[FrederikThaysen]

The reason why the salesman recommended the LR Baggs Element was that it doesn't produce any noise like a lot of other pickups would do... He sounded pretty convincing and told me that there is a reason why Gibson uses LR Baggs Element in most of their acoustics today. The Hummingbird Modern Classic uses one too...

I think that they primarily use that pickup in the store, so my question is: Will a LR Baggs Element ruin the sound of a True Vintage? If not I think I will just go with it. After all I do like the small volume adjuster inside the soundhole.

[ChrisA83]

j45nick, on 30 March 2012 - 06:01 AM, said:

I didn't realize they still put the custom shop stickers on them.

Mine doesn't have one

[duluthdan]

FrederikThaysen, on 30 March 2012 - 07:05 AM, said:

The reason why the salesman recommended the LR Baggs Element was that it doesn't produce any noise like a lot of other pickups would do... He sounded pretty convincing and told me that there is a reason why Gibson uses LR Baggs Element in most of their acoustics today. The Hummingbird Modern Classic uses one too...

I think that they primarily use that pickup in the store, so my question is: Will a LR Baggs Element ruin the sound of a True Vintage? If not I think I will just go with it. After all I do like the small volume adjuster inside the soundhole.

IMHO the installation of the LR Baggs should not negatively affect the tone - especially since it sounds like this shop is used to installing them. I'd do it, you'll have versatility, and a lot of fun !

[ParlourMan]

FrederikThaysen, on 30 March 2012 - 07:05 AM, said:

...so my question is: Will a LR Baggs Element ruin the sound of a True Vintage?

Not at all in my opinion, if I could have bought a TV model with electrics already installed at the factory that's what I would have done. I opted for a K&K pure mini for my SJ-200TV based on some recommendations and I'm not disappointed. But I was very rtempted to stick with the LRBaggs as I know them and like them. If I ever had any need to change the 200's pickup for any reason I'd definitely consider LRBaggs.

Of course there may be some purists who feel you've somehow devalued a TV guitar by installing a pickup, I don't agree with this myself and would see good quality, fully working electronics professionally installed as a bonus on any 2nd hand guitar I was looking at.

[fortyearspickn]

I've got a Dec'10 HbirdTV. I use Elixirs and love them. I second, third, ? earlier comments on the USPickup.
I've got one on my SJ200 and it definitely (to my ears) doesn't affect the sound whether it is in or out from the under the saddle. I bought my H'bird sight unseen from a few thousand miles away based solely upon reputation.. and the fact I knew I could return it to the Guitar Center near me if I didn't like it. I was hoping for cherry, but now - am too much in love to think that there is any shading better than what I like to call tobaccy burst. Which may be a light carmel. So my two words of wisdom - don't worry about the shade of yours or the possibility you might not like it. G'luck.

[pfox14]

blindboygrunt, on 30 March 2012 - 06:27 AM, said:

is it one of those yellow and blue things ?
my historic has one , i dont think it adds much to the look at all

What's the significance of the sticker? Does that mean it was built by the custom shop in Nashville as opposed to Bozeman. I can't imagine they are building acoustics in Nashville.

[j45nick]

pfox14, on 30 March 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

What's the significance of the sticker? Does that mean it was built by the custom shop in Nashville as opposed to Bozeman. I can't imagine they are building acoustics in Nashville.

I think the only acoustics built in Nashville might have been some archtops. I'm not even sure why the Custom Shop label still exists for the Bozeman plant. And i certainly don't think it adds anything to the look or value of a J-45 TV!

[ritchie69]

FrederikThaysen, on 30 March 2012 - 07:05 AM, said:

I think that they primarily use that pickup in the store, so my question is: Will a LR Baggs Element ruin the sound of a True Vintage? If not I think I will just go with it. After all I do like the small volume adjuster inside the soundhole.

For some purists, put a piezo between the saddle and the bridge (which is the key point in sound transmission) definitely will affect the acoustic tone. Not so much IMHO.
I installed several UST on my guitars, perhaps there may be a slight loss of volume than before, but nothing so easily perceptible to the human ear ... and for me, the tradeoff is more than acceptable if I get the chance to play my guitar in live gigs.

[Hogeye]

pfox14, on 30 March 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

What's the significance of the sticker? Does that mean it was built by the custom shop in Nashville as opposed to Bozeman. I can't imagine they are building acoustics in Nashville.

The sticker is a pretty funny thing. Custom Shop kinda implies there is a place where custom guitars are built. Not the case at all. In the early 90's Gibson /Montana had a separate shop run by Ren Ferguson.The Custom Shop was physically over the existing machine shop. John Walker and Kevin Kopp worked there. It was closed down. Then they had a very small room called the Art Shop. Nothing made in there either. Sometimes there is some inly work done in there but most of that is done on the CNC machines as well. The Art Shop is now used for special wood storage. So.. The Custom Shop is more of a designation for a group of guitars that get absolutly no special treatment at all. Well maybe the sticker counts as special. I'm not sure why they use the sticker. I will leave you to draw your own conclusions. I know that no one is especially aware of the color of a 60's Hummingbird. I remember them and if you are going to call a guitar a true vintage you should at least get the color correct. The 60's Hummingbird was a Vintage Cherry Sunburst. That is a bright red sunburst. Much the same as the Brad Paisley J-45. Check it out on the Gibson website.

The Custom Shop in Nashville is a separate division and they don't make any acoustics there. Well maybe the arcch-tops but I'm not sure they are in production anymore.

[blindboygrunt]

j45nick, on 30 March 2012 - 10:29 AM, said:

I think the only acoustics built in Nashville might have been some archtops. I'm not even sure why the Custom Shop label still exists for the Bozeman plant. And i certainly don't think it adds anything to the look or value of a J-45 TV!

do TV's have a yellow and blue sticker?

[FrederikThaysen]

I have just found out today that my Hummingbird has arrieved! I'm so excited!!!

I can't wait to finally see- and play her! I truly hope that it is cherry red and not tobacco/caramel. But I don't suppose that the salesman will be willing to send it back and order a new model in the right colour... So I guess I just have to cross my fingers and wait and see!

And I think that I will go with the LR Baggs Element pickup, and just hope that it sounds great and brings out the great sound of a True Vintage.

[ritchie69]

blindboygrunt, on 30 March 2012 - 01:48 PM, said:

do TV's have a yellow and blue sticker?

The dchristo's J45TV has this logo on the back of the headstock:

is different from the Historic Collection sticker...(hey BBG, I had a J45 historic as yours, one of the best I've ever had!!!)

[ritchie69]

FrederikThaysen, on 30 March 2012 - 03:09 PM, said:

I have just found out today that my Hummingbird has arrieved! I'm so excited!!!

I can't wait to finally see- and play her! I truly hope that it is cherry red and not tobacco/caramel. But I don't suppose that the salesman will be willing to send it back and order a new model in the right colour... So I guess I just have to cross my fingers and wait and see!

And I think that I will go with the LR Baggs Element pickup, and just hope that it sounds great and brings out the great sound of a True Vintage.

You'll love it anyway...I like both colors.

[E-minor7]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 60's original Bird-burst the rather flashy, 'happy' one seen here -

Mylink


Well, the guitars were not vintage then and only got their brown, caramel/tobacco hue as the nitro cellulose aged and yellowed.
Theory is that it's the late phase the TV's are trying to cover - which means emulating the look after it has become vintage.
Check the 2 1961's on the Bay (they have been there quite a while and may be too expensive to sell) and then check the 1964 and '67 also.
The first have that irresistible warm color so many people like or love - including this poster.
- the 2 others are not as brown, but half way there. Maybe due to a long life inside the case.

[dchristo]

ritchie69, on 30 March 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

The dchristo's J45TV has this logo on the back of the headstock:

is different from the Historic Collection sticker...(hey BBG, I had a J45 historic as yours, one of the best I've ever had!!!)

thanks ritchie, that exactly whats on my 45

[ritchie69]

I had the hummingbird TV VOS limited edition (only 167 pieces in the world) 2y ago, and its color was the brown/caramel one, very dark, the same tone was also on the back and sides...The other Hummingbirds TV I've seen recently are much brighter and cherry toned than mine, but definitely darker than the hummingbird MC, which is more honeyburst rather than cherryburst...I'm pretty sure that the current H'bird TV tends to cherryburst, while the caramel/tobacco burst Is restricted for the VOS.(to simulate the aging process which tends to darken the tone, as E-minor7 said).

[blindboygrunt]

ritchie69, on 30 March 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

The dchristo's J45TV has this logo on the back of the headstock:

is different from the Historic Collection sticker...(hey BBG, I had a J45 historic as yours, one of the best I've ever had!!!)

see now , that sticker is totallly ok , whoever came up with the blue and yellow one needs to have a word with themselves .
apart from that ritchie , you're right , great guitar

[bobby b]

ritchie69, on 30 March 2012 - 08:14 PM, said:

I had the hummingbird TV VOS limited edition (only 167 pieces in the world) 2y ago, and its color was the brown/caramel one, very dark, the same tone was also on the back and sides...The other Hummingbirds TV I've seen recently are much brighter and cherry toned than mine, but definitely darker than the hummingbird MC, which is more honeyburst rather than cherryburst...I'm pretty sure that the current H'bird TV tends to cherryburst, while the caramel/tobacco burst Is restricted for the VOS.(to simulate the aging process which tends to darken the tone, as E-minor7 said).

My Hummingbird is a TV 'VOS'. Def not tobacco-burst but is more of an 'aged' cherryburst, def more red than brown though as you may have seen from my pic(s).
Sticker inside is red/orange.

[ritchie69]

mine was very similar to that, the case had the same yellow velvet inside:


If I remember correctly, mine was slightly darker, but it may depend on the lights.

[ritchie69]

dchristo, on 30 March 2012 - 06:51 PM, said:

thanks ritchie, that exactly whats on my 45

you're welcome!