Gibson love welcome in here

[guitar george]

My little SJ-200 sitting amongst the Guilds.

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[HHP]

Here's my only "Gibson".



It a Flatiron from the time after Gibson bought them. This one dates to Charlie Derrington's tenure as shop manager at the Nashville facility. These were made alongside Gibson labeled models and are generally identical to their Gibson counterparts. Has that typical Gibson dark and throaty sound where the notes seem to put out it.

[thingthatisdone]

does anyone else think that the Martin CEO should be contributing to this thread?

[HHP]

Originally Posted by thingthatisdone

does anyone else think that the Martin CEO should be contributing to this thread?

And bar 14 fret square shoulder Gibson's?

[thingthatisdone]

I was just looking at the CEO series and forgot they were martins.

[Wade Hampton]

I wrote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It's my understanding that there have been several production years when Gibson has made the J-45 with a long scale, including during the 1990's and early 2000's. They finally switched back to the short scale for good at some point, but unless I'm completely misinformed there are some relatively recent long scale J-45's floating around out there.

I'll consult with my personal Gibson expert, hidden away in his secret underground laboratory where James Bond can't find him, and perhaps he can either confirm those long scale J-45 rumors and add additional detail, or else rebuke me for spreading misinformation.

Well, it turns out that he's rebuking me (in his deceptively mild-mannered evil genius way) for spreading misinformation. I just got an email from Fred who - believe it or not - is having dinner with Ren Ferguson right now.

He asked Ren about this, who told him to tell me that while Gibson DID make some long scale J-35's in the early years at the Bozeman factory, they didn't make any long scale J-45's.

So I stand corrected. Darn it. However, those long scale J-35's should be very similar to J-45's, only in a natural finish instead of having a sunburst top.


whm

[J185-4Me]

The J-185 model in the early 1990s (1990-92, IIRC) WAS built using a long scale, and I believe there may have been some built during that time in rosewood.

I had a r/w J-185 from '95/'96, but it was short scale.

Fred

[Mr Fingers]

The inconsistent build quality which has been characteristic of Gibson since the company was founded does make it difficult to generalize about the amazing quality of some Gibson guitars. Like others here, I have played many over a long period of time, and in my opinion and experience, the majority are at least somewhat dead. That's why they get used as rhythm acoustics for recordings -- because they mix well because they do not have complex overtones or booming bass. But I will defend to the death the existence of some absolutely stunning Gibsons. They are the minority, but if you find a good old 00, you will find a combination of volume, beautiful voice, and fluid feel (the Gibson scale) that are unparalleled and which some of us much prefer to the tone of Martins. But yup -- the quality control, assembly practices, etc. are so lax that the odds are that most of the ones you encounter will not be fully realized. I think a good Gibson is unmatched, but that few Gibsons are all that good. It's maddening.

[N+1]

What do people think about the appearance of guitars like the hummingbird, dove, and sj200? - the flashy appointments, the fancy pickguards? I used to find them repulsive, but I find my attitude has changed after spending a morning with the Bob Dylan sj200, with its over-the-top twin pickguards.

I suppose the difference is that in the past I've mostly just looked. Getting to know a fancy Gibson, by holding it, and playing it for an extended period, is something else again, and seems to provide a set of rose-coloured spectacles. What once seemed ugly is veering over towards the beautiful. Or, if not beautiful, then ... celebratory, perhaps.

[Stomp]

I love my Gibsons, wouldn't be without them.
Here's my '56 LG-1 and '04 ES-137

[Proclaimer888]

Yep, will give my J45 some love. Owned several other name brand guitars and nothing compares to it. Nothing.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Stomp

I love my Gibsons, wouldn't be without them.
Here's my '56 LG-1 and '04 ES-137

That 137 is nice. I had a 135 with the trapeze and P100 pickups.

[tgaume]

I do love my Gibson's!!!

IMG_20170710_161212 copy 7:10:2017.jpg

[Shades of Blue]

I am drooling at these Gibbys. Maybe someday I'll wise up and give up my infatuation with Taylor guitars and plump down some dough for a J-45.

[Stomp]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

That 137 is nice. I had a 135 with the trapeze and P100 pickups.

Thanks Andrew, I wanted something versatile and this one covers a lot of Les Paul, ES-175 and ES-345 territory.
It's unusual because it has the Varitone which is usually only fitted to the Custom version.