Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: blue on April 20, 2010, 09:41:25 PM
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there seems to have been a spate of new guitar days here lately, led by Dave with Francine and the '64 SG. and now, following my bargain amp day last week, it's my turn! :)
didn't intend to buy a guitar, actually went in looking for fingerpicks to try as i'm getting sick of looking after my nails! but, i ended up putting down a deposit, and now i've brought the baby home.
it's a 1965 Gibson Melody Maker D!
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii166/blue1million/DSC00825.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii166/blue1million/DSC00828.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii166/blue1million/DSC00829.jpg)
i've only had it home this evening, so i'll get to know it better over the next few days. i look forward to getting a set of 10's on, it has very light strings at the minute, but even so it's one of the most acoustically loud solidbodies i've heard. also, i think the tailpiece will be coming off, all it really does is get in the way! the bridge is a wrapover, so that's no problem. the neck is chunky, but certainly not unmanageable, but it's pretty much in need of a refret. i'll report back on just how it sounds with fresh strings and an amp properly cooking :)
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Nice one Blue! Welcome to the '65 Melody Maker club! :D
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thanks Philly :) it's not a guitar i ever thought about before, but now that i've come across it, i really like it
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nice one :D
that landscape looks familiar. I don't mean that i'm stalking your house, but that's just instant northern ireland. green fields, broom-type hedges and grey skies. :lol:
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Very nice conrats on the guitar. It really does look a nice one.
Enjoy :P
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Interesting what you said about the acoustic volume, mine's exactly like that.
I wonder if it really is the effect of ageing, or did it already sound great back in '65, or is it a bit of both?
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nice one :D
that landscape looks familiar. I don't mean that i'm stalking your house, but that's just instant northern ireland. green fields, broom-type hedges and grey skies. :lol:
haha, i know what you mean, and i just missed a tractor in that picture! :D
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^ hehe :lol:
^ ^ i'd say it's the cloth-wrapped stand. never underestimate that. ;)
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Fantastic, nice find. When ever I see a genuine vintage guitar or amp I always wonder where it's been, what it's seen and what's been played. Very nice, enjoy. 8)
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Interesting what you said about the acoustic volume, mine's exactly like that.
I wonder if it really is the effect of ageing, or did it already sound great back in '65, or is it a bit of both?
interesting question Philly. unfortunately, without a TARDIS we won't be finding out! :) it really is remarkably loud though. i don't know how quickly a guitar ages, but my Les Paul Standard, which i bought brand new 6 years ago, does seem to be louder and fuller sounding now.
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Fantastic, nice find. When ever I see a genuine vintage guitar or amp I always wonder where it's been, what it's seen and what's been played. Very nice, enjoy. 8)
oh, i agree totally with that! that's yer mojo right there! :) it's also a bit intimidating, thinking they were probably all much better players, and the guitar's thinking "how the hell did i end up with this idiot!" :)
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what the hell is that thing!
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what the hell is that thing!
it's a cr@ppy cheap beginners' guitar from the '60's that fools like me hand over silly money for these days :D
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Congratulations. Totally not my style but well done anyway!
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what the hell is that thing!
it's a cr@ppy cheap beginners' guitar from the '60's that fools like me hand over silly money for these days :D
True, but they're not really cr@ppy in the slightest!! Dare I ask how much it cost?
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/melody02.jpg)
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ooo, the big question! it was £900. i was very unsure, but from ebay that seems to be around the going rate. i would have preferred cherry over the fire engine red, but all the lacquer checking is very cool. just a pity i can't see the wood grain, which i would have with the cherry.
yours looks lovely Philly, looks very well preserved!
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That sounds about right price-wise, from what little I've seen. Mine was £600, but that was 11 or 12 years ago.
I'd guess yours has more original parts than mine! The scratchplate, pickup and strap buttons were original, but that's about all. I don't think it's been refinished, but oddly enough there's almost no checking at all. The finish on the neck is more discoloured than the body, but still in good nick.
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Nice find! I am a big fan of simple guitars, always loved the look of Gibson Melody Makers and Les Paul Jr's.
Congrats on the new guitar, it looks great.
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Congrats!How are the Pu's?Are they single coil ,from Gibson?
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Congrats. I know they are great guitars judging by the couple that I have come across over the years.
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Lovely, I also a fan of 'simple' guitars (and amps too) :oops:
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the pickups are single coils, and they pick up a lot of hum! at the minute they're quite far away from the strings so a bit weak sounding, but i'll adjust everything when i change the strings. the basic tone sounds good, just a little lacking in output. hopefully heavier strings and a height adjustment will sort that out.
it's just occurred to me, would this guitar be made with Honduras mahogany and Brazilian rosewood? it's not terribly important, but it would be kinda cool if it was
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Whoa, Philly - that looks like about 1 foot of wood between the bridge and the bottom end of the guitar!
All that wasted string space! :)
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Another nice find Blue, well done. I can lend you a flux capacitor if you need to know more about it! Have fun :D
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Whoa, Philly - that looks like about 1 foot of wood between the bridge and the bottom end of the guitar!
All that wasted string space! :)
It's true, you could probably make a Barry Tone version of the same guitar without changing the overall length.
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oh yeah, Philly, it is, as far as i can tell, all original. even the little plastic strap buttons, although the bottom one is broken.
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Congrats, that's a nice looking one.
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oh yeah, Philly, it is, as far as i can tell, all original. even the little plastic strap buttons, although the bottom one is broken.
There you go then, £900 has to be a good price I reckon. :)
You see those Maestro trems alone going for £200-£300 on eBay (vintage ones, I mean).
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interesting discovery #1
my plan was to take off the maestro tailpiece whenever i get around to changing the strings. the silly little arm just gets in the way, and it won't stay tightened and keeps banging against the knobs. in a moment of sleep deprived inspiration i thought "i wonder does the arm from a stetsbar fit that hole?" and it does! suddenly, the maestro is actually usable! i may keep it on after all
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So how does the Stetsbar arm attach? Is it just a screw-in?
Looking forward to interesting discovery #2. :D