RBSinTo

Mr. Paul, As I recall, it was a Mr. Moses who warned my people a long time ago about worshipping golden idols. I have no desire to drink a j-45 Smoothie, so I'll just pass. RBSinTo

Brucebubs, You obviously haven't heard me play. It'll take a lot more than just gold picks to improve the quality of my music. RBSinTo

Me too! I only like the Dunlop .60mm picks in grey, 'cause that colour sounds the best. RBSinTo

thegreatgumbino, That Strapjack plug is exactly what I made myself. Used a large candle to make a mold with an electric drill and two different sized bits, and filled the mold with five-minute expoxy. Some sanding and a bit of brown spray paint and it works perfectly. RBSinTo

dhanners623, A little unclear on the concept. Why would Gibson use such a delicate/reactive/tempermental finish on their guitars, when a lacquer finish which looks the same (to my untrained eyes at least) is more durable? RBSinTo

Kidblast, Is there a compelling reason for removing the guitar strap when the instrument is stored? I've owned my D-28 since 1979, and it has had a strap on it ever since, without any problems. But an even more important question: Pinegrove indicates that the Strapkeeper is a "free gift" when one buys an instrument strap. When has anyone ever paid for a gift? Aren't all gifts by definition, free? Just wondering. RBSinTo

Or keep a small square of fine grit sandpaper in your guitar case. RBSinTo

Northcityblues, My four guitars were all purchased used, but Twelfth Fret has worked on my 1974 D-28, and currently on my 2001 j-45. Their Luthiers are very skilled, and their prices fair and reasonable. And just so you know the repair department at Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill is also first rate. RBSinTo

You really shouldn't be. Customer Service has become an Endangered Species, all but extinct, and wasn't any better before Coronavirus arrived. RBSinTo

Dave F., Fair enough. But it all depends on the circumstances. I am the third owner of a 2001 j45, and it is currently in for some repairs at The Twelfth Fret, a very reputable guitar store and Gibson dealer here in Toronto. According to their inspection ( which verified what I suspected) it needs labour but doesn't require Gibson proprietary parts, so I am having the work done here in Toronto. No crating, no insurance, and no shipping costs. Had my situation been similar to yours, my course of action would have been different. However, Dotneck's comment that Gibson Service hasn't replied to his two requests speaks volumes about them. RBSinTo

Dotneck, Unless your instrument requires replacement parts that can't be sourced anywhere else, why would you spend extra time and money to crate, insure and ship (both ways) a guitar to Gibson, if there are reputable, local Luthiers that can service it in your part of the world? RBSinTo

Merseybeat 1963, I suggest you contact a reputable Luthier, and ask their advice on what to use and how to properly use it. RBSinTo

Derek, There are any number of very fine guitar manufacturer's models to choose from, and rather than tell you to consider this model or that, I suggest you visit a bricks and mortar stores ( when you are able to) and play many different company's models until a sound jumps out at you that you like. Whatever you ultimately buy will be an expensive purchase, so rather than hitch your star to Gibson's wagon before the fact, keep an open mind and in the end be completely happy with whatever you get. RBSinTo

No idea. I'm not a troll. RBSinTo

My opinions and comments are as valid as anyone else's, and the fact that you don't like them is irrelevant. RBSinTo

If you already have the guitar, why do you need a picture of it? It is a musical instrument, not a religious relic to be venerated. RBSinTo

Just wanted to show my solution to this problem. Cast and painted epoxy mushroom-shaped plug pressure-fitted into the input jack. The head has about a 3/4 "diameter, and a thickness of about 1/4". Works like a champion and doesn't deform the jack's interior walls. RBSinTo

5 Hummingbird, The problem with taking a guitar for a strap fitting is that the struggle will likely mar the straps one doesn't like, and I don't think the stores will appreciate the damage to their inventory. I paid $39.00 (U.S.) each for three Godin padded leather straps for my acoustic guitars. The two that have input jacks were both problematic to fit, and I'll likely cast another plug to solve the problem with the second guitar with an input jack. For me at least a quicker and safer solution. RBSinTo

LMW28IF, I had a similar problem with my j45. It originally had a pick-up which was removed except for the input jack. Straps would never properly fit over the flange on the jack and would invariably slip off. I solved the problem by molding a mushroom-shaped plug from five-minute epoxy that pressure fits into the jack and keeps the strap in place. For those who are less handy, I understand StewMac sells a similar jack plug. This of course assumes that you don't play the guitar with an amplifier, which I don't. Hope this helps. RBSinTo

Docr, I believe "fora" is correct, but not used as much as "forums". Still not clear on what the "flubber" is. I understand it to be an additional flexible, transparent layer that is applied over the "hard" guard and protects the engraved/etched/molded designs on it. Is that correct? Then perhaps you can explain why there are designs on a pickguard in the first place. RBSinTo

Docr, Never owned a guitar with a flubber pickguard. However, three years ago the pickguard on my then 43 year old D-28 curled, and was replaced by excellent Luthiers here in Toronto. I never, even for a moment considered trying to make the repair or replacement myself. No problems with its guard before or since. My j45 is 19 years old and its guard shows no signs of lifting. Just lucky I guess. RBSinTo

This discussion reminds me of the very serious talks we had as teens when we spent time listening over and over to "Louie, Louie" trying to tell if they said "****" in the lyrics. Silly and a waste of time, in retrospect. So I am just curious why it is so important to "prove" that Lennon used a Gibson rather than a Martin in a particular song? Please enlighten me. RBSinTo

Hall, By way of full disclosure I had no idea what you were talking about until I did some research, and found out what a "flubber" is. I think you should speak directly with Gibson, to find out what material a flubber is made from, and what adhesive they recommend for re-gluing it . Failing that, try a reputable Luthier, rather than looking for what may not be good solutions here. RBSinTo

You already know the answer. The correct thing to do is to either tear it up and discard it, or return it to Gibson so it can be mated to the guitar it belongs to. Any other choices will just lead to mischief. RSinTo

What's a COA? Too many people on this site use jargon when they post. COA? Collection Of Aardvarks? CME? Could Mystify Everyone! At least I know what LOL means. RBSinTo