Gibson Jazz Boxes

[bluesky636]

Does Gibson still make and sell large, hollowbody Jazz boxes? If so, where are they? I can't find anything on the website.

 

[Midnight Blues]

Does Gibson still make and sell large, hollowbody Jazz boxes? If so, where are they? I can't find anything on the website.

I don't believe they're making them right now? It's a shame.

 

[bluesky636]

That is a shame.

My cardiologist is, believe it or not, an accomplished Jazz guitarist. I know he owns a Gibson L5 CES, along with several other high end Gibson and Collings guitars.

 

[jb_abides]

I've raised the 'Archtop' issue with Mat K; he stated reinvigorating a historic reissue Archtop line is definitely on Gibson's roadmap, yet would not comit to a date of return, citing their backlog of to-dos given demand in other areas, as well as retooling the skillsets, etc.

Of course they'll be more 'custom' i.e. Custom Shop-ike produced, versus full-scale 'production' in the Craftory [Gibson-speak].

I believe they are busy scanning and digitizing then digesting archival examples and specifications to get historic details correct, or at least as 'correct' as they believe suits modern supply chain and techniques they employ.

In what I believe to be a highly correlated move, witness the late-2023 return of the small batch Mandolin line which signaled movement relative to skillsets required for a more robust Archtop line

So... I am waiting and watching, smoke signals and tea leaves.

 

[bluesky636]

Please post any updates you receive.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Seems silly at this point given the margins they ask for.

You can get these beauties at 5k or less. And, serious handmade stuff from some of the best domestic builders ask around 7K for total flagship guitars.

Gibson would pretty much be going full Benedetto pricing if they got back into it and I'm not sure that could even succeed? These guys want Slash Les Pauls that come with a leather jacket for 20k. But maybe if the marketing is there.

I've seen many of the best of the vintage boxes get their prices slashed big time in recent years so that's what I'd hunt down, a real OG.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

A reliable source tells me Gibson is looking a carved guitars possibly- he claims it's a market demand decision - will the market support - One can only imagine what a carved Super 400 would cost when your charging for some ML north of $15,000.00 . $ 10,000.00 Will buy a really nice used carved Gibson .

 

[jb_abides]

My issue: the used vintage Gibson Archtop market is a paucity for southpaws.

So: Why not order one you like? L-5 CES tops the list, although I vacilate, as I do love Super 400 inlays but don't want that size...

Maybe a oddball M2M L-5 CES with the 400 splits...? Nawh, splits don't go with the still desired flowerpot. But ... Which finish?

Even under the new management, Gibson Custom has posted tantalizing Archtop throwback pics:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1294485993366728704

Meanwhile, I still enjoy my Memphis ES-275!

 

[bluesky636]

I've not seen my cardiologists archtop. When he came over to our house to see my studio, he brought his R9 with him.



He's currently studying Wes Montgomery's playing technique.

I'm just curious as to what Gibson had to offer. I'm quite happy with my Loar LH-309-VS.

 

[bluesky636]

Having problems posting pictures. Keep getting multiple posts.

 

[bluesky636]

Deleted

 

[bluesky636]

My issue: the used vintage Gibson Archtop market is a paucity for southpaws.

So: Why not order one you like? L-5 CES tops the list, although I vacilate, as I do love Super 400 inlays but don't want that size...

Maybe a oddball M2M L-5 CES with the 400 splits...? Nawh, splits don't go with the still desired flowerpot. But ... Which finish?

Even under the new management, Gibson Custom has posted tantalizing Archtop throwback pics:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1294485993366728704

Meanwhile, I still enjoy my Memphis ES-275!

View attachment 28848

Very nice.

 

[bluesky636]

Seems silly at this point given the margins they ask for.

You can get these beauties at 5k or less. And, serious handmade stuff from some of the best domestic builders ask around 7K for total flagship guitars.

Gibson would pretty much be going full Benedetto pricing if they got back into it and I'm not sure that could even succeed? These guys want Slash Les Pauls that come with a leather jacket for 20k. But maybe if the marketing is there.

I've seen many of the best of the vintage boxes get their prices slashed big time in recent years so that's what I'd hunt down, a real OG.

Gorgeous.

 

[Happy Tree]

.

 

[Midnight Blues]

I apologize for doing this. My 2014 WesMo:

I hope Gibson starts to produce archtops again. It's a shame that they stopped. Of course, the market isn't what it used to be in the U.S., but it seems like there's a decent market elsewheree.

@jb_abides

For me, the finish is and always has been "Vintage Sunburst" when it comes to L-5s and Super 400s. YMMV of course.

 

[bluesky636]

I apologize for doing this. My 2014 WesMo:

I hope Gibson starts to produce archtops again. It's a shame that they stopped. Of course, the market isn't what it used to be in the U.S., but it seems like there's a decent market elsewheree.

@jb_abides

For me, the finish is and always has been "Vintage Sunburst" when it comes to L-5s and Super 400s. YMMV of course.

No apologies necessary. Beautiful guitar!

 

[Midnight Blues]

No apologies necessary. Beautiful guitar!

Thank you very much.

 

[jb_abides]

I hope Gibson starts to produce archtops again. It's a shame that they stopped. Of course, the market isn't what it used to be in the U.S., but it seems like there's a decent market elsewheree.

@jb_abides

For me, the finish is and always has been "Vintage Sunburst" when it comes to L-5s and Super 400s. YMMV of course.

Nice one. Never apologize for posting a beautiful guitar!

Yes. Let's hope they come back, and soon.

VS is my 'natural' inclination.

While 'Natura'l does look good once well aged although I may not possess it long enough for that to happen naturally, as I probably wouldn't choose Aging, Antique or Ambered.

It's been said Natural Archtops get more attractive woods; that may be just vintage-era behavior. I suppsed I will be able to pick woods to a certain extent when they come back under M2M.

 

[brandtkronholm]

If/when Gibson begins production of carved spruce, I really hope they make some of the old EDS1275s and EMS1235s:
(Here’s a 1958 EMS1235 with the “mini-six”/“octave” neck that Gruhn had a few years ago.)


Gibson made at least one prototype in the early 1990s of an EDS1275, so maybe they’ll make them again.

Here’s a picture of the prototype (1993?):


Lastly, should Gibson revisit carved spruce instruments, I hope they will be a little adventurous - even more so than reissuing the classic Super 400, L5, Byrdland, etc, and even beyond the unusual double necks: I hope that Gibson produces brand-new kinds of guitars with spruce tops. I can imagine a stop tailpiece on a thicker spruce top, a small block of maple under just the tailpiece/bridge alone, connecting the top of the guitar to the back of the guitar.

Anyway, here’s to hoping!

 

[Midnight Blues]

Nice one. Never apologize for posting a beautiful guitar!

Yes. Let's hope they come back, and soon.

VS is my 'natural' inclination.

While 'Natura'l does look good once well aged although I may not possess it long enough for that to happen naturally, as I probably wouldn't choose Aging, Antique or Ambered.

It's been said Natural Archtops get more attractive woods; that may be just vintage-era behavior. I suppsed I will be able to pick woods to a certain extent when they come back under M2M.

Thank you jb!

Don't get me wrong, I like the natural look too, especially when aged as you mentioned. What's nice is how well you can see the grain. I'm pretty sure Wes (my #1 Jazz Guitarist, with Kenny Burrell being 1A) used a natural L-5 for a while. I would think that when and if Gibson brings them back that you'd be able to place a M2M order. At least I would hope so anyway.