What Are Friends For??? - The Unintentional Creation of the'59 Gibson Les Paul Stage Guitar:

[Sp8ctre]

Robert's just reaffirmed something I've known all along.
Adrian is a stand up cat.

And Chibsons, as hated as they are, can be great guitars with a little love.
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I believe that one started out a the Slash AFD that I sold to Adrian...correct?

 

[Inspector #20]

Here's the reason for the tuner change. There are three different tuner shaft lengths commonly used.

Note the high 'e' tuner (Gibson Green Key) in this image compared to the shorter Kluson's...

 

[Inspector #20]

Found a set of Gotoh's that measure same as the Green Keys - .900" from mounting flange to c/l of string hole...

 

[Hackmaster]

I believe that one started out a the Slash AFD that I sold to Adrian...correct?

That is correct, sir!
I got it as a naked husk.
The slash garbage on the headstock bugged me,


so I made it go away.

 

[gball]

Started enlarging the not quite concentric holes for the Kluson 10mm conversion bushings. The holes were nearly .380" before they were straight. Bushings measure. 393" and I will be using about a .0045" interference fit:

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I started with a 45° carbide burr to break the edge and prevent chipping the veneer and finish:

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Next, the ardjourous task of getting the holes straight and creeping up on size. The tuner shoulders actually taper from .385" to .393", very nearly mimicking the taper of the reamer:

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Here, the right side is on size:

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Bushings pressed into place:

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Ahhh!!!!

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The bushings are too long and contact the shoulder of the Gibson Green Keys. The Genuine Kluson's (Adrian got from a TTR member off a Gibson upgrade) and the Gibson Green Keys have a slightly different screw spacing too....

Gold Grovers are the only other tuners I have on hand...they would work but wouldn't look right....

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I can't think of anyone that would put gold Grovers on 'burst guitar with otherwise silver hardware...

 

[Inspector #20]

I can't think of anyone that would put gold Grovers on 'burst guitar with otherwise silver hardware...

I didn't put them on, but considered it briefly. Are those gold keys on Pagey's Les Paul????

 

[RobV]

Man the wood on it looks great!

 

[Inspector #20]

Man the wood on it looks great!

Well, Thank You!!!

It is pretty...what would you call this 'burst???'

Lemon???

 

[RobV]

Well, Thank You!!!

It is pretty...what would you call this 'burst???'

Lemon???

My thoughts would be more of a honey burst. Lemon would be more yellower on the ouside?

 

[Inspector #20]

My thoughts would be more of a honey burst. Lemon would be more yellower on the ouside?

I've never been good at figuring those out!!!!

 

[gball]

I didn't put them on, but considered it briefly. Are those gold keys on Pagey's Les Paul????

Yeah, they were gold but in the pics you see past '74/'75 it looks like most of the gold plating has worn off.

In this pic you can see #1 on the left and #2 on the right and the difference between the gold keys on #1 and the nickel on #2 is pretty obvious I think

He's said in many interviews that he put the Grovers on shortly after acquiring the guitar from Joe Walsh because of the increased tuning stability they offer, not for cosmetics.

 

[Inspector #20]

Yeah, they were gold but in the pics you see past '74/'75 it looks like most of the gold plating has worn off.

In this pic you can see #1 on the left and #2 on the right and the difference between the gold keys on #1 and the nickel on #2 is pretty obvious I think

He's said in many interviews that he put the Grovers on shortly after acquiring the guitar from Joe Walsh because of the increased tuning stability they offer, not for cosmetics.

Very Cool!!!

I love the Green Keys and have no trouble with tuning.

 

[gball]

Very Cool!!!

I love the Green Keys and have no trouble with tuning.

The original green keys from that era were a complete joke, so the Grovers would have been a huge upgrade. The modern ones work just fine and look cool so no need to change them.

 

[Inspector #20]

The original green keys from that era were a complete joke, so the Grovers would have been a huge upgrade. The modern ones work just fine and look cool so no need to change them.

I just reamed the headstock out from a little bigger than 3/8" to 10mm to correct a sizing issue. I'm using a Kluson 10mm x 1/4" conversion bushing and Gotoh vintage style, long shaft tuners....

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

I've never been good at figuring those out!!!!

It’s either a honey or a desert burst , but that’s my opinion

 

[eSGEe]

Honey



Desert:



certainly HONEY

 

[Inspector #20]

Honey
View attachment 27596


Desert:
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certainly HONEY

Cool!!!!!

 

[Trident]

Honey for SWAMPBOY
and a BLACK SG Plzzzzzz

 

[Inspector #20]

The original green keys from that era were a complete joke, so the Grovers would have been a huge upgrade. The modern ones work just fine and look cool so no need to change them.

These are the ones I am throwing on to get it up and running..

- StewMac

www.stewmac.com

 

[Inspector #20]

My favorite pickups - Epiphone's H8BN/H6BN pairing - which is equivalent to the Gibson 498T/490R:



Close up of baseplate data tag:



These are about $20.00/pair brand new and have wood spacers just like their Gibson counterparts.



Although wax potted, they are surprisingly articulate.