New to my rare Gibsons Guitar collection, along the Marauder and S1, an original Gibson L6s, model in satin wood. This is a large body Les Paul shape guitar, and the result of cooperation between Bill Lawrence and Gibson. It was initially designed in 1972 and first released in 1973. The idea was to make a “multi-sound system” for a low price. The L6-S model remained in production for a few years but was phased out gradually, although the L6-S Custom remained in the catalogue in 1980 and was still being made in the Nashville plant. The L6-S is now generally considered to be the most underrated of all the Gibson solid bodied guitars. Some high-profile users were Al Di Meola and Carlos Santana. Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, Keith Richards, Paul Stanley and Mike Oldfield, Dave Davies to name but a few.The guitar is solid body shape with a “harmonica” or “Nashville” bridge, commonly found on older Gibson guitars like the Gibson Les Paul Recording. Its got a 24 Fret neck which makes easy reach for the higher notes.
Specifications
Model L6-S Custom (1973-81 (possibly later))
Body Maple. 13 1/2″ wide (lower bout), 16 1/2″ long, 1 1/4″ thick
Neck Set maple neck, with maple, rosewood, or ebony fingerboard. 24 frets. Dot markers (a few early examples have block markers)
Scale 24 3/4” Width at nut 1 9/16″
Pickups Two Chrome covered Humbuckers 13682, front; 13683, back)
Hardware Volume, midrange and ‘treble roll-off’ controls. 6 position pickup selector switch. Wide-travel tune-o-matic bridge, with stop-bar tailpiece.
Finishes Cherry Sunburst, Natural Maple Gloss, Black, Cherry, Wine Red, Tobacco Sunburst, from 1980 Silverburst
