Wmachine
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Posts posted by Wmachine
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4 hours ago, Twang Gang said:
A couple of really sweet looking 335s - congratulations. I'm not sure that a 2016 335 came with a COA. COAs are usually reserved for Custom Shop guitars and even then, they don't all get one. I have a 356 Custom Shop and it came with a COA. I have a couple of Hummingbirds from the Bozeman custom shop, one came with a COA and the other didn't. I have heard of one or two instances where a missing COA was replaced, but with all the trouble with counterfeit guitars it only makes sense to only issue one and if it is lost, not to replace it.
Yes, all Memphis guitars came with COAs going back at least as far 2013, and I think even farther. In my COA case, all they had to do was replace mine. Take back the wrong one and give me a correct one. No extra ones out there in that case. They wouldn't do that. They must think it is better to have what can be proven to be an incorrect one out there. No making sense out of that.
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12 hours ago, Olive said:
I agree with you about the natural color of my baby. I cant download more pics but the back of the guitar is also just fantastic.
Not just the back but the contrasting sides too! I have a 2016 ES335 Premiere Figured Light Burst.
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I wanted to address this separately. I think the upper end EPI vs Gibson USA may also play a hand in potential Gibson USA production. I hope it is not Gibson's plan to eventually further blur the lines between Gibson and EPI and have EPI make basic models of less popular models and only Custom Shop lines of those models. I expect Gibson to concentrate on higher priced gear. EPI continues to offer upper end models that easily rival the Gibson USA product.
And here is a FB example of that, the Slash Firebird. There is a Gibson and an EPI version. Never mind that they are truly Limited Edition, never mind that they are not really FBs. What is most interesting is that both versions are almost identical. The fret boards are pau ferro vs rosewood and the Gibson has a flame cap vs flame veneer topped cap. The rest is virtually identical. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, one was $7000 and other was $900.
FWIW, I bought the EPI version new on a whim when it was a MF SDOD for $599. Found out true to its specs, it is definitely not a FB. But it is a really great guitar. Fit, finish, and quality is excellent. Easily Gibson USA level. Sounds great, plays great. It is a real hybrid, though. Can't say it is like any other model or brand even. Like it has no identity. But in a good way.
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12 hours ago, Coachmoe said:
Wmachine,
First, Gibson has not been diligent in updating certain areas of their website. It's been that way since the new ownership took over.
Second, have you not read my previous post where I named the source of my information? I got my info from Mat Koehler, who is with Gibson Product Development. The original info came from Mat in a post on the Les Paul Forum.
In short, several in this thread have tried to order USA Birds with no success. I have given info from a Gibson rep saying USA Birds are no longer available. I think the point to take away is this: USA Firebirds are no longer available, regardless of what the Gibson site says.
I understand what you are saying and also read what Matt had to say about it. I'm not at all saying that they are available at this time. Not being available at this time does not equate to "no longer available" or "discontinued" which, at least to me, mean basically never again. So maybe we are splitting hairs on wording definitions. I see this as a matter of "when", not "if". This is nothing new. There have been gaps in the production of FBs, Vs, and Explorers over the years due to relatively low demand. Also keep in mind that even though some disappear over the years, guitars are not exactly consumables. I know we'd like to think that Gibson would simply make them based purely on demand. But we know that Gibson is going to make what (they think) will be profitable despite demand. I totally agree that the "PIA to produce" factor must also keep production at bay. PIA meaning more that just expense. If it were just expense, they would simply charge more.
It appears to me that Gibson is sending a clear enough message: "If you really want something bad enough, we'll make it for you". But getting it can likely mean Custom Shop. Custom Shop seems to keep evolving into just another production line for Gibson to be able to charge even more for Gibson guitars. That tell me what their answer is to competition. They are going profitability by not trying to compete as much on the USA level and selling more at more expensive levels. And as long as people want to buy beat up guitars, they will continue to make them. They are doing their best to make those appear to be an art form. But I just see that they are naked.
Anyway, I really hope this trend does not put basic versions of all classic models out of reach for most. Also, just for the record, has Gibson made any USA FBs as shown on the Gibson site in 2021-2022?
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You won't get any help from Gibson there. I hope you emailed Gibson, because if they verified your guitar via email, you can print out that email and that will essentially be a COA. I had a 2015 that Gibson misidentified the model on the COA. After send multiple emails and pics, they admitted it was misidentified and verified the correct model number. But they refused to send me a corrected COA saying it was due to it not being under warranty for me. Those 2016 light bursts are gorgeous.
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I consider Gibson listing a current USA Firebird model on their website to be sufficient evidence that they have not been discontinued.
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1 hour ago, MattH77 said:
Is there any chance of Gibson starting to make Firebirds again? I really hope so.
I’d love a Firebird with mini humbuckers in my collection. I already own Les Pauls (a Special, Standard 60s and a 50s P90), SG, ES-335, Explorer and Flying V. Also hoping to treat myself to a 3 pick up Black Beauty in the new year (it’d be my first Custom Shop).
So I feel there is definitely a Firebird shaped hole in my collection! I do hope they can start producing them again.
You're kidding, right?
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6 hours ago, merciful-evans said:
Good to know you solved the issue and have a sound you enjoy now.
I've been very puzzled here about the comparisons between PUs. I have 2 guitars with 490s and 2 with 57 Classics. I find the 490s massively brighter than the 57 Classics in both instances.
That's what I would expect.
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I bought my 2015 SG Special in one of the blowout sales. It is excellent, with all the upgrades they came with, especially for a Special. I got the Firemist which is really nice, but would rather got a Translucent Ebony. Great finish!
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10 hours ago, Twang Gang said:
Cool X-ray. Can't tell if the pick-ups are zebra. If you just unscrew the pick-up covers you will be able to see if they are zebra or not. Interesting that this guitar has 9 hole weight relief. I though "Traditionals" had no weight relief?
2016 Traditional Ts are spec'd for traditional weight relief, which is what you see.
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6 hours ago, mihcmac said:
Hmmmmm
Currently most Epiphones are made at the Gibson .
EPIs are made in the Epiphone Qingdao Factory in China.
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3 hours ago, dansan said:it seems the pickups are not PAF '57 Classics, but MHS (Memphis Historic Specifications) a kind of Custombuckers, with less turns, so could be a reason of my surpriseI don't think it comes from the richlite fretboard material, especially on an electric guitar
The original MHS pups are considered to be a bit darker, but more historically accurate. So I would expect '57 Classics to be brighter. Yes, it should be Ricklite.
Here is the link to Gibson specs on it. Gibson ES 355
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Looks like Gibson was going for a brighter output. About your pups they say "
Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback. Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback.
The Bigsby will a small amount of brightness vs stand bridges.
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On 10/7/2022 at 11:22 AM, Twang Gang said:
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The quote from Gibson says they don't know how many they made so no one on this forum will know either...........................
Just a note here. Gibson is quite tight lipped about production numbers. Who knows why, but the fact is they are. But sometimes the production numbers are made known when they are new and (truly) limited production. And they are advertised that way by dealers, with the info coming from Gibson. Usually worded "only xx produced for world wide distribution". Yet if you later contact Gibson even giving them the number to verify, they will either ignore the question or say they can't verify or confirm the production numbers. I have gone though this a number of times with Gibson.
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Did you ever call Gibson? Calling still works best even now.
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Nice. Really nice. Not what I was expecting from a Junior, for sure. But it shows how versatile it can be. I have a 2015 junior and love it! What do you think of it?
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On 9/23/2022 at 8:23 AM, Pinch said:
How rude.
Hey, I'm just quoting Gibson!
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CH is not for Chrome Hardware. C is for Chrome hardware. H is for stop bar tailpiece (Hard tail) 1 is made for domestic market. FU would be the finish.
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5 hours ago, Rabs said:
They are not allowed to open boxes... That sounds like nonsense to me.. Never heard of that one.. Sounds more like an excuse to get rid of a damaged guitar to me...
Plus officially all covid rules have been dropped for months now.. I have been to several guitar shops since covid and never heard that before. I bought a guitar with my niece only a few months ago.
Furthermore, "Appalling" , "Horror", "shocking"? And no pics? Really? Can't take that seriously.
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Simple. Contact Gibson, they will tell you.
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The answer depends on the year and model of each of the 3, not the finish. You won't get an accurate definitive without that information.
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On 6/12/2022 at 8:48 AM, merciful-evans said:
Pretty sure they did not produce Explorers & Vs in 2015. They did make a Firebird with the changes (except for tuners it seems ). Essentially, if it was built in Nashville it had the changes (see the link). If it was Memphis then it was business as usual.
http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/USA/Firebird-V.aspx
The link above lists these changes for the Firebird
New and Improved in 2015- Zero Fret Adjustable Nut (patent applied for): Added action adjustment
- Upgraded Tune–o–matic bridge with titanium saddles: Ease of height adjustment and sustain
- Wider neck and fingerboard: Increased playing area with same string spacing
- Comprehensive wood selection and grading: Rarest and finest materials for best instruments
- Thicker Rosewood Fingerboard: Increased mass for sustain
- Pearl Inlays: Better appearance and value
- Smoother sanded, buffed and oiled fingerboard: Improved playability and feel
- Comprehensive Setup (Lower Frets, Improved Plek, Intonation): Silky smooth action and bending, improved intonation
- Improved contact output jack: Secure contact and uninterrupted signal
- More robust cables: Stronger signal strength
- New & Improved Hardshell Case: Improved protection (up to 15 foot drop), sleek, ergonomic, made in USA
Yes, basically correct. "Business as usual" for Memphis. Correct on the Firebird. No "regular production" for Explorers and Vs, but as I posted earlier, there were at least Vs made for the Japanese market sans any of those USA special features. And there were also a number of USA big dealer models that did not have those features too. Like my 2015 LP Trad Pro 3T (GC/MF)
Furthermore, there were also some upgrades "thrown in" on certain models. Like gloss finish on the 2015 SG Special (normally faded/satin finish) and '61 Ziebra pups. $530 from Sam Ash again including hard case.
To all the whiners about the 2015 models, I say "Thank you very much!"
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6 hours ago, merciful-evans said:
That's right. What a great deal you had there! And those USA cases are excellent.
Though I paid full price for my ES-339 that year (Memphis models remained the same), I got 49% off the LP Less+ here. jdgm played it recently and said he'd like to take it home.
Nice! Lost in the petty complaints about Les Pauls signature were significant upgrades to the 2015s like real MOP inlays, thicker fingerboards, titanium saddle and hard cases for all, including the lesser models that didn't usually get hard cases.
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On 6/10/2022 at 5:41 AM, merciful-evans said:
Thanks! Terrific collection👍
I bought a bunch in 2015 after 40 years of only ever having a couple.
Yes, the forum fueled hysteria over the 2015s gave us the opportunity to buy some really great new Gibsons at insanely cheap prices. Like my LP Junior for $480 (with hard case).
Looking for the COA for my 2016 ES-335
in Gibson ES
Posted
Maybe to you, but not to others. You think they make them for no reason? One reason is evidence that it is not fake. But more importantly it can be very important for verification of a model. If you are trying to sell a reissue, you would understand the importance of that.