1935
The shipping dates listed below relate to the instrument’s serial number and are based on information provided in Spann’s Guide To Gibson by Joseph E. Spann
Note that the serial number indicates the date at which the instrument was shipped rather than its date of manufacture
All examples have maple back and sides unless otherwise indicated
The first L-5s with a 17-inch wide ‘Advanced’ body were shipped in 1935 and the list below includes examples with both the new 17-inch body and the old-style 16-inch body
If an instrument appears in one of our picture galleries this is noted beneath the serial number
Serial Number: 91329
Year Shipped: 1935
FON: 1277-4
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend
Notes: Repaired cracks in the top, side and heel. The tuners have been replaced. Formerly owned and used by Opry staff musician Steve Gibson. This instrument does not appear in the shipping ledgers probably indicating that it was sold at the Gibson factory
Source: Gruhn Guitars (guitars.com)
Serial Number: 91438
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece. Long bound pickguard has been cut to accommodate a pickup
Notes: The tuners have been replaced and a previous owner has scratched his name into the back of the headstock. A centre-seam split in the back has been cleated
Source: Jack Fields
Serial Number: 91440 (see ‘Notes’ below)
Year shipped: 1935
FON: Appears to be 126?-7 (fourth digit illegible)
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Ebony bridge
Notes: A two-inch crack at the bottom of the guitar has been repaired and there is some over-spray on the sides. The neck has been neck reset and refretted and the tuners replaced. The pickguard is missing. Has original hardshell case
The original serial number on the interior label is unreadable, but a previous owner has written the number ‘91440’
Source: Union Grove Music (uniongrovemusic.com)
Serial Number: 91475
Year shipped: 1935
FON
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 91503
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1259
Body: Three patched holes in top
Hardware: Replaced hardware
Notes: Guarantee label
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial number: 91521
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1244
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and ebony bridge
Notes: Has a repaired hairline crack near the treble side f-hole
Source: Skip Sail
Serial Number: 91522
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and ebony bridge
Notes: Restoration by Cris Mirabella included concealing marks left where larger tuners and a strap button had been fitted and making a new nut. According to Hank Risan, who owned this guitar, there is reason to believe that it once belonged to Les Paul
Source: Arlan Ettinger of Guernsey Auctions
Serial number: 91571
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and ebony bridge
Notes: Replaced truss rod cover screws and non-original tailpiece. Belonged to actor/director/musician, Christopher Guest who played Nigel Tufnel in the 1984 Rob Reiner film, This is Spinal Tap
This is one of 110 16-inch L-5s shipped in 1935
Source: Skinner Auctions
Serial Number: 91614
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1251
Headstock: Horizontal Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide pearl block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides, kerfed top braces
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and open-back riveted Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys
Notes: Has original hardshell case
Pictures courtesy of Matt Kappenman, Mass Street Music
Serial Number: 91615
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Elongated headstock with horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo and custom floral headstock inlay
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and custom ‘wreath’ style picture frame inlays. 1 13/16 inch nut width
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Original long bound pickguard and ebony bridge
Notes: There are two grain-line cracks at either end of the bass f-hole and a resealed centre seam beneath the tailpiece. This L-5 was custom-built for Carl Kress
Source: Joe Vinikow, archtop.com
Serial Number: 91652
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo. The name ‘Sam Rosenberg’ is engraved on the truss rod cover
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide pearl block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Ebony bridge with patent number stamp
Notes: The top of the ebony bridge appears to have been cut down a small amount. The guitar has been refretted with period correct wire and the pickguard is a replica. There is a small area on the side of the fingerboard extension where screw holes from a DeArmond pickup mount have appear to been patched over. A strap button hole on the side above the heel has been patched. Has original black hard shell case.
Source: Retrofret
Serial Number: 91679
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1259-10
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide block inlays from the third fret. The truss rod cover is engraved with the name ‘Dick Wiley’
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece
Notes: The guitar has been fitted with a Gibson McCarty Pickguard
Source: Jon Vesey
Serial number: 91681
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1169
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece. Long bound pickguard
Notes: Non-original bass side tuners
Source: Walter Bibinger
Serial Number: 91774
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1356
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide pearl block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides, kerfed top braces
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece
Notes: Currently fitted with a set of reproduction tuners (five of the original open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys are stored in the case). The ebony bridge has the serial number hand-written on its underside and has a ‘turn-over’ saddle for Hawaiian playing. The pickguard is a replica
Source: prewargibsonl-5/ Joe Vinikow, archtop.com
Serial Number: 91793
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo.
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with pointed end and block inlays from the third
Body: Maple back and maple side. Kerfed top braces
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including individual tuners and regular trapeze tailpiece. Long pickguard
Source: Romain Vuillemin
Serial Number: 91906
Shipped: 1935
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: Block inlays
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 91908
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and narrow block inlays from the first fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular trapeze tailpiece and open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Ebony bridge, long bound pickguard
Notes: The truss rod cover has been replaced.
The Historic Collection ’L-5 ‘34 non-cutaway’ reissues were based on the guitar listed here.
This is one of 110 16-Inch L-5s shipped in 1935
Source: Edward Hagen
Serial Number: 91912
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and narrow block inlays from the first fret
Body: Maple back and sides, white oval label
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys, regular trapeze tailpiece, ebony bridge, long bound pickguard
Notes: Has original red stripe hardshell cas
Source: Joe Vinikow, archtop.com
Serial Number: 91917
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1399-11
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the first to the seventeenth frets
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys (one of the tuners is a non-original nickel-plated replacement)
Notes: A humbucking pickup and associated controls have been removed and the resulting holes have been professionally filled and refinished. In addition, the guitar has been refretted and fitted with a reproduction pickguard (the original ‘guard is stored in the case). The top, back, sides and neck have been over-sprayed and a three-inch crack above the bass side f-hole has been repaired. Has original hardshell case
Source: Mandolin Brothers and Ruurd Feitsma
Serial number: 92198 Hank Garland
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Notes: This L-5 belonged to Hank Garland. In 1956, Hank asked Gibson to make a ‘Charlie Christian’ style pickup with a custom white pearloid cover and matching pearl coloured pickguard for his blonde 1955 Byrdland. At the same time Hank also requested a pickup for the guitar pictured here
Images Courtesy of Mike Thompson
Serial Number: 91930
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1399-13
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and narrow pearl block inlays from the first to the seventeenth frets (see Notes below)
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat plate tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Ebony bridge
Notes: Although this L-5 has a 16-inch body, it displays a number of features similar to those found on the 17-inch ‘Advanced’ L-5s that Gibson introduced in 1935. These include narrow block fingerboard inlays at the first and seventeenth frets, a wide neck heel and a flat tailpiece engraved with the L-5 legend. While these features might be viewed as indicative of the changes that Gibson was introducing at this time, it is more likely that the guitar was returned to the factory in the late 30s and the neck, fingerboard and tailpiece replaced. This appears to be borne out by the shipping information provided by Joe Spann
Source: Arlan Ettinger of Guernsey Auction
Serial Number: 92032
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 14XX – followed by a ‘1’ in red pencil (the second and third numbers are illegible)
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide pearl block inlays from the third fret
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys.
Notes: The top centre seam has been resealed in the area beneath the tailpiece and there is some lacquer overspray over most of the instrument (the headstock face excluded). Reproduction pickguard. Has its original black hardshell case
Source Retrofret Guitars
Serial Number: 92033
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first to the seventeenth frets
Body: Maple back and sides. Large unbound f-holes similar to those seen on some 17-inch L-5s. Has solid tone bars rather than the kerfed braces fitted to most of the later 16-inch examples
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece
Notes: The pickguard, tuners and bridge are replacements. Some overspray to the finish, a repaired crack at the treble f-hole and resealed centre seam beneath the tailpiece. Has original hardshell case.
This L-5 displays a puzzling combination of features that include an ‘Advanced’ style fingerboard, large unbound f-holes and solid (rather than kerfed) tone bars. A possible explanation is that the both the fingerboard and top were replaced in the late 1930s.
Source: Joe Vinikow (archtop.com)
Serial Number: 92034 (see Notes)
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1498-5
(See Type Three Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with square end and wide pearl block inlays from the third fret. Bone nut
Body: Maple back and sides
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including regular tailpiece and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. The long, bound pickguard has begun to exhibit signs of celluloid deterioration. Adjustable ebony bridge with a ‘turn-over’ saddle for Hawaiian playing
Notes: The frets have been replaced and there are a few small divots in in the lower positions of the fingerboard. An unusual ink stamp that reads “Model L-5” appears on the inside back in several places – this does not appear to be an official Gibson marking. Although the label is missing, the number 92034 is etched on the underside of the pickguard
Source: Retrofret
Serial Number: 92035
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 1498
Headstock: Script Gibson logo
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 92230
Year shipped: 1935
FON: 142-9
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo with no dot on the i
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the first fret. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: Arlan Ettinger of Guernsey Auctions
Serial Number: 92301
Year Shipped: 1935
FON:
See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds (an opening in the tailpiece for an endpin jack has been filled and concealed) and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Rosewood bridge
Notes: The fingerboard has been refretted and there is a crack beneath tailpiece and small cracks along either edge of the fingerboard end. The finish has been over-sprayed. The pickguard is a replacement (the original, which has a cut-out for a pickup, is in the case). Has original Gibson Redline hardshell case
Source: umanovguitars.com
Serial Number: 92330
Year shipped: 1935
FON: n/a
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo with the name ‘Harold Dickman’ engraved on the trussrod cover
Neck/fingerboard: See Notes below. 24 ¾ inch scale length. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, X-braced top and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including individual flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend and open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard
Notes: Replaced fingerboard (with pointed end and wide blocks from the first fret). Has original hardshell case
Source: John Stewart
Serial number: 92385 (the ‘5’ at the end may not be correct)
Year shipped: 1935
FON:
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo with no dot on the i
Neck/fingerboard: 19 fret fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the first fret. 24 3/4″ scale length and pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small unbound f-holes. X braced top
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Rosewood bridge
Notes: Repro pickguard. This is an early example of the ‘Advanced’ L-5 model. It has a 17-inch body an ‘open book’ headstock shape, a return to the earlier pointed-end fingerboard, a 19-fret neck, a rosewood bridge (instead of ebony) and large block fingerboard inlays with the addition of inlays at the first and seventeenth frets. This example also has the short-lived flat plate, hinged ‘L-5’-engraved trapeze tailpiece.
Source: Lark Street Music
This guitar is one of 56 Advanced L-5s shipped in 1935
Serial Number: 92500
Year Shipped: 1935
FON: 177A – 10
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel. A ‘stinger’ is visible beneath the finish on the back of headstock
Body: 17-inch body with, maple back and sides and small, bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners
Notes: The pickguard and part of the bridge – including one of the adjustment wheels – have been replaced
This guitar is one of 56 Advanced L-5s shipped in 1935
Source: Nathan Fasold, Black Book Guitars
Serial Number: 92576
Year Shipped: 1935
FON: 128?
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. 24 ½ inch scale length. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with X-braced top, maple back and sides and small, unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend. Rosewood bridge and long pickguard
Notes: Non-original tuners. Re-glued seam beneath the tailpiece
Source: Eric Schoenberg, Schoenberg Guitars (om28.com)
Serial Number: 92605
Year shipped: 1935
FON: n/a
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. 24 ¾ inch scale and 1 3/4″ nut width. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, X-braced top and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: Joe Vinikow, archtop.com
Serial number: 92284
Year shipped: 1935
FON: The FON is 128A-1 (the -1 is written in red pencil)
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the first fret. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend and individual open-back Grover 98G ‘Sta-tite’ tuners with butterbean keys. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: Jon Zobler
Serial number: 92296
Year shipped: 1935
FON: FON 215A-1 (the -1 is written in red pencil)
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony fingerboard with pointed end and wide block inlays from the first fret. Pointed neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and small unbound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including flat tailpiece engraved with ‘L-5’ legend. Rosewood bridge
Notes: Replacement tuners and a repro pickguard. “1” appears on the label
Source: Tony Marcus