Gitfiddfler - thanks ! Your correct, this reissue also came in natural, and if I see one available I'll grab it. These are very fine guitars from Gibson custom. Originally Posted by Gitfiddler
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Superb. Sunburst, binding, back. Every part of it is first class.
Cheers.
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Thanks ! So true - the appointments, workmanship and finish are just superb. Originally Posted by Fred Archtop
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Cool guitar.
I remember when these came out, shortly after the L-7C reissue.
Were these made in Bozeman or in Nashville?
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Nashville Originally Posted by Hammertone
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That’s right up my alley! Great find!
I have a 1934 L10 in for restoration with my luthier, Darrell Guinn. It was neglected for many years after being stripped of its original black finish and refinished as a natural. Darrell does remarkable finish work in addition to being a great luthier in general.
When finished, it will be back to its original appearance. It also has frets that are about as low as can be and still be playable. It will be great to hear it get the chance to really sing again after the refret.
Your reissue has me thinking about that one.
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ps-
love the houndstooth top binding
some beautiful straight spruce beneath that sunburst
nice to have monteleone as your "set up" man!!! hah
like the gauze? wrap on the "arms" of your guitar stand!! better safe than sorry
cheersLast edited by neatomic; 03-31-2018 at 07:36 PM. Reason: typo-
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TRM, Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan
That’s right up my alley! Great find!
I have a 1934 L10 in for restoration with my luthier, Darrell Guinn. It was neglected for many years after being stripped of its original black finish and refinished as a natural. Darrell does remarkable finish work in addition to being a great luthier in general.
When finished, it will be back to its original appearance. It also has frets that are about as low as can be and still be playable. It will be great to hear it get the chance to really sing again after the refret.
Your reissue has me thinking about that one.
Thanks ! If you can find one of these grab it ! Its not a clunky non-cut guitar. The intent of this build was to produce a purely acoustic guitar (without pick-ups) and Gibson nailed it.
I had a mint 48 L5 and this is much better. The L5 was very bright with rapid decay of the note. This is warm with great sustain....just the way I like a good Archtop.
Good luck with your restoration !
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Haha- you noticed the cloth wrap. My wife is a quilter so I wrap my stands with cloth stips. Originally Posted by neatomic
John Monteleone and I have been friends for nearly 30 years. I spent 2 hours yesterday playing new guitars he just strung up. His guitars are truly lap pianos without compare, just unbelievable tone and projection.
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"The guitar had a piezo pickup added to the original rosewood bridge - which required a trough to be cut under the bridge saddle which compromised the structural integrity of the bridge - so it had to go ."
I have an L5 with a piezo from factory, signed by J. Hutchins.
The original bridge is ebony, the piezo is on the bridge, and the bridge base and guitar top have a small perforation, just to pass a cable. As I see the top of your guitar has no perforation, so no evidence of a piezo being there.
Is the bridge original? If so, it had to have some drilling.
If not, how was the piezo connected originally to the jack?
And volume pot? did it have one?
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QAman,
You always turn up with unusual archtops. This L10 is the cat's whiskers.
Chetan Atkins was so tickled with the one he got from his brother, Jim (vocalist in the Les Paul Trio who got it from Les), that he kept peeking into the case.
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The guitar came with the original rosewood bridge. Someone routed out a trough under the top part of bridge , installed a strip type piezo pickup with glue, ran the wire thru the white pickguard support cushion, then into a pickguard mounted jack. Originally Posted by gcb
"The guitar had a piezo pickup added to the original rosewood bridge - which required a trough to be cut under the bridge saddle which compromised the structural integrity of the bridge - so it had to go ."
I have an L5 with a piezo from factory, signed by J. Hutchins.
The original bridge is ebony, the piezo is on the bridge, and the bridge base and guitar top have a small perforation, just to pass a cable. As I see the top of your guitar has no perforation, so no evidence of a piezo being there.
Is the bridge original? If so, it had to have some drilling.
If not, how was the piezo connected originally to the jack?
And volume pot? did it have one?
In doing so, the structural integrity was compromised, since the rosewood was hollowed out under where the string pressure is present. It looked like an amature job.
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Thanks Greentone. I keep looking for great guitars all the time. Originally Posted by Greentone
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That is an absolutely gorgeous instrument! And what a story - your collection of keepers has a worthy addition. Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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Citizen74, Originally Posted by citizenk74
That is an absolutely gorgeous instrument! And what a story - your collection of keepers has a worthy addition. Congratulations, and play it in good health!
Thanks for the kind words - you are one of my favorites on this forum- always a gentlemen. This was a fun purchase filled with excitement and great pleasure.
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QAman, thanks for your reply, I take it was an amateur non original non Factory non Custom Shop job, but there is another thing; where in that amateur job was the piezo battery placed?
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There is a cartridge looking device in the case pocket - maybe thats it. I wouldn’t know - it’s meaningless to me. I have no knowledge of the different types of Piezo pickups. I had John remove it. If your thinking about any holes in this guitar - there are NONE. Originally Posted by gcb
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WOW-WEE Steve. What a stunner ! John made a beautiful bridge for it. I know you are Italian but Sherlock Holmes had to be one of your ancestors. What a find ! Love the back. Do enjoy my friend. Pure elegance indeed. Congrats !!!
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Hey Vinny - thanks bud ! I do happen to stumble across some good instruments for sure. Having John M as a close friend also helps. While he was carving this bridge by hand, I was playing two art deco styled archtops he had strung up in the raw. Just pure magic and unbelievable !!! I wish everyone on this forum could play a Monteleone Archtop - its truly an experience. As John was tuning up the L10 he looked over at me and said " this is a good one". Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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I wish you luck finding one of the rare natural reissues. Here's one from an old Musician's Friend ad. Originally Posted by QAman
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