So there's a first time for everything I guess

aon

aon

Well-Known Member
Country flag
I think I mentioned on some other topic recently that I've never really even played, let alone owned, a Gibson of any sort. I think I once fondled an SG for a few minutes about 20 years ago, and I've heard my dad talk about his Marauder on the phone... Other than that my experience with these has been rather low-end Epiphones and some even more dubious copies. Probably the strangest thing I ever saw was (japanese? korean?) double neck SG bass/guitar that was split into two separate instruments. So lately I've started thinking the image I have of them might not be entirely accurate.

I had an Ibanez RG550 that I hadn't played at all in over a year or so. So I put that up for sale on a local site, mentioning that I'll entertain suggestions for trades as well. After a few days a guy contacted me and asked if I'd like a Les Paul Studio. Mulled it over for a day or so and replied that why not. After a shady encounter in an underground parking facility yesterday, I ended up with this Wine Red specimen from 2008:

IMG_20210503_192347.jpg

I had a bit of free time today so I took a closer look at it, cleaned it up and changed the strings. The previous owner had it only for a few months and I don't think he knew that the bridge pickup was changed to a 57 classic. At least he didn't tell me. For me it was a rather pleasant surprise.

IMG_20210504_172216.jpg

I think the neck pickup is the standard 490R:

IMG_20210504_174353.jpg

The control cavity looks quite unmolested. I think I'll replace the pots with reverse-taper CTS to get an usable sweep. Maybe better quality caps as well.

IMG_20210504_175419.jpg

Here she is with new strings and a slight clean up. There's definitely some play wear, I think it could be polished out but why bother.

IMG_20210504_200129.jpg

I'm a bit baffled by how much seems to be spot on on this, especially for a guitar I didn't even seek out myself (or maybe that's why?). Other than the pots, a strap and some locks, and maybe a slight fine-tuning of the setup, I don't think there's anything that I want to change for now.

I'm keeping it in the case for now but I think it'll need a stand as well. I think I'll get this one: Hercules Stands HCGS-415B+ . That one should be safe for nitro, not so sure about these old K&M ones that I have. And I've had guitars fall on their face off these stands, not sure I want that to happen with this one...
 
Excellent! You should send it to me so we can find out how much it costs to ship a guitar to the States. I don't trust any kind of man made petroleum based products with nitro. Had a bad experience with some open cell foam on a guitar stand once. I see you found that Gibson doesn't use left handed pots. I actually prefer it this way. My stereo knobs don't turn counterclockwise, so why should my guitar?
 
Cadorman said:
Excellent! You should send it to me so we can find out how much it costs to ship a guitar to the States. I don't trust any kind of man made petroleum based products with nitro. Had a bad experience with some open cell foam on a guitar stand once. I see you found that Gibson doesn't use left handed pots. I actually prefer it this way. My stereo knobs don't turn counterclockwise, so why should my guitar?
Click to expand...

Huh. I was so tired last night that I didn't realize they actually rotate the opposite way from Fenders. Also didn't notice that my son had dimed the compressor. Turning it off fixed all my taper problems :D

So I guess the pots can be left as is. Even the strap I got is just the right length without any adjustment. Guess there's nothing to do except to play it then :)
 
aon said:
Huh. I was so tired last night that I didn't realize they actually rotate the opposite way from Fenders. Also didn't notice that my son had dimed the compressor. Turning it off fixed all my taper problems :D

So I guess the pots can be left as is. Even the strap I got is just the right length without any adjustment. Guess there's nothing to do except to play it then :)
Click to expand...
I just noticed your avatar is a lefty too. It's nice to not be so alone in the world!
 
I remembered I have a 5 guitar stand tucked away in storage. It's a Hercules but I don't know what their stance was about nitro 11 years ago when I got it. Thomann lists it as not safe. So I got some faux fur, busted out the old Husqvarna and made some covers. Shame they didn't have more outrageous colours at the fabric store.

IMG_07052021_170543_(720_x_1280_pixel).jpgIMG_07052021_170606_(720_x_1280_pixel).jpg
 
Awesome axe! I had a friend that had one of those that wanted me to play it and see what i thought about it. I molested it and fingered it for a good bit and then carefully put it back in his case. He asked if i'd change anything. i said, "I'd change out the strings, maybe get a setup on it but leave it completely stock. Great tone, great playability just the action is a tad high for my taste." Definitely a keeper and love that color.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aon
Metal89 said:
Awesome axe! I had a friend that had one of those that wanted me to play it and see what i thought about it. I molested it and fingered it for a good bit and then carefully put it back in his case. He asked if i'd change anything. i said, "I'd change out the strings, maybe get a setup on it but leave it completely stock. Great tone, great playability just the action is a tad high for my taste." Definitely a keeper and love that color.
Click to expand...

Yeah, changing the strings from whatever 010 set was on it to brand new 011-052 Burly Slinky definitely had a huge impact on the tone.
 
Yargnad said:
Yep, I still experiment with strings and picks all the time to try to perfect the tone thats in my head.
Click to expand...

That reminds me... some time ago I was kind of frustrated at my tone and figured I'd blind test all the picks I can muster up to see which one sounds the best. The best-sounding one was an Alex Lifeson R30 pick a friend gave me as part of a birthday present after we'd gone to see the Time Machine tour.

So I figured "ok, I'll just get some of these". A quick eBay search revealed that that's NOT a viable strategy:

www.ebay.com

RUSH 2004 R30 30th Anniv Tour Guitar Pick!!! ALEX LIFESON custom concert stage | eBay

Alex Lifeson ! This antique13 year-old Pick is in perfect shape(white print on blue). You will recieve 1 Authentic,Tour-issueRUSH Guitar Pick from. Also take a peak into my.
www.ebay.com

Okay then, which picks does Alex Lifeson use? (~11:10 if the link doesn't take you there)



So after that I've been playing whatever "351 shape" celluloid medium I can get on the side when ordering something else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top