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retrorod

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Posts posted by retrorod

    Is this a 1958 Les Paul Special?

    in Vintage Corner

    Posted

    Boy 'ol Tommy could never leave them alone huh? Obviously he was not a fan of Kluson tuners as just about every Gibson we've seen from this collection has Grovers. Crazy putting another jack in the back of the control box plate. OK so you want stereo, but having another chord stick out from there doesn't seem like it would work well for actually playing the guitar (sort of poke you in the thigh). But you've mentioned the original owner of these didn't actually play -just collect and modify.

     

     

    Good point...!!!!

    It seems to me that 75% of 60's Gibson electrics were "Groverised" back in the day! It was one hell of a marketing campaign that Grover had "back in the day".....almost "urban legend".......that you HAD to have Grovers to stay in tune.

    Thinking back......Poor nut slotting was most likely the "real issue"...caused by stoned do-it-yourselfers....[crying]

    Your Thought on Refinishing

    in Gibson Acoustic

    Posted

    In my useless and rarely sought opinion that one is not a candidate for a re-finsh. It looks to me like it is just starting look right. As a matter of fact if it were mine, being a '70's, I would be selective about which braces I tightened up, or put back. With a grin-

     

    A large part of my opinion agrees with alias on this. I don,t feel that this guitar is of vintage/collector status anyway. I could go either way on the J-40. To me, it does not look worthy of too much cosmetic 'fussing'. The flaking finish on the sides and neck looks like a candidate for an overspray to stabilise. The top and back look pretty good.

    It would not be a crime to me if you wished to strip and finish the whole thing. I don,t think that is where I would put my energy and time however......MAYBE if I wanted to practice some skills.

     

    A poorly re-finished vintage guitar is always 'fair game' for a re-finish IMO

     

    Refinishing a vintage/collectable because its got some checking,scratches and dings makes no sense to me and would be a dissapointment

    '67 B-25 adj bridge FIX

    in Gibson Repair and Restoration

    Posted

    Thought I might add some more pics, as I have finished this repair and there is another topic of similar nature on the Acoustic Section.

     

    http://i1306.photobu...zps6486b5c0.jpg

     

    As you can see, this is a 'sizeable' bridge pad and looks to me to be a real chore to remove. After seeing that the ball ends of the strings were sinking into the pad pretty badly, I opted to make and glue-in a bridge pad overlay of maple(I forgot to get a picture) It was a small rectangle with beveled edges and thinner than the 1/8" bridge pad.

    The ball ends sit proud of this overlay now and I am not concerned with 'rip-out'.

    I don,t think that the overlay effected tone, as the guitar is rather heavily built anyway!

     

    The following are some pics of the replacement bridge and saddle....

     

    IMG_1478_zps0ee8cbf7.jpgIMG_1457_zpsd11c31e7.jpg

    Anyone ever add an undersaddle pickup to a solid-top J160E?

    in Gibson Acoustic

    Posted

     

     

    The bottom line seems to be, Gibson offers reissues of both the original '54 version and an early-'60s version of the J-160E. You can buy whichever you like. What's the problem with that? If you don't want a "'54 reissue", you don't have to buy one.

     

    -- Bob R

     

     

     

    Yes Bob....thanks for the 'tutorial'...! Oh yes....and for 'stating the obvious'. Your comment seems to be directed at me? The OP is the one that bought one of these and is asking for advice on how to get the 'best' sound from it.

     

    I was simply trying to give him info!

    I don,t need any Left Coast attitude from a Gibson apologist..... let alone your consent on what I 'don,t have to buy'...!

     

    You can save THAT, for the Forum Members that may 'need' and 'appreciate it'

     

    Sorry! But your comment rubbed me wrong......and I mulled it over for a day!

     

    I am a huge Gibson Guitar fan, but don,t always agree with some of their 'production ideas' and marketing visions and I do vote with my dollars.

    You are a well-respected member of the Forum and 'most-likely' (by your responses and knowledge) close to the Gibson Corporate as a dealer or whatever?

     

    We all have our ideas and opinions about the various things 'Gibson'.

    Should I assume that you have never been dissapointed with a Gibson idea or product? Or choose not to 'voice it'?

    Anyone ever add an undersaddle pickup to a solid-top J160E?

    in Gibson Acoustic

    Posted

    I rather like that idea. Can you guide me to any schematics, etc., for doing that? As noted this was one of the first reissue J160E's so the jack is in the endpin.

     

    Hey PRW, as Old and Wiley suggests....Google will be your friend when undertaking projects as this.

    For starters here is a link to a blender pot from StewMac....

     

    http://www.stewmac.c...Blend_Pots.html

     

    StewMac carries most everything 'stringed instrument' related PLUS are very genorous with instructions, free tutorials, etc.

    Upon taking on a modification project like this, you really need to do your homework! There are scads of undersaddle transducers available as well as contact piezzos....some require a pre-amp to sound their best!

    That prompts me to ask what type of amplifier are you using with this guitar?

     

    On a 'related rant'..... WHY would Gibson put an end-pin jack and a P-100 in a re-issue J-160E??????

    Answer: It wasn't a........ "True Vintage....Historical re-issue"......that would set ya' back a 'nuther thousand.

     

    Being a solid top, is it ladder-braced also....or X-braced. It should sound out pretty good acoustically if it is X-braced.

    Hell, Just put a K&K mini in it and call it a day!

    http://www.kksound.com/products/puremini.php

    '67 B-25 adj bridge FIX

    in Gibson Repair and Restoration

    Posted

    Just an update on the B25....This what I am ending up with at this time....

    My linkhttp://i1306.photobu...zps308c84ac.jpg

     

    After removal of the bushings...

     

    My linkhttp://i1306.photobu...zps6713e51b.jpg

     

    A shot of the "aircraft carrier" landing deck size of a bridge plate that Gibson used at that time.....better than 1/8" thick also...Yikes!...

     

    My linkhttp://i1306.photobu...zpsa63abc66.jpg

     

    Could not resist a shot in the wonderfull North Carolina blue sky in February....She is like a naked lady ...ready to be saddled...

    OMG, I wax poetic....[scared]

     

    My linkhttp://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s573/retrorod53/IMG_1429_zps33e4953e.jpg

    '67 B-25 adj bridge FIX

    in Gibson Repair and Restoration

    Posted

    I have decided to scrap the idea of replacing the existing bridge and am having a replacement made with a bone saddle. My decision was made when removing the screws from the adjustable saddle, the bass side screw sheared at the bushing. I have wrestled the bridge off and will next remove the bushings and plug the holes.

    Anyone have any helpfull advice/tips on the easiest and safest way to remove the bushings?? I am assuming that they will remove from the top and have some ideas on the best way to do that.....but I always like to gather info first.

    I was hoping that Travis (Music Zoo Repairs) would weigh in also.

    Will try to get some pics of the progress up soon.

    Rod

    '67 B-25 adj bridge FIX

    in Gibson Repair and Restoration

    Posted

    I will definitely have another talk with the owner about doing that. It makes sense to me and would be one less step in the repair process.

    I think that when I finally remove the bridge I will be able to make the case for re-placing with a fixed saddle bridge.

    Everything else on the guitar is 'straight-up' and in very nice condition.

    I am trying to link another pic from the top-view

    Rod

     

    IMG_1408_zpscc1ef615.jpg[/img]IMG_1408_zpscc1ef615.jpg

    '67 B-25 adj bridge FIX

    in Gibson Repair and Restoration

    Posted

    Hey all! I have in for repair a late '60 Gibson B25.

    It has an adjustable saddle rosewood bridge that appears to be original. It looks 'oversize' to most Gibby bridges that I have seem. It has pulled up and developed cracks from the ends to the adj-post holes....pics to follow.

    My intention will be to remove the bridge and flatten and glue the lateral cracks and them' hot hideglue' it to the top.

    If I cannot make that work, then I will seek a re-placement.

    Any thoughts or suggestions?

    Rod

    IMG_1410_zps2a34a167.jpg

     

    IMG_1408_zpscc1ef615.jpg[/img]http//i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s573/retrorod53/IMG_1408_zpscc1ef615.jpg[/img]"]My link

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