For Sale: SOLD AGF 2014 Gibson Custom Shop Smeck

[Guitars44me]

Another angle IMG_0649.jpgIMG_0647.jpg

Again, no fret sprout, and smooth in hand. And, I just noticed again how the gold frets compliment the gold and copper flecks in the firestripe pickguard. Hoping to get a pic of that, too.

Wish me luck!

Cheers

Paul

[Guitars44me]

PG and frets together

IMG_0651.jpg

[ZeroFretWear]

Thank you, the photos and description answered my question very thoroughly.
These Gibson Smecks/Stage Deluxe reissues are great, I used to own one and should not have sold it.

[TBar1956]

PM sent on the Gibson

[gfirob]

I asked about the guitar because I have one and I am interested in their history.

First, these guitars are quite different from a J-45 or other standard 14 fret Gibson Jumbo and it is these structural difference which make these guitars (the originals and these replicas) so unusual and so great.

Originally designed as Hawaiian guitars, to be played on the lap, they are five inches deep without a taper. The twelve fret design moves the X braces and the bridge down closer to the center of the lower bout and the sound hole is lower as well for a fairly unique sound. These Custom Shop Smecks are based on an early version of the original guitar, from (I think) 1934, with scalloped braces and only two tone bars. There is a story about their design at Gibson.

They are based on very detailed blue-prints created by the very well known luthier Flip Sipio, as a favor to Rick Turner, another luthier Sipio admired. Rick told Flip about a small group of musicians in Los Angeles (Jackson Brown, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ry Cooder and others) who had formed a kind of Smeck club as owners of original Gibson Smecks and they were interested in having some new versions of these classic guitars built. Original Smecks required substantial work to convert them to standard playing.

So Flip carefully created the blueprints and a number of copies of these blueprints were made and replicas were built by various luthiers, based on these very detailed drawings (complete with quite specific text observations regarding the original construction details). Eventually Gibson obtained a copy of the blueprints and used them to create their own Smeck reissues (like this one) at the Montana custom shop as limited special runs, though they used these plans without paying Scipio or acknowledging his work (according to Scipio). I think this all took place in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s. Jerry Jeff Walker, of course, wrote a song about his Stage Deluxe (That Old Beat Up Guitar).

So these guitars are quite unusual and they have a great sound. I came across the one I have in a vintage guitar shop and bought it on the spot after playing it. I am a long time Martin player, but this guitar just delivered more. A number of other builders are making Smeck versions, but this one from Gibson really shines.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I think this guitar is a wonderful replica of an iconic Gibson model, really an outstanding instrument, and a way into a Gibson Smeck without spending the $10,000 or so you might pay for an original. Good luck with it.

[Guitars44me]

This Gibson Custom Shop version has a slight difference from Gfirob’s well described original design

It is indeed very deep, but not quite 5”

This is 4.5” deep at the neck heel and 4.75” at the endblock. I just double checked with calipers.

So it does have a small amount of taper to the box, which does make it a bit easier to get your arm around!

I have done a bunch of research on these, and their history but had not heard about Flip Scipio!
Rick Turner, of course was the genius behind Alembic basses and Turner guitars. Think Lindsey Buckingham…

The original Gibson Smecks had enormous necks with 2” nuts and even wider and carves that a normal human would have a tough time to fret! Since designed for lap style as Roy Smeck played, with a steel bar, this made sense.

But to modern “Spanish” style players it was difficult to say the least

Thus most of the originals have had neck shaves now, though they still can be found unmolested from time to time. I just saw one on Reverb for $17K…. Yikes

Thanks for the info about the history!

This has a very nice factory neck carve with an 1.81” nut and a gentle slimmer mod V carve.
and my small hands can easily fret with my thumb over the big E. The 24.75” scale is a help too.

The tone is really warm and fat. Cindy is still urging me NOT to sell, as she loves the tone. But I really have too many and this is not going to gigs as it is just too big a box for me to want to wrestle for hours on stage.

Man, this forum is a font of guitar knowledge!

Play on and enjoy it!!!

Paul

[Guitarhound]

I just bought a 2014 Gibson Stage Deluxe Ltd from Elderly before seeing this ad! Rats! Unfortunately the previous owner had removed the Trance Audio pickup in mine. At any rate, it’s a great guitar. I just wrote to Gibson to confirm whether the top is Adirondack or Sitka. Regardless, it’s a great sounding and playing guitar. The 12 fretters are the best in my opinion. The new buyer will love it I am sure.

[Guitars44me]

Thanks Guitarhound!

The former owner said and Tim L concurred adi on this one. Supposedly adi braces and hide glue, too. And the thin finish for sure.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I agree about the 12 fret tone. Huge tone

I wanted to check out one of these pups, and it is everything it is cracked up to be! Fantastic plugged sound, thru amps or PA.

And I really love the neck carve and short scale.

Someone will be stoked

Have fun with yours

Paul

[Guitarhound]

Originally Posted by Guitarhound

I just bought a 2014 Gibson Stage Deluxe Ltd from Elderly before seeing this ad! Rats! Unfortunately the previous owner had removed the Trance Audio pickup in mine. At any rate, it’s a great guitar. I just wrote to Gibson to confirm whether the top is Adirondack or Sitka. Regardless, it’s a great sounding and playing guitar. The 12 fretters are the best in my opinion. The new buyer will love it I am sure.

I just heard back from Gibson - it’s Adirondack.

[inc0herent]

Bump for a killer guitar from a trusted seller. I wish I was in buy mode!

[Guitars44me]

Jiggety Jog.

Thanks Beth, Gfirob, IncOherent and Guitarhound. I really Appreciate the support!

Ready to ship this BEAST to the lucky new owner! Maybe you…

Happy to discuss on the horn

619-445-1189. 9-9 or so pacific time

Play the great ones and have fun

Paul

[Transylvania]

Great deal from a great seller/AGF member. If I weren't already loaded with 12 fretters....

Can't go wrong dealing with Paul.

[Guitars44me]

Thanks Transylvania!!!

Dropping asking price one more time…

SOLD AGF. and 1/2 actual shipping. Already insured on my Heritage account.

Glad to answer any questions

Cheers

Paul

[Guitars44me]

Sold AGF. Thanks all

Play the good ones, and play like you MEAN it

Cheers

Paul