A rare and highly coveted example of Gibson’s Custom Shop craftsmanship, this 2011 Lee Ritenour Signature L-5 CES is the pinnacle of the archtop tradition. Built to Ritenour’s specifications, this model refines the classic L-5 CES with modern playability and tonal versatility while retaining all the elegance and richness of Gibson’s most celebrated jazz guitar.

The carved spruce top and highly figured maple back & sides deliver the depth and projection that have made the L-5 a legend since the 1920s. The nut width and slim, comfortable neck carve (based on Ritenour’s personal L-5) make this instrument a joy to play—fast, smooth, and effortless, whether comping or soloing. The single Johnny Smith style floating mini humbucker provides a broad tonal palette with a relaxed midrange response that allows for clean, defined single note work and clear complex chordal progressions.