Buc McMaster Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) I've owned several different Gibson acoustics over the last many years.........two or three Hummingbirds, more than a few J-45s, a J-35, a Dove, J-200........many examples of different models, all purchased new. All of these have demonstrated varying degrees of soundboard distortion under string tension, none of them suffering any issues from this, all fine players and overall excellent instruments. The J-185 I recently acquired has without a doubt the flattest top of any of the others, which I find notable since the guitar will be 21 years old next month. Time and tension can and does distort soundboards, some to the point of requiring some kind of remedy to keep them serviceable. But decades of string tension have not moved the top of this 185...........the flattest flattop I've ever owned. (That works great! Thank you, sir!) Edited February 20 by Buc McMaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) I just right click the image. Open it in another tab. Then copy the url and plug it into "insert image from url". Sounds harder than it is. Edited February 20 by gearbasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 25 minutes ago, gearbasher said: I just right click the image. Open it in another tab. Then copy the url and plug it into "insert image from url". Sounds harder than it is. Hey is that the same guitar form the other thread with the fan blade in it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted February 20 Author Share Posted February 20 19 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Hey is that the same guitar form the other thread with the fan blade in it? No, sir............not the same guitar and no ripples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) Wasn't it Norman Blake who once said never trust a guitar without a belly? If so, you might want to take this up with him. Edited February 20 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 11 minutes ago, zombywoof said: Wasn't it Norman Blake who once said never trust a guitar without a belly? If so, you might want to take this up with him. I agree. All mine have s belly of sorts. except the J185 and a New er J45 are flat To be honest they sound kinda flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 3 hours ago, Buc McMaster said: No, sir............not the same guitar and no ripples. Ok . . . Carry On. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Put a straight edge right behind your bridge and see if your guitar is really flat, it’s probably not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) Gibson tops and backs are almost never flat. They are radiused, usually 28' for the tops and 18' (I think--some one fact check me) for the backs. This has been more or less true since the days of Orville hisself. A straight edge should always rock when put on either the front or back. But sunken or bellied areas are concerning, of course Red 333 Edited February 21 by Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) 8 hours ago, Red 333 said: Gibson tops and backs are almost never flat. They are radiused, usually 28' for the tops and 18' (I think--some one fact check me) for the backs. This has been more or less true since the days of Orville hisself. A straight edge should always rock when put on either the front or back. But sunken or bellied areas are concerning, of course Red 333 I believe in lutherie it is referred to as a “loaded” top — a curvature is built into the top. At least that’s what they told me at St. Paul Guitar Repair, and they would certainly know. I’ve noticed it on my Gibsons. Edited February 21 by dhanners623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 8 hours ago, Red 333 said: Gibson tops and backs are almost never flat. They are radiused, usually 28' for the tops and 18' (I think--some one fact check me) for the backs. This has been more or less true since the days of Orville hisself. A straight edge should always rock when put on either the front or back. But sunken or bellied areas are concerning, of course Red 333 Neither are Martin's. That is why I suggested put a straight edge on your guitar and see. That hump is supposed to be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) For more information, watch the Gibson TV videos - The Process. They mention all Gibsons are not actually flat and show the body build! Even if the world is. NO, I said that, not Gibson. Now more FYI.....Bill Collings truly believed you got a different guitar sound with flat back and flat tops, so the first Waterloo WL-14 is built flat. There you go, no idea about the other Waterloo models. BluesKing777. Edited February 21 by BluesKing777 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) Flat Tops are flatter than Arch Tops . . . but still not flat. 10CC bought a flat guitar tutor. Crafty music reference lyrics. I bought a flat Diminished responsibility You're de ninth person to see To be suspended in a seventh Major catastrophe It's a minor point but gee Augmented by the sharpness of your See what I'm going through Ay to be with you In a flat by the sea Edited February 21 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 16 hours ago, zombywoof said: Wasn't it Norman Blake who once said never trust a guitar without a belly? Sounds familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 Yes, I understand that soundboards are built with a radius and are not in the truest sense 'flat'...........I'm saying the radius on this one is uniform across the top without localized distortion around the bridge. Put a strong glare on the top of your guitar and see how much distortion there is around the bridge, particularly at the ends of the bridge.............this is what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 1 hour ago, BluesKing777 said: For more information, watch the Gibson TV videos - The Process. They mention all Gibsons are not actually flat and show the body build! Even if the world is. NO, I said that, not Gibson. Now more FYI.....Bill Collings truly believed you got a different guitar sound with flat back and flat tops, so the first Waterloo WL-14 is built flat. There you go, no idea about the other Waterloo models. BluesKing777. I have read that some of the Kalamazoo branded guitars and other lower cost models that Gibson built for other brands (which the Waterloo models are inspired by) were not radiused and were truly flat, but I don't have enough experience with them personally to know for sure. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 2 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Neither are Martin's. That is why I suggested put a straight edge on your guitar and see. That hump is supposed to be there. Yes. Martin has used a gentler radius throughout the years, between 40' and 52'. I think this depends on the model, but I'm not a Martin expert so I don't know for sure. I believe all steel string guitars have radiused tops. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 1 minute ago, Red 333 said: Yes. Martin has used a gentler radius throughout the years, between 40' and 52'. I think this depends on the model, but I'm not a Martin expert so I don't know for sure. I believe all steel string guitars have radiused tops. Red 333 Every M, I ever owned had a top that was not flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 The WW1 Luftwaffe-theme on the bridge is underlined by the propeller here. How about a Red Baron decal. Glad another good guitar was found. U can return to ukes anytime. . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 13 hours ago, E-minor7 said: U can return to ukes anytime. . . A bit drastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 4 hours ago, Murph said: A bit drastic. Just meant : There's always a safe way back to Uke-land. Let's say a stabile corridor between the 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Everybody knows a uke is not a "real" musical instrument. It's more of a toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 1 hour ago, Murph said: Everybody knows a uke is not a "real" musical instrument. It's more of a toy. Nope. A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. By definition it is one and not a toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 35 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Nope. A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. By definition it is one and not a toy. Using your definition, a plastic stringed Micky Mouse guitar would be a musical instrument. Oh wait... I said a REAL musical instrument... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Murph said: Using your definition, a plastic stringed Micky Mouse guitar would be a musical instrument. Oh wait... I said a REAL musical instrument... Does it make musical sound? Why does it have to be made by Gibson to be real? Edited February 23 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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