Johnt
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Posts posted by Johnt
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This isn't a thread
It's a rope!
I'm out of here 😝
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Hey aussie
Hope you're happy
ROFLMAO!!!
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They were called the L-20 special' date=' but does not say so on the label. Here is the reissue version:
Some pics and history:
[img']http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u203/onewilyfool/L-20/L-20poster.jpg[/img]
GIBSON L20 HISTORY
Compiled by
Carl Darnell
In 1992 Eldon Whitford visited Gibson at Bozeman Mt. to tour the factory and in conversation suggested they build a guitar based on the Nick Lucas Special with 12 frets to the body. Read Gibson’s Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars for Eldon’s story about the L20. The factory had already started the L20 project a little fancier and somewhat different than Eldon’s idea.
The prototype L20 was built in the Custom Shop by Ren Ferguson and his crew and sent to the 1993 January NAMM guitar show. Ren said that the 12 fret to body did not sell well and only 20 or 30 of them were made. The rest of the L20’s are 14 fret to the body.
I have not been able to find out why the catalog lists them as L20 Special but the labels inside the 4 L20’s I have found say L20.
The L20’s were built in 1993 and discontinued in early 1994. As far as can be determined the production totals are as follows:
1993 1994
72 Antique Natural 3 Antique Natural
5 Vintage Sunburst 3 Vintage Sunburst
24 Koa International Special 6 Koa International Special
Bill Gonder said that 2 or 3 L20’s were built of Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. The remainder were Indian Rosewood and Koa. The Koa L20’s were built by special order for the Asian market.
I know of :
4 - L20 Antique Natural 12 fret Indian Rosewood
1 - L20 Vintage Sunburst 12 fret Koa
1 - L20 Antique Natural 12 fret Koa
My L20 is an Antique Natural Indian Rosewood and was signed on the inside of the top by James Wright on 3/9/93. At that time he worked in production and later worked in the Custom Shop.
The dimensions of the L20 are;
Body length--19-1/8” Depth at neck--4-1/4” Upper bout width--10-1/8” Waist--8-3/8”
Lower bout width--14-3/4” Depth at end pin--4-3/4” Sound hole--4” Scale--24-3/4 Weight--5 pounds
The above information was collected from Walter Carter, Bill Gonder, Ren Ferguson, Stan Werbin and Eldon Whitford. I want to thank them for all the help they gave in finding out more about my L20 which I have named Marcie. It is a beautiful name for a beautiful guitar with a beautiful voice as well.
Follow up email:
Acutally Walter Carter gave me the production data and both Ren and Bill told me that not more than 20 to 30 L20 were 12 fret. The Koa's were sent overseas and some came back or were never sent. Gibson don't always know what they have made or when. They are always making one off guitars in the Custom shop and selling them through their Gibson Gold dealer program. Both Ren and Bill said they discontinued the L20 for the centennial model in 1994. I suspect it would have been discontinued anyway because of slow sales. As much as I like the tone of the L20 is is overweight and low on volume. If Gibson would have built them light, which is not what they do, it would have been a killer guitar and sold well. It does have very good sustain and vibrates freely. I suspect they quit making the 12 fret and sent most of the rest of the produdction overseas. Stan Werbin said some of them had wolf tones so they may have gotten bad PR from that. There may only be 50 or so L20's in the States.
OWF
sometimes I HATE you!!!!
have just virtually decided to lash out on a J200 and you post these pics!
What a great box
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I find it very interesting that the Songwriter comes with a BONE' date=' TUSQ saddle and PLASTIC bridge pins. I think this is exactly the right priority and I've not seen that in other builders.
My Larrivee L05 came with ebony bridge pins with abalone inlays, a bone saddle, tusq nut and really cheesy Ping tuners. I've since changed out the tuners, but the upgrade to a bone nut is a much bigger deal than a saddle.
With the Songwriter, I'm going to buy a compensated bone nut and bone with abalone inlaid bridge pins from Bob Colosi. Because the guitar already has a bone nut I will have a complete bone system with little effort. I think it is an excellent choice Gibson has given the customer; upgrade the saddle and pins but the nut will ALWAYS be bone. Excellent!
I just completed my first recording with the Songwriter:
Here's the cover of my next CD:
Hi again Drathbun,
I think we have all been here, as you indicate Bob Colosi figures in many threads.
Rearding the plastic pins, Guitarstrummer posted an interesting retort from Bozeman to the effect that they sent guitars out with plastic pins to save customers money as you indicate!
This on the basis that so many peeps changed pins that for them to use the cheapest meant that customers were not throwing out narwhal tusk pins (fitted elsewheare as standard) because they fancied replacement Siberian Sabre toothed tiger teeth pins.
You catch my drift I think.
The only problem with all this is access to replacement pins. IF there were a "standard size" for my 2004 SWD 12 I could just go to Bobs website choose what I needed and he'd send them to me.
But there isn't a standard size and to date I can't be assed to take one pin from the guitar, send it to Bob who can then send me 14 (2 spare) to fit.
One day I will make time!
In the meantime your point is well made!
BTW recognise the scratchplate on your album cover....nice one!
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The best for last' date=' [u']Gibson's Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars[/u], Whitford, Vinopal, Erlewine, Miller Freeman pub., 206 ppgs. Best $7.00 I ever spent, and wish now I had bought the other dozen or so copies on the cut-out table! It is now regrettably out of print, and the ones I've seen offered used are expensive. A second edition has been in the offing for a year or so, not available yet. This is a nice discussion of the acoustic Gibbie lineup over the years, with fine pics. What a great book.
Maybe you know of some particularly interesting or useful books to recommend?
From your description I really fancied getting a copy, nipped on to Amazon.c.uk and they only want £86 which I think is sometning like $125!!
So it won't be coming yet LOL
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NIce thread dude
Thanks for starting it looking forward to seeing what comes out.
Will give it some thought
Br
John
Kris Kristofferson SJ
in Gibson Acoustic
Posted
Yes
Thanks for remembering ‘Burst.
moved to France now and culled the herd substantially so NCD at the moment.
if I found one in a Paris I’d be there but not keen on paying transport costs and exchange rates
but I do appreciate your message
thanks and all best