The Gibson L-5 has been Gibson’s top line guitar since 1922 when it was introduced. As the decades past it grew from 16″ to 17″ & by 1939, they had a cutaway design available for those wanting the extra access to the top frets. Now comes the late 50’s as the big bands were still hot as hell & many entertainers were requesting some special orders from the Gibson factory. In 1958 a comedian named George Gobel requested a slightly smaller & thinner L-5 to match his special ordered Cherry Red Super 400 he had been playing w/the likes of Dean Martin in particular & voilia, the thin bodied L-5CT was born. Records show that the 1st one produced was in December 1958 in a stunning see-thru Cherry Red finish w/a cutaway, possibly the very 1st example made having a “T” date code designating its from 1958, 1 of only 43 examples produced during its short production run thru 1961. Its our pleasure in having this absolutly gorgeous untouched all original 1958 L-5CT in its glorious see-thru Cherry Red finish showing off its beautiful carved Spruce top & very flamey carved maple back, sides & neck. Having a shorter 24 3/4″ scale length was the key to this “Cutaway Thin” design (hence CT) for those wanting an easier playing L-5 w/a much thinner depth to its body. This has all the good stuff from its “Flower Pot” inlaid laminated headstock to its rare uncut original tortoise’gard & from its Kluson Deluxe tuners to its all gold hardware, never having a screw changed nor any pickup added (as most owners chose to do that). Its last caretaker, Tom Hemsley from Pasadena (see photos), has owned this for at least 3 decades & finally decided to let me talk him out of it LOL. Attached are pics of Billy Gibbons visiting Tom when he worked for Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Shop. In the photo is the infamous Pete Chappouris (the Pete part of Pete & Jakes) w/some other famous friends. There's also an old Gruhn appraisal. Now ready for its next caretaker she’s an exceptionally clean example w/no cracks nor touchup ever ! Its here & ready for you in Exceptionally clean all original condition & comes in its original matching Brown Tolex hard case.