Dave F 236 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 I bought a new L5 last year and did not care for the bridge and buttons. I immediately made a new Ebony bridge to replace the tune-o-matic. I looked around for some imperials to replace the Schaller M6 Tulips. After looking around I decided to order these replacement buttons instead of replacing the entire tuner. I like 'em. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldCowboy 124 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 They look good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fortyearspickn 411 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 Yeah really nice upgrade. I'm a big fan of Art Deco - but mostly in buildings, not guitars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
L5Larry 202 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 I did the exact same thing years ago, but had to re-machine the keyed slot in the buttons to fit the tuner shafts of the unidentifiable "Gibson" branded tuners. Probably the Imperial/Metric thing. I hope yours were a direct replacement, as the mod was very tedious and time consuming. I then took it one step further with a "vintage" style TRC: After making many contacts with custom luthiers, Gibson and Gibson warranty dealers, to no avail, I had to hand carve my own bridge from a chunk of ebony I got from a violin maker friend. It took two trys to get it just right, as I first ASSUMED copying a 40's Gibson bridge would then intonate properly,..... WRONG. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard McCoy 106 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 Hmph, love me those Schaller imperials. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dash_Starkiller 5 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 I like the replacement buttons, but I also really like the originals as well. I always enjoyed the tulip style. But both look great. Not super crazy about the TRC though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave F 236 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 I did the exact same thing years ago, but had to re-machine the keyed slot in the buttons to fit the tuner shafts of the unidentifiable "Gibson" branded tuners. Probably the Imperial/Metric thing. I hope yours were a direct replacement, as the mod was very tedious and time consuming. I then took it one step further with a "vintage" style TRC: After making many contacts with custom luthiers, Gibson and Gibson warranty dealers, to no avail, I had to hand carve my own bridge from a chunk of ebony I got from a violin maker friend. It took two trys to get it just right, as I first ASSUMED copying a 40's Gibson bridge would then intonate properly,..... WRONG. Buttons were a direct replacement with no mods. I believe you saw the bridge I made. Did not look correct on the intonation but it was spot on. Since then, I've tried quite a few strings to see what I like. I've noticed that the different gage normally requires a tweak of the truss rod and a change in the intonation. After all the playing around, I think I'm going back to what I started with. Will be interesting to see if the intonation comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hall 123 Report post Posted June 3, 2017 Looks good, Dave. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pesh 14 Report post Posted June 11, 2017 Some nice and classy changes! Get some photos up of the whole thing, eh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
L5Larry 202 Report post Posted June 12, 2017 Wow, I'm not sure I ever knew yours was an acoustic L-5C. My "acoustic" archtop is the L-7 that you made the bridge for, thanks again. My DREAM acoustic archtop would be a 1948 L-5P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave F 236 Report post Posted June 12, 2017 Wow, I'm not sure I ever knew yours was an acoustic L-5C. My "acoustic" archtop is the L-7 that you made the bridge for, thanks again. My DREAM acoustic archtop would be a 1948 L-5P. L-5 Premier Limited run of 10 from 2014 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
L5Larry 202 Report post Posted June 12, 2017 L-5 Premier Limited run of 10 from 2014 Ah, so it is designated a "P".......SCHWEEEEEET! I love to get my greasy little paws on that guitar. What strings are you using on it? EDIT: Is that a Nashville or Bozeman built guitar? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave F 236 Report post Posted June 12, 2017 Rainbow put these on them when they set it up I've since tried about a half a dozen different acoustic strings but I think I'm going back to them. It was built at the Nashville Custom shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slimt 111 Report post Posted June 12, 2017 Why would Gibson put a tunomatic on a acoustic archtop? theres a definition of duh.. that looks really Nice what youve done there.. cool looking guitar.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites