1939
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
From 1939 the L-5 was offered – as the L-5P (Premier) – with a single rounded ‘Venetian’ style cutaway. Examples with a cutaway and Natural finish were designated L-5PN
If an instrument appears in one of our picture galleries this is noted beneath the serial number
Serial number: 95666
Year shipped: 1939
FON: D-1 (?) The D is ink stamped and the 1 is handwritten
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo. Has the name ‘S.C. Ronsley’ engraved on the truss rod cover
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 large bound f-holes. Parallel braced top
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood bridge
Notes: The nut and frets have been replaced, loose binding on the body reattached, the fingerboard re-bound and a separated centre seam repaired. A strap button has been installed on the heel cap. Has a reproduction tailpiece and reproduction pickguard by Paul Fox (fox-guitars.com)
Source: Mark Anagnostopulos
Serial number: 95787
Year shipped: 1939
FON: (5)38D-1
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel and 25 ½ inch scale length. Bone nut
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes. Parallel top bracing
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including a hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds
Notes: A compensated adjustable ebony bridge was crafted for the instrument by Roger Borys. The Grover Imperial tuners appear to be of 1940s vintage and the guitar has been fitted with replacement pickguard. A single short finish crack adjacent to the fingerboard extension does not extend through the wood. There is some overspray to the finish. Has original Geib striped tweed ‘aircraft linen’ hardshell case
This guitar is one of 101 Sunburst Advanced L-5s shipped in 1939
Source: archtop.com
Serial Number: 95795
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: Vintage Guitars Sweden (vintage-guitars.se)
Serial Number: 95833 (hard to read)
Year Shipped: 1939
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
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large unbound f-holes
Hardware: See Notes
Notes: The tailpiece, tuners and bridge are not original, and the pickguard is missing. The truss rod cover appears to be a replacement or has been modified
Source: Frank
Serial Number: 95840
Year Shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood bridge and long bound pickguard
Source: David Johns
Serial Number: 95865
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 139 D-1 (could be 189 D)
(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, parallel-braced top and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: John G Stewart
Serial number: 95906
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 269 E-1
(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
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Natural finish, parallel top bracing and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners
Notes: Has been re-fretted and there is overspray on the back of the neck. The pickguard is a replacement
Source: Richard Gellis
Serial number: 95928
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 244 E-1
(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 large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood bridge and long bound pickguard
Notes: In Gibson’s ledgers this guitar is labeled as ‘LS’ (Long Scale)
Source: Gian Russo
Serial Number: 96594
Year Shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. 25 ½-inch scale length. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece. Rosewood bridge
Notes: Has been fitted with a set of post-war Kluson Sealfast tuners (not original to the guitar) and a reproduction pickguard. A post-war white oval label (still bearing the original serial number) has been affixed to the interior. According to the seller this was common practise when instruments were returned to the factory and may have occurred when the above-mentioned tuners were installed. Has original striped tweed Gibson hardshell case with pink plush lining
Source: Archtop.com
Serial Number: EA 5112
Year shipped: 1939
FON:
Body: 17-inch body, Natural finish
17/05/39 Shipped to Allan Reuss with an ‘EH-150 Amplifier Special Natural’. Not described as electric
11/03/40 ‘Electric L-5 Natural’ shipped to Allan Reuss with a ‘Special EH-150 Amplifier Natural’
25/02/42 ‘Electric Spanish L-5’, shipped to
Lyon and Healy
08/05/42 Shipped to E. Roberts
Notes: Delivered to Alan Reuss in May 1939, along with an EH-150 amplifier. Though not specified as an electric in the first ledger entry, the guitar was described as an “Electric L-5’ when it was shipped to Reuss a second time in March 1940, suggesting that Reuss may have been returned it to the factory to be fitted with electronics
Serial number: EA 5115
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 813 E (hard to read)
(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, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood bridge
Notes: Replacement pickguard and a small professionally repaired crack in the side. The finish has been over-sprayed
Source: Oliver Fröhlich
Serial number EA 5127
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, large bound f-holes and Natural finish
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge.
Source: Herbert Maschner
Serial number EA 5128
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Source: Gian Russo
Serial number EA 5130
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons. Long bound pickguard and rosewood bridge
Notes: A strap button has been added at the heel and one of the tuner buttons is a replacement
Source: Ryann
Serial number EA 5157
Year shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony 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 large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with metal buttons. Rosewood bridge
Notes: The body has been over-sprayed and there are some areas of replaced binding. Screw holes on the bass side of the neck are where a pickup was once attached. Reproduction pickguard (the deteriorated original pickguard is in case). Has original hardshell case
Source: Tommy Kay, Imperial Vintage Guitars (shaiashguitar@gmail.com))
Serial Number: EA 5168
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes
Hardware: See Notes
Notes: The entire guitar has been refinished, a strap button has been added at the heel and all of the hardware has been replaced. The pickguard is missing
Source: Marek Rejhon
Serial Number: EA 5231
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece
Notes: The pickguard is missing
This guitar belonged to Nashville session and radio guitarist Jack Shook.
Source: Cheryl Offutt
Serial Number: EA-5376
Year Shipped: 1939
FON: 441 E
(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, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons. Rosewood bridge and long bound pickguard
Source: Eric Schoenberg, Schoenberg Guitars (om28.com)
Serial number: EA-5424
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 459E-2
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal script ‘Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. 25 ½-inch scale length
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish, large bound f-holes and parallel top bracing
Hardware: Rosewood bridge inlaid with Super 400 style pearl triangles.
Notes: The pickguard, tailpiece and tuners are not original to the guitar. There is some light overspray. Has been fitted with an Armstrong floating pickup together with tone and volume controls and an endpin jack socket. The neck has been reset and the fingerboard extension shimmed so that it now resembles that of a post 1940 L-5P. The neck has been reset and the fingerboard extension shimmed so that it now resembles that of a post 1940 L-5P (early examples of the L-5P had a fingerboard that was glued flush to the top of the guitar rather than being elevated as on the non-cutaway L-5)
Source: Joe Vinikow (archtop.com)
Serial Number: EA 5459
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 459 E-7
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and bound pickguard
Notes: Raised brass star was added by a former owner
Source: Gary’s Classic Guitars
Serial Number: EA-5461
Year Shipped: 1939
FON: 459E-1
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. 25 ½-inch scale length. Wide neck heel. Bone nut
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway, parallel top bracing and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons. rosewood bridge
Notes: Has reproduction pickguard by Mirabella. Two small screw holes have been filled from a previously installed pickguard bracket. Has its original striped tweed Gibson hardshell case
Source: Archtop.com
Serial Number: EA 5556
Year Shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret ebony fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood bridge and bound pickguard
Notes: First shipped to the Stoner Piano Co. in Des Moines, Iowa
Source: Kevin Siggins (gibson-prewar.com)
Serial Number: EA 5577
Year Shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Fingerboard extension is flush with the top. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners
Notes: Clear overspray to the back of the neck, replacement pickguard, frets and nut. Has original tweed hard shell case
Source: Musurgia (musurgia.com)
Serial Number: EA 5590
Year shipped: 1939
FON:
Body: 17-inch body
Notes: 12/12/39 ‘Electric L-5’ shipped to J. B. Millhollan –
Serial Number: EA-5610
Year Shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Premier 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, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners. Bound pickguard
Notes: ‘1 1/8’ is handwritten on the label. Has original case stencilled with World War II U.S. Navy bases
Source: Laurence Kenyon
Serial Number: EA-5682
Year shipped: 1939
FON: 309E-7
(See 17-inch Premier Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Fingerboard extension is flush with the top. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, Venetian cutaway and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners
Notes: Needs refret, binding repair (or replacement) and is missing truss rod cover and pickguard. Has original tweed covered hardshell case with orange and black stripes. The serial number appears on the paper guarantee label and is die-stamped into the rear of the headstock
Source: Gruhn Guitars
Serial Number: EA 5695
Year shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Advanced Gallery)
Headstock: Horizontal ‘script’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end narrow block inlays from the first fret, 25.4-inch scale length
Body: 17-inch ‘Advanced’ body with parallel top bracing and bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts, Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons, Varitone tailpiece, long bound pickguard, rosewood bridge
Notes: Some finish touch up and sealed centre seam. Has original brown hardshell case
Source: Joe Vinikow, archtop.com
Serial Number: EA 5573
Year shipped: 1939
FON:
(See 17-inch Premier 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, Venetian cutaway, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Grover Imperial tuners
Notes: Missing pickguard. The ‘Made In The USA’ stamp on the rear of the headstock indicates that this guitar was intended for export. Has ‘1 1/8’ written on interior label
Source: Jay Timbrell
Serial Number: EA 5574
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece
Notes: Has been fitted with newer US made Grover Imperial tuners and reproduction bound pickguard
Source: Schoenberg Guitars
Serial Number: EG-5026
Year shipped: 1939
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. Wide neck heel
Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides, parallel top bracing, Natural finish and large bound f-holes
Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including hinged tailpiece with silver centre insert and three engraved diamonds and Grover Imperial tuners. Rosewood fingerboard
Notes: The tailpiece hinge has been professionally repaired. Reproduction pickguard. Has original striped tweed G&G hardshell case
Source: Joe Vinikow (archtop.com)