NVGD Gibson Content

peteri · May 2018

Massive thanks to @CMW335 for putting me on to this:

https://i.imgur.com/MwDwOl7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ldkiylB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Su4nnL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hmSJHRn.jpg

1965 Gibson J45, all original including the adjustable bridge.

Sounds great, alive and very, very loud! Will get Feline to pull the adjustable and put something more tone enhancing in - in due course.

But very, very pleased - my first proper acoustic!

ICBM · May 2018

Is that adjustable bridge made from ebony?

I had one just like it... the original ceramic bridge was broken, so I made an ebony one for it.

Don't have it replaced. Why do you think it sounds so good?

peteri · May 2018

You know I believe it is!

Won't rush, will let it bed in and see

ICBM · May 2018

Has it ever had any other machineheads on it?

Just curious. Mine was a '61... I think! It did look exactly like that though, as far as I remember.

I don't think the adjustable bridge is as much of a tone-killer as popular wisdom suggests - mine sounded amazing, the best J-45 I've ever played and possibly the best acoustic. When I got it the cracked ceramic bridge was held up with bits of lollipop stick jammed underneath, and that really did kill the tone! It sounded far better when I made the ebony one for it.

peteri · May 2018

Not that I can see, here's the headstock, guess these could be period correct replacements:

https://i.imgur.com/5husLUm.jpg

ICBM · May 2018

If it was my old one, the owner two after me put the original type machineheads back on it, but unless the neck was refinished you'd see the extra screw holes from the Schaller M6s it had when I got it. I swapped them for some modern Gibson 'Kluson' types, but still with large front collars. I assume it had conversion bushings fitted to get the original heads back on, but I can't remember.

The back of the neck wasn't as good as that on mine either, unless that's also been refinished - it had several marks from an old-fashioned 'clamp' type capo. I think I also put a strap button on at the heel, but I can't remember for sure.

I don't actually think it is my old one, the pickguard looks different from how I remember - the tortoise pattern varies quite a lot. It was just the first thing I thought when I saw the ebony bridge saddle - but I know I can't be the only one to replace one like that, I've seen others. And then I saw you bought it from someone who's in Scotland...

Unfortunately I don't think I have any good enough photos of mine to check the pickguard patterning and any distinctive wood grain. I do miss it though, probably more than any other guitar I've ever sold.

jimmyguitar · May 2018

Another vote for leaving the adj bridge in, that’s the way these should sound! It looks great, nice find!

ICBM · May 2018

Ah, I think I remember now - yes, it did have a strap button at the heel, which I took from the other end and fitted a rosewood endpin because the original screw hole had been stripped and filled with matchsticks...

So if it doesn’t have any of that it isn’t my one. Never mind! I suspect you aren’t going to be selling it any time soon anyway

.

scalino65 · May 2018

lovely, lovely! vintage acoustics are a wonderful new world for me. could you comment on how wide the neck is at the nut please? cheers. Will

peteri · May 2018

Thanks - will measure it tonight, it's definitely not end of 60's narrow Gibson.

I completely agree, I've only (this month!) discovered them, they're wonderful! Played a few L series too, wouldn't be my first choice for a do it all acoustic, but there's a certain thing about them....

ronnyb · May 2018

ICBM said:

Has it ever had any other machineheads on it?

Just curious. Mine was a '61... I think! It did look exactly like that though, as far as I remember.

I don't think the adjustable bridge is as much of a tone-killer as popular wisdom suggests - mine sounded amazing, the best J-45 I've ever played and possibly the best acoustic. When I got it the cracked ceramic bridge was held up with bits of lollipop stick jammed underneath, and that really did kill the tone! It sounded far better when I made the ebony one for it.

Same machine heads as my 67 J45.

scalino65 · May 2018

peteri said:

Thanks - will measure it tonight, it's definitely not end of 60's narrow Gibson.
I completely agree, I've only (this month!) discovered them, they're wonderful! Played a few L series too, wouldn't be my first choice for a do it all acoustic, but there's a certain thing about them....

Many thanks. I remember trying a 60s everley brothers gibson years ago and it was tiny. I'm still very much feeling my way around these lovely old instruments so am very keen to find out this sort of thing.
cheers
Will

peteri · May 2018

@scalino65 Sorry forgot to measure until now - it's a 1"11/16, so the old wide spec rather than the slimmer (or the transition that my 67 ES-330 has)

scalino65 · May 2018

many thanks @peteri ; You have such a lovely guitar there. I hope it sounds as great as it looks. Hope you're enjoying to the fullest. Cheers. Will

mr-mac · May 2018

For anyone who likes old Gibson porn. This 1968 suburst, wide neck, j200 is for sale on local fb buying and selling group at moment for £4750

https://reverb.com/uk/item/10818043-gibson-j200-custom-1968-sunburst

that's old advert from where he bought it

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