Gibson’s two flagship archtop acoustic models of the pre-war period, the L-5 and Super 400, appeared as electrics in 1951. They kept their original names, but were given the suffix CES (Cutaway Electric Spanish).

The electrics retained all their all-solid wood construction, with spruce tops, and solid maple back and sides. But the tops were built slightly thicker, and were more heavily braced. This was to give the instruments greater rigidity, and avoid any unwanted vibration.

Both guitars were favored by leading jazzmen, including Wes Montgomery.

The original P-90 pickups were swapped for Alnico V transducers in 1954, and, later, by humbuckers.