Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

pippy

All Access
  • Posts

    13,346
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    71

Everything posted by pippy

  1. Much as I dislike to disagree with Gibson IMO that serial number and, specifically, the typeface used matches with a 1993 Les Paul '1960 Classic' yet it also seems to have a Custom Shop waterslide at the rear of the peghead / neck interface but AFAIK the CS 1960 Classics were only introduced in 1996?... Beats me! Have a read through this little lot; https://www.lespaulforum.com/finalframes/frameset.htm If you are really keen to understand exactly what you have I'd suggest sending this chap an enquiry - he's one of the most learned folks on the planet as far as Les Pauls are concerned; MikeSlub@aol.com Pip.
  2. Curious. The Les Paul Classic and the Les Paul '59 reissue do not use the same system for serial numbers. If the serial number is in the form 3 XXXX it is almost certainly a 1993 Les Paul '1960 Classic'. If the serial number is in the form 9 3XXX it is quite likely to be a 1993 '59 reissue. Tom Murphy is a well-known figure in Gibson circles and he did, indeed, paint the first batch of R9s in 1993 (first year of production - I happen to own the 131st. one made but he didn't paint mine!). A couple of things worry me slightly; first-off the 'Les Paul MODEL' typeface' is more like the Classic than the reissue (different font and spacing) and I've never heard of a Classic being given the Tom Murphy treatment (his services cost rather a lot). Secondly I've never heard of a Yamano (Very famous Tokyo Gibson dealer) run of 1960 Classics. Thirdly the guitar has a short neck tenon which doesn't fit-in with it being a 'regular' reissue but it does tie-in with a Classic. Could you please post a snap of the serial number & have a look in the control cavity for an 'R9' stamp? Pip.
  3. I'm not quite sure exactly what the highlighted text is talking about. The headlights are seen clearest as soon as the shutter opened because the body of the car was silhouetted against the blackness of the tarmac just as if it would have been in a freeze frame. Afterwards the car was passing through the already exposed area (caused by the lights) and becase the car is obviously a lot darker than the headlight-trails it becomes, in a manner of speaking, invisible. Or have I misunderstood the point being made? Pip.
  4. My first thought also went to internal reflection inversal - I've seen it often enough myself - but looking at the lines really magnified I'm now rather doubtful; For one thing the subject causing the ghost-invresion(s) would normally also be seen on the image 180 degrees rotated around the central point and this isn't the case here. The closely matched pair of images belonging to the lights lower down clearly suggest some movement and as the camera must have been tripod-mounted (or very securely braced against movement) we can discount camera-shake. I would suspect something moving (relatively slowly in comparison to the traffic) if it were not for the fact that the topmost pair of streaks are not parallel to one another. Could you please post the other images which show the green ghosts? Pip.
  5. Here's the article which I read a few years back; https://fortune.com/2014/06/25/dangelico-guitars/ I particularly liked these bits; "Authenticity is key for the company, especially for their USA-made higher end models, and......For their high-end line, the company even goes so far as to craft the guitars from the same California trees that provided the wood for D’Angelico’s instruments..." "On average, four luthiers work on each high-end D’Angelico guitar before it is ready to be shipped out and into the hands of an eager aficionado. Like with most artisanal processes, making a guitar by hand is not quick. “From raw wood, it takes 18 months to two years to make a guitar,”..." Pip. EDIT : The USA-crafted D'Angelico's I had seen listed were all used hence it seems I was quoting the asking price for s/h 'regular USA' and not 'Master Builder' stuff. Here's a quote from a period article from when the brand was reintroduced; "D’Angelico’s Korean-made Standard Series......starts at around $1,300. The company’s Pro Series, manufactured in Kalamazoo, Mich., starts at around $4,000 and its USA Master Builder line runs $10,000-$12,000...." Apparently one early-doors customer was Eric Clapton who requested a D'Angelico 'Style B' to take with him when he was touring; https://www.andertons.co.uk/dangelico-excel-style-b-in-black-daestybsbkgt?lgw_code=16284-DAESTYBSBKGT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8bsBRC6ARIsAEyNnvoqwxaB6BPwgG7abyjErpSH0V8-T_nIC2qJuXxKJU4mZUX4Tu9nQ6waAoQKEALw_wcB I must admit I was looking at those a while back, too......
  6. I know exactly what you mean because my Excel is an earlier one with the ebony 'board and bridge. There were some other differences too with the newer ones. Can't really remember all the changes offhand (and I'm in the Cotswolds at the moment so can't really compare things) but mine has a Kent Armstrong floating p'up which I believe has been changed for the current specification. I cannot be 100% certain about what I'm about to type but I think that there was a management driven sea-change regarding how the D'A range was going to be built and marketed. When I bought mine there were two ranges; the ones like the more expensive ones available nowadays and a much more expensive range which were crafted in the USA. Not long after I bought mine the whole lot disappeared off the radar and I thought they must have gone bust. Lo and behold a year or so later they reappeared but by this time there was an even cheaper range which now cost half the price of what had been the previous lower-priced models and what had been the lower-price range were still on offer but had received slightly different specifications at the same price-point. I'm not sure if the USA-line still exists but from memory they were about 50% - 75% more expensive than what are now the 'Permium-Priced' instruments. As far as the SD's go; Yes. As you will have probably read elsewhere sometime before I have a matched set of his very highly-regarded 'Antiquities' PAF-clones in my 1995 '1960 Classic' and whilst they do sound good they also take quite a lot of dialling-in to get into their sweet-spot compared with, say, '57 Classics which are much more straightforward. Pip.
  7. What don't you fancy about the SD p'ups, m-e? I haven't heard many folks say his kit is below par somehow. By a funny coincidence a while back, after having seen and read a little bit about the Scott Chinery 'Blue Guitar' exhibition, I had a notion that it might be a bit of fun to have a blue arch-top Jazz-Box and came across two D'Angelico's (although only one of which is a Jazzer) which I thought looked very smart indeed. I didn't see the Chameleon finish Deluxe with gold hardware but one of the ones I liked is quite similar (although I'd go for the one with the 'Stairstep' tailpiece); https://www.thomann.de/gb/dangelico_premier_dc_oc_stopbar.htm ...and this is the one I was looking at first and still like very much; https://www.thomann.de/gb/dangelico_premier_exl_1_ocean_turquoise.htm I already have a natural finish D'Angelico Excel and it really is a great-playing instrument. The price differences between the similar instruments in different finises, AFAICT, i.e. those for around £711.13 (799 Euros) and the ones around the 1,600 Euro mark are that the former are finished in solid colour - so any lump of wood will do - and the latter have either clear-coat or translucent finishes which require far more attractive tops/back/sides - typically highly flamed maple. Secondly the more expensive instruments come with a HSC and the others come with a gig-bag. The EXL-1 is a LOT of guitar for the money! Pip.
  8. Hey! I tried that and what's more I succeeded! OK!! Let's have at that bloody guitar one more time!!! Pip. EDIT : Ah, Bugger It. I was right the first time after all.
  9. It's (almost) unbelievable how skilled they must be! Just try - for a laugh - to fingerpick one melody with your left hand but finger a second melody with your right hand. It's like the left hand being asked to fingerpick 'Can't Find My Way Home' but the right hand being asked to fret the notes to 'Presence of the Lord'. And that's without trying to play two-to-a-guitar... I can't even start to attempt that challenge. Absolutely astonishing! Pip.
  10. Hi Twang! Thanks very much for taking the time and making the effort to reply to all points raised in my earlier post. It all makes perfect sense, of course! Cheers again! Pip.
  11. I have never heard of a brand called Jibson (not saying there isn't one, though!) but they do have a company which manufactures guitars called 'Givson'. Contrary to what might be expected they don't try to fake Les Pauls etc. but, to a very large extent, create their own models. Saints perserve me for admitting this in public but I actually rather like the look of their 'Crown Super Special' f-hole archtop cutaway acoustic...... Absolutely no idea as to what the quality is like. Pip.
  12. Ah! Of course! Being a Navy Man you would probably prefer Grog? Or Rum? It's not the 'Done Thing' to sup alcoholic beverages before the "sun sinks below the yard-arm" as a rule but, fortuitously for your impending visit, the sun will never have arisen so high above the horizon as to get above the yard-arm in the first place therefore, to quote the famous chanson; "There'll Be A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight!" Lucky You!!! Just as soon as you get out of those wet clothes...... Pip.
  13. Apart from having owned a few I can't even remotely claim to know anything comprehensive about Epi guitars but my first thought would be are you 100% sure that the (bolt-on) neck comes from that guitar body? Because I have a few doubts; foremost amongst them being the absolutely shocking 'fit' (for want of a better word) seen in your first snap. Do you have anything else to show us? Like a serial number perhaps? Small request, I know, but serial numbers are sometimes surprisingly informative. Looking forward to the update! Pip.
  14. Hang on, Rabs! Hang on! There was one July 23rd a few years ago when it was dry in Edinburgh. Relatively speaking. Perhaps it was not dry in Glasgow on that day, it has to be said, but as the Glaswegians actually prefer it to be damp, cold and miserable (they find it suits their temperament perfectly) then that doesn't really matter. Seriously, though; bring some warm togs (don't forget the Mackintosh), a Thermos Flask (for the Hot Toddy*) and you'll be fine, Navy Vet! London in the drizzle is quite a lovely place to be. Honestly!No-no-no! Really! If, looking for the positives in this prospective scenario, the drizzle becomes annoyingly persistent then there is always a hostelry close at hand where you can, at least, start to dry out whilst sampling some of the finest (warm-ish) beers to be found! Best to think of it as a 'Win-Win' outcome! Pip. *A warming, revivifying draught of whisky, some piping-hot water (don't go crazy here), whisky, honey, whisky, a slice/squeeze of lemon juice/zest and a just finger (or two) of whisky. Known to cure all ills. And, admittedly, to cause a few...... Pip.
  15. Hi Navy Vet! First the bad news. Unfortunately January can be the worst month weather-wise in the UK. Here's a chart plotting average temperature and rainfall for London; The good news is that the reality doesn't seem to be as bad as the statistics suggest! Perhaps most of the rainfall occurs during the night-time(?) but although it almost certainly won't be very warm it usually isn't too rainy. Somehow?... Anyway; even if it IS a bit wet having a good old 'brolly keeps most of the rain off one's person. One other bit of good news is that at that time of the year you probably won't have to join the queue of 200 Japanese tourists waiting their turn to photograph each other walking across the pedestrian crossing pictured on the cover of the Abbey Road album... If you are planning to visit the Royal Observatory in Greenwich then you will be just up the hill from the National Maritime Museum. When you are there it would be an utter crime not to visit the 'Cutty Sark' which is the last remaining tea-clipper on Earth. It's been in dry dock since the late '50s and has just benefitted from a thouroughly revamped installation. Highly recommended. Both the Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark are part of the Royal Museums in Greenwich. Continuing with the seafaring theme if you are interested in the historical side of things Naval then the Historic Dockyard at Chatham is well worth a visit. It's a wee bit outside London itself (35 miles to the east) but can be reached using public transport. One other visit I can heartily recommend would be to see the recreation of Sir Francis Drake's Elizabethan-era warship 'The Golden Hinde' which is pretty much in Central London on the south bank of the Thames. If available I'd strongly recommend visiting when tour-guides are offering their services! They really bring the story of life aboard such a small craft, under such a strict Captain as Drake, during such extraordinary times to life in a terrific way. If there is any aspect of your trip over here that you would like to enquire about please feel free to send me a PM and I'll help as much as possible. In the (Greenwich) meantime here are a few links. The first has links to both the Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark; https://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum https://thedockyard.co.uk/ https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk/ Pip.
  16. That was quite extraordinary! Playing on the same instrument was impressive enough but when they swapped-over to he plucking her notes and she plucking his notes!......Wow!!! Thanks for posting, G Mac. That's put a big smile on my face this morning! Pip.
  17. Thanks very much, the pair of you, for posting links and for taking the time to reply. The history of Maxwell Street is a subject in itself. Fascinating stuff. So as I understand it many types of meat could be use including beef, pork, lamb and venison(!) for the Chicago Dog but obviously the Beef one would have had the lion's share of the market amongst those who adhered to Judaism. Makes perfect sense. I'm still confused about the kosher pickle, though... I didn't know that Boston was considered more Irish than Chicago, deeman. Interesting. Here in the UK we are often told that Boston is one of the places which is 'most like England' in the USA and every year we see images of the Chicago River turned green on St. Patrick's Day alongside lengthy footage of the associated procession so please excuse my confusion. Cheers, guys! Pip.
  18. Hi mihcmac. I've just done the same search! Thanks again! Pip.
  19. I could be wrong, mihcmac, but Ithink you'll find that they are Spanish-built post-war 109s equipped with Hispanio-Suiza engines. I don't have my reference stuff to hand but I don't believe any 109s survived the '39-'45 conflict. Yes; nice video, Ian, but a bit long to watch in one go for me. I'll watch it in bite-sized chunks! Thanks for the post. Pip. EDIT : Google was my friend!... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano_Aviación_HA-1112 And yes, indeed, a great many of the completed aircraft were made using Merlin engines in place of the H-S powerplant so I've learned something new today. Apologies for doubting your word, mihcmac, and thanks very much for prompting my on-line search; it was an eye-opener! Interestingly, pictured in the Wiki entry, there is a privately-owned example which has been fitted with the 'correct' inverted liquid-cooled V-12 Daimler-Benz 605. Nice! Pip.
  20. OK; I know this is going to sound terribly naiive of me, Twang Gang, and apologies in advance if I'm asking what appear to be dumb questions but is the Chicago-Dog styled as it is due to a large Jewish population who emigrated into the Chicago area from continental Europe sometime in the 18th / 19th centuries? Please pardon my complete ignorance in these matters but although I can see how an all-beef 'Dog' could easily be kosher (pork, obviously, is out!) how does a kosher dill pickle differ from any other dill pickle? The herbs? The spices? The method of pickling? I'm very curious! One of my 'longest-serving' and closest friends - we met as flatmates at uni 35 years ago - is Jewish and, as far as our respective family and work schedules will allow, we still meet up every few weeks for a chinwag. We have had loads of fun over the years together discussing and devouring table-fare (preparing a kosher "Burns' Supper" is always a particular highlight) but I've never heard him mention that Chicago was a hot-bed of the Jewish people. Irish in Chicago, it goes without saying, but Jewish is new to me! Please enlighten me! Pip.
  21. 45 kilograms drained net weight. Hey; I'm Scottish. Seemed like a reasonable deal... Pip.
  22. On the subject of Dogs (again); Hereabouts it's surprisingly difficult to get really good Frankfurters. Delicatessens apart pretty much everywhere has the same brand in stock - Herta - as well as (occasionally) their own in-store brand. Herta are OK so it's hardly a disaster and what we usually do with them is wrap them in puff pastry to turn them into a frankfurter-based sausage-roll. Great for our daughter's school lunch box and perfect, when sliced into 2" sections, for snacking on when her friends come around our place. Here's what we get over in UK-land; Pip.
  23. Ola! and welcome to the forum. Looking forward to your updates and pics of your Gibson when you have time! Pip.
  24. Just had lunch. Avocado featured on the plate twice; once "nature" and the second time as a guacamole dip. Pip.
  25. I've never heard a bad word spoken about Lollar Imperials. In fact I've never heard a bad word about any of Mr. Lollar's products. Quite the reverse in fact. His pickups are always highly praised. If the OP is considering non-Gibson sourced p'ups (and I'm guessing they might be) my own second choice from personal experience (after 57 Classics) would probably be SD Antiquities (a matched pair which I happen to have, coincidentally, in a '95 Les Paul '1960 Classic') but I admit my experience regarding newer-era boutique p'ups is Absolutely Zero. The Antiquities aren't 'extrovert' by their very nature but IMO they are closer to what my experience has been of the genuine and original PAF equipped guitars which I've played than almost anything else..........apart from '57 Classics. Pip.
×
×
  • Create New...