Gibson Custom Shop Lee Ritenour L-5 2003
Description
Gibson Custom Shop Lee Ritenour L-5 2003
The Gibson "L-5" has been a cherished masterpiece since its debut in 1922, loved for over 100 years as the company's flagship archtop guitar. Favored by top guitarists including Wes Montgomery, it is highly regarded as a synonym for jazz guitars.
We have just received the "Lee Ritenour L-5" 2003 model, a signature model by world-renowned jazz/fusion guitarist "Lee Ritenour". The weight is 2.82kg.
Released by Gibson Custom Shop in 2003, this model was designed based on the 1950 "L-5C" that Ritenour has favored for many years, with the body width downsized to 15 1/2 inches and thickness to 2 5/8 inches. Otherwise, it inherits the traditional L-5 specifications including full acoustic construction, Venetian cutaway, 43mm nut width, 25 1/2 inch scale, and bound F-holes.
The body top features carefully selected book-matched grain Sitka spruce. It employs a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish in a subtle 2-tone sunburst color with reduced reddish tones. The back and sides feature hand-carved flame maple with outstanding figuring.
The neck employs figured flame maple laminated with walnut. The ebony fingerboard features mother-of-pearl block inlays, and the headstock displays abalone torch inlay and the brand logo. Combined with multi-ply body and neck binding and gold hardware, it presents a luxurious specification and appearance befitting the Custom Shop.
The most distinctive feature of this model is that, unlike the later "L-5CES" type, it is equipped with a "Fingers Tailpiece" with a fine tuner, which was also adopted on the "Super V". This early specification has low production numbers and is a premium model rarely seen in the market.
It features a "Johnny Smith" style pickguard-mounted floating mini-humbucker, with control featuring a simple single volume only. Hardware including "Kluson Sealfast" tuners and truss rod cover with signature logo reflects Ritenour's meticulous attention to detail. Note that later models were changed to a 24 3/4 inch scale and "L-5CES" type tailpiece, making this early specification particularly valuable.
The initial year specification has extremely limited circulation in the used market and is traded at high prices overseas. This is a highly sought-after piece both as a performance instrument and as a collector's item. The sound is simply excellent. If you've been looking for this, please don't miss this opportunity.
【Accessories】Gibson Historic hard case, Certificate of Authenticity
【Appearance & Condition】There are fine scratches, dullness of parts, small scratches and dents, and bulging on the pickguard. There are no areas that significantly impede playability.
【Truss Rod】Adequate clearance
【Frets】Approximately 70%~
【Neck】Straight
【Nut Width】Approximately 43mm
・If buzzing, fret out, or other issues significantly impeding playability are found, they will always be noted. In the absence of such notation, we determine there are no problems with play condition.
・In the absence of clear notation such as "Original" or "Replaced", we do not make definitive statements regarding specifications or condition.
・Regarding the truss rod, from a product protection standpoint, we only check up to approximately 45 degrees in both tightening and loosening directions. (When marked "adequate clearance", it indicates 45 degrees of clearance in both directions)
・The listed content is as of the time of listing. There may be variations due to seasonal changes or aging.
・Accessories are limited to those shown in the posted photos and listed on the product page.
・As we conduct simultaneous sales at our retail location, the item may be sold or under negotiation.
・We cannot accommodate requests for specific delivery time slots.
・For any other questions or if you wish to try the instrument, please contact us via our inquiry form or email address (mion-gakki@mion.tokyo).
・Our business hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (11:00～18:30).