1951 Gibson L5ces w/ original california girl case

by Jerry
(Richmond, Virginia, USA)

This was purchased by my grandfather passed on to my father and now me. I am looking for the value of this guitar. It is in good shape but does have some wear. Everything is original except for the tuning pegs.

ANSWER

Hello, Jerry--

I was a bit confused by the "ces" after the L5 model number. There were m2 possibilities in the Blue Book, both of which are quite interesting--

L-5
- carved spruce top, f-holes, raised multi-bound pickguard, multi-bound body, carved figured maple back/sides, figured maple/ebony neck, 14/20-fret bound ebony pointed fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, adjustable ebony bridge/trapeze tailpiece, multi-bound blackface snakehead peghead with pearl flowerpot/logo inlay, three-per-side silver plate tuners with pearl buttons, Master Model/Lloyd Loar signature labels, available in Natural or Cremona Brown Sunburst finish, limited in mfg. 1922-1958.

1950-1958

Excellent $6,100 - 7,000

Average $3,100 - 3,600

Add 20% for Natural finish, originally offered beginning 1939.



L-5 P (Premiere)/L-5 C

- single rounded cutaway body, arched spruce top, bound f-holes, raised multi-bound pearloid pickguard, multi-bound body, carved figured maple back/sides, figured maple neck, 14/20-fret multi-bound ebony pointed fingerboard with pearl block inlay, adjustable ebony bridge/gold trapeze tailpiece with silver insert, multi-bound blackface peghead with pearl flowerpot/logo inlay, three-per-side gold tuners, available in Natural or Sunburst finishes, mfg. 1939-1989.

1950-1969

$12,000 - 13,500

$6,500 - 7,500

In either case, a nice guitar!

Lynne