telemaster03 Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 Recent travels have taken me to a couple fine vintage guitar stores this past month, Gruhn's in Nashville and Eric Schoenberg's near San Francisco. I've had three banner Gibbys in hands, a 1943 J45 and LG-2 at Gruhn's and a 1943 LG-2 at Schoenberg's. Tonally, all three were great sounding and playing guitars...the two at Gruhn's were set up with pretty low action, lower than what I have on my two modern Gibsons. Even with the low action they played fine with no buzzes. What surprised me was the size of the necks. I've read descriptions about baseball bat necks, thick necks, etc. but I was surprised at just how huge the necks are on these guitars. I'm not sure I could get used to that particular aspect...I've had some problems with tendonitis in my left hand and it was a chore to get around on these guitars. Is that common with all the banner year guitars? I once owned a 1957 J50 and the neck was bigger than my newer guitars but nowhere near the size of these that I played. Although a vintage banner SJ, J45 or LG-2 had been on my short wish list, the guitar would have to be something I could use. It looks like I'll have to admire these in the hands of those who can handle that neck size. I played quite a few other vintage guitars as well, but none that "spoke" to me. I learned that vintage guitars can be quirky and have very distinct personalities and feel. For the money some of them command I'm inclined to stick with what I have for now, though it was good fun to try them. I'll surely continue to do that when I have the chance, maybe one day one will grab me.
zombywoof Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 With necks I think it is all really just perspective. The necks on 1930s and 1940s Gibsons while thick by "modern" standards are dwarfed by those you find on some Strombergs, Regals. Kay Krafts and others with their V profile, 1 7/8" nut and flat board (which makes them feel even thicker than they are). I would say the neck on my 1942 J-50 feels about the same as that on my late 1950s Harmony Sovereign. Neck profile, nut width, and string spread are, of course, a personal preference. I can play guitars with a thinner neck and a 1 11/16" nut but prefer something a bit wider and chunkier. I, as example, just love the Gibson 1950s roundback D necks. I find them comfy as all get out.
duluthdan Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 A few months ago I acquired a Martin '37 D18 Authentic, and it has a huge neck. I have small hands, but love this neck, so much so that the 1.72 on my J-45 now feels small. I don't think a Banner would be a challenge. The fact that I can't play worth a damn would still be a challenge, but a nice Banner, even with a large neck, could be a nice companion. Don't quite have the stack of nickels to seriously even consider the stable addition however.
tpbiii Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 A few months ago I acquired a Martin '37 D18 Authentic, and it has a huge neck. I have small hands, but love this neck, so much so that the 1.72 on my J-45 now feels small. I don't think a Banner would be a challenge. The fact that I can't play worth a damn would still be a challenge, but a nice Banner, even with a large neck, could be a nice companion. Don't quite have the stack of nickels to seriously even consider the stable addition however. There is a pretty large variation in banner neck profiles. While they were saving metal by not using metal rods in the necks, some of them can be really large. But not all are like that. Best, -Tom
EuroAussie Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 Besides the tone of 40's Gibons slopes, the baseball neck is actually an attraction for me. I need to have a nut width that it at least 1.725 and the 1.75 nut widths are really appealing. Yes, it was a bit of a shock at first but I found after 20 mins playing I really warmed to the chunky monkey neck. My 43' LG-2 has one of those baseball bat necks and I really enjoy the width and got used to it very quickly. On the other hand I find 1 11/16 nut widths not very appealing and would not buy a vintage a Gibson these days with that nut width, hence looks like the 40;s slopes are my only option when it comes to vintage.
zombywoof Posted October 26, 2013 Posted October 26, 2013 How a guitar feels takes a whole lot into the mix. If nothing else you have scale, nut width, neck width, neck profile (shape, thickness and depth), fingerboard radius, and string spread at the bridge. You take two guitars with the same nut width and neck but put a radiused board with a 2 1/16" string spread on one and a flat board board with a 2 1/4" string spread on the other and they will feel very different.
BluesKing777 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Maybe give a try to some 50s LG2/3 if you can find them, though I see the prices seem to rising daily. I recommended one to a friend, but hadn't notice the price recently, but 'players' models might be fine. Like ZW above says, the 50s neck are are a very full D and it is hard to believe my '59 LG3 has a nut of 1 11/16 - because of the shape of the neck it feels bigger. Here is a blurry iPhone pic for you: BluesKing777. EDIT: I'm going to play mine now!
Tarrr Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Pic of my all-mahog 1959 Gibson LG3 I've just finished restoring this 'player' and it's like BKs with the 1 11/16" nut and big neck feel. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ntgfgoamr0re52m/1959%20Gibson%20LG3%20all%20mahog.jpg I keep putting this one down but it won't stay down.
BluesKing777 Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Pic of my all-mahog 1959 Gibson LG3 I've just finished restoring this 'player' and it's like BKs with the 1 11/16" nut and big neck feel. https://www.dropbox....all%20mahog.jpg I keep putting this one down but it won't stay down. Nice one, Tarr! I played my Sitka top LG3 after talking about it before and it is just a wonderful Gibson! The neck is just honed to be a beautiful feel. Hard to imagine why they would slim them down a year or so later in the 60s, but....who knows, lots of people wanted skinny necks in the sixties.... I saw this vid of a similar LG3 to mine on the Google while looking - 60 LG3 at Bernunzio Music: BluesKing777.
Tarrr Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 BK, John Bernunzio is a really good guy in upstate NY. I have bought several from him along the way, he finds some really unique wood from all over the world. I got my all mahog Eastman AC508M from John. Don't know if anyone else has an all-mahog LG3 from the 1959 era. The back/sides of this one are solid mahog but the top is 3ply mahog veneer... guess that gave it more strength? The orig owner played it for a living for 34yrs but when his health failed he gave it to young bass player who sold it to me as salvageable. I replaced the first 5 frets and completely refinished the top. When the orig pickguard was removed the paper thin top layer of mahog veneer went with it, I guess. I filled in the rough spots on the top with mahog Famowood, sanded until the cows went to bed, used pre-stain, then mahog gel stain, & 3 coats of lacquer... sand/buff. Fixed a couple broken braces etc but the neck, neck block, and bridge on this guitar came to me structurally as good as new. Old Kluson tuners are ok, cut new bone nut/saddle got it setup the way I like and Terrapin made the pickguard. Since it will never be a collectable I only reworked the things that helped get its groove back, maybe I got lucky but I just knew it was in there. I've been playing Gibsons since 1966 and lawdy this thing is really sweet is what I know. https://www.dropbox.com/s/bc9f3xg93wxkyl3/1959%20Gibson%20LG3%20all%20mahog%20top%20before.jpg
zombywoof Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 Don't know if anyone else has an all-mahog LG3 from the 1959 era. The back/sides of this one are solid mahog but the top is 3ply mahog veneer... guess that gave it more strength? I have never even heard of a mahogany top LG-3. Why do you think it is an LG-3 as opposed to an LG-0? It is easy enough to tell them apart by the bracing. I have also never known Gibson to put a laminate top on a flat top other than the J-160E. If the guitar did, in fact, begin life as a late 1950s LG-3 I would be betting that the top has been replaced.
Tarrr Posted October 27, 2013 Posted October 27, 2013 zw, I bought my 1st ever guitar in 1966 at Bibb Music in Macon Ga, a Gibson soapdish elec. I never knew the orig owner but this LG3 came from Bibb Music in 1959. The top is definately mahog veneer and has never been replaced, one-off is all I can figure. I started not to buy it because of the top but sure glad I took a chance. The bracing is consistent with the X pattern of 1959, I had to repair the X brace plus a couple others... got to know the bracing better than I had planned. If anyone knows more I'm curious, but its a keeper deluxe. https://www.dropbox.com/s/rk120r7t1j2s6fb/1959%20Gibson%20LG3%20all%20mahog3.jpg
mking Posted October 29, 2013 Posted October 29, 2013 I have a 1948 LG-2 and it has the big neck, just short of the baseball bat but it is comfortable. I just sold a 1960 that had the slim neck that I think you are used to and would really like the guitar. So, see if you can find a 1960 or one in that immediate time frame and that should work for you. They really are great guitars.
Tarrr Posted October 29, 2013 Posted October 29, 2013 Bernunzio has this 1964 LG1 on special this week only, 899.... reg 1199 I'm guessing it might be lattice braced? (see demo bottom of listing page) Must use newsletter Discount Code: GLG1 http://bernunzio.com/product/gibson-lg-1-17258/
Isaac Hunt Posted October 29, 2013 Posted October 29, 2013 Want to hear a really sweet LG-3 ? this one is lovely
zombywoof Posted October 29, 2013 Posted October 29, 2013 An LG made in 1964 is going to have the same bracing and bridge plate as one made in 1955 so essentially you Not saying it is a good or bad thing but it is a deal killer for me.
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