Gibson 1957 L-5 CES Reissue VS

Gibson 1957 L-5 CES Reissue VS review

The Gibson 1957 L-5 CES Reissue VS is a U.S.-made, jazz-style hollowbody built around the design of late-1950s originals. Gibson says it used detailed 3D scans of original models to reproduce their appearance, feel, and sound. That gives the reissue a clear historical target, while the listed specifications provide the firmer basis for judging what it offers. There are no customer reviews available for this model, so this assessment is limited to the supplied product information.

The listed price is 9199, with no currency specified in the supplied data. The guitar is listed as available since September 2026, and its item number is 653514. The finish is Vintage Sunburst, with a VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish and gold hardware. Those details place the instrument firmly in a vintage-reissue lane rather than presenting it as a modernized take on the L-5.

Body, top, and finish

The body is flamed solid maple, and the top is carved AAA solid spruce. That combination is central to the instrument's construction: maple forms the body, while spruce makes up the carved top. The listing identifies the guitar as a hollowbody, with no tremolo system. It does not provide body depth, weight, or internal bracing details, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the available specifications.

Binding is specified in several locations: five-ply on the pickguard, four-ply on the fingerboard, seven-ply on the top, and three-ply on the back. The tortoiseshell pickguard and Vintage Sunburst finish continue the period-oriented presentation. Gibson's stated use of scans supports the reissue's historical intent, but the available data does not establish how closely every dimension or construction detail matches an original 1957 guitar.

Neck and fingerboard

The three-piece set neck combines maple and walnut. Its profile is described as a chunky 1950s D shape, a substantial specification for players who prefer a fuller neck. The fingerboard is ebony, with mother-of-pearl Big Block inlays. A separate mother-of-pearl flowerpot inlay sits on the headstock, which has a five-ply construction.

The fingerboard radius is 12 inches, and the scale length is 25.5 inches, or 648 mm. The guitar has 20 medium-jumbo frets and a Corian nut. These measurements give shoppers concrete points to compare with their preferred neck feel and setup. The listing does not state the fret wire dimensions, nut width, neck thickness measurements, or factory action, so those details would need to be confirmed with a dealer.

Pickups and controls

Two Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups provide the HH configuration. Controls comprise two volume knobs and two tone knobs, with a three-way toggle switch for pickup selection. This is a conventional layout for a two-pickup guitar, and the supplied details identify the pickup type and magnet material. They do not include output readings, wiring options beyond the three-way selector, or measured frequency response. No specific tonal outcome should be treated as established by the specifications alone.

The bridge is an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, and the tuning machines are Kluson Sealfast units. Together with the stated gold hardware, these parts keep the hardware choices consistent with the guitar's vintage-reissue positioning. There is no tremolo, which suits the listed fixed-bridge setup.

What the specifications establish

• Construction: Hollowbody design, flamed solid maple body, and carved AAA solid spruce top.
• Neck: Three-piece maple-and-walnut set neck with a chunky 1950s D profile.
• Electronics: Two Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way toggle.
• Included: A case is included. No gig bag is included.
• Origin: Made in the USA.

Verdict

The Gibson 1957 L-5 CES Reissue VS is a specification-rich reissue for buyers seeking a hollowbody with a carved spruce top, maple body, set neck, ebony fingerboard, and period-focused appointments. Gibson's scan-based development claim and the stated finish and inlay details make the historical brief clear. The supplied information does not support claims about how it plays or sounds in person, and there are no customer reports to fill that gap. At a listed price of 9199, prospective buyers should verify the currency, try the neck profile if possible, and confirm any missing fit and setup details before purchase. The included case is specified; a gig bag is not.