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Old 07-16-2018, 09:08 PM
jjarrell jjarrell is offline
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Default thinking vintage gibson, what's better for fingerstyle

I'm thinking of adding a vintage gibson to my herd. I've got nice set of gits but nothing vintage. I do have a Fairbanks L-00 NL which is super nice.

I'm thinking about a banner J-45 (or early 50s) or a vintage Smeck. What's going to work out as a better fingerstyle (or is it neither).
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Old 07-16-2018, 09:09 PM
jgottsman11 jgottsman11 is online now
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I have a 1943 gibson lg-2 and a 1949 gibson lg-3. They are both incredible guitars, but the 43 lg-2 literally gives me goosebumps because of the natural overtones and sustain it produces. Neck the size of a baseball bat
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Old 07-17-2018, 10:07 AM
1Charlie 1Charlie is offline
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Try to get your hands on an early-'30's L-0.

12 frets, wide neck, all mahogany, light as a feather. Warm, wonderful tone.
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Old 07-17-2018, 10:22 AM
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blindboyjimi blindboyjimi is offline
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Of course it depends on budget, but for me, I need 1 3/4 at least for the left hand and the wider the better for the saddle. 2 3/8 for 30s OMs and 30s L-0/00s are perfect. It also depends if you use alternate tunings as with vintage guitars and original tuners, I hate trying to lock in open tunings with old tuners and really short scale (24.75”). But if those things don’t matter to you then a Banner LG-2 has great tone and a bit more complex than a Kalamazoo or L-00. Jumping up to the J-35/45 size gives much fuller bass. If you already have a Fairbanks L-00(one of the very best repros), and don’t want to spend a fortune then I’ll throw out a 30s 00-17. I have had many vintage guitars and repros and have settled on a Waterloo WL-12 for every day and a 1937 00-17 in the 00 size. I really miss my 1935 L-00 and there is a great 1934 for sale right now (no affiliation) but my Waterloo is really an amazing little guitar I had NO intention of buying but just called out hard to me when looking for a J-45. I sold my L-00 collection after picking up the 37 00-17 in minty condition for only $4,500. They are much more versatile than L-00 and won’t break the bank. I got mine from the guys at Intermountain. Best of luck.
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Old 07-17-2018, 10:26 AM
MGSRobinson MGSRobinson is offline
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Smeck. I adore vintage Smecks. The biggest sound available. I’d love to get my hands on a Larson Bros super jumbo, though. New Era guitars does a good one.
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Old 07-17-2018, 05:28 PM
jjarrell jjarrell is offline
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blindboy... i too need the 1 3/4 minimum. were the j-45's smaller nut sizes? I know the smeck's are converted wide necks. the ones i've seen are nicely wide.

i'm not particularly price sensitive. my thinking is a nice clean vintage will be something that will hold it's value.
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:58 PM
Static Static is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjarrell View Post
blindboy... i too need the 1 3/4 minimum. were the j-45's smaller nut sizes? I know the smeck's are converted wide necks. the ones i've seen are nicely wide.

i'm not particularly price sensitive. my thinking is a nice clean vintage will be something that will hold it's value.
The banner j45's were 1 3/4.
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