gvdv Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Hi Everyone, Well, after thinking about it on and off for a few years, I decided I just had to have a Cherry (high-gloss, not Faded) G-400. Interestingly, I have had a bit of a problem locating one. I usually buy new, commonly available, musical equipment from one of the Long & McQuade chain of music stores here in Toronto, Canada, but I was very surprised to be told yesterday when I phoned to order a G-400 that they could only get the guitar in Pelham Blue. I have actually seen the new versions of the Cherry G-400 hanging in the store in the past, but I was assured that a Cherry model could not even be ordered in its standard configuration, and that no G-400 was available with a Maestro Vibrola, which is what my preference would be. So, I ordered the guitar from another store – and the salesperson there also told me that the Cherry version of the G-400 could no longer be ordered with the Maestro Vibrola. From what I can tell from looking elsewhere on this website, the Cherry G-400 is still available with the Maestro Vibrola – am I right about this? Also, can anyone – particularly those of you who might live in Canada – cast any light on why Long & McQuade told me that they could only order a G-400 in the Pelham Blue? Seems fishy to me. Thanks, Gvdv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Any long & mcquade should be able to order you g400s of the following varieties: Goth Cherry Black Cream Possibly Negative Pelham Blue (with or without maestro) Possibly certain color deluxes They currently have exclusive series runs of Cream guitars, Pelham Blue guitars, and they should still have some of their Negative run. As far as I know those are exclusive to them, as far as Canada is concerned. They shouldn't have any problem ordering a cherry or black, or goth for you, since those are regular production models. Why they would is beyond me. As far as I know the cherry with maestro is no longer available anywhere... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 The only cherry Epi SG with a Maestro that I have seen is the '65 Maestro Reissue G-400 . And they don't make them anymore. A forum member here has one and it looks sweet. I've got a black and gold one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 There could these models sitting unsold in mom & pop stores too, so I'll check around locally for you. Because most of these stores aren't authorized internet retailers, these can't be easliy found by a conventional Google search... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 No guitar sexier than an SG with a Maestro! The red and black '65 Maestro SG Stds and white SG Customs were all very limited runs and have been out of production a few years (I think they were all made in Korea). I got mine used on eBay; they turn up once in a while for sale. I've played half a dozen Epi Maestro SG's, and all have hard, heavy wood, evidently to prevent flex and screws from loosening. Looks like the pelham blue SG is the only Maestro in production now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 Hi Everyone, Many thanks for your replies. I am going to do some more asking and looking around for a Cherry G 400 with the Maestro, just to satisfy my curiosity. And,I am definitely going to pursue trying to talk to somebody in the upper echelons of Long & McQuade in order to try to get to the bottom of the message that I was given. Thanks, once again, Gvdv.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretter Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 If you really want a gloss red SG with a maestro there is this and couple others here: Gibson SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted March 24, 2012 Author Share Posted March 24, 2012 If you really want a gloss red SG with a maestro there is this and couple others here: Gibson SG Hi fretter, Thank you for this link. However, the reason that I decided to buy the G-400 is that the Gibson SG's are too expensive for me. If I were to go for the Gibsons, I would go for the SG Standard Reissue with Maestro VOS Thank you, once again, for your message and your suggestion. All the best, Drutgat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epi Rocks Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hi Everyone, Well, after thinking about it on and off for a few years, I decided I just had to have a Cherry (high-gloss, not Faded) G-400. Interestingly, I have had a bit of a problem locating one. I usually buy new, commonly available, musical equipment from one of the Long & McQuade chain of music stores here in Toronto, Canada, but I was very surprised to be told yesterday when I phoned to order a G-400 that they could only get the guitar in Pelham Blue. I have actually seen the new versions of the Cherry G-400 hanging in the store in the past, but I was assured that a Cherry model could not even be ordered in its standard configuration, and that no G-400 was available with a Maestro Vibrola, which is what my preference would be. So, I ordered the guitar from another store – and the salesperson there also told me that the Cherry version of the G-400 could no longer be ordered with the Maestro Vibrola. From what I can tell from looking elsewhere on this website, the Cherry G-400 is still available with the Maestro Vibrola – am I right about this? Also, can anyone – particularly those of you who might live in Canada – cast any light on why Long & McQuade told me that they could only order a G-400 in the Pelham Blue? Seems fishy to me. Thanks, Gvdv. Hey Gvdv, How about getting a '66 G400 in Cherry and picking up a Maestro Vibrola seperately and replacing the stopbar with it. I did, on my Explorer and it looks good, works great and was a breeze to install. Maestro's go for aprox $120 on Fleabay or you can try Allparts. (they don't come with the Lyre or logo though) Love the old SG Standard with maestro. Had a '67 Standard, best guitar I ever had. Here's my Explorer after the maestro was installed. You should get a '66 G400 looking just like this Gibby no problem. Good luck mate. I hope that helps. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lengle1981 Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I asked thins on a previous thread, if I added a maestro from all parts would it need grounding? I read in other places that it would on an SG? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I asked thins on a previous thread, if I added a maestro from all parts would it need grounding? I read in other places that it would on an SG? SGs, G400s etc are usually grounded on the treble side bridge post insert so no additional grounding of the Maestro should be necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I am waiting for this for my gibson: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/82978-vibramate-type-thing-for-lyremaestro-vibrato/ but only if it fits properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lengle1981 Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 SGs, G400s etc are usually grounded on the treble side bridge post insert so no additional grounding of the Maestro should be necessary. Thanks for that appreciate it, As for the vibramate, well I've been waiting for this for an age but it just never seems to come out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hey Gvdv, How about getting a '66 G400 in Cherry and picking up a Maestro Vibrola seperately and replacing the stopbar with it. I did, on my Explorer and it looks good, works great and was a breeze to install. Maestro's go for aprox $120 on Fleabay or you can try Allparts. (they don't come with the Lyre or logo though) Love the old SG Standard with maestro. Had a '67 Standard, best guitar I ever had. Here's my Explorer after the maestro was installed. You should get a '66 G400 looking just like this Gibby no problem. Good luck mate. I hope that helps. Paul Hi Paul, Many thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately (for me), I don't really like the pickguard on the '66 - I am trying to get as closely to the sound and look of George Harrison's SG as possible (but with the compromise of staying within my budget). Here are some photographs and an article about George's SG - George's SG I have, however, been considering trying to fit a Maestro (if I can get one) on to the G-400. Thanks, once again, Gvdv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epi Rocks Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hi Paul, Many thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately (for me), I don't really like the pickguard on the '66 - I am trying to get as closely to the sound and look of George Harrison's SG as possible (but with the compromise of staying within my budget). Here are some photographs and an article about George's SG - George's SG I have, however, been considering trying to fit a Maestro (if I can get one) on to the G-400. Thanks, once again, Gvdv. They fit on any g400/SG, I just like the batwing guards. Found a maestro vibrola for you on Ebay, Item no. 150784928521 Like I said, easily to instal in less than an hour, stringed and tuned. Good luck mate. Paul Oh, and here's a gratuatous pic of my little 'White Devil' Just 'cause I can. :lol: Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 They fit on any g400/SG, I just like the batwing guards. Found a maestro vibrola for you on Ebay, Item no. 150784928521 Like I said, easily to instal in less than an hour, stringed and tuned. Good luck mate. Paul Oh, and here's a gratuatous pic of my little 'White Devil' Just 'cause I can. :lol: Cheers Hi Paul, Thank you very much for your continued interest in my G-400 purchase :-) And thank you so much for taking the time and effort to search eBay on my behalf. I am in 2 minds here – I really want to get the Maestro, however I also want to make sure that the guitar is to my liking, so that part of me is telling me to wait to purchase the Maestro. Can I ask you, and others here, are Maestro Vibrola's regularly available through eBay, like the one that you found, and is that $95 price typical? I also wondered if the fact that the seller had put the word "Nickel" in capital letters means that this is desirable and/or the metal that the original was made out of, with the implication being that there are copies which are not made of nickel – am I on the right track in thinking this? Thanks so much, once again, Gvdv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epi Rocks Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hi Paul, Thank you very much for your continued interest in my G-400 purchase :-) And thank you so much for taking the time and effort to search eBay on my behalf. I am in 2 minds here – I really want to get the Maestro, however I also want to make sure that the guitar is to my liking, so that part of me is telling me to wait to purchase the Maestro. Can I ask you, and others here, are Maestro Vibrola's regularly available through eBay, like the one that you found, and is that $95 price typical? I also wondered if the fact that the seller had put the word "Nickel" in capital letters means that this is desirable and/or the metal that the original was made out of, with the implication being that there are copies which are not made of nickel – am I on the right track in thinking this? Thanks so much, once again, Gvdv. See them all the time. Just go to Ebay, punch up 'Maestro vibrola' and you'll find them in chrome, gold or nickel. Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 It goes without saying, of course. But I'll mention it anyway: If you're doing the install yourself, even being fractionally off can adversely effect the playability , so take good care to measure and mark accordingly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 also remember the post holes will be somewhat visible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Thanks a lot for the advice, guys. If I do decide to get the Maestro Vibrola I will definitely have a friend do the work for me and pay him to do it, because I cannot draw a straight line with a pencil and a ruler. All the best, Gvdv.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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