The year is 1946. President Harry Truman delivers Proclamation 2714, which officially ends hostilities in World War II.

EINAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania.

The first V-2 Rocket to be successfully launched in the U.S. is fired from White Sands Missile Range

Six inmates unsuccessfully try to escape from Alcatraz, starting the infamous Battle of Alcatraz prison Riot.

Yogi Berra makes his Major League Baseball debut, hitting a home run for the New York Yankees his first time at bat.

Frank Capras Its a Wonderful Life is released in New York.

A revival of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammersteins Showboat opens on Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theatre

Gibson builds serial number 99291 L-5 Archtop Guitar in Kalamazoo Michigan.

The Swing Era is winding down and America is beginning to enjoy the booming post war economy. Gibson is building some of the greatest jazz guitars of all time, and #99291 is a rare and special example indeed.

In extraordinary condition, this guitar is a virtual Time Machine. I doubt that there is another example of this year and model that has survived in so nearly perfect condition.

From the old style Gibson script logo and flowerpot inlay in the peg head, to the massive gold-plated and engraved tailpiece, this guitar is a joy to behold. #99291 remains in incredibly original condition with the exception of a re-production pickguard and a recent re-fret with larger EVO fret wire. It remains entirely free of cracks and has no large dents, dings or scratches. Some small bits of lacquer have chipped off the back of the peg head. There are 2 small dings, one on the top and one on the back, that appear to have possibly been lightly touched up at some point. They are nearly invisible and hardly show up in photos.

Perhaps most importantly, this guitar has NO overspray on the original nitrocellulose lacquer finish. There is some light finish checking as is to be expected on an instrument of this age, but even so it is remarkably light.

The original rosewood bridge is still on the guitar and is fully functional. The original gold plated Kluson tuners and gold-plated tailpiece show light patina, having never been desecrated by a buffing machine or polishing compound.

One of the most outstanding features of this guitar is the selection of wood used. The top is a beautiful piece of old growth Spruce, fairly tight grained and nicely quarter sawn. The maple used throughout the guitars back, sides and neck are highly figured flame maple. Bold and beautiful with a true three-dimensional appearance. A striking contrast to the typical light blister/bubble figure found on most L-5s of this era.

The sunburst finish on this guitar is also an unusually beautiful example. #99291 is not only beautiful to look at, but it also has a magnificent voice to match. Loud and crisp with good note separation and the dry, woody sound that only comes from old wood nearing 80 years of age. Plenty of cut that will make those Freddy Green chord voicings be heard behind any horn section. The neck is a comfortable, full C shape, not slender or slight, but also in no way chunky or awkward with a roomy 1 3/4-inch nut width.

#99291 is still housed in its original case and incredibly, the case key is still in the storage compartment! The case handle was replaced at some point with a generic one that is not beautiful, but is functional. The original yellow tag with instructions for the infamous top breaker Vari-tone control tailpiece is still in the case (along with the top breaker pieces of the tailpiece, thoughtfully removed,) un-faded and bright, almost making you believe the year is still 1946!

This guitar would make anyone, from a professional player to an avid collector, or a museum, proud to be the next caretaker of such a rare example of this historic piece of functional fine art. If you are considering purchasing an L-5 of this vintage, Im sure #99291 will not disappoint.

701-928-0365