2023 Gibson Byrdland

[vinnyv1k]

Gibson announced it has ceased ALL archtop production for 1-2 years.
I picked up this very last Byrdland made new with warranty for $7K because of the knot on the top at the tailpiece. IMO with today’s prices and the possible end of Gibson archtops for a long time or ever I found this to be a good buy.
A plywood Sadowsky or Borys isn’t too much cheaper.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Congrats! That sounds like a hell of a deal for a new Gibson archtop. They’ve sold blemished L-5s from the Gibson Demo Shop on Reverb for higher prices than that.


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[ccroft]

That's not a knot, that's figure! (that's what I tell our clients anyway... :-)

Nice buy!

[deacon Mark]

Vinny good job a deal really if you have the change. I cannot handle the neck and scale on the Byrdland. However you cannot find a Wes L5 anywhere I keep looking.

The knot on the top is zero……….zero…..

[Bluedawg]

1 to 2 years, hmmm

Enough time to save some money for anything interesting they decide to do after that.

[floatingpickup]

There is only one problem…the toggle switch is set to the bridge pickup!
Keith

[icr]

There is only one problem…the toggle switch is set to the bridge pickup!
Keith

Ted

[jads57]

I’ve owned a two Byrdlands one sharp cut and Venetian 1969 .Beautiful sounding Archtops. But the short scale and narrow nut and fingerboard were a deal breaker both times.

Wish they would offered these with a longer scale and normal width.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I’ve owned a two Byrdlands one sharp cut and Venetian 1969 .Beautiful sounding Archtops. But the short scale and narrow nut and fingerboard were a deal breaker both times.

Wish they would offered these with a longer scale and normal width.

So, an L-5CT?


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[nyc chaz]

That is most definitely a great buy and one beautiful guitar.You could probably sell it now and get more than you paid.Enjoy and play it in good health.

[Danny W.]

I’ve owned a two Byrdlands one sharp cut and Venetian 1969 .Beautiful sounding Archtops. But the short scale and narrow nut and fingerboard were a deal breaker both times.Wish they would offered these with a longer scale and normal width.

So, an L-5CT?

Sorta like these?





Danny W.

[jazzshrink]

It's an archtop conga line!

[vinnyv1k]

I’ve owned a two Byrdlands one sharp cut and Venetian 1969 .Beautiful sounding Archtops. But the short scale and narrow nut and fingerboard were a deal breaker both times.

Wish they would offered these with a longer scale and normal width.

Modern Byrdlands have a 1-11/16 nut. I had a great 2014. A big mistake selling it.
One of many mistakes…..LOL

[TAA]

The red L-5C sleeping on the couch….appears to have a single Johnny Smith pickup. Correct? And is that a thin one?

When I ordered my L-5C in 1967 it had a single JS pickup but was sunburst. So from the front (except for color) it looked like the the one in this photo.

Tom

[rolijen]

Congrats, Vinny! It’s beautiful. I hope it sounds and plays as good as it looks. That Venetian cutaway looks so good.

Sad to hear about Gibson ceasing production.

I only assume the neck pickup is selected in the photo because you were maybe playing some Nugent tunes on that bad boy.

[Danny W.]

1260923[/URL]]The red L-5C sleeping on the couch….appears to have a single Johnny Smith pickup. Correct? And is that a thin one?

When I ordered my L-5C in 1967 it had a single JS pickup but was sunburst. So from the front (except for color) it looked like the the one in this photo.

Tom

That’s a full-depth L-5C with a BJB pickup.

Sorry for the hijack, Vinny. Great looking Byrdland!

Danny W.

[TAA]

Although I have an older L-5C, the photos in the OP show a terrific looking instrument!

Am I saying this right….venetian = rounded and florentine = pointed? The cheater way to remember it…alphabetical….p/f….r/v ?

You archtop guys here….is the build quality of the current (now discontinued) guitars is on par with the 50’s and 60’s production? What time period did the build quality start to slip? To my eyes, Vinny’s Byrdland in the OP looks really good! Made in Memphis?

Tom

[vinnyv1k]

I’ve had a blonde Florentine cut Byrdland on order for almost 2 years. It was supposed to be ready now but now Gibson is saying 1-2 more years so when this showed up I decided to pull the trigger.
At my age buying green bananas is risky.

[vinnyv1k]

That’s a full-depth L-5C with a BJB pickup.

Sorry for the hijack, Vinny. Great looking Byrdland!

Danny W.

Danny we never get tired of seeing your Gibson collection.
The best of the best Gibson archtops. You certainly have impeccable taste when it comes to guitars.

[Oscar67]

Gibson announced it has ceased ALL archtop production for 1-2 years.
I picked up this very last Byrdland made new with warranty for $7K because of the knot on the top at the tailpiece. IMO with today’s prices and the possible end of Gibson archtops for a long time or ever I found this to be a good buy.
A plywood Sadowsky or Borys isn’t too much cheaper.

What a beauty! Congrats!

[Stringswinger]

Congrats Vinny,

May she inspire your playing, AND may you be able to buy and enjoy green bananas for many years to come.

[Stringswinger]

PS I would rather have that Byrdland than a Sadowsky or Borys all day long and twice on Sunday.

[Woody Sound]

Interesting that when you want flame, you pay dearly for the feature. When you don't want it, it's a flaw.

[2bornot2bop]

I bathe in your joy Vinny! Congratulations!!!

[vinnyv1k]

Interesting that when you want flame, you pay dearly for the feature. When you don't want it, it's a flaw.

I’ve not heard of flamed spruce. Bear claw and cross silk yes.
I won’t have the guitar till tomorrow. I spotted a lot of little QC issues that are not really important but affects getting top dollar like this rough nut and low frets.