Navion Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 MANY years ago now, I bought a Historic Collection '57 Black Beauty re-issue 3 pickup Les Paul Custom. There's a Gibson dealer where I live, but he never carries any stock, and this had to be custom ordered. Anyhow, I wanted Robert Fripp's guitar. Not LITERALLY...but..you know, close! Anyhow, after three attempts (they arrived broken in any number of imaginative ways,) and 8 months, I got my guitar. Then the pain began. The pins that hold the bridge were bent, because there was no collar on the body top to support them. Staying in tune wasn't an option, and in many ways still isn't. I'm thinking of replacing the saddle. The bridge sagged and had to be replaced. It was/is heavy as HELL and I'd get a screaming backache after about 30 minutes. I still sit down to play, as does Fripp, and I understand why! I give Jimmy Page HUGE cred for dragging that doubleneck SG around the stage for as long as he does. I've had a pro set it up, one of the best in Western Canada before he retired, and it was an absolute transformation. The resonation is better, its FAR more playable...but this thing is still vaguely unsatisfying. So here's the questions. 1) I've seen any number of guitars, all Gibsons, being advertised as Black Beauty re-issues...and they're all different! None of them really looks a lot like the BB Fripp bought from Steve Mariott a la Fripp's backup LP BB, now for sale. HUH? 2) My old Fender Twin is what I USED to play through with this guitar, and I've since gone to a Tech 21 Trademark 120, which is far more tonal and tweakable than the Fenders. (I have a Performer 1000 as well that I gave up on after a couple of years, even with the satellite speaker) I have a bunch of other electrics that the Tech is absolutely brilliant with, especially my Strat (can you say that here?) and my National Res-O-Lectric. I want that buzzy, 70's King Crimson/Bowie tone, but I don't want to go Marshall: I largely play in smaller rooms, and the volume level to get that sound is way to high. (Yeah, I guess I'm getting old, but I have to live with my neighbours, and they have to live with me!) Also, a lot of the Marshalls ain't what they used to be, as in solid state vs. 'valve'. Is amplification/effect unit my issue? 3) I see a lot of people recommending Gibson Vintage nickel 10s... would that work for this guitar as well? I've been using DR 9's, and even Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky 11s, but I play a lot of jazz, and it just doesn't sound right. 4) Finally, the question of new: If anyone has played this guitar (or one of it's brethren,) and has a new LP to compare it to, what do you think? Could it be that the new ones are better, lighter, faster etc? Thanks for taking the time to read this. It's a beautiful guitar, but I'm seriously wondering if it's just a lost cause for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 It's a beautiful guitar' date=' but I'm seriously wondering if it's just a lost cause for me.[/quote']Yes, you must dispose of it as soon as possible. Let me help..... :-) I don't do jazz, I'm a rocker. I like Gibson vintage 10's and any string with lotsa nickel. I'll admit I haven't tried them all, I found what I liked and stayed with it. With a name like Navion, are you by any chance an old airplane buff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 You cant go wrong with a black beauty... I played a vintage re-issue. I bought a new one and saved some money. To me, I couldnt tell the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 sounds like your not satisfied with it. If Iwere you (which i'm not) I would look for one that you like better as far as looks, tone and comfort goes and if you find a better one sell (or return) what you have now and go for what you really want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mash94 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 sounds like your not satisfied with it. If Iwere you (which i'm not) I would look for one that you like better as far as looks' date=' tone and comfort goes and if you find a better one sell (or return) what you have now and go for what you really want.[/quote'] That is great advice Kenny. I would've said the same thing but you beat me to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navion Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Yes, I do some flying on the side. It's also the name of my company. I'm going to try some Vintage 10's. I just have to get somewhere where they carry them! The thing about being satisfied with it is, I don't know whether this is typical of ALL LPs or just this one. For instance, I can tell you the difference between Martins. I've got three of them now, each with their own personality, and was fortunate enough to find a Martin Guru who was able to help me find just what I was looking for, and as a result, I'm really happy with them, and they ain't goin' NOWHERE. One friend of mine who has a Studio and a Junior told me that as far as he was concerned, the problem with me was that I had to buy it as a special order. According to him, there's no way he'd buy any Gibson product without trying it first, and I think he's right: it was the only time I bought blind thinking that there was no way I could loose, after all, it's a friggin' Les Paul! Shaun Verrault of Wide Mouth Mason told me that as far as he was concerned, the Nighthawk was better than any LP he'd ever played, and that guy is a m*o*n*s*t*e*r. Massive sustain, tone to burn and a fast neck. So, maybe the quest continues. Time for a trip to Long & McQuaid. Deepblue, how do you like your Orange? Anyone have recommendations for favorite effects? Any thoughts about removing the covers on the humbuckers? Anyone tried Soldano amps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 From everything I've ever heard about Soldano, the ONLY thing wrong with them is the price. Killer amps. As far as the Les Paul, I had to buy four before I found my keeper, a 2000 Classic Plus and I swapped pickups in it. I really like my Deluxe with mini humbuckers too. I can't really help you diagnose your problem over the forum, I don't know what you're really after, but good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navion Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... (Sorry. Brain worm, the kid next door has her best of the Spice Girls turned up to 39. Isn't that oxymoronic? Best? Of the Spice Girls?) Listen to Heroes (Bowie) or "Dreamin'" by Blondie, or "Book of Saturdays" by King Crimson, "Up The Hill Backwards" (Bowie again) and of course, "Baby's on Fire" (Brian Eno). I'd even say "Virginia Plain" by Roxy Music, but that's Phil Manzanara on..what was it, an Explorer or a Firebird? Don't get me wrong: I'm not Robert Fripp, and these days he uses a hell of a lot more gear than in earlier days (a Fernandes Sustainer, for one. If you want a REAL laugh, read his review of this guitar on the Fernandes web site. That soft, buzzing, insistant tone...just...can't get it! Maybe a Fuzzface and some combination of Marshalls... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navion Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Knopfler was using Soldanos for a while with EMGs to a VERY nice effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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