Gibson L6-S

Gibson L6-S
A Gibson L6-S Custom
Manufacturer	Gibson
Period	1973–79 2011-

The Gibson L6-S was the working musician's descendant of the L5S jazz solid body electric guitar. It was the same shape - very much like a wide Gibson Les Paul, but with a 24 fret two-octave neck - the first Gibson guitar to have this.

Model history

It was designed by Bill Lawrence (Gibson employee) in 1972, with the remit to make a "multi-sound system" under a very tight budget. The final production guitar was somewhat different from the Guitar he had in mind but "even with these changes, the early production L6-S was still an excellent performer"

The popularity of the L6-S gradually dropped after 1974, despite high profile endorsements from the likes of Al di Meola and Carlos Santana. Pat Martino also used the model during this period. All models were dropped from price lists in 1979. The L6-S Custom remained in the catalog in 1980 and was still being made in the Nashville plant. No model has ever been reissued. It is considered by many to be the most underrated of all the Gibson solid body guitars.

The L6-S came in three variants; all were maple-bodied with twin super-humbucking pickups.

L6-S Models

L6-S Custom 1973–80

Rear view of a L6-S Custom

The best known version with total production of over 12000 instruments Maple body, and set neck with a choice of maple or ebony fingerboard. Controls include a six position pickup selector, master volume, mid-range and treble roll-off controls. At the time of its introduction, the L6-S Custom was simply called the L6-S, not gaining the "Custom" badge until later, when the simpler L6-S Deluxe was introduced. The L6-S and L6-S Custom are identical, except for the word "Custom" in the name.

Pickup selector of a L6-S Custom

The L6-S Custom is noted for its six way rotary selector switch, complete with "chicken head" pointer knob. Starting with switch position #1, in the most clockwise position, the available pickup switching options are as follows:

1. Both pickups, in series
2. Neck pickup, alone
3. Both pickups, in parallel
4. Both pickups, parallel out of phase, with the neck pickup's bass response restricted thought a series capacitor.
5. Bridge pickup, alone
6. Both pickups, series out of phase.

The capacitor in the #4 position gives a fuller tone than the otherwise very nasal out of phase tone. The capacitor serves to limit the low end response of the neck pickup, and also phase delays the signal from that pickup, resulting in a fuller tone, not too unlike the #2 and #4 switch positions on a Fender Stratocaster guitar.

The mid-range control on the L6-S Custom uses a 1.8Hy inductor, which is split wound for hum-cancellation, along with a capacitor. This is a variation of the notch filter concept introduced by Gibson with the VariTone circuit. In the VariTone, however, the resistance is fixed, and different capacitors are chosen. In the L6-S's mid-range control, the resistance is variable, while the capacitance is a fixed value. The result is one which allows decreasing of the middle tones, while retaining a large degree of "sparkle" or "brilliance" to the tone of the instrument.

The volume and treble roll-off controls work as they do in most other electric guitars with passive circuitry.

A notable feature of the L6-S Custom, perhaps contributing to its demise, is the awkwardness for a player to switch tones during live play. Guitars such as the Gibson Les Paul, Fender Telecaster, etc, using a simple toggle switch for pickup selection, make switching very easy during live play when compared alongside a six position rotary switch.

L6-S Midnight Special 1974–79

The least known version with total production of around 2000 instruments Maple body, and bolt-on maple neck with a maple fingerboard. Controls include a pickup selector, master volume, and tone control. Strung through the body.This guitar is a Les Paul Special Edition.

L6-S Deluxe 1974–79

Still less popular than the Custom, but more popular than the Midnight Special. Total production around 3500 instruments The Deluxe had a set maple neck, with a rosewood fingerboard. Controls include a pickup selector, master volume, and tone control. Strung through the body

Notable L6-S players

Main article: List of Gibson players

External links

• L6-S original schematic on the Gibson Website
• Gibson L6-S– Information, statistics and schematics for the Gibson L6-S.