Gibson Keb' Mo' Bluesmaster

[NevadaPic]

The Gibson Keb' Mo' Bluesmaster is an exquisite guitar. I have had mine for almost three months now and the more I play it the more I appreciate it. It is the first twelve fret to the body guitar I have owned. The placement of the bridge more to the center of the lower bout really accentuates the bass and overall sound. It's light as a feather and was well done fit and finish-wise except for the saddle.

Mine was delivered with a saddle that did not fit the saddle slot in the bridge. It was too thin thus it had a minor but distinct lean towards the neck. Nevertheless, it still sounded fabulous unplugged. Today I replaced it with a full size saddle of Bob Colosi origin of course, and what a difference! Both saddles are bone, but after fitting Bob's saddle to the slot the difference was remarkable.

I have Elixir PB Nano lights on it now which seem to suit it. I'll have to give 80/20s a go after them though. I have a set of Newtone 80/20 Bronze Master Class Medium Lights waiting in the wings.

In the meantime, what a great guitar! I've owned both a Gibson Blues King and a Gibson Legend L-00 in the past. The Keb' Mo' really holds a candle to the Legend due to its bridge placement and otherwise similiar construction.

Thanks!

[Cazon]

I've what seems forever had my eyes on that model (on-line) mainly because of the wide nut (1 13/16"), short scale length and the 12-fret configuration with the associated bridge placement. I'm sure if I can have the opportunity to play one I'd buy it - seems and sounds like a great guitar!!

Yes, a proper fitting saddle makes a world of difference - enjoy your guitar NevadaPic.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by NevadaPic

The Gibson Keb' Mo' Bluesmaster is an exquisite guitar. I have had mine for almost three months now and the more I play it the more I appreciate it. It is the first twelve fret to the body guitar I have owned. The placement of the bridge more to the center of the lower bout really accentuates the bass and overall sound. It's light as a feather and was well done fit and finish-wise except for the saddle.

Mine was delivered with a saddle that did not fit the saddle slot in the bridge. It was too thin thus it had a minor but distinct lean towards the neck. Nevertheless, it still sounded fabulous unplugged. Today I replaced it with a full size saddle of Bob Colosi origin of course, and what a difference! Both saddles are bone, but after fitting Bob's saddle to the slot the difference was remarkable.

I have Elixir PB Nano lights on it now which seem to suit it. I'll have to give 80/20s a go after them though. I have a set of Newtone 80/20 Bronze Master Class Medium Lights waiting in the wings.

In the meantime, what a great guitar! I've owned both a Gibson Blues King and a Gibson Legend L-00 in the past. The Keb' Mo' really holds a candle to the Legend due to its bridge placement and otherwise similiar construction.

Thanks!

any of these with "bubinga" b/s?

[zombywoof]

Not much for Keb' Mo's brand of pop blues but I do love that guitar bearing his name.

Do they still make them with that Epiphone French Heel neck?

[lennylux]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Not much for Keb' Mo's brand of pop blues but I do love that guitar bearing his name.

Amen

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Do they still make them with that Epiphone French Heel neck?

Yes.

[la palma C]

I purchased a new Gibson L-00TV a couple months ago, and it had the same problem with the saddle!!

Does your Keb Mo have a long saddle (the kind where the slot is open at both ends) or a standard (enclosed) saddle? When you purchased your new one from Bob Colosi, what information did you have to provide to him?

[NevadaPic]

Originally Posted by jpd

any of these with "bubinga" b/s?

The Blues King had Bubinga back/sides. I had a Gibson L-130 once that also had Bubinga bask/sides. It's a fine tonewood in my opinion.

[NevadaPic]

Originally Posted by la palma C

I purchased a new Gibson L-00TV a couple months ago, and it had the same problem with the saddle!!

Does your Keb Mo have a long saddle (the kind where the slot is open at both ends) or a standard (enclosed) saddle? When you purchased your new one from Bob Colosi, what information did you have to provide to him?

My Keb' Mo' has a standard drop in saddle. The original (bogus) saddle was not B compensated. So I asked Bob to provide a Gibson (1/8" thick, B-string uncompensated, 2.8"long) bone saddle which I replaced for the original. Your saddle may be B compensated in which case you would want to order a Gibson (1/8" thick, B-string compensated, 2.8"long) saddle.

It takes some amount of work to fit the new saddle. Bob includes complete instructions. See his website at http://www.guitarsaddles.com. I like to use the glass in a picture frame for a flat surface. Get some sandpaper and take your time.

The Gibson L-00 Legend had a long saddle where the slot is open and curved at both ends. These kinds of saddle are a bit more difficult to adjust. The top of the saddle has to be addressed instead of the bottom and it can be a challenge to maintain the proper radius.

[devellis]

I've seen a few new Gibsons with wobbly, leaning saddles. I assumed that they had been replaced by a less-than-competent tech at the various big-box stores where I encountered them but it seems strange that it should occur so often. From what I understand, the factory precision cuts the slots and has saddles for them that are a good fit, so factory error seems unlikely, unless the wrong saddles are used on specific bridges, or something. I guess it could also be that some of those big stores have guitars in stock for a long time in some cases, so maybe they're more likely to fall into the hands of the stores' techs. Puzzling.

[NevadaPic]

Originally Posted by devellis

I've seen a few new Gibsons with wobbly, leaning saddles. I assumed that they had been replaced by a less-than-competent tech at the various big-box stores where I encountered them but it seems strange that it should occur so often. From what I understand, the factory precision cuts the slots and has saddles for them that are a good fit, so factory error seems unlikely, unless the wrong saddles are used on specific bridges, or something. I guess it could also be that some of those big stores have guitars in stock for a long time in some cases, so maybe they're more likely to fall into the hands of the stores' techs. Puzzling.

It's a mystery. In my case the saddle was obviously too narrow for the slot and its lean towards the neck was readily apparent. I might add that Mr. Colosi's saddle was precisely the right thickness for the slot. I had to trim the ends and reduce its height as needed but otherwise it slid into the slot w/o resistance. Bob Colosi is the guitar's best friend!

[jpd]

Originally Posted by NevadaPic

The Blues King had Bubinga back/sides. I had a Gibson L-130 once that also had Bubinga bask/sides. It's a fine tonewood in my opinion.

I am very enamored with the bubinga and the L-130. Could you tell me if the saddle on your Keb is comparable to the b compensated saddle on the L-130? Wonder if I got your ol' Gibson? J.D.

[picassov7]

Originally Posted by NevadaPic

Bob Colosi is the guitar's best friend!

I'll second that! Bob has helped me with multiple quality upgrades on my different instruments.

[NevadaPic]

Originally Posted by jpd

I am very enamored with the bubinga and the L-130. Could you tell me if the saddle on your Keb is comparable to the b compensated saddle on the L-130? Wonder if I got your ol' Gibson? J.D.

The saddle on the Keb' Mo' is bone. The saddle in your L-130 could be plastic or Tusq unless someone replaced it with something else. Otherwise yours is compensated and mine is not.

My L-130 had a plastic (Tusq?) saddle which I replaced with bone. It was a definite improvement. They are nice little guitars. I'm always on the lookout for another one.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by NevadaPic

The saddle on the Keb' Mo' is bone. The saddle in your L-130 could be plastic or Tusq unless someone replaced it with something else. Otherwise yours is compensated and mine is not.

My L-130 had a plastic (Tusq?) saddle which I replaced with bone. It was a definite improvement. They are nice little guitars. I'm always on the lookout for another one.

Mr. Colosi is sending me a new bone saddle as of today. The saddle on this 130 is worn down to the "bone"! I was fortunate to find this l'il jewel. Hope you find another, also. J.D.