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jheath

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Everything posted by jheath

  1. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad its survived and it likely does sound good. But the terrible bridge (with metal screws in it!), the horrible job sanding it down, the mismatched tuner buttons, and yes, the fact that someone is still trying to get $8k USD for that is troubling. Some of these things could be corrected by a capable repair person and you could have a good looking, good functioning, refinished Banner.
  2. I have been a big fan of Gibson acoustic guitars for as long as I've been playing - currently have two vintage Gibsons and have had lots of modern versions as well (Hummingbird, J35, J45TV, WM45, etc). I gravitate more to vintage guitars these days and stay on the hunt always for "The One" which will likely be an original Banner J-45. I had a quick browse on reverb today and came upon this poor old solider and just felt the need to share what seems like a tragedy to me - poor, poor old banner - https://reverb.com/ca/item/79636521-1943-gibson-j-45-banner-logo-with-spruce-top-maple-neck
  3. I actually just bought one of these at that price, shipped free in the continental US. I have been looking for a pre owned Calton for a while without success and now with a new one from Calton being $1750, I put this in my cart and finalized the transaction wondering whether it would fulfil. Picking it up at the package holding spot on Thursday. It is an exorbitant amount of $$$ for a case but I have 3 slope shoulder dreads including a vintage J-45 that I like to haul around to buddies places, to play with my band or take to the cottage (but not all at once). Plus I suspect it will look pretty great on the case rack when not in use!
  4. Kevin Kopp did. He worked in the Bozeman shop, specifically a long stretch running the custom shop. I haven't had a chance to play any of his guitars but look forward to being able to some day.
  5. Sounds like it's in some good company there. I gravitate to vintage guitars and / or new guitars that replicate old ones. My F-20 keeps company with my '48 J-45, my '57 D-18 and a bunch of new stuff. Certainly don't need another one but sure would like one of those Kalamazoo Gals SJ's.
  6. I haven't seen a Kopp around for a while, but there's a used Fairbanks F-35 for sale on the AGF - no affiliation with the seller. I know you wanted a Kopp, but I will say that Fairbanks guitars are exceptionally good if you're interested in something similar.
  7. This might be a bit of a lark, but I would REALLY like to get my hands on a Fairbanks Kalamazoo Gal Southern Jumbo. If anyone has one, knows someone that has one or has seen one recently for sale / in a shop, etc., I would love if you could reach out and pass along the details. I have spoken to Dale about making me one, which he is happy to do, but would be really cool to get one of the original run. I also messaged John Thomas to see if he had an eye on one anywhere. I have recently added a Fairbanks F-20 (based on a '33 14 fret L-00) and it is a superb guitar and without a doubt the best new guitar I've owned, so thinking the SJ would make a great addition.
  8. I have nothing to add here except "WOW". I have a '48 and it is favourite guitar out of the rotating cast of 10 or 12 around here. But a Banner J-45 would be a bucket list guitar for me for sure. Extra special for you with the family history. Congratulations, enjoy!
  9. Hey Gang. I'm picking up a very special L-00 based boutique build today and am SUPER excited. I played it at the shop yesterday and am over the moon with the way it turned out. I will send pics and details once I have it, but something has been bugging me since I went to check it out yesterday. I'll be honest, I didn't spec anything specific, but the guitar is being provided with a pretty basic TKL case. I don't like the way it fits in the case and given that this is one of the more expensive instruments I will have / own, I would like something a little better for a case. Since the L-00 size is not quite off the rack 00 sized, does anyone have any specific recommendations for a case? I'd love a Calton or something of that ilk, but that'll be a bit far out of budget at a current price of $1500 US. I won't be gigging this guitar and it won't be transported very regularly, I would just like something nice and protective as this is a pretty special guitar. One option I had seen elsewhere was a Hiscox classical size case and that is interesting to me. I've heard good things about them.
  10. jheath

    ES 335 Newbie

    Hey all, hope you don't mind newb questions. I have a lot of experience with Gibson acoustics, both Montana models and older stuff, currently have a modern J-100 and a '48 J45. I don't play much electric, once every couple of weeks but have really always wanted an ES-335. My only current electric is a modern US Tele. I've played a couple ES models but I honestly have no idea what to look for, what years are good / bad, etc. or anything to stay away from. I play mostly rhythm with my 5 piece band when I do, no effects or anything, straight into a 50w tube combo. So in short, what would you recommend for an acoustic player that only plays electric occasionally and doesn't want to spend a fortune but does want a domestically made ES? There are a few available for resale around me, what appear to be Memphis built recent examples for about 70% of the cost of a brand new one, 10 years old kind of thing but in great shape. Safe bet?
  11. This is exactly where my lust lies - old, dry, punchy, battle scars and all (real ones, not ones put on on purpose). The lust continues....
  12. I've seen most of those ones on Reverb and I know they're an option, most specifically the two at Dayton Vintage Guitars and Amps. I am curious as to why they're still around, although they appear to be at the top of the price bracket.
  13. I forgot about those Legends guitars - pretty rare but I'm sure are pretty close to the originals. I have played a couple 32's and a 33 in the last few months, all from a very reputable shop where they've been repaired / reset or setup as necessary and would have felt very confident based on the shop's reputation as well as work they've done for me that I was getting a good, stable guitar. But both of 32's were sold or on hold prior to me getting to them and the '33 was awaiting a reset. I'll keep an eye out for some of the newer versions and see if I can play a few.
  14. Thanks Zomby - I bet that L1 is a beast. I've played a couple of 32 and 33 L-00's and I just can't believe the sound that comes out of them given the size. They're just alive and focused and so responsive. Maybe it's just my relative want but the super old, dry wood sound is what I get from them (and my old J45) and that's what I'm looking for. Congrats on yours. I have no doubt the Fairbanks will be a wonderful guitar. I got a chance to play one before it sold and couldn't get it out of my head so requested Dale build another exactly the same. It's based on a '33 14 fret with Tuxedo finish. I'd imagine if I had it already, my current vintage lust wouldn't be peaking quite as much. I've played a WL-K but only really briefly and had a ladder braced WL14 for a short time. Probably would've kept it if it was X braced.
  15. Thanks Dave - I feel like if I bought one sight unseen I'd have to have an incredible amount of trust in the source. Having paid the bill on a reset / refret and other structural work on an old Gibson, I'd really need to feel confident that I was getting enough of a deal on it to absorb the costs if needed. Glad you're enjoying your newer ones, maybe I'll try a few out and see if it scratches the itch for now.
  16. Folks, I have a pretty serious problem with vintage L-00's. The problem is, I want one REALLY BAD and have missed a couple of beauties that were for sale recently and now I can't stop thinking about them. The other problem is, I ordered what will be arguably an INCREDIBLE boutique built replica from Dale Fairbanks a couple of months ago but it's still many months out. I live near Folkway Music in Canada and they get a lot of special stuff, including 2 twelve fret 32's that have been sold the minute they hit social media or their website. They've also become super expensive, so it might require selling a couple to actually be able to buy one, but the realities of this are not hampering my enthusiasm. Considering one of the store brands / off brands (Kalamazoo, etc.) but haven't found anything just yet. This is obviously not a REAL problem, as I have many beautiful acoustics, including a vintage J45, a J100 and Martins and other brands, so not hurting for playable boxes around here. Just thought I'd share, I'm sure many here find themselves in similar positions for other guitars. But an early 30's L-00 is my current fixation
  17. Hi Everyone - thanks so much for all of the opinions and info here. I did some digging around and have determined that the tuners I have on this guitar are mid / late 60's era 3 on a plate Klusons. They are "double line" single hole 3 on a plate Klusons and have a white plastic knob. There's really nothing wrong with how they function but may still try to get some period correct replacements. There some great info in this thread, thanks so much to all who responded.
  18. Thanks for the feedback. I swapped out the GAR tuners on my Martin CEO-7 for some Gotoh's. I had them on a Waterloo but only had the guitar for a short period of time, so might be worth another shot. Waverley's are expensive for sure, but I'd probably consider them if there was an option for the "plate" portion to be a little simpler or plainer "plate" portion - the gold / brass plate and gears are a little much.
  19. I've been playing my '48 J45 a lot lately and DAMN do I love this thing! There's a lot of non original bits to this thing but the 70+ year old wood makes my heart so happy - so not set on keeping it super original or even original looking, but don't want anything too out of period for it. On that note, it has some Kluson style 3 on a plate tuners with white buttons, which I don't believe are original but look reasonably period correct. But they don't work very well and are not in the greatest of shape. I'd like to upgrade to something else and am hoping someone might have some feedback or suggestions. Gotoh and Kluson both make replacements that look very similar, but have not got to looking at spacing / etc. I'm staying away from the StewMac Golden Age Restoration style options - I've had them on a couple of previous guitars and have been vey unimpressed.
  20. Hey Gang, hoping I can call upon the knowledge base here to get an idea of value for one of my Gibsons. I've tried the ebay / reverb tools but looking for a bit more real world info. I have a 1947 or 48 J-45. It was purchased several years ago from a very reputable vintage instrument dealer but was a bit of an anomaly at the time. It had a completely crack free body and sounded great, but had a weird / improper Martin style bridge fitted (which was lifting), non original tuners and pick guard and had been refinished and needed a neck reset. I bought it anyways and over a couple of years had extensive work performed on it. The neck was pulled and reset and got a full refret. A new bridge was fabricated along with a new bridge plate. The bridge was redone as a belly down style to try and occupy the same space as the Martin style bridge did on the guitar, and apparently some of the late 40's J45's actually had these fitted from the factory. A few loose braces were reglued and a couple of small cracks were repaired that were found once the neck was off. So a very original late 40's J45 body and neck with all the sound that goes with it but with lots of modern repairs, refinished with some other non original stuff. Nice chunky neck, sounds and plays great, and the refinished finish is in great shape with only a few nicks here and there. Am considering a sale to fund a couple more modern guitars. Any ideas on what this thing is worth?
  21. Thanks to everyone who responded with their insights and experiences. I ended up getting a pretty good deal on a Hiscox Pro II from a Canadian seller.
  22. Hey Gang. I'm a very sporadic poster around here but regularly come to poke around. I have a late 40's J-45 that has recently undergone some fairly extensive restoration / repair and am looking for a suitable case for it. I don't intend on hauling it around too much, very occasionally but want something that fits correctly. I got the guitar with a non original clapboard case that was basically falling apart. I have a fairly standard TKL that I've been using since, but it's standard dreadnought sized and doesn't fit the best. I am also in Canada but if the right thing exists in the US, I can have it shipped. I've been considering a Hiscox Pro II pretty seriously but again, not sure on fit. A Calton or anything of that nature is not in the budget and probably not warranted for something that will be in the house 99.9% of the time. Any suggestions? Is there a good source out there for Gibson branded cases?
  23. Hey! John from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada here. Haven't been on here in a while, but hopefully will be more in the future. Currently an acoustic only player, campfire session, late night marathoner and string breaker. Current guitars are a Larrivee D02, a Taylor Big Baby, and an early Sigma that my old man bought me for my 11th birthday (20 + years ago). Hopefully adding a 2013 J35 to that list by the end of tomorrow.
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