American Guitar, Gibson Incorporated, Kalamazoo, 1961, Model L-5 CES Custom

Description:

American Guitar, Gibson Incorporated, Kalamazoo, 1961, Model L-5 CES Custom, labeled STYLE L-5 CES, GIBSON GUITAR, NUMBER 38024 IS HEREBY GUARANTEED... etc., and stamped 38024 at the back of the headstock, the headstock with GIBSON and torch pearl inlay, length of back 20 3/4 in., width of lower bout 17 in., with later case.

Provenance: Ex-collection Wes Montgomery, Collection of George Benson.

'One of my prize possessions is Wes Montgomery's guitar. It is the Gibson L5 with the Florentine cutaway that was pictured on the album cover (of) Movin Wes'. This was the guitar Wes recorded many of his hits on, like 'Windy'and 'Goin' Out of My Head' and I used it for a Wes tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl a few years back'.
George Benson, in an interview with Charles H. Chapman for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, No. 25, November, 2000

Partial Wes Montgomery discography with L-5 CES Custom: Movin' Wes,Verve, recorded November 11, 1964, Goin' Out of My Head, recorded December 7, 8, and 22, 1965; and A Day in the Life, A & M Records, recorded June 6, 7, 8, and 26, 1967.
Estimate $20,000-30,000

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