Whitfield will use the new L-5 Studio on his contributions to the educational "Hot Licks" video series recently commissioned by Hal Leonard publishing. He also plays to use it on the road where, he says, the mounted pickup design offers a different tonal spectrum to the floating pickup on his beloved custom L-5.

The custom L-5 has been in the shop at Gibson undergoing a neck replacement after being accidentally dropped on its headstock during a load-in. Whitfield has been playing a loaner L-5 on his recent European tour, which he traded in for his regular ax.

"I've resolved myself never to let anyone touch my guitar again," Whitfield said.

He seemed exceptionally happy with the repair job as he whipped off some licks on the guitar, and even happier to get his baby back.

"There's no place like home," he said with a smile.