The lightest wound 'G' is a D'addario. 016w and its available as a single from juststrings.com
Fixed a MKII Boogie Yesterday - Bad Coupling Cap
- Thread starter Amp Mad Scientist
- Start date
The lightest wound 'G' is a D'addario. 016w and its available as a single from juststrings.com
Vox AC30
Well-Known Member
I know as I looked there first and was a little disappointed at that. Then I had to do research. Funny thing is in my garage I found 6 plastic circular containers of gretsch flats they sold in the 60's! I should take a pic of them. After that a guy found me and he had Pyramid extra light strings in cellophane wrapped Flats from an old music store in Queen's NY that closed in the 60's and got them at a fire garage sale when the owner passed on ... I bought them all @$35 a set. Those particular ones were very bright and stayed bright and "new " for over 3 years. At least! So I went and tried later Pyramids and the were all right , but just all right as they were not the same as the older sets. I had them on a Rickenbacker 350 SH and a Guild X500 w/a solid top. I can bend em all over the place with little effort, with a caveat, the wound G would easily bend up a minor third but not quite more to a major third, always be a little flat on that bend. The Gretsch ones were good but not as much as the old Pyramids. Both had the thinnest flatwound strings I've ever seen! I've found lights on ebay but so far no extra lights
This is what the packs looked like but the sets were different but tfrom the same time period. Interesting that the Gretsch strings had the exactly shaped name tag around each string cept for the word Gretsch being where the Pyramid is. I'll get to taking pictures of what I have after I look for them again since I wonder if pyramid made the Gretsch strings ... I never thought of that before!
NOS Five Pyramid-Gold Chrome Steel Hawaiian Guitar Strings E-6th Rare W. Germany | eBay
This is what the packs looked like but the sets were different but tfrom the same time period. Interesting that the Gretsch strings had the exactly shaped name tag around each string cept for the word Gretsch being where the Pyramid is. I'll get to taking pictures of what I have after I look for them again since I wonder if pyramid made the Gretsch strings ... I never thought of that before!
NOS Five Pyramid-Gold Chrome Steel Hawaiian Guitar Strings E-6th Rare W. Germany | eBay
Vintage 1960's Gretsch Thin Man Light Gauge Guitar Strings Case Candy-NOS | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 1960's Gretsch Thin Man Light Gauge Guitar Strings Case Candy-NOS at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
OP
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Stick to bass solos, ever seen an uptight Bass player?
This new guitar day has been beaten to death alreadyenough.
Ha!
I suppose you’re right!
I would be interested in your impressions, though.
OP
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
A. The guitar has good intonation (that's one reason why I wanted a Gibson).....
The guitar plays pretty nice, typical of a Gibson.
Like if I compared this to a Indonesia / Korean Jackson, the Jackson has crappy intonation. The offshore Jackson really never plays in tune, overall. The intonation drives me goofy. Cheap POS compared to Gibson.
Lack of attention to fret position. Nice paint job, but doesn't play in tune that great.
Always sounds out of tune, depending on what fret position being played.
Jackson : No shielding. Has a lot of buzzing.
B. Gibson better models has solid metal shielding, a lot less buzzing and noise. But in this cheaper LP, the shielding was added (copper foil).
Copper foil is not that great, but it's better than no shielding.
C. Coil Switch: I could care less. I always play in humbucking mode to get as little noise as possible.
High gain amp = need a very low noise guitar.
Noise from single coils drives me goofy I hate that buzzing noise.
D. Gibson: more attention to fret leveling and accuracy. That's another reason I want a Gibson.
E. Pickups: I would rather have Gibson pickups. Duncan is "OK." But I think overall Gibson pickups are better. I never thought that Duncan or Demarzio was that great.
I think Gibson pickups are less microphonic. Again, more attention to play-ability / sound quality is Gibson.
F. Tuners: Kluson tuners = ratio is too low. I would rather have higher ratio Grover tuners.
IMHO there is absolutely nothing bad about Grovers. They have always been my choice.
G. Bridge: The saddle notches are inaccurate, the string spacing is far off.
I am looking at a 60s string spacing stuck onto a 50s profile neck. It's mismatched. The 50s neck is obviously wider then the notches were designed for.
However, this is forgivable because it's not the original bridge.
The "Allen head" intonation adjustment screws are a joke. Really bad design. Typical of a product made in China.
The bridge will probably be changed to get the right string spacing / eliminate the Allen head adjust screws.
Maybe use Graph Tech Saddles, or Delrin Nylon saddles, or roller saddles....on a stock Gibson bridge.
Delrin makes the guitar noticeably less microphonic. Derin has more controllable sustain.
I have never been a fan of metal saddles. The strings break more frequently and the guitar is more microphonic.
Many people have said that metal saddle has more sustain,,,,,but I doubt this. I think this was a story dreamed up by bridge salesmen.
H. Nut:
Would rather have a Delrin nut, like on an old Les Paul or SG.
The plastic nut is the cheaper production route.
To me.....brass nuts or metal nuts are stupid. I hate those things. I hate "locking nuts."
Many people think that a metal nut increases sustain. I doubt it.
Overall: A great guitar for a relatively low price.
There's a few things that could be changed, and maybe eventually I will change these parts.
Eventually I will put in better shielding.
But I did not expect a $6000 Les Paul Custom for $750.
It's a good compromise for a low budget guy, who wants a USA made guitar.I am definitely getting away from guitars made in China / Korea / Indonesia.
It's just a fact (I think) that USA is made a lot better.
I'm really happy that I bought a USA Gibson guitar. Thanks!
I think China Guitars have fancy paint jobs, but not nearly as playable and don't sound anywhere nearly as good compared to USA guitars.
The USA is just made better overall, I think.
Despite that fact that Gibson went through a "dark period," I still like Gibson better.
Last edited:
A. The guitar has good intonation (that's one reason why I wanted a Gibson).....
The guitar plays pretty nice, typical of a Gibson.
Like if I compared this to a Indonesia / Korean Jackson, the Jackson has crappy intonation. The offshore Jackson really never plays in tune, overall. The intonation drives me goofy. Cheap POS compared to Gibson.
Lack of attention to fret position. Nice paint job, but doesn't play in tune that great.
Always sounds out of tune, depending on what fret position being played.
Jackson : No shielding. Has a lot of buzzing.
B. Gibson better models has solid metal shielding, a lot less buzzing and noise. But in this cheaper LP, the shielding was added (copper foil).
Copper foil is not that great, but it's better than no shielding.
C. Coil Taps: I could care less. I always play in humbucking mode to get as little noise as possible.
High gain amp = need a very low noise guitar.
Noise from single coils drives me goofy I hate that buzzing noise.
D. Gibson: more attention to fret leveling and accuracy. That's another reason I want a Gibson.
E. Pickups: I would rather have Gibson pickups. Duncan is "OK." But I think overall Gibson pickups are better. I never thought that Duncan or Demarzio was that great.
I think Gibson pickups are less microphonic. Again, more attention to play-ability / sound quality is Gibson.
F. Tuners: Kluson tuners = ratio is too low. I would rather have higher ratio Grover tuners.
IMHO there is absolutely nothing bad about Grovers. They have always been my choice.
G. Bridge: The saddle notches are inaccurate, the string spacing is far off.
I am looking at a 60s string spacing stuck onto a 50s profile neck. It's mismatched. The 50s neck is obviously wider then the notches were designed for.
However, this is forgivable because it's not the original bridge.
The "Allen head" intonation adjustment screws are a joke. Really bad design. Typical of a product made in China.
The bridge will probably be changed to get the right string spacing / eliminate the Allen head adjust screws.
Maybe use Graph Tech Saddles, or Delrin Nylon saddles, or roller saddles....on a stock Gibson bridge.
Delrin makes the guitar noticeably less microphonic. Derin has more controllable sustain.
I have never been a fan of metal saddles. The strings break more frequently and the guitar is more microphonic.
Many people have said that metal saddle has more sustain,,,,,but I doubt this. I think this was a story dreamed up by bridge salesmen.
H. Nut:
Would rather have a Delrin nut, like on an old Les Paul or SG.
The plastic nut is the cheaper production route.
To me.....brass nuts or metal nuts are stupid. I hate those things. I hate "locking nuts."
Many people think that a metal nut increases sustain. I doubt it.
Overall: A great guitar for a relatively low price.
There's a few things that could be changed, and maybe eventually I will change these parts.
Eventually I will put in better shielding.
But I did not expect a $6000 Les Paul Custom for $750.
I am definitely getting away from guitars made in China / Korea / Indonesia.
It's just a fact (I think) that USA is made a lot better.
I'm really happy that I bought a USA Gibson guitar. Thanks!
I think China Guitars have fancy paint jobs, but not nearly as playable and don't sound anywhere nearly as good compared to USA guitars.
The USA is just made better overall, I think.
Despite that fact that Gibson went through a "dark period," I still like Gibson better.
Very thorough review. I appreciate the thoughts!
OP
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
Don't take it personally. That was not the intention.
I have very eclectic tastes and very specific preferences.
Yes I am a cork-sniffer.
Yes I am a Teflon wire curmudgeon.
OP
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
I know as I looked there first and was a little disappointed at that. Then I had to do research. Funny thing is in my garage I found 6 plastic circular containers of gretsch flats they sold in the 60's! I should take a pic of them. After that a guy found me and he had Pyramid extra light strings in cellophane wrapped Flats from an old music store in Queen's NY that closed in the 60's and got them at a fire garage sale when the owner passed on ... I bought them all @$35 a set. Those particular ones were very bright and stayed bright and "new " for over 3 years. At least! So I went and tried later Pyramids and the were all right , but just all right as they were not the same as the older sets. I had them on a Rickenbacker 350 SH and a Guild X500 w/a solid top. I can bend em all over the place with little effort, with a caveat, the wound G would easily bend up a minor third but not quite more to a major third, always be a little flat on that bend. The Gretsch ones were good but not as much as the old Pyramids. Both had the thinnest flatwound strings I've ever seen! I've found lights on ebay but so far no extra lights
View attachment 48703
This is what the packs looked like but the sets were different but tfrom the same time period. Interesting that the Gretsch strings had the exactly shaped name tag around each string cept for the word Gretsch being where the Pyramid is. I'll get to taking pictures of what I have after I look for them again since I wonder if pyramid made the Gretsch strings ... I never thought of that before!
NOS Five Pyramid-Gold Chrome Steel Hawaiian Guitar Strings E-6th Rare W. Germany | eBay
Vintage 1960's Gretsch Thin Man Light Gauge Guitar Strings Case Candy-NOS | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 1960's Gretsch Thin Man Light Gauge Guitar Strings Case Candy-NOS at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
View attachment 48707
Probably the closest I can get to good strings is Rotosound. And those do cost more.
Gibson quality is hit and miss. @smitty_p made a lot of improvements to that guitar, but you should refrain from blanket statements when describing Gibson's.
My Indonesian Jackson San Dimas FR has the best intonation of any of the (5) brand new Gibson's i purchased between 2016 and 2018. It stays in perfect tune, even when dive bombing. It's my main studio workhorse when a tremolo is requested for a given project.
My Jackson, like my Schecter, is shielded with conductive paint from the factory. Zero noise or RFI/EMI interference.
We have a radio station just up the hillside from us. All four of the genuine 1960's/1970's era Les Paul's here for recent service play the radio station when plugged in because of zero shielding.
All five of my brand new Gibson's had fret placement errors (all were examined and CNC measured by B.Hefner in Whittier, California to confirm) that prevented accurate intonation. One fret had a placement error of .012" which increased this error exponentially as you moved towards the bridge. All had nut shelf placement errors sufficient to affect scale length.
One 2016 Gibson SG was given away, one 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute was traded off and the other (3) were returned to Gibson with the report(s) from B.Hefner.
Gibson's response??? "Fret placement errors are normal in hand-made instruments..." - Gibson's Nicolas Chemsak
He went on to say that "Gibson buyers historically shun new technology" and as such, Gibson stays with "traditional assembly methods which result in an inferior product when compared to modern CAD/CAM manufacturing methods..."
You got a good Gibson!@@! Congratulations!@!@!
Your experience is not typical nor guaranteed, but I am happy you had a good experience!@@!@!
Look for the You Tube videos I created for Gibson Noise Anomalies...
Last edited:
OP
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
Gibson quality is hit and miss. @smitty_p made a lot of improvements to that guitar, but you should refrain from blanket statements when describing Gibson's.
My Indonesian Jackson San Dimas FR has the best intonation of any of the (5) brand new Gibson's i purchased between 2016 and 2018. It stays in perfect tune, even when dive bombing. It's my main studio workhorse when a tremolo is requested for a given project.
My Jackson, like my Schecter, is shielded with conductive paint from the factory. Zero noise or RFI/EMI interference.
We have a radio station just up the hillside from us. All four of the genuine 1960's/1970's era Les Paul's here for recent service play the radio station when plugged in because of zero shielding.
All five of my brand new Gibson's had fret placement errors (all were examined and CNC measured by B.Hefner in Whittier, California to confirm) that prevented accurate intonation. One fret had a placement error of .012" which increased this error exponentially as you moved towards the bridge. All had nut shelf placement errors sufficient to affect scale length.
One 2016 Gibson SG was given away, one 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute was traded off and the other (3) were returned to Gibson with the report(s) from B.Hefner.
Gibson's response??? "Fret placement errors are normal in hand-made instruments..." - Gibson's Nicolas Chemsak
He went on to say that "Gibson buyers historically shun new technology" and as such, Gibson stays with "traditional assembly methods which result in an inferior product when compared to modern CAD/CAM manufacturing methods..."
You got a good Gibson!@@! Congratulations!@!@!
Your experience is not typical nor guaranteed, but I am happy you had a good experience!@@!@!
Look for the You Tube videos I created for Gibson Noise Anomalies...
You're right --
I bought a Gibson L6-S, and it was a total worthless piece of
.It is hit and miss, I agree.
A guitar that somebody buys can be a crappy choice, even when it says Gibson.
But overall, I had better luck buying Gibson.
"Gibson buyers historically shun new technology" = True...................in fact musicians shun new technology across the board, which is why they mostly buy tube amps. Musicians by and large won't buy solid state guitar amps either.
Every attempt by major manufacturers (such as Fender Marshall etc) to switch from tube guitar amps, has failed.
Last edited:
You're right --
I bought a Gibson L6-S, and it was a total worthless piece of
It is hit and miss, I agree.
A guitar that somebody buys can be a crappy choice, even when it says Gibson.
But overall, I had better luck buying Gibson.
"Gibson buyers historically shun new technology" = True...................in fact musicians shun new technology across the board, which is why they mostly buy tube amps. Musicians by and large won't buy solid state guitar amps either.
Every attempt by major manufacturers (such as Fender Marshall etc) to switch from tube guitar amps, has failed.
I have a couple SS amps...good stuff, but I am a traditionalist....
I'm very happy with my replicas and the accurate intonation is a huge part of that...
