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L-4 CES Mahogany Hollowbody Electric Guitar
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A classic archtop with a long pedigree and deluxe appointments.
To meet the demands of the dawn of popular music' electric age, Gibson first created the laminated top ES-175 in 1948 based on the construction of the acoustic carved top L-4. But players still wanted a genuine electric full-bodied L-4 with a carved top. The first wave of these guitars were built in small batches throughout the 1950s, but were perfected late in the decade.
Along the way, the guitar' body traded its rounded edges for a single cutaway horn to allow easier access to the high notes “ a sign of the L-4' evolution from rhythm to lead-and-rhythm instrument. Finally, in 1958, the design reached a pinnacle with a run of 20 guitars bearing the Gibson L-4 CES name. Some had Charlie Christian pickups, others alnicos, and a few sported humbuckers. Over time the humbuckers proved the most versatile and practical, and thus today' graceful mahogany L-4 CES model reached maturity.
Body
Today' gorgeous L-4 CES six-strings still adhere to the classic design of their namesakes. They have a carved solid spruce top and a carved solid mahogany back and rims. They are a comfortable 16" wide, 20" long, and 3 3/8" deep and come in wine red, natural, and vintage sunburst finishes with multi-ply white or black binding on top, with single-ply white binding on their backs.
Neck
Contributing much to the guitar' silky, lush, deep tone is the one-piece mahogany neck. It has a 24-3/4" scale length and is 1-11/16" wide at the nut. True to the model' historic evolution, today' L-4 CES has a 20-fret ebony fretboard with pearl split parallelogram inlays and single-ply white binding. It boasts the classic ES rounded profile and a headstock with vintage tulip shape tuners.
Hardware
Featuring attractive gold hardware, the electronics and controls are pure Gibson: two™57 Classic humbucking pickups, two volume pots, two tone pots, and a 3-way pickup selector switch. The tailpiece is the iconic L-4 T-shape style and the bridge a hard working ABR-1. The L-4 CES, after being examined and set up on Gibson' state-of-the-art Pleck machines, is shipped wearing L-5 Electric .012 strings. These marvelous guitars come with a Custom Shop case and certificate of authenticity.
Features
Body- Body shape: Single cutaway
- Body type: Hollow body
- Body material: Solid wood
- Top wood: Spruce Carved
- Body wood: Mahogany Carved
- Body finish: Gloss
- Orientation: Right handed
- Neck shape: ES rounded
- Neck wood: Mahogany 1-piece
- Joint: Set-in
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Truss rod: Standard
- Neck finish: Gloss
- Material: Ebony
- Radius: Info not available
- Fret size: Medium jumbo
- Number of frets: 20
- Inlays: Parallelogram
- Nut width: 1.687" (42.8mm)
- Configuration: HH
- Neck: ™57 Classic
- Middle: Not applicable
- Bridge: '57 Classic
- Brand: Gibson
- Active or passive: Passive
- Series or parallel: Series
- Piezo: No
- Active EQ: No
- Special electronics: None
- Control layout: Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2
- Pickup switch: 3-way
- Coil tap or split: No
- Kill switch: No
- Bridge type: Fixed
- Bridge design: ABR-1
- Tailpiece: Trapeze
- Tuning machines: Tulip button Klusons
- Color: Nickel
- Number of strings: 6-string
- Special features: Pickups
- Case: Hardshell case
- Accessories: Polishing cloth, certificate of authenticity
- Country of origin: United States
Make your dreams come true. Order today.
- Free Standard Ground shipping (48 contiguous states, some overweight and Used/Vintage items excluded).
- Orders placed before 3 p.m. ET usually ship the same business day.
Every guitar or bass you purchase from Musician's Friend (electric or acoustic, New or Open Box) includes two years of protection from manufacturer defects.
Our Gear Advisers are available to guide you through your entire shopping experience. Call or Chat for expert advice and to hear the latest deals.