Gibson ES-165

[ggjay]

This is my first post, so hi everyone.

 

I recently bought a used Gibson ES-165.

Lovely guitar, but the setup was wrong.

Too much of each string was in the nut, so I had to file it down.

The intonation wasn't too good either.

I messed around with the bridge position for a while, but wasn't really satisfied.

Then I measured the bolts that the bridge is sitting on.

I found out that they're not the same distance from the edges of the rosewood bridge part.

I turned the thing around so the bolt closer to the edge was on the treble end.

That fixed the intonation.

Funny how much of a difference that makes.

 

I didn't have to adjust the trussrod, but took off the cover anyway to check if it's working properly.

I noticed a "B" written under the cover.

Anyone know what that means?

 

What I couldn't get rid off was the "moustache" that the bridge made on the top.

Are there ways to get rid of it.

I tried lighter fluid and water but that did almost nothing.

Is that darkening of the wood?

I'd be happy about any hints on solving this problem.

 

Greetings J.

[bobouz]

Congrats on the guitar!

 

Haven't seen a letter under the TRC on any Gibson I've ever owned.

Possibly the owner put it there for ID in case it was stolen.

 

As for the discoloration on the top,

this can often occur from the top becoming lighter over time,

while the area under the bridge gets no exposure to light.

 

Or perhaps the nitro finish somehow reacted to the bridge.

 

Regardless, it most likely cannot be altered at this point.

[ggjay]

Thanks for the reply!

I guess I'll have to live with the discoloration.

But since its only a small part thats visible with the bridge on it doesn't really bother me.

I think you could be right about the "B" being for identification purposes.

But on the other hand they could have just written down the serial numbers.

Having had it for three weeks now I have to say I love the guitar!

Best 175 type guitar I've had so far.

[bobouz]

I've always thought that was a very cool model - Enjoy!

[Jabberwocky]

Not to be a wet blanket but that wriggly tailpiece has a tendency to break at the hinge. So, watch out for that.