More Info Than You Ever Wanted to Know About The L6-S | Gibson Custom, Deluxe, Special History/Demo

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0:14- Early History + L5-S
1:13 - Bill Lawrence Pickups
2:11 - L6-S Custom
3:19 -L6-S Deluxe
3:38 - L6 Midnight Special
4:20 - Additional Info / Differences
5:21 - Production Numbers (Approx)
5:38 - L6S Reissue
6:38 - Unique Neck Profile
7:24 - The Most Collectible Ones (Block Inlay)
8:46 - Sparkle Midnights
9:30 - Famous Users/Endorsers
10:29 - Tone Talk
12:59 - Why the Nashville Bridge
14:41 - Clean Demo
16:30 - Dirty Demo
19:49 - Condition
26:43 - Blacklight Test
28:14 - Case
Cherry Sunburst with nice neck review: • 1975 Gibson L6-S Custo...
L6-S Midnight Special Overview: • Trogly's Guitars: 1975...
L6-S Deluxe Overview: • Trogly's Guitars: 1975...
L6-S Deluxe Silverburst Overview: • Trogly's Guitars: 1980...
L6-S Deluxe Wine Red Overview: • Trogly's Guitars: Gibs...
Carved Up L6-S WYRON: • Real Gibson or Fake Im...
I'll admit, the L6-S is one of those guitars that I just don't really like. The weird flattened Les Paul Body paired with the strange narrow-to-wide neck profile just isn't that comfortable to me - but there are lots of people that dig this model.
If you go into these thinking it is a flat Les Paul and that you're going to rock with it - you'll be sorely dissapointed. This is actually a subset off of the L5 (the king of Jazz Guitars.) In the early 70s Gibson introduced the L5-S, which was essentially a solid body version of the L5. It first had low impedance pickups and was later switched to humbuckers. From there, the L6-S was also born.
The L5-S and L6-S are not really alike in anyway except their shape. The L6-S was a bill Lawrence and Gibson creation. It was first introduced in 1973 (designed in 1972) as the L6-S. In 1974 another model called the L6-S Deluxe and L6 Midnight special was introduced. At this time the L6-S was renamed the L6-S Custom.
The L6-S Custom has a 6 position "varitone" rotary switch
The L6-S Deluxe has a 3 way toggle and is string through strung
The L6 Midnight Special has a bolt on neck and like a Deluxe model with plain maple headstock (no black veneer)
Each models pickguards are different. The Midnight special and Custom has the same chrome covered pickups and the Deluxe model has black covered pickups with an extra adjustable pickup height.
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[@Trog]

reverb.com/item/15343376-video-1974-gibson-l6-s-custom-natural-rare-block-inlays?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 0:14- Early History + L5-S 1:13 - Bill Lawrence Pickups 2:11 - L6-S Custom 3:19 -L6-S Deluxe 3:38 - L6 Midnight Special 4:20 - Additional Info / Differences 5:21 - Production Numbers (Approx) 5:38 - L6S Reissue 6:38 - Unique Neck Profile 7:24 - The Most Collectible Ones (Block Inlay) 8:46 - Sparkle Midnights 9:30 - Famous Users/Endorsers 10:29 - Tone Talk 12:59 - Why the Nashville Bridge 14:41 - Clean Demo 16:30 - Dirty Demo 19:49 - Condition 26:43 - Blacklight Test 28:14 - Case Addition L6-S Content I've Made (If you'd like to see all the models in hand) Cherry Sunburst with nice neck review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYO6iYuwab2gpMU L6-S Midnight Special Overview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3KwlIptaJmXZ5I L6-S Deluxe Overview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp7MZHeGfN16i7c L6-S Deluxe Silverburst Overview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5zWiYSujJ1jsM0 L6-S Deluxe Wine Red Overview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qouumX1-gb6fa9U Carved Up L6-S WYRON: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGKUZGtmhr2hpJo

[@davidallen346]

I used to think those harmonica bridge are cool looking during the 90's era. The homemade double cut version looks Rad or Ron Wood's signature L5S guitar that's more upscale elegant like Custom Les Paul vibe.

[@rickhibdon11]

Interested in buyin another one? natural finish, rosewood board, all stock. original owner / case

[@briansmith5973]

I purchased a black Gibson L6-S back around 1978 brand new from Massamino (sp?) Music in Detroit. Part of the deal was my 1960s Fender Telecaster, which I did not really want to get ride of, but it needed a fret job badly, so I let the tele go. Anyway it is black, with an ebony fret board, and is in great condition with the case. Not long after that, I went to school, and left the band and bars behind. Now I am getting older, and need to do something with it. It is all original, but I had a brass nut put on when I bought it. Paint and finish condition I would consider near new. Is Reverb a good place to sell it?

[@glennferrell4767]

Rick Hibdon are you still looking to sell?

[@edosborn8812]

I have one of these guitars with the dots on the neck. How do you tell what year it is? .

[@BillWeinman]

I have two L6-S guitars. One of them is entirely original with the block inlays, all original wiring, and the original "harmonica" bridge. This was my main player throughout the '70s and '80s. I still love it.

[@AndrewKonkey]

The feel! The TONE!!! A great playing oddball from Gibson.

[@Alexharvel107]

My grandfather had this l6s and it was given to me and it’s what I learned to play on. Beautiful guitar

[@grewejames1]

I actually like the sound of this guy. Yes, I would rock this guitar!

[@Les537]

To me it sounded much brighter, cleaner and distinct than the usual gibson buckers. Not sure if it's the wood or those pups. I tend to avoid buckers due to the brown flat sound of them and reach for p90 or mini bucks. I would rock this guitar all day long.

[@vmat1000]

i recall Carlos Santana endorsing these in the mid '70s. Also lucky enough to participate in some house jams and one guy had one. MXR Distortion + into a black face Fender Bassman 50 head and angled baffle 4x10 in the early '80s. Screamed!!!

[@tonyaubin5970]

I bought mine ( a natural deluxe with rosewood fingerboard) in the early 80's along with the mxr distortion+ from a guy in Boucherville, Quebec. The guitar had rocked plenty already and has continued to do so since. Sure I put in a dimarzio distortion as that was all the rage then, but it now is back all original. Best guitar I ever owned. I also have a strat, tele, les paul, 335, etc. so I disagree with his assement. To each his own I guess.

[@duffman18]

@@Rand_al_Thor372 isn't the MXR 78 distortion a clone of the keeley modified Boss ds-1? Cos I've been looking at getting something like that, and actual keeley ds-1s are too expensive

[@prajnachan333]

I walked into Leo's Music in Oakland in 1982, and Santana had his L6S for sale at $400.00. It has the blue butterfly 🦋 wings covering its face from the Borbelletta album. I've had it ever since. He rocked this guitar in 1974-75. KZbin has videos from that period.

[@silverpairaducks]

I played one for years...loved it

[@BarryWarne]

Was my first guitar and I have small hands. Worked well for me. Plus I love all that maple.

[@dongordon9378]

me too! I miss my L6-S waaaah

[@MontieMiles3]

My L6S body is indeed a single piece of beautiful blonde birdseye maple. I played it on the road for around 15 years and still play it to this day. Consequently it is very worn on the neck and fretboard. The body alone would be a nice thing to have for anyone restoring an "L" and wanting the best looking body I've seen on one. Some day I guess I'll let it go :) Nice demo!

[@gilessteve]

I love the dirty sound. Something in the midrange I like.

[@jcoulter43]

When I was talking my Dad into my first "real" electric guitar (1982), I wanted a Les Paul Custom. My local music shop had one of these and a Conn C-Series LP Custom Copy (Wine Red). I could not get past the look of this guitar and went with the Conn (Dad wouldn't pony up for the real LP). I still have that Conn. The L6-S has never grown on me. I do however love the tonal variations this guitar offers. Love your videos Austin. Keep up the great work bro!

[@sickb2200]

One of my guitar teachers had an L6S and I always though the neck had a damn near perfect feel to it. After all these 40 years of playing guitar, it's still the reference neck feel by which I judge all guitar necks. They just weren't the prettiest of guitars.

[@kernjames]

I have played mine since 1978 and you pretty much nailed it about the Neck. So true that it is the quintessential feel. I love it. The Bill Lawrence pickups are also a great thing about them. They create a tone that is somewhere between Blues and Jazz. Great work guitar and I use it a lot in recording. So easy to play.

[@426426288]

I’ve got one. I appreciate the review and comments.

[@sharplessguy]

I bought mine (L6S custom) brand new in 1974. I have it strung with heavy gauge flatwound strings and play jazz. I love mine.

[@JFairweather]

I guess things really depend on how good your amp is. The L6S is a great guitar. This was Santana's main axe for several years, both for studio and touring. That right there should shoot down some of the statements in this video. The range of tone is really nice and the roll-off knobs let you dial in things very nicely. I was an assistant manager at a music store when this guitar came out. I got to test it thoroughly and using a range of amps. And after all these years, the L6S is still one of my top two favorite vintage guitars. Note that the weight is similar to an SG but it has a lot more oomph. As for the pickups and wiring, younger musicians should know that Bill Lawrence is one of the legends of pickup design and he did a lot of testing when developing the wiring. Most owners of this guitar would have three or four favorite settings and not mess with the others. Much of that depended on their amp. To my taste, this guitar is ideal for the classic Mesa Boogie amps of the seventies and early eighties. With the more Marshally sound of the Mark III second channel, one would need to set the L6S's rotary switch to different positions, but that is no big deal. As for modern amplifiers, it really depends on the model. If the guy in this video says only the bridge position sounds good, then it's because he is not using the right amp. If you want to capture the authentic Moonflower Santana sound, you will need an L6S, a Boogie Mark II for leads and a Bogner for rhythm. I was a sound guy for one of Santana Monflower tour shows and I can tell you that he played the L6S for his main set plus three encores and every single note was an absolute tone wagon. In other words, take what this video guy says with a grain of salt.

[@senseiruss]

John - I couldn't agree more with your assessment of both the guitar, and of the video review here. Like ANY guitar, the amp you use and the way you use the guitar's settings are the key (and your skill, of course). I bought this guitar in 1973 when it came out, for $350 (a small fortune for a guy making $1.25 per hour at the Brooklyn Public Library). Played it zillions of times since then, including in rock/punk/folk clubs all around NYC in the late 1970's/early 1980's. It has taken a licking, but it's still ticking. My favorite guitar of all the ones I've owned in my fairly long life :)

[@prajnachan333]

I actually bought Carlos' L6-S at Leo's music in Oakland for $400 in 1982. It has blue butterfly 🦋 wings covering it from the Borbelletta record. I've seen videos on KZbin from 1974. He used it into '75. Festival album of 1977 has a picture of him on a Les Paul. He got the Yamaha SG 2000, which he used on Moonflower, also of 1977. Maybe he used the L6-S when you were there and he just decided to play it that night. 🌙

[@AndrewL1216]

Hey Austin, didn’t watch the vid yet, but I know it’s quality!

[@OldJong]

You don't need a guide to use the switch! You need to listen to the sounds and pick the ones you like.

[@Patriot1791-BOR]

Bill Lawrence was a genius. Exactly I love his single coils.

[@donkeninitz4590]

I bought my first Gibson in 1973; I started playing in 1971, got really into it right away, and so my first real guitar was a '71 Tele. Anyway, the L6-S had just been introduced in '73. Santana was the main endorser. I went to my local guitar store planning to buy either a tobacco or cherry sunburst LP, because I wanted something like what Duane Allman played (about all I knew about LPs back then was that Duane played one, lol). Well, the sales guy was a total fanboi of the L6-S, and insisted on showing me - and trying to persuade me to buy - one. He kept going on about how how I could get LP/Strat/Tele tones out of the L6-S, and he almost sold me, but as I'd stopped by on my way from work, I didn't have all the cash I needed to buy it on the spot, so I gave him $50 as a deposit. When I got home, I rethought the idea, so went back the next day and told him I'd changed my mind. To his chagrin, I walked out with a cherry sunburst LP Deluxe that had mini-humbuckers, and I'm glad I did. I paid $325 for it, and sold it for almost that much two years later when I need money for college.

[@duthty]

I just picked up a 1973 Gibson l6s custom, it does gain really well when adjusted. The mid and treble knobs are key in dialing the right tone. Mine also has a nice quilting in the plain maple top. This would be an ideal studio guitar.

[@waynebell5040]

I had a L6 Deluxe bought new in ‘79 when I was 16. Rosewood fingerboard, Schaller bridge and I put DiMarzio Super Distortions in bridge and neck, and rewired the tone control to be a neck volume control. It was my first “real” guitar (I’d had a couple of Sears special type before the L6). Played my first gig with (a house party) and I’d kill to have it back 😢. I sold it in ‘82 or ‘83 for some weed. Stupid on so many levels! Thanks for bringing back the memories!

[@LAUptegrove]

I had a '78 L6-S custom I bought new. Tobacco sunburst, EBONY fretboard, and block inlay, so this definitely puts the myth of blocks only available the first couple of years to bed. Yeah, sold it in '81 in Spokane while I was on the road, because while it was the FASTEST neck I ever played, I just couldn't get comfy with the 6-way. Now, I'd like to have kept it and be able to try it all again.

[@jwcjrcpa]

I owned one of these L6’s in the 1980’s. Black with kind of a gray-burst. Can’t really remember what I did with it but kind of wish I still had it after seeing this. Very interesting video Trogly, appreciate it!

[@senseiruss]

Thanks for this excellent look at this classic, and under-appreciated GibsonI bought this guitar (with dot inlays) in 1973, fro $350, somehow saving enough money from my $1.25 per hour job at the Brooklyn Public Library back then (according to an online inflation calculator, $350 in 1973 is worth $2,335.51 today). I've played it for 50 years, and it's still a versatile beast of a guitar. The pickups are powerful, with zero hum, and the 6-way switch, in combination with the 3 knobs, offers lots of very different sounds. I think it's a beautiful guitar, though I've seen people on KZbin actually call it ugly! The neck is a dream to play and the body, though weighty, feels very comfortable, because of its slimness compared to my Les Pauls. BTW, mine is indeed a single-piece body!

[@ciaindeed8657]

The L6S is the cutest les paul-ish guitar.

[@separateglances1]

So glad to see this review, so thanks! Mine's of a similar era but with dot inlays and is definitely a one piece maple body. It's the very quirkiness of it that I like and the longer I own it the more I like it. If only I had the spare cash I'd be lining up to buy this one too.

[@Customwinder1]

I've been jammin with a guy who has one of these and a les paul standard , both from '74 . He got them brand new . They are awesome to see and hear.

[@franktoth7909]

I had one of the first in Canada back in 74' but got stolen, and I bought another 10yrs later, as I liked what the guitar could do. It took me 6 months to a year to figure out all of the capability that this guitar had. Back then we did not have the new Freeway switch that I now have in the guitar to give fast access to the pickup combos. I also never liked the Gibson frets, and re-fretted it with Dunlop 6190 frets, and now it is great! I know that the neck width is not the standard it is today but the sounds that you can dial in with this guitar is amazing! the mid control is very useful to dial in many subtle tones. It is too bad that they did not make the neck width at the nut what it is today, as I think it would be much more sought after. I have been doing guitar repair for over 50yrs and I have worked on many a big name players guitars over the years and I feel that this guitar with the new freeway switch is what I would have wanted back in the day.3wthetuningforkdotcom

[@vanessamonster5038]

I ve had one for years. I love it. The neck is super comfortable and the maple gives a brighter sound than a les paul.

[@ssy12335]

Thank you for your analysis, I had one of these and sold it. I liked it for all the reasons you said, and it really was a good guitar. Not great, but good. I understand it better now, and hearing its history was fun.

[@prajnachan333]

I have owned Carlos Santana's L6-S since 1982. When I found it in Leo's Music in Oakland. It is has blue butterfly 🦋 wings on the face. Taken from his Borbelletta record of 1974. This guitar has quite a range and it has fire 🔥 when you need it.

[@davidedutremblay5050]

I was curious about this model - thank you for posting

[@distortion_dude1]

i have this exact guitar + the original case, great commentary on this guitar

[@conradladouceur7557]

I used to own an L6S. It was a 1972 with an ebony fingerboard and body was finished in cherry sunburst. It was an awesome guitar and I wish I never sold it

[@JFairweather]

I think you mean 1973.

[@wadeguidry6675]

I almost bought one at a guitar show about 20 years ago. It was 400 dollars and had dot inlays. I held off and finally bought my 1st Les Paul a few weeks later. After watching this review and seeing that, adjusted for inflation, you're asking price on Reverb isn't much better I'm glad I waited. I had never even heard of these before that show and I had Gibson fever, thankfully your video has reassured me that (at least once in my lifetime) I did the right thing by waiting. Thanks again for one of your awesome and very informative reviews Mr. Trogly!

[@timmiller6882]

Wade Guidry I had Gibson fever once they gave me an enema and a Fender solved that problem.🎸🎸

[@pariahpokemonwesbragg2904]

I wish I still had my L6 deluxe..it was a trooper for me. In the end (when I sold it, along with a bunch of other guitars and music equipment), it had a pickup shorting out(the black cover ones) a few dead frets, and no pickguard..with remnants of stickers you would see under blacklight. Mine was the wine red/Burgundy version..no sparkle...but I loved that guitar. I would jump on the chance to find one in good shape nowadays, for a good price. I got some awesome sounds from mine. As you can tell, I miss my L6 deluxe... they're great guitars!

[@dennismoore8834]

Really nice review of the L6-S. It was one of my first professional guitars that I had purchased used in the mid-70s. I'd like to get another and I'm looking for one with the block inlays just like you have. They are hard to find.

[@richardcarlton1665]

i pick up a L6S in april 1973 just discharged from the USAF had some cash and went to scotty's music in st. louis , ther it was all maple gibson solid body electric . took it home that day. Sad to say in 1977 it got stolen in dallas texas. if you see a blonde on blonde L6S with a bigsby tale peice as a 2 string palm pedal, pedal steel tech made it for me. work great for one guitar in a county cover band in the seventys. got to have the pedal steel solo. any way thanks for pulling this one out , good vibs!

[@angelkyriakou4093]

Thanks a lot for this video! You are very informative! :) Have a nice day!

[@strat0871]

About what you're saying at 12:10, that's why i changed the varitone (that was already dead) by a classic 3 way toggle switch ! (for SG cause it's as flat !) Mine is from 1977, with dots and "harmonica" type tune-o-matic. cheers from france !

[@MyMotherTheCar]

I used to have a black one with a beautiful ebony board. You could get a lot of different mediocre sounds out of it. But it was reasonably lightweight, comfortable and well balanced. I think it was designed to be a practical, versatile instrument for the average gigging guitarist in the 70s. It could sound sort of like a LP but without the weight or the insta-break headstock, or like a Strat without the hum. It wasn't exceptional in any way, but if I were playing Top 40 in roller rinks and high schools in '76 it would've looked pretty good.

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

The 'mysterious' Gibson L6 - S... The Gibson model that curiously 'disappeared'... Mike Oldfield played on this guitar from 1977-78 up to 1980, when he returned to his old SG Junior ( that later was replaced by the PRS about 1989 ). Mike recorded "Incantations" and did the "Exposed" tour playing on this L6-S, also performing on it in the Knebsworth Festival 1980. He needed too much this guitar for recording 'Incantations', since many solos on this album required - and obviously still require... - 24 fretted guitars. In the 70's it was almost impossible finding out a 24 fretted one, before PRS released its Custom 24 about 1985 ( at this time known as PRS Signature ). From the late 80's on the 24 fretted became very common and easy to get. Presently, my PRS SE Custom 24 and Standard 24 are the best guitars I have. Thank you very much for the wonderful video ! P.S.: I don't know WHY this great guitar 'vanished' from the Gibson catalogue...

[@lexh.7034]

I own a '73 Ebony Custom and a '73 Blonde Custom both with the original Lawrence pickups. The blonde has a slightly brighter tone. The ebony has a touch more overall bass but has a slightly higher gain. The blonde can handle higher overdrive better, but the ebony screams even at lower gain settings. I run them through an Electro Harmonix Linear Power Booster into a late-80s ProCo Rat (TI chip) then into a cheap VOX AD100VTH head and rare Butler 2x12 cab. Nearly flawless vintage sound easily tweaked into slightly more-powerful crunchiness. Both are amazing guitars. Not a single criticism against them. Very comprehensive video. Well done!

[@sassycat]

Not all electric guitars were built to RAWK. Very informative video, Trog.

[@Strongholle]

I've got an L6 Midnight Special and it can rock out no problem. It sort of has a tele vibe on steroids, it's not a traditional sound but it works great on a rock scenario - especially with fuzz pedals. I love the pickups and the whole guitar, I don't miss the 6 way switch of the Custom or the set neck either. An interesting detail is that some L6's don't have bevels on the sides, some have not very pronounced ones and some have them like an SG on the left part of the body, those being mostly among the early ones.

[@bipbipletucha]

Interesting

[@Jamestele1]

Beautiful, clean looking guitar. I want one.

[@briansteele5489]

Thanks for the comprehensive review. I've had similar thoughts about my original L6S (dotted fretboard). Not a Tele or Strat. Bought mine because I liked the clear Maple body and haven't used it much - mostly I play acoustic. Just bought a Nobles ODR-1 to add some grit to whichever of the 6 settings seem the most accommodating. Bringing the 70s forward. Thanks again.

[@lloydhawn]

I Bought My L6-Deluxe Brand New And I Will Never Get Rid Of It !! The Neck Is Amazingly Comfortable And Easy To Play ! Sounds Great To Me No Matter What Type Of Music I Play On IT - From The Beatles To Pink Floyd Or Yes Even Black Sabbath !!! All Maple Body With Rosewood Freetboard with Dot Inlays And 24 Frets! Three Position Switch With Volume And Tone Control ! It Looks Like The The L6 S Deluxe At The 2:06 Mark But My Guitar Only Says L6 Deluxe With No S ! Any More Info Would Be Helpful. Thanks !

[@kernjames]

I love the one I have. Mine actually has no name on it except for the Gibson logo. This guitar above is similar but mine only has the two volume and tone nobs. Mine is maple and the toggle switch doesn't have the black ring around it. My input Jack is located about the same as the guitar above and I do have the detachable neck. I played mine since 1978 and it is still going. I don't know how it survived the Dive Bars and abuse it took but it still looks okay and sounds great. They look fragile but they are actually pretty tough.

[@castrosacasa]

Sounding good on this guitar is really challenging.. I think it's mayor problem is the tuning stability and narrow fretboard in my case! I will change the tuners to locking tuners to see if that helps! I have the L-6 Deluxe! It is a truly beautiful guitar I got from my late father! I will never sell it !

[@newgreyarea]

I recently inherited one and really love the feel of the neck. Does any modern guitar have a similar neck profile?

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Interesting review, thanks for your work. Gibson should adopt that three screw humbucker mounts across their range. The body/neck angle on Les Pauls and SG's vary quite a bit and I have seen very few where the taper on the pickup rings actually matches the string angle. The bat wing SG's have terrible geometry. I have modified and refit quite a few rings to get the pickups to set right. Gretsch uses a three screw mounting system on some of their models, they work great.

[@daveshepard9154]

My first ever electric guitar. LOVED it. I saved $660 in tip money as a busboy to buy mine at 16, new. It was stolen. Years later, I bought another one and - STUPIDLY - sold it. Wish I had one again. I have Teles, Strats, Les Pauls...all great, but this was my first.

[@Les537]

I'm a fan of gibson specials. I'd love to see that on a stand next to my LP and SG specials, but my budget is gone for the year. I never even knew those were a thing. Awesome axe.

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

Yes, the midnight special was must watch tv back then, after watching love American style, lol… I was obsessed with that guitar when it came out. I was in seventh grade, so probably 12 or 13 years old and all ready a guitar gear head. lol… I found out later on, much later like several years later that the L5S wasn’t all it was made out to be. So I kinda forgot about it really. Moved on so to say. Thanks for jogging my memory, that was cool to think back that many years ago. Wow I’m friggin old…

[@cowtipnupchuckr]

I miss my old L6S, wish I never sold it. But, times were hard and I needed the cash.

[@vocalion9519]

Back around 1980 I put some money down on a used L6-S at the Santa Ana Guitar Center. It was around $300 if I remember correctly. I never did go back to pay it off, and I really can’t decide whether or not I regret it.

[@batty2259]

Love the double cutaway

[@songsbyed9763]

If I may.. I have a electronics question on a Gibson L6.. yep the one with the 6 way rotary switch. I purchased the guitar with a 3 way toggle in place. My guess is it was changed out by the previous owner. .. then found the original 1976 switch and pots setup on Ebay and decided to bring it back to what the L6 was noted for on pickup selection and options. Strangely only 2 of the positions are functioning fine .. the other 4 work but the output volume is pretty low. Can't be the switch ?? or can it ? Any help would be appreciated 😎🤙 Thanks

[@bryansimmons4550]

I bought an L6-S Custom in all maple, complete with Bill Lawrence pickups and the proper harmonica bridge, around 1988 for $125 in a local pawnshop. All I knew at the time was that it was a REAL Gibson at a fake price. The fretboard had worked loose from the neck in the upper register and some genius had fixed it down with a round head wood screw through the fret board around the 16th fret, IIRC. Some good wood glue and C clamps reattached the fretboard, and some plastic wood filled the screw hole, sanded down to blend with the fretboard surface. I never worried about the slight difference in color at that point. I loved that guitar and played it religiously until I lost it in a house fire in the late 90's. I wish I could find another one for $125.00.

[@WrangleMcDangle]

my main player is a 76' L6S Custom. Someone clearly put a lot of money into it; all gold parts, 3 way toggle and a 4 knob coil splitting set up i shes dog the 5 way toggle and 3 knob system shown on the custom in this video, and every single fret has playing wear on it. incredible piece of custom guitar work

[@Relayer6a]

Strat players have been dealing with 5 position switches forever and nobody seems to struggle. And maybe if you had used the mid cut you might have found some more likeable tones. Especially scooping some mids from humbuckers when overdriven.

[@jirapatthaenphromrat2910]

Perfect for Funk.

[@bipbipletucha]

Oh yeah

[@jonpaulling]

Man, I love geeking out with this stuff. Never more info than I ever wanted to know ;)

[@michaelaiello9525]

This was my first guitar.. a gift from my cousin in the late 70’s or early 80’s. I’ve never been smitten with it, but I’ve cherished it for sentimental reasons. All the same, how I wish my cousin would have owned an LP Special or a Junior or a DC… each probably less expensive than the L6 new… then I would have inherited a bitchin’ ax that everyone envy’s.. with a neck I love… instead of this curious guitar that everyone cracks wise on.

[@robertw1871]

My 73 sounds completely different, I think there’s definitely something different with yours… mine is very distinctively darker, heavier on the bottom and doesn’t have that mid bump… Not sure what the difference is, but the one I’ve got loves drop tuning and ultra heavy gain, also does blues darn good as well… The other difference is mine looks like it’s been played for 50,000 hours, good condition but tons of play wear…. Mine is a one piece body…. I bought it because it plays really well not a great beauty queen wall hanger….

[@michaelaiello9525]

Trogly. I have a Cream Sparkle L6 Midnight Special with the original pickups. It’s in very good to excellent shape. The pickguard has chipped at the horn, original tuners, harmonica bridge. The original case is toast but I have and excellent purple interior Gibson L6 case. What’s the range of value on it? It’s still in my collection for sentimental reason., my cousin gave it to me in the late 70’s. I never truly bonded with it, but as the decades roll by the memories of my youth and my cousin’s kindness are more significant than the money. But, it would be good to know it’s range of value. Thanks!

[@fuzzcous]

Both Bob 1 & Bob 2 played a L6, interesting.

[@stevew1886]

3:08 Should read "Both Pickups, series, out-of-phase" as you cannot have just one pickup out-of-phase. Well, you could have a humbucker with both coils out-of-phase but hardly any sound would come out of it.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Paul Stanley said in the commentary of the Kissology 1 box set, that after the band became Gibson endorsers (With Ace Rocking his Les Pauls, Gene his Grabbers and Rippers and the occasional Thunderbird) he felt that Gibson were sending him their sloppy seconds as he hated the sound of the Midnight specials and Marauders they were sending him. axeology.com/image/1975-05-30_MidnightSpecial.jpg He had no complaints about the Flying V's he got from the endorsement.

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Nice clean tones, like you said, I quite like this guitar.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

My first Les Paul was a Custom from, I think, the early 80’s. It had the Super Humbucker pickups and all nickel hardware - any idea if this was factory spec for a run of Customs for that era? Fantastic videos, btw!

[@MegaAnthonys]

i use the l6s deluxe and just got the 76 l6s--thanks for explaining the wiring--im in mexico---i have to rewire the bridge pickup alone

[@prajnachan333]

Guitarists - if you want a good example of the L6-S recorded. Listen to the Borbelletta record by Santana in 1974. I don't know if you will agree with this fellows accessment.(!) Carlos called it a rainbow of tones with the 6 position switch, and this album is a good example of that. Also there are concerts of him playing it on tour in 1974 here on KZbin.

[@batty2259]

Always wanted one of those

[@prpapas]

I had a 70s silverburst. Loved the sounds it got and the neck shape and fretwork made it super playable. But I had to ditch it - because of that narrow nut.

[@michaelalfonso1070]

I bought the vintage L6 at a Swap Meet, missing pickups, varitone 6 way switch, pots, etc. The worst part, it was burned (Japanese architecture term Sho Sgui Ban"), a la 70's hippie thing. I would need to run ir through a planer and take off the rough grain lines to make it flat again. I work for an architect and I am what they call "organic," which means: I like wood to look like wood, metal like metal. Don't paint metal to look like wood grain. I wanted to get it working. I've been playing guitar (I am a singer first, I play guitar, flute percussion and drums), for 48 years and am currently in a Reggae band for the past15 years. So I need a guitar that I can play, I am not a collector, althoiugh I have a vew collectables. So I got it working and didn't like the sound at all, I thought I screwed up the wiring. But if that is what it will sound like at its best, (my brother had a 70's Gibson SG that sounds awesome) I am ok. I can see why the newer models were simplified. Thank you for posting this!

[@stewsim]

It does NOT have a Varitone switch. It does NOT select different tonal options via caps and inductors, like in an ES-355 for example. It is “simply” a p’up selector switch, yielding combinations and phases of the p’ups. Otherwise…very cool and informative video on the L6S…!!!

[@therugburnz]

way back in 1980 I played one like that. The owner said it was a lesPaul Jr. I'd never heard of Jr's yet burn I knew it wasn't one somehow. The body was obviously altered to make it smaller in circumference to make it look vaguely like a double cut Jr. ,but it was wrong. Even not knowing what it was supposed to be faking I knew it was fake or he was wrong about the model. All I knew was Gibson made Les Pauls and "Jazz guitars" that were between called electric/acoustic cello guitars. Anyway I knew it was wrong but it played and sounded fantastic for Rock because of its DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup in the bridge position. It ROCKED.

[@johnchester5318]

I LOVE this guitar's design & versatility, BUT... In a great local guitar shop, I played a Gibson L6-S Custom side-by-side with an Ibanez 2451 COPY. The Gibson did everything well, but the Ibanez copy did it all BETTER, finish, neck, output, MULTIPLE tones, pots, switch-gear & all at 1/2 the price!!! I walked out happy with the Ibanez, cash left in my pocket & still play it happily, to this day!!!

[@conartist267]

Gee I think your wrong about the neck pickup not being usable with distortion. I have the same L6s as yours but only the dot and it’s amazing. I think if you could back up your words with your playing, you’d have better things to say. Awesome guitar in my opinion. It’s not a looking but it’s awesome to play. It’s sustain is also remarkable.

[@patrickfoster4586]

I've got one too and love it. Of all the guitars I have, and that's quite a few, I play this one as much or more than any other. I love the way it sounds on cranked high-gain sounds. Not to mention it plays like butter!

[@senseiruss]

@@patrickfoster4586 I feel the same. I've had it for nearly 50 years and in my fairly large guitar collection, it's still a beast and great to play!

[@0000song0000]

now i wanna mod one of my les-paul look alikes to have that treble and mid pots :O

[@shaunw9270]

So 1970's , the era that style forgot lol ! I thought it sounded good with distortion, a bit "iffy" clean . Interesting guitar ,but I would love to see one of sparkle top LP Deluxe ✌️

[@patrickkirby7612]

Theres a walnut L6-5 for sale in Nashville. Wonder what year it is?

[@garycoates4987]

I'd love to see a demo of a corvus or challenger they have the big black plastic covered humbuckers but trad wiring

[@patrickfoster4586]

I have one, a new old stock, from my parents music store. I LOVE this guitar. I plays better than any Gibson I've ever played- and I've played a ton of Gibson guitars. And the TONES these things can produce are incredible. It will do almost everything from funk to raunchy hard-core rock and metal! I have all kinds of guitars in my collection and I find myself playing the L6s very often! I just plays like butter and with super low action it is easy on the hands for sure. And I can't say enough about how much I love the way this thing sounds through a good overdrive into a Super Reverb- heavenly!! Cheers P[>

[@jochemjonker3362]

THE Troligly Guitar Show,you forget to mention the headstock design on the L6 Series.To my opinion,the best ever at a Gibson guitar.But i presume,it was original a design headstock of Epiphone.

[@grantthompson9448]

Bro I love the content

[@davidduffee8877]

That’s my guitar!!!! Hahaha

[@pattonPwr]

this guitar is the brother of the Gibson The Ripper BASS

[@utenzil]

I love my L6S. Natural, I've got the dot inlays and I prefer them.

[@nickmacuna2692]

What size is the fret wire for the L6S', It seems pretty large, maybe 6130? I have a 1980 silver burst that desperately needs a refret and I am currently shopping for a luthier to refret it.

[@dwightholland5067]

Nice work! I own a 1975 Gibson L6-S custom in near perfect shape in tobacco sunburst ! I wonder how many of those were made ?

[@johnnyroc]

I have one, mine is a 1973. Should I trade it in for a strat or a jazzmaster? It’s heavy, wish it was lighter.

[@mtjsmith70]

I had one of these L6s customs in mid 70's. and yes they are kinda quirky. I sold it and got a Les Paul deluxe.

[@richpeterson3080]

I hate it when people call the 6-position coil selector a VariTone. The VariTone is an L-C filter with selectable caps.

[@sirvidia]

I use positions 1234 all the time, mainly 2, 3, and 4

[@walterkeeth5060]

If you were here listening to yourself, you would hear the changes that make the person whom you were covering. The original nut was Corian. No, you're not wrong the only bridge that came on any of the L6 models was the Harmonica bridge. Birds eye maple, if you were lucky, you got curly maple. I got lucky. the neck all of them were different. Mine the nut is 1.65 in at the twelfth fret 1.79 in. 24 frets. Tuner's original were Grovers.

[@craigusselman546]

It looks like a Junior gobbled some steroids and slapped on an Epi headstock.That being said that fretboard is super cool and unique.

[@bipbipletucha]

Hehehe

[@l2string]

Bought a new L6-S custom in 73. Mine was one of only 80 blocked, I think. skinny neck, 24 frets. No crunch. Had a hard time selling it 40 years later? Paid $500 sold for $1300.

[@senseiruss]

Weird that you paid $500 for it in 1973. The RETAIL price for it in 1973 was $350. I know, because I bought one from Sam Ash (on West 48th St. in NYC) in 1973, a week after it came out for $350. It was NOT on sale or discounted, since the other 4 music stores on the same street had it for that price, too. Someone ripped you off, I think.

[@senseiruss]

@@l2string LOLOLOLOLOL

[@l2string]

@@senseiruss What's your problem?

[@senseiruss]

@@l2string I think I might love my L6-S a little too much. At least that's what my therapist says.

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

Is "the Nashville Studs" taken as a band-name?