Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

powerwagonjohn

All Access
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    270

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Posts posted by powerwagonjohn

    1999 Gibson L-4 CES, Laminate Maple Back?

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted · Edited by powerwagonjohn

     Just to confuse the issue there were a few new style {reissue} L-4 CES guitars produced with fully carved back and sides that were quite expensive and very limited production.  And some with unique finishes like white sparkle and extravagantly engraved hardware. 

     Thanks John

    1999 Gibson L-4 CES, Laminate Maple Back?

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted · Edited by powerwagonjohn

     There were various styles of L-4 guitars over the many years they were built. The new versions were built with laminated backs and sides of maple ply as were the ES-175's of the period. Then then they were built of laminated  mahogany again like the ES-175. Finally they were built of all carved mahogany back and sides in the last iterations.  All of the models I know of had carved spruce tops. I have a 1952 carved top and laminated maple back and sides L-4 and a all carved mahogany back and sides 2009 L-4 CES .  I have played the laminated maple and laminated mahogany L-4 CES and their companion ES-175's. They are all different in tone but none are better the others. I remember reading that the new crew at Nashville were trained in on carving the L-4CES guitar tops before L-5 and S-400 guitars were put in to production.

     Thanks John

    Unfinished Fretboard Heel on Gibson L-4

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted

     I think he is referring to the area under fretboard extension and yes this is unfinished on most archtop models with a raised fretboard.  I doubt they can buff it out with their buffing polishing methods. I will bet some higher end archtop makers have a way to finish and polish this area but it has never bothered me any more than over scraping the binding in areas. Enjoy your L-4 it's a great guitar, I sure like mine.

     Thanks john

    Non-Gibson varitones

    in Gibson ES

    Posted · Edited by powerwagonjohn

     I would be interested in the replies. I have a ES 345 and besides position 1 I like 3 and 4 the best. I find it very useful especially in a studio/recording session. the older ES 355 usually had it but a lot of the newer reissues don't. The varitone is one of the reasons I bought my 2009 ES 345, that and the playability/tone. And don't even get me started on the stereo feature.

     Thanks john

    NGD - 1958 ES-225T

    in Vintage Corner

    Posted

     Sounds like you found yourself a very nice guitar and are enjoying it. I have a 1956 ES225T, one year older than me, and I enjoy it very much so I know from where you speak. They are unique guitars and I think the tailpiece is part of the reason. Have fun.  Thanks John

    Vibramate on 335 Custom

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted

     I had a similar problem with my ES-335 and my ES-345. The correct Vibramate was off about 3/16 of an inch. I didn't want to use an extra bottom plate so I marked, re-drilled and tapped the top mounting holes in the Vibramate. Now it fits perfect. The Vibramate also gave me a better break angle over the bridge and makes the roller bridge unnecessary. I hope this helps and thanks John

    MHS Humbuckers

    in Gibson ES

    Posted

    There was a lot of variation in the original PAF humbuckers so saying any one pick up is closer to a PAF comes down to which individual PAF pick up your talking about. As long as you like them is what counts.

    Thanks John

    MHS Humbuckers

    in Gibson ES

    Posted

    I have a pair of Duncan Seth Lovers in a Guild Starfire VI and a Les Paul and I really like the clear open tone I get from them. I also have Gibson 57 classics in my ES-345 and L-4CES and they do drive my amps a bit more than the Seth Lovers. I have been wanting to try Duncan Pearly Gates for more drive but I am very happy with what I have so no change is foreseen.

    Thanks John

    • Upvote 1

    ES-125 Tailpiece

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted

    I have bought various items from Jim and sometimes he is the only place to have what you need. He usually has case handles and mounting hdwr. but didn't have a hinge I needed and I still have not found one 5 years later.My ES-225 is a real nice guitar but what good is a guitar you can't play. I thought about having a new one made too but a couple holes in the replacement piece will work great. I would think a tech. could install a removable plug so you could use a 3rd screw or even a screw in strap pin to retain the tail piece.

    Thanks and good luck. John

    ES-125 Tailpiece

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted

    Thanks for pointing this tail piece out as I recently opened the case for my ES-225 and found the tailpiece cracked at the base. I ordered this tailpiece in nickel and with a couple holes drilled into the bottom plate I can make a replacement mounting plate and put the cracked piece in the case. I figure even if I get it repaired it will still look repaired but the replacement will look and work fine. I can play the guitar while looking into fixing the end plate or just leave it for the next owner. It's not like the ES-225 tail piece is easy to find or cheep. Unless someone here has a spare laying around.

    Thanks again. John

    Humidifying Semi-Hollow Guitars

    in Gibson Custom

    Posted

    I humidify all my solid wood guitars and my laminated guitars. I have several older laminated guitars [56 ES225, 72 Guild Starfire] That have cracks in outer layer of the laminated wood so I humidify them also. The only ones I don't humidify are my solid bodies. I try to keep the whole house humidified up here in the MN winters, esp. with wood heat.

    Thanks John

×
×
  • Create New...