❌SOLD❌ Gibson L-5CT Custom “George Gobel” Cherry Red, 1993

Rare and spectacular, this Gibson L-5CST Custom “George Gobel” model sports a Cherry Red finish and was signed and dated by the late James W Hutchins on October 15th, 1993 at Nashville.

From 1959 to 1961, Gibson offered a thinline version of the L-5C – the Gibson L-5CT – as a production model, based on a guitar built for George Gobel, a popular television actor, entertainer and guitarist with his own show running from 1954 to 1960. Gobel had been using a Gibson Super 400, but wanted a physically smaller guitar and Gibson delivered the L-5CT.

From 1998 until 2007, the Gibson L-5CST Custom “George Gobel” model was available as part of the Historic Collection, hand built by master builders like James W Hutchins. The top, with bound F-holes is Spruce, the sides and carved bookmatched back are flamed Maple. The three-piece neck is Maple with a bound Ebony fingerboard. The frets are a medium jumbo size, adding to note-to-note separation.

The Gibson logo, flowerpot inlay block position markers and accents on the Ebony bridge base are Mother of Pearl. The bridge itself is a gold-plated ABR model, the tuners Schaller M6’s with metal keystone buttons. The classic tailpiece is engraved with the L-5 name. Electronics are minimal, consisting of a pickguard mounted ‘Johnny Smith’ style pickup and a volume control also mounted to the pickguard. The output jack is side mounted.

This example is in very, original condition with very little wear, mostly to the tailpiece plating. It plays really well and has a wonderfully round, full acoustic tone as is. It seems that it has not been played much in the last thirty-plus years and should just get better with playing.

The original brown Gibson branded hard shell case is included, and contains the warranty card (dated November 3, 1993) and articles on James W Hutchins and the George Gobel model.

While the label on this guitar identifies it as a ‘George Gobel’ model, the truss rod cover reads ‘Custom L-5’, the warranty card lists the model as ‘Hl5CST’, and these are commonly referred to as an L-5CT with the CT standing for Cutaway Thinline.

James W Hutchins joined Gibson on March 25, 1963 at Kalamazoo, transferred to Nashville in 1983, and overall stayed for 45 years to his retirement on March 31, 2008. Along the way he became liaison between artists and production, and among other projects was responsible for the Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, working closely with Atkins. Other artists included Herb Ellis, Howard Roberts, Wes Montgomery and Johnny Smith. James W Hutchins died in Nashville on January 25, 2010 at age 72.