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The replacements are titanium, not chrome plated. And it is really no big deal to replace them. Brass has been used on saddles, so it shouldn't have really been a wear issue. Possibility the particular brass used was off-spec. As for the signature, in honor of Les, Gibson used the last know signature of Les. That makes it especially cool to me. Gibson did nothing wrong there, the problem is that you and quite a few others have no respect for that signature. That's a poor refection of you and the rest of the critics, not Gibson.

At the risk of feeding the trolls, the same could more so be said for you. You obviously don't know what happened or what the real question was, so as the saying goes, you don't have to make a worthless smart-*** answer.

That is a half answer at best. In most cases, you can contact Gibson with the serial number and get the model and specs. So in the big picture, the serial number CAN get you the specs. Far too much hashing the little points here and making bad analogies that keeps the OP from getting what actually can be had.

That's the most logical explanation that they had a small run done. But not for the model I have, because every other one I've seen of that model does not have one. And I'd like to find *any* other Memphis guitar that came with one, but so far have not found any. That's one of the reasons I've posted about it, hoping to find another somewhere.

Yes, one can get a cover with custom text on it. But that is not what mine is. I'll say it again, it came from the factory with that.

I wouldn't say just as illusive. I have a few of the models with F hole covers, and have seen many others. But I've never seen another one that says Memphis on it. I'm still trying to find out if and where they ever used that cover.

I am far from an expert here. No hands on experience with the vintage models but do own a few reissues. From what I read on others experiences, the vintage '60s were not considered to be that bright. When Memphis was making the last of their reissues, there were some that thought they were not bright enough. Certainly they were not as bright as the regular models, but the consensus was though they were not as bright, they did indeed more accurately nail the '60s sound. One contributing factor was the nylon saddles. Swapping them out for titanium saddles would brighten up the sound but ultimately take away from the historic accuracy of the sound, For what that's worth.

The aforementioned cover. Now I have a puzzle I've not been able to solve. I have a 2015 reissue '54 ES-175D VOS with this Memphis cover on it. Bought it new, came this way from Memphis. Never seen this cover anywhere else. Including on others of the this model of which there were supposedly only 50 made. Gibson had no answers for me about this.

I know what you mean, but never say never. They are some model and some dealer limited editions that they make known the number made when they are sold new. But whenever you contact Gibson, they won't ever give out numbers. Amusingly they may even tell you "they don't have" the numbers even on the exceptions I mentioned.

My take is not well received by 339 lovers, but to me the 339 is compromised 335. All the accolades given to 339s revolve around them being smaller and more desirable for that reason only. I don't see any serious or pro players using them, though I'm sure there must be some. I've actually heard some say that because they are shorter themselves, they looks silly playing that large 335. Huh? Are they a players or posers? Tommy Shaw doesn't have any problems playing one. If you want a 335, get a 335. To me, a 335 and an LP have just enough overlap that there is no ground covered by any other model in between not already covered. Not by an ES-339, ES-125, ES-235, or ES-LP. Those models were created by Gibson marketing to sell guitars. Not to fill an otherwise unfilled niche.

What's funnier than that (to me at least) is that you made me go look at it again just to be sure.

Thanks. String spacing is perfectly fine. Either the angle or maybe that its a 2015 with the wider board that is throwing you off.

Though somewhat evasive, Gibson has defined what the top differences are, sometimes in word and sometimes as illustrations. Here is an example of one such illustration shown for the 2015 LP Traditional. http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/USA/Les-Paul-Traditional.aspx I find any such explanations to be of little use. From what I have seen, it is no more than a general and loosely followed (or at least highly subjected) scale. The 2015 LP Traditional is supposed to have an A+ top. Here is mine: Judge for yourself, but I can tell you that it is a lot nicer than almost all other 2015 Traditionals I've seen. I think it is more like AAA, but it is what it is.

I'm sure that's one of his ES-355s that preceded any of his Gibson BB King models. Sure you can get them to feedback. You can get an LP to feed back. But I can say mine is a lot more like an LP than ES-3xx when it comes to feedback. But I wouldn't say it sounds more like an LP. I'd still put the sound more ES-335-like. But you can throw a lot more volume and gain at it! And it is beautiful to boot. An absolute work of art.

So right. Are they made more consistently now? Who knows, but I sure wouldn't count on it. Gibson is still playing smoke and mirrors with their model descriptions. So the only real difference between a '61 and '64 is that a '64 has a chunkier neck? Good that they are offering 2 neck style, but what so obscure with it? They are not shy about offering different colors of the same model, why not different neck profiles?

Truth is there are advantages and disadvantages either way, just the nature of the beast. Which pretty much explains why you still find them done both ways. Not a issue to me.

These things do happen. During the late great CME blowout, I bought an ES that because of some identity problem ended up in the back of the Gibson Memphis warehouse then at the back of the CME warehouse. Long story short, the box and all the paperwork INCLUDING the COA says it is a 2016 "1959 ES-175D VINTAGE BURST VOS" . In reality, it is a 2015 1954 ES-175D Dark Burst VOS. Serial number matches everything so no problem there. I got it amazingly cheap due to the blowout and additional circumstances. It is one of only 50 made. Of course now, that actually may be 51? I was finally able to convince Gibson they screwed up. But they would not send me a correct COA. But I have the email confirmation and won't have any problems because of that. Fabulous 175, BTW.

Nicely done. That fix would work with the Junior/Special 2015 gold anniversary cases, but should only be added to a 3rd of the bottom at the end of the bottom.

Be very careful with the "fit" on that case. They had a problem with them that usually doesn't surface until there is damage to the surface of the neck. That has only to do with those anniversary cases for the Junior/Specials. It is not at all apparent unless you look very closely. First, just lay in the case. Look closely where the neck goes over the inside compartment. The neck should lay evenly over the top. In the suspect cases, the neck actually hits and "pivots" on the end of the compartment by the body. If you pick up the body slightly at the end of the body, the angle of the neck will change and then the neck will lay flat over the compartment as it should. The easy fix it to put a tshirt or small towel in the bottom of the case at the end to give the end that slight elevation. If nothing is done, the edge of the compartment can wear though the finish at that place on the neck. Worse yet, I think a severe blow to the bottom could actually break the neck, though that is probably unlikely. I have a 2015 Junior and Special and both have that exact same condition, Otherwise, great case!

Regardless of what that means in this case, I've found what is written on those stickers as the "model" is some of the worst documenting Gibson has ever done. Totally inconsistent and rarely is it actually the correct model number. If they changed the word "model" to "description" it would at least be excusable. And then accurate too.

You sure about that???? Kidding of course. But pics or its not real, And yes, contact Gibson.

Sorry, you guys may not like those speed knobs, but I believe they are totally correct and probably original. They've been on original '53 and '54s I've seen and were used on faithful reissues, my 2015 Reissue '54 ES-175 Dark Burst.

Yes, every Memphis made guitar should have a COA. Not a Custom Shop COA as there was never a Custom Shop in Memphis. There are a few different types of COAs No, he is wondering that since Memphis closed, what the quality is now coming out of Nashville. Which is a very good question. So far, the very limited number of reviews I read have have been favorable. It should be noted that the higher end ES models are now made in the Custom Shop, and the rest are made in the Gibson USA area.

Need pics!

First of all, start a new thread. Second, post pics.