Image: Glamafez, Public domain — via Wikimedia Commons
Gibson L6-S
| Category | Strings (electric guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Classification | electric guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q3105377 |
Overview
The Gibson L6-S is a solidbody electric guitar produced in the 1970s. It departs from the look of Gibson’s iconic with a thinner contoured body and 24-fret neck, and it offers a notably wide range of tones thanks to a six-position rotary pickup selector that combines its two humbuckers in unusual ways.
Origin & History
Gibson launched the L6-S in 1973 as part of a wider effort to broaden its solidbody line in response to changing player tastes. The model was endorsed by several high-profile guitarists during the 1970s, including Carlos Santana in a brief but visible period. Production ended in 1980 as Gibson refocused on its core models, but the L6-S has retained a small enthusiast following.
How It’s Played
The L6-S is played in the standard electric-guitar position. The 24-fret neck gives access to a higher upper register than the 22-fret Les Paul. The rotary selector provides series, parallel, and out-of-phase combinations of the two humbuckers, allowing single-coil-like brightness as well as full humbucker thickness. The contoured body keeps the instrument comfortable for extended use.
Cultural Significance
The L6-S sits among the experimental Gibson designs of the 1970s, alongside guitars such as the Marauder and the Gibson Nighthawk of a later era. None of these models displaced the Les Paul or , but together they show the company exploring sounds and shapes outside its core catalogue. For collectors today, a clean L6-S is a relatively affordable vintage Gibson with distinctive features.
Related Instruments
- – Gibson’s flagship solidbody
- – another long-running Gibson solidbody
- Gibson Nighthawk – a later versatile Gibson
- Gibson ES-345 – a thinline contemporary in the catalogue
- – a contrasting versatile solidbody
Frequently Asked Questions
How many frets does the Gibson L6-S have?
24 frets, more than the 22 found on a standard Les Paul.
What is unusual about the L6-S electronics?
A six-position rotary switch provides series, parallel, and out-of-phase pickup combinations, giving an unusually wide tonal range for a two-humbucker guitar.
Image: photograph by Glamafez, public domain (Wikimedia Commons).
