Norms/Lemmo/Gibson L5

[Cosmic Wonder]

Mike

[Dub]

Beautiful guitar. Lemmo is a talented and accomplished player but evidently doesn't play any music that would be appropriate on that instrument. Too bad. I'd love to have heard it played by someone familiar with the music of its era.

[Marshall]

Almost 20 years ago I went to one of the 4 Amigos Vintage Guitar Shows, and saw a 1930s Super 400 on a stand. It had a picture next to it of some deceased jazz guitarist that had owned it. I picked it up and played it a little. Surprisingly mellow guitar for such a big body arch top. It was lovely. They wanted $15k for it back then.

[millring]

For about 10 years I owned a 60's era L5. I have often wondered if I knew then what I know now if I would have held onto it. Back then I really didn't play anything appropriate to that guitar. In the end, I traded it for a Larrivee (that I REALLY wish I'd held onto).

[John B]

Oct 12, 2023 9:11:23 GMT -5 millring said:

For about 10 years I owned a 60's era L5. I have often wondered if I knew then what I know now if I would have held onto it. Back then I really didn't play anything appropriate to that guitar. In the end, I traded it for a Larrivee (that I REALLY wish I'd held onto).

I wish I would have held on to mine, too (1979 L-09) but I sold it, then got it back in the mail in two pieces. Ended up selling it to someone who managed to put it back together well enough the used buyers at GC didn't realize it had been an open-back guitar for a while. I ran across it at GC but couldn't afford what they were asking.

I was never really satisfied with the tone of the high E, though. And I always wanted a C-09, or maybe the L-shaped jumbo (17" across the lower bout instead of 16"). Or the smaller-bodied L. Really about anything before they started using abalone for the rosette.

[Rob Hanesworth]

Oct 12, 2023 10:17:33 GMT -5 John B said:

Oct 12, 2023 9:11:23 GMT -5 millring said:

For about 10 years I owned a 60's era L5. I have often wondered if I knew then what I know now if I would have held onto it. Back then I really didn't play anything appropriate to that guitar. In the end, I traded it for a Larrivee (that I REALLY wish I'd held onto).

I wish I would have held on to mine, too (1979 L-09) but I sold it, then got it back in the mail in two pieces. Ended up selling it to someone who managed to put it back together well enough the used buyers at GC didn't realize it had been an open-back guitar for a while. I ran across it at GC but couldn't afford what they were asking.

I was never really satisfied with the tone of the high E, though. And I always wanted a C-09, or maybe the L-shaped jumbo (17" across the lower bout instead of 16"). Or the smaller-bodied L. Really about anything before they started using abalone for the rosette.

My 1991 Larrivée 00 has a mosaic rosette. You can still get the mosaic for an extra $200.

[Marshall]

I had a 1952 L7-C for about 8 years. Lovely looking instrument. Played nicely. Sounded real plinky-plinky. Not well suited to my style (or lack there-of) of playing.

[coachdoc]

Forgive the snark, poor man’s CF Martin. I could never get excited by my L-09.

[Marshall]

Every body style has it's sonic characteristics. I could never warm up to the Larry L sound when I picked one up. They sounded great when others played them. But in my hands they seemed a little "off"

[aquaduct]

Gorgeous. Before Gibson went into the crapper they were making copies of Maybelle Carter's L5 (1929 I think). Never been in the proximity of one, but I've thought about getting one. Like this one but with the older headstock.

Instead I've opted for an ES150 from the money years of my youth.

And a good old 1960 Kay archtop like that one.