How does the 70's Dove rate as Gibson Acoustic?

[Dr.Tom]

I'm thinking about buying a Gibson acoustic and always liked the sound of the Dove. Is the 70's Dove a good representative of the Dove sound? Thank you.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[TheLiveSoundGuy]

Good afternoon Dr. Tom. Welcome to the Gibson forum board.

 

The late 60's, early 70's Doves were awesome! I grew up playing one. There is a lot that has been written here in the forum about them. Just use the search link at the top of the page and type in "Dove." Here is just one of those

links that I participated in. Click Here.

 

And again Welcome to the board.

 

-TLSG

[Guest]

I'm thinking about buying a Gibson acoustic and always liked the sound of the Dove. Is the 70's Dove a good representative of the Dove sound? Thank you.

 

Regards' date='

 

Tom[/quote']

 

......and to offer a different opinion from that of TLSG, my experience with 70's Gibsons in general and Doves specifically is 180 deg off -- I've only found a few 70s Gibson acoustics that possessed what I would have considered "good" sound.

 

I've played only 2 Doves from this era, one being a mid-to-late 70s black-finished Dove, the other an earlier one, and both sounded like someone'd left a sweater in it.

 

Of the 70s Gibsons I've tried, I'd say I've only ever encountered two that I thought sounded good. By the vast majority, early to mid-sixties, fifties and forties and nineties Gibsons have all sounded far better than most of the seventies Gibsons I've tried. Not to say it can't happen, but the odds are agin' it. My suggestion would be find a late '90s or later Dove and try that.

 

That is of course merely my opinion.

 

Fred

[guitarstrummer]

A friend of mine has a 1974 custom Dove. It a dark color, nearly black. That one sounds really good. I haven't played any others from that era, though.

 

Welcome to the forum.

[Dr.Tom]

Now those appear to be two,somewhat divergent opinions!! But that's OK because that's what I'm looking for. Let me ask you both this question: How are the present or late '90s Doves? I know one of you have already answered this but please feel free to embellish if you care. I could actually save some money on a more recent guitar. Thank you in advance for your responses and thank you for the warm welcome here.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

ACOUSTICS :2005 Martin D-45V ;Adamas 2080, Adamas 1688-8 12 String ; 2006 Takamine TAN 15C; 2006 Ovation 1858LX 12 String ;Takamine EF 75 #70 ; 2001 Takamine SW341SC(Steve Wariner Signature); 2004 Takamine EF360S ; 2004 Taylor 814CE ; 1990 Takamine FP400SC 12 String ;197? Bruno Royal Artist acoustic

 

ELECTRICS :2007 Gibson ES-339 Caramel Sunburst ; 2006 PRS CU 22 12 String Ch. Sunburst;2007 PRS Hollowbody Spruce w/p Platinum one off; 2004 PRS Hollowbody II McCart Sunburst; 2005 PRS Modern Eagle 20th Ann. Charcoal, 2005 PRS CU24 20th Ann.Artist Blue Matteo,; 1997 PRS Santana 1 ,Sunburst ;199? PRS Archtop II,Sunburst; 1965 SG Special - White ; 1963 Fender Strat- sunburst ; 1964 Gretsch Country Gent-dark walnut ; 1998 Gretsch Country Classic Jr. ; 2001 Gibson ES-335 - natural ; 1989 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe - greyburst ; 1969 Fender Tele- Blonde ; 1969 Fender Esquire - Blonde ; 1969 Fender Tele Bass - Blonde ; Ovation UK II-White; Ovation Viper III-White; Ovation Viper-White; Ovation Viper-Sunburst; 199? Jackson Randy Rhodes V - black ; 199? Peavey Wolfgang - cognac burst ; 1968 Vox Sidewinder Bass- cherry ; 1965 Silvertone amp-in-case 2pickup - red sparkle; 1965 Hagstrom I (powder blue)

[guitarstrummer]

I thnk the reason for the different opinions is going back to the basic concept of every guitar will sound different. I'm sure there are some good ones and some bad ones from the early 70's. You'll find the same with any guitar model from any time era. Generally speaking though, I believe that the ones from Bozeman are fairly consistent. As with any of them though, if at all possible, play it before you buy it.

[TheLiveSoundGuy]

I tried several of the modern day Doves trying to get that sound and feeling back. Don't get me wrong, they're solid well made guitars. They just didn't have that certain"something." That's why I finally decided on the Songbird Deluxe, and the Hummingbird. While both models were great, and the Songbird much less in cost, the Hummingbird had that magic. If I found the right model Dove I have no doubts I would own it. It just didn't happen for me this go round.

Note my signature. I still want an Elvis Dove. Just can't afford it right now after buying the Hummingbird.

Good luck to ya, and try out all the models you can. They are all different.

[Guest]

Just for fun, here's one of the best-known users of a Dove, an older, probable 1970s Dove:

 

 

I've no doubt that there are "good ones" out there -- I've played a few, and some folks whose opinions I trust have also encountered these 'rare critters'. But I've played far more dogs built with the Gibson name from the 1970s than I have ones that I'd want to take home and play a lot.

 

I'm only saying that odds are better of finding a "recent" Dove (or for that matter, any Gibson acoustic guitar) that sounds good or great than finding one from the 70s that sound equally good-great. It's been well-documented that Gibson purposely built their acoustic guitars using a heavier construction, double-X bracing, thicker tops, etc., to minimize warranty work and simplify construction. That approach has *generally* resulted in guitars that are often characterized by players as being dull and lifeless in terms of tone, volume, response, etc.

 

Whereas Gibson acoustic guitars built in recent years, say, late 90s and later -- especially the last few years - tend to (1) be more consistent in quality of build, (2) have more consistency in tone and most importantly (3) have satisfyingly good tone right out of the box (or off the wall, out of the case, etc.,).

 

Fred

[Jerry K]

I agree with Fred that there are some undesirable features found among those 70's Gibsons, allowing for the occasional good one that made it through. Another aspect to consider is that you can get minty used guitars made in Bozeman from late 90's up till present for very reasonable prices. A 70's guitar will be 20 odd years older and typically have some marks and dings and cracks and issues of one kind or another, or possibly need a neck reset. Something to consider.

[Rambler]

Dr Tom, besides the thicker tops and heavy bracing, Gibson also was using oversize plywood bridgeplates* then, another tone dampener. That kind of thing helped create a market for vintage (30's-50's) models. The final irony is that dealers are now demanding vintage prices for these 70s creations. To each their own, but at 1.5-2k, Id think you/d find a Montana Gibson livelier and more responsive. jk

 

*see the book Gibson Fabulous Flattops.

[QuestionMark]

I have a 1972 Southern Jumbo Deluxe in natural wood that sounds as good as any Gibson I've heard or played. I bought it new in 1974. If there was ever any sound issue due to its double X bracing, it certainly isn't there any longer as due to age the top definitely has great sound vibration to it. This is a guitar that I have been able to hear it just get better and better tonally as it continues to age. Not that it hasn't had its issues over the years. It has, but all rectified by Gibson authorized repair personnel over the years when they occurred. The double X bracing, as on many Gibsons from that era, caused some minor non-structural 1/2 inch wood splitting between the sound hole towards the neck. Gibson patched it underneath, but also pointed out that there's an original factory brace at the 1/2 inch mark that stops it from going further. You see this cosmetic split on a lotta 70's Gibson. Also, the 70's Gibsons were generally all factory set up with a bit higher action than today's models over the soundhole and say the 12th or 14th fret. This is how they're supposed to be set up to maximize the guitar's volume. What I've seen is some folks try and modify the set up to lower the action at this point to today's standards...which causes some 70's Gibsons to perform out of whack. Or, players perceive that the guitar is out of whack with the higher action set up. Thing is, that is how they're supposed to be set up a bit higher there to be in balance with the rest of the instrument. Just the way they were made. With the appropriate set up on these guitars, they can sound and play awesome.

 

Just my two cents.

 

QM

[Rambler]

Whether you like it or not will depend to some extent on your music:

Rock/pop? it should get a stones-beatles chug

Bluegrass? You may find the bass too tubby for that & top end may lack cut.

Folkie? Will it be chimey enough?

Fingerpicking & or country blues? you might find the top a bit stiff to get the best advantage from it.

 

Disclosure. I had a 60s C&W {gib sq-shoulder hog} once upon a time. I liked it ok until it got blown out of the water

at a jam by an L00 (that lil guitar was smaller but way more responsive. It cut through, rang louder and just plain sounded better). Mine sounded like it was under a blanket. A few weeks later I was in a guitar store and gave a 57 D18 a strum. I was not in the market for a Martin, but, again, it blew my out of the water. Traded on the spot (the 18 is my wifes now; Im still havent found the right J45). JK

[Dr.Tom]

I may not have the opportunity to play it first so it sounds like the more recent doves might be the better option. I'm going to want to cover both strumming and finger picking.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[ballcorner]

I am with Shrimer on this one. I own a 1974 Hummingbird and it is a smooth and nice guitar but nothing like a modern era Hummingbird. The heavy pick guards and thicker tops on 70s models, combined with less experienced labour leaves these guitars lacking to some extent.

 

My friend has a 60s Dove - well played - and it is a much better example of Gibson quality in my opinion.

[scooby]

Dr Tom, to my ear and experience with maple guitars, most take abit more time to fully develop their potential than say a mahogany or rosewood model. The J45's and AJ'S of past and present just about always resonate beautifully and consistenly.Where as my 90's Dove in flight and my current J185tv have taken a bit longer to develop sonically, yet my 2000 sj200 is simply amasing . Alot of good food for thought above, most of all it needs to please your ear. Definately play it before you purchase. Good luck with your search.