NASHVILLE, TN – Gibson Custom proudly announces the 1957 L-5 CES Reissue, the return of one of the most revered and influential hollowbody archtop guitars in music history. Handcrafted in Nashville and offered in Vintage Sunburst and Antique Natural, this exceptional reissue brings the look, feel, and voice of the Golden-Era L-5 CES back to the Gibson Custom core lineup. The new 1957 L-5 CES Reissue from Gibson Custom is available worldwide at authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations, and on www.gibson.com.
Watch Gibson Spotlight Artist Ponpon introduce the Gibson Custom 1957 L-5 CES Reissue, VOS, shown here in Antique Natural, and share an incredible story from the legendary archtop’s history:
The Gibson L-5 has long been associated with some of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time. In the video above, Ponpon shares the remarkable story of a Wes Montgomery L-5 that later passed to George Benson and then Pat Metheny, connecting three generations of iconic players through one extraordinary guitar.
Few guitars carry a legacy as rich as the Gibson L-5™. First introduced in the early 1920s during the Lloyd Loar era, the L-5 helped define the modern archtop and became an instrument of choice for leading country artists, jazz greats, rockabilly pioneers, and blues legends. The electric L-5 CES arrived in 1951, and the introduction of Patent Applied For humbuckers™ in late 1957 established what many players and collectors consider the model’s pinnacle form.
“Orville Gibson invented the carved top guitar, but it took decades to perfect it,” says Mat Koehler, Senior Vice President of Product at Gibson. “We chose to reissue the 1957 L-5 CES for the first time because of its incredible versatility and influence across jazz, country, blues, rockabilly, and beyond. No corners were cut in bringing it back to life, even going as far as utilizing a dovetail neck joint for the first time at our Custom Shop. It is as fine an instrument as we’ve ever made and we are all very proud for it to join our legendary Historic Reissue range.”
To authentically recreate that celebrated instrument, Gibson Custom used detailed 3D scans of original late-1950s examples. Every major element, from the neck profile and fully carved body to the electronics and ornamental appointments, has been carefully considered to deliver a playing experience that honors the originals while meeting the expectations of today’s most discerning musicians.
At the heart of the 1957 L-5 CES Reissue is its fully carved construction. A carved AAA spruce top is paired with a carved, bookmatched AAA curly maple back and solid AAA curly maple sides, producing exceptional depth, resonance, and dynamic response. Whether played acoustically or amplified, the instrument responds vividly to the player’s touch, rewarding everything from the most delicate phrasing to commanding chordal performances. An elegant Venetian cutaway provides comfortable access to the upper frets, while seven-ply top binding and three-ply back binding underscore the guitar’s refined character.
The three-piece, 25.5-inch scale neck is crafted from two sections of curly maple with a walnut center strip and joined to the body with a traditional dovetail joint. Its substantial Authentic 1957 L-5 profile was derived from vintage scans, delivering a confident, period-correct feel. The four-ply bound ebony fretboard features 20 medium jumbo frets, mother-of-pearl block inlays, elegant purfling, and the distinctive bird’s beak extension associated with this legendary model.
Every detail reflects the highest level of Gibson Custom artistry. The five-ply bound headstock is adorned with a mother-of-pearl flowerpot inlay and Gibson logo, while a rear stinger adds another authentic vintage touch. A Corian™ nut and gold Kluson® Sealfast® tuners provide dependable tuning stability. Gold hardware includes a Historic Reissue ABR-1 bridge mounted on a rosewood base and a vintage-style L-5 tailpiece engraved with the model name. A five-ply bound tortoiseshell pickguard completes the unmistakable L-5 aesthetic.
A pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets captures the warmth, clarity, articulation, and dynamic sensitivity associated with the most coveted late-1950s Gibson instruments. Individual volume and tone controls, fitted with True Historic gold Top Hat knobs and dial pointers, give players an intuitive command of the guitar’s rich and expressive voice.
The 1957 L-5 CES Reissue arrives strung with light-gauge .012–.052 flatwound strings and includes a Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case. More than a meticulous recreation, it is a world-class performance instrument built to inspire a lifelong connection between player and music.
With its fully carved construction, vintage-accurate specifications, responsive Custombucker pickups, and extraordinary appointments, the Gibson Custom 1957 L-5 CES Reissue is the summit of Gibson archtop design. It is an instrument for players who demand uncompromising sound, feel, and craftsmanship, and a fitting continuation of a legacy more than a century in the making.
Explore the Gibson Custom 1957 L-5 CES Reissue HERE, and discover Ponpon’s music and read more on the Gibson Gazette HERE.
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