Serial Number: 91615 Carl Kress

Year shipped: 1935

FON:

Headstock: Elongated headstock (similar to that of a Super 400) with horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo and custom floral headstock inlay

Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and custom ‘wreath’ style picture frame fingerboard inlays that are different from those seen on the 1930’s L-7. 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 is one of 110 16-inch L-5s shipped in 1935

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This l-5 was custom-built for Carl Kress. The white oval label bridge and pickguard have matching serial numbers. Gibson’s records show that this guitar was shipped to Kress at least twice, which presumably accounts for minor variations in period photos. Has original hardshell case. See serial number 89849, which was also built for Carl Kress

Images courtsey of Joe Vinikow