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67 Melody Maker project


Brookfielder

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Posted

Back in February I posted some comments, questions, and a few pics of my 67 Melody Maker.

A quick recap: I bought it in '85. The guy at the store told me it was a late '50s SG. I believed him and happily shelled out the $375.

It had been painted twice over the original red body and clear neck, first black then white. The original pickups and switch were long gone, replaced by a PAF style pickup, a Gibson mini humbucker likely from a 71 Les Paul Deluxe (identified by the Gibson logo in the face), and a Les Paul style toggle. The body and pick guard had been attacked by Attilla the savage to accommodate the pickups. The original tuners were gone, replaced by a nice set of Schaellers, but the holes had been rudely enlarged with stone age tools and there is screw hole evidence that they were the third set of tuners. The Maestro Vibrola gone, screw holes filled, and a wraparound bridge put in place. The wiring and soldering.... I don't even want to describe it. It was well worn, and in need of a good home.

I played it as it was until the bridge broke ten years ago. I put it in the case and set it aside until this year.

I ordered a new bridge, Kluson tuners, slider switch, and all new screws from WD. I had Paul at Tom Lee Music in Vancouver make a new pick guard, truss cover, and rear cover. I thought I would get red nitro lacquer from Mohawk and use that, but I can't get it here. Apparently they either don't make it or environmental restrictions don't allow it up here. So the paint has been delayed. It needs to be refretted.

It has been so long since it was played that I've decided to reassemble it and see what it sounds like.

Would anyone have an original wiring diagram for one like this? Gibson doesn't have it. I have requested it from them but haven't heard anything.

a few snapshots:

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_6217.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_6219.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_8818.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_8817.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_8816.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_8815.jpg

http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/brookfielder/?action=view&current=IMG_8812.jpg

(this way of putting pictures on seems a bit cumbersome. suggestions?)

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Pretty funny -1950's SG - since they didn't start making them till '61, when they were the new version of the Les Paul....

 

I have what I thought was a 1964 double cut MM, bought online from a few pics. Turns out it is a 1977 reissue...it had been modded previously, but the basic guitar is there and in better condition than it should be... frets and finger board are really good, and I ordered a custom pickguard for it...It is a factoru 2 pickup model, and it now has 2 humbuckers in it. Might finish it by Wednesday.

 

I am really liking this old guitar, and FWIW, you stole it, regardless of condition...Modified old MM's sell for between $900 - $1500 and stock examples are going around $2000 depending on condition model and year.

 

Hope it works out great for you.

 

mark

 

You really put the work in it...I am sure it will be a great player.

  • 2 weeks later...

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