[Es137]

I love mine!

 

[Mystery Gibson 12 string]

I spotted this 12 string in the hands of Pete Townshend and wondered what model it is, appears to be a custom model, perhaps a Hummingbird or a Dove? 

Is it a one-off or special edition?

[Alan Rogan RIP]

Alan Rogan, guitar tech extraordinaire, vintage guitar collector, connoiseur, fixer of smashed guitars and allround master of the good vibe, passed away on Wednesday night after having been ill for some time.
Alan worked as a guitar tech to the stars for 50 years, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Angus Young, Joe Walsh, Tom Petty all benefited from the Rogan magic.  
 
He'll be greatly missed by those who knew him and valued him as a friend and cohort, my sympathies go to his family and to the Who crew.
I'll always remember all the fun and the laughs I had when I was in his company, so long, old mate, and as you said “At the end, all we can ask is ‘A life well-lived?'”.

[NGD - SJ200]

20 hours ago, Buc McMaster said:

Nice!  2-ribbon bridge......perfect!  I'd still have my Western Classic if I hadn't jumped off the long scale wagon.

 

Thanks! I'm curious, what models got the 4 ribbon bridge and why? Was it just build year dependant?

20 hours ago, Paul14 said:

Nice! When was it made?

It's a 2018 Standard.

20 hours ago, drathbun said:

Beauty! Welcome to the club!

Thanks!

20 hours ago, duluthdan said:

Try try a set of 13 Sunbeams - sweet and robust

I have a bunch of sets I'm planning to try, I'll add DR Sunbeams to the list.

19 hours ago, Joe M said:

I'm ready for the flames......I found that I really liked the sound of Elixir 80/20 lights on the J200 I had a few years ago. And I have not changed my opinion of them on my J200 I just bought a couple of weeks ago. Don't know how the guitar could sound any better.

Someone also mentioned coated strings over on AGF, I don't usually go for them, but I think I'll try them on this one.

19 hours ago, Hall said:

Well done.

 

12 hours ago, Cougar said:

 

Man, another SJ200 NGD!  Super major congrats!  Love the burst!

 

9 hours ago, kelly campbell said:

Beautiful...Enjoy it  Congrats.

 

4 hours ago, billroy said:

Very nice, super nice burst and like the collection it's sitting with - gotta be a song or two in there somewhere!

 

2 hours ago, kidblast said:

Very nice SJ200, (and gaggle O' Gibsons too)

 

 

Thanks guys!

[NGD - SJ200]

Picked up a nice SJ200 Standard lately, and am currently trying out different string brands on the beast. This one is my second J200, previously I had a 1990 J200 Natural. 

This 'burst is an excellent sounding guitar, what I wanted but never quite managed to get from the '90.

I play fingerstyle mostly, haven't used a pick in years, but have been strumming this one and marvelling at the sound. 

 

Here's my Gaggle o' Gibsons (AKA Bevy o' Bursts) 

 

[EDS-1275 jimmy page configuration Which strings are long enough?]

This company will supply 47" long strings per special order:

http://www.garrygoodman.com/special.htm

[EDS-1275 jimmy page configuration Which strings are long enough?]

I have just checked the lengh of D and G strings of my Elixir set and they are 1 meter long (which is 0.40 inch) just like the C.B. Gitty so they are not long enough too. I think that to fit the Jimmy Page scheme I'll need something like 1,15 meter more or less.

 

There is a crucial 1.6 cm difference between 1 meter and 40", just enough to get the string wound on the capstan.

Also, strings lighter than .010 tend to be even shorter than the other strings in standard sets, so .009 or .008 gauge strings from a set often fall short for the octave G on 12 string guitars.

[EDS-1275 jimmy page configuration Which strings are long enough?]

D'Addario 12string electric guitar strings will fit, except for the octave G string, for that you need a longer string, one of the following:

 

 

1. C.B. Gitty Cigar Box Guitar Strings - a bulk pack of twelve .009" strings will cost you only $3.50, the strings are 40" long so will fit and you'll have a few spares.

 

2. LaBella Extra Long Scale 8 String Electric Guitar Strings - includes a .009" which might work if you can't get the above.

[Show me you ES 137's Classic or Custom]

Here's mine, bought by my wife as a birthday gift .

It's a little unusual because it's a Classic but has the Varitone circuit which is usually only fitted to the Custom model:

 

 

Haven't seen one like it since, its my ideal Gibson electric combo of Les Paul, ES-175 and ES-345 .

[Thoughts on guild d25m 70's]

I have an all hog flatback D25 from 1972, as mentioned, D25s change a bit over their history as follows:

 

Late 60s - 1973 = All Hog Flatback

1973/1974 = Transition era with any combination of Hog Top/Stained Spruce Top with Flatback/Archback

1975 onwards = Stained Spruce Top with arched back

 

I prefer the original all mahogany model, its also the quintessential D25 which is the one reissued.

Its one of a handful of steals on the vintage market, and has a nice bark and bite IMO.

 

Here's a 1972 Guild D25 all-hog Flatback in action:

 

[Question for Gibson LG-1.]

I have seen many 60' LG-1 up for sell.Are they all solid or solid top or just plain laminated?

 

I've had my '56 LG1 for a long time now and love the strong mids and 50s neck, its a great finger-picking blues guitar.

 

As a rule of thumb, the 1950s models have straight rectangular (not belly) wooden bridges:

 

 

The 1960s LG1 models have belly bridges, many of which are made of plastic:

 

 

& also there are adjustable bridge saddles on many of the 60's models:

 

 

Not a problem to replace if you figure it into the price you're paying.

 

Also, a typical flaw on these venerable old guitars is a stress crack under the first string visible on this one:

 

 

The bridge plate inside the 50s LG1 models is made of soft spruce and string ball ends can chew their way through over time, its sometimes worth replacing with hardwood like maple or rosewood.

Mine has a very thick bone saddle which made it easy to shape some string compensation into - improved the intonation.

 

LG-1s tend to be priced attractively, and are a real bargain as vintage guitars go IMHO.

I love mine, and play it all the time .

[INTRODUCE YOURSELF]

By request, here's a place to introduce yourself to the Gibson acoustic forum members....

 

Hi All,

 

Been playing since the 70s and have owned a few Gibsons in my time, currently waiting for my '56 LG1 to have some set-up work done on it.