Used 2003 Gibson Custom Shop 10th Anniversary L-4 CES Thinline – Limited to 30 Pieces Worldwide

Sonic Evaluation

I like to leave notes (using non-stick painter's tape, of course) on the guitars I evaluate to let the other staff members know what I thought, and on this L-4 CES Thinline (which was built to celebrate the Custom Shop's tenth anniversary), I simply put "sonnet-worthy." I wish I could take the time to describe this magnificent guitar in the epic verse it deserves, but I left my rhyming dictionary at home, so prose will have to do. If you're not familiar with the L-4, it's basically a carved solid-top version of an ES-175, and it is simply glorious. That solid top really gives this guitar an incredible acoustic resonance; in fact, it sounds pretty darn good without any voltage involved at all!

That powerful unamplified voice translates to jaw-dropping tone when you electrify. I plugged it into the dirty channel of my amp and was shocked and awed at how hard this guitar...well, rocks. You see a hollowbody like this and you think "oh, this must be a pure, sweet-sounding jazz box," and it does do that tone perfectly, but man, it also has a raw, raucous rock and roll spirit. It doesn't get much better than playing an AC/DC riff and letting that last power chord ring into infinity on this guitar! It has all the crunch and bite you could ever want, with a lovely open high-end and tons of muscle.

I was astounded anew when I switched to the clean channel and was greeted by one of the most delightful woody, pure tones I've ever experienced. High notes sound glassy, low notes sound round and smooth, and the midrange is pure sugar. It's almost as if this guitar has a Jekyll and Hyde personality depending on how much gain you use! It's also remarkably dynamic, exhibiting an acoustic-esque touch sensitivity that makes for a delightfully expressive playing experience.

If you're looking for a world-beating hollowbody, you owe it to yourself to check this L-4 out. I'm sure you'll think it's worth writing a poem about, too!

Condition Report

This amazing L-4 CES Thinline is in incredible shape! It shows extremely light signs of normal use, and it only has a few small cosmetic imperfections: some checking around the headstock logo, some area along the binding, and in a section along the center seam on the back. The hardware has also tarnished a little bit. All in all, it's an uber-clean tone machine! It comes with its original hardshell case, a certificate of authenticity, warranty book, factory paperwork, sales receipt, and letter of appraisal from George Gruhn.