Riverside Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 My brother bought this in the mid to late '70s. When he died, I took it home. It plays very well and sounds really, really good. It's been played a lot - significant fret wear, looks like the relic-job is the real deal alright. I've emailed Gibson CS a few times in the past, but with no reply. I suspect that some of the below might account for the lack of response. What I think I know about it: 1) Can't find a serial number anywhere. 2) The inlaid "Gibson" on the head appears to be a rectangular piece let into the wood as a unit. 3) The binding is super-wide (front to back) 4) the "flame-y ness" is veneer - and I've never seen pufling go right up the middle to mask that "it's not all one piece." Sure is purty, tho. I've had some tell me that there was once a guy named Callaway (or Callahan) that worked at Gibson (and Fender, too) who would snitch seconds from the trash and hammer together fakes - wouldn't surprise me one bit. I've also had folks tell me to never say never... go figure. Have any of you ever heard of anything like that? What else might I look for that might help nail this one way or the other? My thanks in advance to those who know more about this stuff than I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAS44 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 wow she's a looker riverside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverside Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 wow she's a looker riverside Thanks. I'm still trying to figure out how to take a decent photo, tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Call gibson! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverside Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 Call gibson! They got nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowb5str Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 First of all, NICE! Second, the bridge looks late-'70's awful, so authentic. Tuners, however, give me pause. Look updated to me. Just sayin'. Peghead: that inlay method sounds right, but I am not a luthier, just a player over age 50. The body looks great! I cannot ever remember there being any Ex's in a premium model with block fretboard inlays. This could be an Explorer Custom, or just a really good tribute to Gibson. Have you pulled out the P'ups to look underneath? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max2343 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Email gibson Custmer service this post that way they will get it. They have some real Small limit in kbs and if it goes over they dont get but the will respond about this post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max2343 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Try and Get Some #'s off the Pots and I've Never Seen an Explorer with the Early 70's to mid 70's Harmonica Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e/2 Explorer Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Cool looking Mutt. Definitely someone's project guitar and not a bad looking job. The 2 piece veneer could have been done better. That bridge looks an awful lot like a Gibralter. The body is not an e/2 or CMT type, looks like a Standard to me My best guess is a total refinish with the veneer added, hence the thicker binding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.