- single rounded cutaway (1951-1960 and 1969-present) or sharp cutaway (late 1960-mid-to late 1969) bound hollow body, carved spruce top, two bound f-holes, maple back and sides, maple neck, 14/20-fret bound pointed ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays, multi-ply bound black headstock overlay with pearl flame/logo inlay, three-per-side tuners, ebony bridge with pearl inlay on wings, model name engraved trapeze tailpiece with chrome insert, layered tortoiseshell pickguard, two P-90 (1951-53), Alnico V (1954-1957), or humbucker (late 1957-present) pickups, four knobs (two volume, two tone), three-way pickup switch, gold hardware, 17 in. wide by 21 in. long by 3.375 in. deep, 25.5 in. scale, available in Natural or Sunburst (more common) finish, mfg. 1951-present.
In 1962, Pat. No. humbucker pickups replaced P.A.F. humbuckers. During 1973-76, the L-5 CES Custom Model was also offered, with a Super 400 neck - less than 20 were mfg. In 1974, neck volute was introduced. In 1981, neck volute was discontinued. Current production instruments (L-4 CES and L-5 CES models) are now part of the Historic Collection Series, found at the end of this section.
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Grading
100% New
98% Mint
95% Exc+
90% Exc
80% VG+
70% VG
60% G
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Price History