1937 Gibson L-5

First introduced in 1922 under the direction of acoustic engineer Lloyd Loar, the L-5 has always been considered Gibson's premier archtop guitar. Just like the F-5 mandolin, the L-5 proudly displays a flowerpot inlay on the peghead. In 1934, its size was increased to the 17" Advanced size, which made the L-5 the ideal guitar for the Big Band era. This L-5 rolled out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1937. Its lower bout measures 17" across, and it features a carved Spruce top and stunning Maple back and sides. Because it was a top-of-the-line model, Gibson used only the finest Maple in their stocks for the L-5. The set chosen for this one does not disappoint—it features gorgeous quilt with some birdseye that flashes as you move it around in the light. The neck is three-ply Maple with a dark centerpiece for added stability. The elevated Ebony fingerboard sports pearl block inlays, and it has the signature Florentine point at the end. In 1937, the L-5 had X-bracing under the hood, and this soft