BigKahune

. Originally CSYRRRR. But now that both Nashville and Memphis are issuing CS numbers, the forumula is CSYXRRRR where CS is Custom Shop; . Y is the year of manufacture; . X is the location of the CS; . and RRRR is the production rank. . . . X=> . 0=Nashville . 5=Memphis Gibson is notoriously slow at update the info on their website. .

On a couple models. Others, like the 2015 below, have the traditional set up, as well as the SG Supra, Kirk Douglas SG, SG Deluxe, and SG Custom.

. The traditional way Gibson wires 3 pups is with a 3 way switch that gives the follow options: Neck pup in the rhythm position, Middle and Bridge pups together in the middle position, and Bridge pup in the lead (treble) position. Because of this, some players mod with a 5-way to get the Strat style selection options. The typical Strat 3 pup set has a 5-way toggle that gives 5 different combinations of the Bridge, Middle, and Neck pups. Which combinations are available depends on the wiring because there's 7 possible combinations - B only, M only, N only, B/M, N/M, B/N, amd B/M/N. Usually the available positions are B only, M only, N only, B/M, M/N. .

. Unusual model - good catch Cap. . Now I see the Axcess LP model# also ends in CF1. Wonder what the "9" is signifies? .

. Did you get your model number off the inspection sheet? . They're sometimes hard to read. I've never seen the numbers "25" in a model number before. Is the "2" perhaps a "Z" for zebra, and the "5" actually an "S"? . Not sure what the "9" would indicate. Here's an known example: LPTDSZSHCH1 = LP(Les Paul) TD(TraDitional) S(1960) Z(Zebra coil pups) SH(Satin Honeyburst) CH(Chrome Hardware) 1(legacy code indicating the guitar is not a second) Also, in my experience the last two letters of an LP model number always indicate the hardware type, ex. CH=Chrome Hardware, NH=Nickel Hardware, GH=Gold Hardware. These two letters are always followed by a "1". If you've got chrome hardware, I would expect those last three characters to be CH1. If there is a problem reading the model number, you can email Gibson at. service@gibson.com .with the serial number and ask them what the model number of your guitar is. .

. Thanks. The pic looks like the top is loaded with birdseye figuring. .

Double post.

. Sounds very nice. Email service@gibson.com with the serial, model#, an a pic or two (2mb limit), and ask what they have on record. .

Well, Memphis and Bozeman are both using 8 digit numbers. I'm not sure how they share them, but it's probably something like you've guessed. Starting in 1989 when the Bozeman acoustic plant opened, Bozeman and Nashville shared 8 digit numbers as I mentioned above: Bozeman (acoustic) guitars were ranked from 001-300 and Nashville (electric) guitars were ranked from 300-999. Then Memphis opened in 2000 adding another layer to the sharing of 8 digit serial numbers. In 2005, when the production from the three plants out paced the available serial numbers, Nashville went to 9 digit serials, causing only Bozeman and Memphis to share the 8 digit numbers. I would think that they are shared in a similar fashion as previously done by Bozeman and Nashville - in which case Memphis would have the higher rank numbers. So that 713 rank came from a starting point of 300 or higher (again, I'm not sure of exactly how the rank numbers are currently being shared between Bozeman and Memphis, and Gibson has been slow to share this info on their serial number web page - the 9 digit info just went up in the last couple years). .

. Okay. Despite popular belief, and the useless Guitar Dater site, the the serial doesn't always reflect the number of guitars finished during a particular day, it's actually the number of necks. The ES guitars are made in Memphis which issues Custom Shop serial numbers, historical RI serials, artist serials, and the standard 8 digit serials (YDDDYRRR) like you have. So, AFAIK, your guitar has the 713th neck stamped that day - with a number that high, probably one of the last ones that day. The necks are completed and stamped before being joined to the bodies, and it might take some days for a particular neck to join a body. BTW, Bozeman (acoustics) still use the 8 digit serials. Memphis/Custom (ES guitars) also still uses the 8 digit serials, as well as various other serial formats. Nashville USA (solid, weight relieved and chambered electrics) uses 9 digit serials, while the Nashville Custom Shop (custom solid bodies, historic reissues, carved top archtops, and finishing historic RI semihollows) issues various serial formats. .

A 2013 Gibson USA Les Paul should have a 9 digit number. . Is the guitar a Les Paul? . Which model? .

. What's the model and year of the guitar, or the whole serial? . There are some other exceptions to the standard serial formula, and that's why the model and year are important. Beginning 1989, acoustic guitars built at Bozeman (acoustics) were ranked from 001-300. Electric Guitars built at the Gibson USA plant in Nashville were ranked from 300-999. Prior to 1984, the numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. In July 2005 Gibson USA (Nashville) went to a 9 digit serial number and Bozeman (acoustics) kept the 8 digit serial number. If your guitar was made in a recent year - Gibson USA (Nashville) went to a 9 digit serial number in July 2005 to accommodate their increased production. The sixth number is a the batch number that starts at 0 at the beginning of the day, and when 699 is reached, the batch number changes to 1 and the rank count starts over, allowing the batching to rank/count over 1000 guitars per day. I'm not sure what the 713 would be - other than you might have an exception: For example, in 1994, the centennial year, the serial numbers begin with "94" for the year, and the remaining 6 digits indicate the ranking number in the entire year (YYRRRRRR) - so for example 94000713 would be the 713th guitar built in the centennial year (1994). .

. Welcome. Good to have another Gibson acoustic fan on board. So, what guitar/s do you own, and what's your favorite? . . B) .

. 1935 -

. Welcome. That's an issue I haven't seen posted here before, and there are several members with Songwriters. Just a couple comments for you. I've had several Rosewood/Spruce guitars and none have exhibited feedback at reasonable levels. Currently I've got an Gibby AJ and a Martin D-45 with Rosewood/Spruce and USTs - no such problem. I plug them into a guitar amp, not a PA. Also, the guitar's position relative to the amp/PA can make it more susceptible to feedback - not facing and not too close is the general rule of thumb. Some acoustic guitar amps have a notch/feedback filter circuit built in. Have you tried a soundhole feedback cover? And last, have you tried playing with a mic setup? If so, does it feedback at low levels with a mic? .

When we get a cold snap - and man, it's been cold here in MI - I put an Oasis in the case. I just lay it that area under the headstock or between the heel/body and the storage compartment as I'm mostly concerned about fret sprout. .

+1 .

Sorry to characterize it that way. . You do make some good points, but I don't think Gibson is going to change the design much - they do put out a carved top SG now and then. The solution is probably just as you have done - carefully picking out the SG that comes closest to what you're looking for. BTW, have you ever tried a Les Paul DC? Not sure it would be heavier on average than your 8 pound SG, but maybe. An interesting topic. Hoping to see more comments. . B) .

. I'm not sure, are you now happy with your SG? A lot of players buy a guitar and play it as is, others make it the way they like it with their own with mods. . The lightness of the SG was an intentional design component. If you want a heavier Gibson "solid-body", try the Les Paul - the Historic models offer solid bodies (and I think the 2013 Traditionals are solid too), while other Les Paul models are either weight-relieved or chambered. These days acoustical sustain isn't necessary. Sustain is a function of the amplification and effects path - with the right electronics path, pluck a string and it'll sustain as long as you want. Not sure what your neck angle complaint is about. Build quality is personal matter and there's a range of tolerance. My view is there are plenty of fine quality SGs available, but I would want to choose an instrument in person - hands on, eyes and ears at attention. Wading through your long list of complaints leads me to think you should have a guitar made the way you want it, if you can find a custom builder who could deliver your list of specs. Despite some design idiosyncrasies, the SG has been in continual production for more than 60 years, which indicates that it's offering something that plenty of guitar players find desirable. . B) .

. I agree with what's been commented above. You didn't mention the grade of your top, but Pippy addressed that. Additionally - often the underlying grain of the wood can be seen through the figuring, including knots and other grain markings. You have a great looking LP STD and you're saying it plays like a dream - that's the best of both sides of the coin. Congrats. . B) .

. It would have been nice if the photo included enough neck to show whether the guitar has a volute. Does the guitar have a volute? If not, it's not from the 70s. 76 should have a decal. Also, the 6 digits following the 00 prefix should be in the 100000 to 200000 range and you have 455664. AFAIK in 1977 Gibson did some decals then eventually went to stamping the modern YDDDYRRR format serial#. Also, the tuner backs of that style on the 76s I've seen had a lube hole in them. You can see the volute, serial#, and tuner backs in the 76 LP pic below.

. Cool stuff. Thanks for the pics. . B) .

. Glad you were able to get your exchange back. Next time, ask first. . B) .

. Faron - Upload your pics to photobucket and direct link them in your post (allows more/bigger pics). Help - http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/11005-sticky-how-to-post-photos/ <edit> Like here with your direct link - man that's pretty - (can't tell if it's adi or spruce) - .

. Ahh . . . a stinger. . Very nice. Do you know if it's a factory stinger or was it added by a previous owner? Here's a new J-200 with stinger - http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/13176/Gibson-SJ-200-Custom-AcousticElectric-Guitar-Vintage-Sunburst-With-Natural-Back-/ Here's an interesting bit - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (from here - http://malikon.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=guitar&action=display&thread=271 ) For the Stinger Series Gibson Acoustic guitars we [Gibson Custom Art and Historic] go to Bozeman Montana where the best acoustic guitars ever built are being built today. At Guitarsale.com we are a fan of the work and design of these new acoustics. The tops are all pre tensioned, the braces scalloped and they use nitro-cellulous lacquer. The acoustic flat top Custom Shop is in Bozeman Montana. They have three people who man and build the Custom Shop guitars. For the Stinger Series acoustic flat tops we talked with Eric Klotz. He is another great and caring individual. Eric did the special wood pull and watched over the construction. We outlined our specifications to him and between him and Ren Ferguson they perfected the thought. They built for us five models, a J-45, a Southern Jumbo, an Advanced Jumbo, a Hummingbird and an SJ 200 Custom in their Custom Shop. These guitars shared specifications such as Brazilian Rosewood back/sides, bridge and fret board, bone saddle and nut, and select for tone, Adirondack Spruce tops. These rare and fine Stinger Series Acoustic guitars will be the prize of the acoustic guitar world in short order. There were eight Stinger Series AJ guitars ( AJ stands for Advanced Jumbo which may be the best acoustic guitar ever designed ). There were five Stinger Series SJ ( SJ stands for Southern Jumbo an amazingly spirited guitar ) There were five Stinger Series J45 ( the J45 is the work horse of the recording industry, some say it is the most recorded acoustic of all time ) There were five Stinger Series Hummingbird acoustics ( the Hummingbird is the sixties but built with Brazilian Rosewood and an Adirondack top it is eternal ) There were five Stinger Series SJ 200 Custom acoustic guitars ( the SJ 200 was designed and originally built in the thirties out of Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce and tuned with a dip in the mid range so a performer could sing through it ). These guitars though stunning in appearance are the new standard for tone.