I am selling most of my inset pickup(s) archtops, as my interest and habits have swung hard to acoustic archtops with or without floaters. First one up is this Wes. Reasons for selling have nothing to do with the guitar itself. It's a splendid one in all respects! Someone who will play a CES Wes routinely should have it. Pickup is the stock '57 Classic. Pots are quiet. Neck is straight. Fret wear is scant, if any. No mods done at all.

This is a Gibson Custom Shop, Hutchins era (and signed), L-5 Wes from 2002; wine red. I bought it new then. Nut width measures 1.716 Inches at the very top of the nut. The guitar has no nicks or dings, a bit of oxidation on the tailpiece which I just don't bother polishing off; it's structurally perfect, nearly as new. There is no finish checking; the nitro is nicely settling into the grain on the spruce top as you can see in photos. It's in excellent condition, all-but-mint. Case is the original black Custom Shop one from that era, in great condition.

I don't play with picks or belt buckles and I don't gig, so it's pretty pristine, cosmetically. I have had many guitars during its tenure with me, so has been in rotation, so to speak, meaning that total playing and handling time has been far less than you'd expect for a virtually 25 year old guitar. I play flat tops, 12 strings, Telecasters and archtops, so it has been far from my primary instrument. This guitar has never been in the field. It lives in its case when I am not playing it.

Reverb says a great "deal value" is $8689, USD. A recent insurance appraisal is $10,000. I'll ship ground, insured in CONUS for $200. Outside CONUS, we can have a discussion. Happy to answer any questions. If you have questions, ask away. The guitar is in Los Angeles and will ship from here.