Gibson Les Paul Jumbo Acoustic?

Dru Edwards · #1 06-12-2021, 04:57 PM

Anyone ever hear of the Gibson Les Paul Jumbo Acoustic guitar? Les was a big fan of low impedance pickups, which is the opposite of what's used on electric guitars. Gibson tried it out on the production Les Paul Jumbo model between 1969-1973. Very few sales. The book I'm reading states that the pickup weighed nearly 2 pounds.

What's the emoticon for abomination?

The Growler · #2 06-12-2021, 05:18 PM

Looks like Les is still working on it.

Some of his personal guitars were workshops for his tinkering in his chase for that “sound”. This one looks like that to me.

Brucebubs · #3 06-12-2021, 05:20 PM

That bridge needs to be turned around.

foxo · #4 06-12-2021, 05:28 PM

It’s beautiful.

Ok, I’m kidding, it’s a monstrosity.

Wade Hampton · #5 06-12-2021, 05:49 PM

I’ve seen photos of this model before, though I’ve never seen one in person. It’s probably the ugliest guitar I’ve ever seen.

To be fair, I have seen and played several of Martin’s D-18E acoustic-electric guitars, and they’re nearly as ugly and sound lousy both acoustically and plugged in, with their cheesy DeArmoun pickups on them. This Gibson actually might sound better than the D-18E when plugged in.

Wade Hampton Miller

Dru Edwards · #6 06-13-2021, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I’ve seen photos of this model before, though I’ve never seen one in person. It’s probably the ugliest guitar I’ve ever seen.

To be fair, I have seen and played several of Martin’s D-18E acoustic-electric guitars, and they’re nearly as ugly and sound lousy both acoustically and plugged in, with their cheesy DeArmoun pickups on them. This Gibson actually might sound better than the D-18E when plugged in.

Wade Hampton Miller

Wade, I was hoping you'd chime in. It's a very ugly guitar for sure. Very rare for obvious reasons. Les Paul should have let this one slide.

The Martin D-18E looks similar to the Gibson. Not surprised of the tonal aspects either.

egordon99 · #7 06-13-2021, 06:45 AM

Looking at that guitar makes my head hurt.

Dru Edwards · #8 06-13-2021, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egordon99

Looking at that guitar makes my head hurt.

It really does. I'm a huge Gibson Les Paul fan but I'll pass on the acoustic model.

zombywoof · #9 06-13-2021, 08:43 AM

According to the Fabulous Flattops book. this model was available from 1969 to 1973. Apparently not a whole lot of them were built with the majority being shipped in 1970 and 1971. They cost just under $600. I remember seeing one hanging on the wall in a NYC shop. Whether I liked it was not the issue. At the time I could not even lay out the $300 a brand spanking new Martin D18 would have run me.

Steve DeRosa · #10 06-13-2021, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof

...I remember seeing one hanging on the wall in a NYC shop. Whether I liked it was not the issue. At the time I could not even lay out the $300 a brand spanking new Martin D18 would have run me...

Probably the same one I saw in the early/mid-70's at We Buy Guitars, and I've never seen another since - BTW I was in college and also broke at the time, but I wouldn't have taken it even if you gave it to me...