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L5S

Grog

Active member
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
562
This one was sold as a 1975, serial #138XXX. My book list it as anywhere from 1970 to 1975. The pots codes are from the middle of 1973 & my undertanding is that by 1974 the L-5S was equipt with standard humbuckers............
 

rockabilly69

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
This one was sold as a 1975, serial #138XXX. My book list it as anywhere from 1970 to 1975. The pots codes are from the middle of 1973 & my undertanding is that by 1974 the L-5S was equipt with standard humbuckers............

looks like 74 to me!
 

rockabilly69

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
This one was sold as a 1975, serial #138XXX. My book list it as anywhere from 1970 to 1975. The pots codes are from the middle of 1973 & my undertanding is that by 1974 the L-5S was equipt with standard humbuckers............

Yep here's my early '75...


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Grog

Active member
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
562
The old & the new side by side.

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The first one was refretted, touched up where a hanger removed the finish. The gold was badly wore. The second doesn't have as nice a maple top, but otherwise in new condition for a 45 year old guitar. A little blistering of the gold plating around the Gibson logo on the neck pickup and one knick on the side. Not many with nice plating have survived!
 
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jtees4

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
209
Back in 1976 I saw Kansas (I was really there to see Rick Derringer opening)....and Kerry Livgren was playing an L5S, I had no clue what it was, but I remembered it. One day not too long after I was in Manny's and saw one, I actually liked it a lot, didn't even notice the weight (today I could probably not even lift it). Very cool guitar. The same day I saw and played an RD Artist for the first time. I have always thought they were cool guitars ever since. I also played a Les Paul Recording model (I think same day)...that one I did not like at all...even though Les loved them.
 

Grog

Active member
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
562
Liking the RD & the L5S, it sounds like you have a thing for solid maple guitars! I started out with a Les Paul Triumph Bass that I paid $300 for & it grew into this...……… The low impedance pickups will never be very popular with many guitarists, but they have their place.


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