Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FELINEGUITARS on April 12, 2011, 10:47:41 PM
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Quick question
Has anyone here got a Gibson ES339 - the small bodied one?
I have a customer who wants a solid body version of one but I need to get some dimensions to help plan what we can do
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I've got one with the '59 neck, and Mr 38th has one with the 30/60 neck (I think).
Ted'N'Leo has one too, but he doesn't seem to post much nowadays.
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Brilliant
Phil or Steve - could I bother you to have a look at your one - need to get an outline to do a feasibility study of whether we could make a solid one
Happy to do a set-up on it while I have it on the bench
Or a 336 would be fine also
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Brilliant
Phil or Steve - could I bother you to have a look at your one - need to get an outline to do a feasibility study of whether we could make a solid one
Happy to do a set-up on it while I have it on the bench
Or a 336 would be fine also
Now that's service.
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I might be able to drop it off Saturday morning, but you'd have to hold on to it for a couple of weeks because I'll be away over Easter.
My gut feeling is a solid one would weigh a ton, unless you went for a thinner body! Even as a semi it's about 7.5 pounds.
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what about a 335-S, although most of them happen to be pretty ugly so i would be tempted by slightly larger and at least some chambering
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I was trying to remember that one Wez but couldn't get the number right -it is a bit ugly
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(http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/graphics/1980Gibson335S.jpg)
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Hi Jonathan, yes Philly is right, I have one too and it is indeed the 1960's neck. You are welcome to take dimensions but I see Philly has also offered. Just let me know if you need to have a look- would have to be Saturday though.
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The 335-S looks super cool to me. Nothing ugly there :D
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Looks like a DC.
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How old's that ad Philly? Looks a bit 80s to me (both the ad and the 335-S! :lol:)
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Pretty much spot on, Andy. :)
I think they were introduced in 1980 and only lasted a couple of years. Note the odd position of the selector switch, similar to SGs from the same period!
It was right about the time I started reading equipment reviews in the back of Sounds and occasional copies of International Musician and Recording World, which is why I remember them quite well. There was a bloke called Gary Cooper (not the star of High Noon, presumably) who reviewed the 335-S and actually bought one.
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don't like that 335-s at all.. :(
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I used to have a Chris Eccleshall solid body 7/8 size 335 in the late 70's. It was all mahogany and came out at a similar weight to a Les Paul. It had a carved top and flat back (like a Les Paul). I liked it, but traded it for a double cut Les Paul special which had been fitted with humbuckers!
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Thanks for the input
Which of you two fine gents will let me check out their 339 though?
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Well I can definitely make the trip, unless Steve is going to be in the vicinity anyway?
He's likely to need his more than I need mine, I suspect :lol: ..... you could hold onto it as long as you like.
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I am easy. If you need mine to measure the neck then I can do that though as Philly suggested, I use mine live and I am playing this weekend. I could come around late morning though if you just need it for an hour or two.
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OK, I'll bring mine anyway so you've got a "permanent" one, and if Steve brings his too you can compare the necks. :D
(Assuming public transport is all OK on Saturday)
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Thanks guys - really appreciated
It will be the body I want to look at most as the neck shaping will be variable anyway and not differ too much from what I normally make.
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Beware, Philly, be very ware...
[Jaws Soundtrack]http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0)[/Jaws Soundtrack]
... unless of course you've already handled it and know of the danger :lol:
It had no strings/hardware or finish when I craddled it in my arms... and it's still in the back of my mind.
In fact, when I noticed that it was the 14th April 2011 this morning as I started my timesheet, this very guitar suddenly jumped to the front of my mind for a moment...
(Today, by theory, is the day that the CSA stops asking me for money - I could, assuming the theory is correct, pay for one of these outright in 3 months... just out of "spare" money... this came as something of a shock when it finally dawned on me that this is what today means in spending power - I've been refusing to look forward to it ever since it started, didn't even think I'd still be here by now)
However, before Jonathan gets too excited... there are other pressing concerns like getting back on the property ladder/slide and woefully inadequate retirement cover that have been on hold for 15 years or so... and every single one of them has been waiting for today :?
BUT!!, let us not forget that I'm a Musician (capital "M").... and if I really am that much better off every month after today, it does feel like I deserve some sort of small celebratory "well-I-lived-through-that-after-all" present before I knuckle down and do any sensible sh1t... :lol:
I have to admit I was thinking "hey what time you going down there guys?", but then I remembered my missus has invited a bunch of her family round for the day... I'm required for musical uncle duties :(
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Probably safe enough, Andy, I'm relatively skint at the moment (too much spending, not offset by any selling). But I'll be interested to see it! :D
I have to admit I was thinking "hey what time you going down there guys?", but then I remembered my missus has invited a bunch of her family round for the day... I'm required for musical uncle duties :(
I'll only be dropping in and back out again, have to travel to Essex in the afternoon.
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However, before Jonathan gets too excited... there are other pressing concerns like getting back on the property ladder/slide
Think you might have few years before that becomes viable again, so more than enough time to enjoy a guitar :lol:
Good luck with the CSA, hope it all goes well and they don't try to find another way to screw you over.
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Beware, Philly, be very ware...
[Jaws Soundtrack]http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0)[/Jaws Soundtrack]
... unless of course you've already handled it and know of the danger :lol:
I hadn't even thought of that before you mentioned it Andy
However you are certainly welcome to have a go
Good news is that it's mine(!) and wont be leaving the building , although I'd certainly value feedback from Philly or whoever as I might make it a reguklar part of my range.
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8)
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Thanks for the very kind offer St James
Unfortunately what the guy is asking about is a solid body guitar in the shape of the 339
I suspect that it will turn out to be similar to the old Yamaha MSG - (the old version rather than the new one which has been narrowed too much)
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Jonathan
well if you want an old MSG to measure you know who to call
David 8)
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Beware, Philly, be very ware...
[Jaws Soundtrack]http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23823.0)[/Jaws Soundtrack]
... unless of course you've already handled it and know of the danger :lol:
I have seen it now! Lovely guitar! Nice and light too. :D
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336
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Oops events overtook me at the weekend. Jonathan, do you need to borrow mine?if so let me know and I can meet up.
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Okay we have been making some progress with this beast
Thought I'd give a quick update
We went with a slightly more true to 335 shaping in some ways - mainly the horns
Weight is fairly typical for an LP type guitar - or even a regular 335 for that matter
There is something - we are searching for a name for this model - one that fits in within our normal naming regime of cat related names - any suggestions?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/solid%20ES%20guitar/DSC02368.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/solid%20ES%20guitar/DSC02372.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/solid%20ES%20guitar/DSC02374.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/solid%20ES%20guitar/DSC02377.jpg)
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Can't see the pics yet, but....
It's hard to think of a name which sounds a bit more "smooth" or "jazzy" than other cat names. You could just go with Big Cat or Fat Cat.
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Yes - fat cat had occurred to me and quite appealed -
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Fat Cat I relate to a hollowbody jazzbox or a G...sch. Since you already have a Lion and this resembles a Les Paul double cut why not Lynx or Lepard? Or are you using those names already?
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top is simple and lovely. no idea what colour is the plan, but can imagine it in a trans wine/blood red. good looking neck joint too :)
like 'fat cat' for the name - its quite cheesy, but fits perfectly IMO
edit: reminds me of the bass player from the cat band in the Aristocats:
(http://personnages-disney.com/Images/Images%20personnages/Billy%20Boss.png)
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top is simple and lovely. no idea what colour is the plan, but can imagine it in a trans wine/blood red. good looking neck joint too :)
like 'fat cat' for the name - its quite cheesy, but fits perfectly IMO
edit: reminds me of the bass player from the cat band in the Aristocats:
(http://personnages-disney.com/Images/Images%20personnages/Billy%20Boss.png)
Yes - solid black or red was the plan, but we'll see what the customer wants closer to the time
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loving the neck join!
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loving the neck join!
+1!
I thought that body looks a little bit small, but as I think it also for the 339.........
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could it be a Barbary Lion?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_lion
"The Barbary lion is often regarded as the largest and the heaviest of the lion subspecies"
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I am really looking forward to see the end result. One of these days I hope to commission something along those lines.
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Fat cat came to my mind too. It's a natural name.
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Another vote for "Fat Cat" here, it suits the style of the guitar down to the ground. Alternatively, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you've used "cougar" or "sabretooth" yet?
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You could paint it in black and call it Bagheera
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'fat cat' is ok.
I'll offer up 'Top Cat' & 'Bobcat'.
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PS.
what happened to the Judge Dredd guitar? whats the story. sorry to go off topic.
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Ah, now I can see the pics! :D
I like the way you've changed the horns, the ES-339 is a little cramped in the cutaways.
It reminds me of the Yamaha MSG. Or, unfinished like it is now, it looks a bit like my Washburn:
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/KGrHqJlYE2D5e3Mt5BNrEvlLc1Q_121.jpg)(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/KGrHqNlME2EiNnWRBBNrEvktmmw_121.jpg)
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The guitar looks great, can't wait to see future updates. Names wise these are all breeds of domestic cat but they have a vaguely classy quality that might suit:
Abyssinian
Bengal
Chartreux
Javanese
Persian
Sphinx
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Yeah, I'd thought of "Persian" too.
Thing is, a lot of cat names like Leopard, Tiger, Panther, Sabretooth etc sound quite macho.
This one looks more fat, sleek, laid back but friendly. Definitely a domesticated breed. :wink:
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Thunder as in Thundercats. Surely this is a winner.
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Thunder as in Thundercats. Surely this is a winner.
+1. More frigthening: Hell's Cat!
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Coming back to the guitar itself, is it completely solid or is there some weight relief?
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Top Cat.
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Tomcat?
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Moggy?
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Custard?
(http://www.vivarti.co.uk/extraimages/prints/RCP002_extra.jpg)
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(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTS9LPrJoWFhIQtNcpSk0YnBq8xUswIcsmKt7qHJ07iB8cSXdCrlQUY--Ar)
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Coming back to the guitar itself, is it completely solid or is there some weight relief?
On this one there is no chambering as per customer request
I may make future ones hollow on the wings - much like your Washburn
I'm liking fatcat again so far for this one
I had to reject Cougar to avoid Afghan Dave asking me if I'm currently drilling any cougars
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I had to reject Cougar to avoid Afghan Dave asking me if I'm currently drilling out any cougars
:lol:
It's gotta be Fat Cat.
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Looking good :D
Now I've played a 335 for a while, not sure I'd ever go for the 339 size, but that looks like it's going to be very tasty.
I can't think of anything better than "Fat Cat" either, doesn't seem quite right somehow though (possibly because it looks decidely petite compared to a 335 :lol:).
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Feline Fat Cat sounds pretty good. 8)
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How about The Purrl.
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That looks really good Jon - very nice indeed!
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Garfield.
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Loving the look of that one. Very nice indeed. Just been searching online and there is a company in the states called fat cat guitars. Not sure if that is any reason to avoid calling the guitar a Feline fat cat though!