Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 01:00:25 PM

Title: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 01:00:25 PM

Not Nick Clegg, although he does seem to be an all-purpose whipping boy nowadays....


No, I refer to our very own Marauder, and it was this thread last month which started another (expensive) ball rolling:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27460.0 (https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27460.0)


For some time I've been GAS-ing for a particular guitar (let's face it, I've been GAS-ing for loads of guitars, but this one has been consistently on the "must buy" list for quite a while)....... a Gibson 1958 Les Paul Jr. Double Cut VOS.  I've had a few MIJ doublecut Jrs in the last couple of years - two Edwards and a Tokai - but the Edwards were a bit skinny-necked, the Tokai was a bit too heavy; I felt I had to move upmarket.

But there aren't many examples of this model around, even less in TV White - and it had to be in TV White!  So I resigned myself to being patient.

But then talk of "bi-layer" Rosewood boards on Gibson Custom Shop guitars started alarm bells ringing - surely that was just a step away from Baked Maple...?  :?   It was time to sh!t or get off the pot, to put it bluntly....

Nothing on eBay in the right colour, nothing at any UK dealers.... but one in stock at Thomann.  I emailed them and asked them to weigh it (you know me!  :roll: :wink: ) and maybe take some photos - if you don't ask, you don't get!  They came back to me, all looked good, and with the current state of the Pound to the Euro it was not cheap, but £300 less than the UK price for this model.

So here it is, just arrived!  :)

First impressions:  It's nice and light for a Gibson, just a few ounces over 7 pounds.  The neck is big and chunky, but not the enormous tree truck some reviews had led me to believe.  The rosewood board is one of the nicest I've seen on a Gibson (sure beats baked maple!).  The finish is surprising, very little of the light ageing I expect on a VOS, very little sinking into the grain, I almost wonder if it's actually the Gloss finish option on this one rather than VOS?  And soundwise... acoustically, I've never heard anything quite like it, very loud and resonant.  I've got lots of resonant guitars - I do like them to "ring" - but this one has some presence, real twang on the bass strings but still sounds really big.  I like it.  :D



(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/DSC_0030.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/DSC_0031.jpg)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Telerocker on May 28, 2012, 01:04:32 PM

Great catch! I like the colour even better then TV Yellow.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: gwEm on May 28, 2012, 01:06:16 PM

well, its your look for sure!

is it a keeper? are you disappointed with the neck thickness?

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: blue on May 28, 2012, 01:06:25 PM

nice one Philly :)  i like it.  that colour isn't one i would have thought of, but it looks great.  i'm guessing those are Thomann's pictures?  another good customer service story.

how's the Gibson P90?  any thought of changing it?

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: AndyR on May 28, 2012, 01:07:36 PM

I did think that thread was going to result in something :lol:

Looks cute :D

What does VOS stand for again? Can't remember... (not "Very Old Stock" I'm guessing - might cost quite a bit more then!!)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: gwEm on May 28, 2012, 01:09:18 PM

think it might be Vintage Original Spec

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: dave_mc on May 28, 2012, 01:27:17 PM

very nice :)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 01:39:30 PM

Quote from: gwEm on May 28, 2012, 01:06:16 PM

is it a keeper? are you disappointed with the neck thickness?

It's a keeper as of now (90 minutes after I opened the box!  :lol:  )

No, the neck thickness is perfect, very much like a couple of my other Gibbos.  I was just a bit worried that it would be one of those "too thick even for people who like thick necks" jobbies, like a Nocaster....

Quote from: blue on May 28, 2012, 01:06:25 PM

nice one Philly :)  i like it.  that colour isn't one i would have thought of, but it looks great.  i'm guessing those are Thomann's pictures?  another good customer service story.

how's the Gibson P90?  any thought of changing it?

Yeah, they're Thomann's pics - can't be bothered trying to find a suitable spot to take inferior ones of my own!

Haven't plugged it in yet, but I think the Gibson P-90s are good (not the P-100s, which are shite).  I'm always more reluctant to mod expensive guitars, but we'll see....

Quote from: AndyR on May 28, 2012, 01:07:36 PM

What does VOS stand for again? Can't remember... (not "Very Old Stock" I'm guessing - might cost quite a bit more then!!)

Yep, Vintage Original Spec as gwEm so rightly says.  "Manufactured to re-create the mellow appearance and patina of a well cared for vintage instrument."

And I've realised it is VOS, not Gloss, because that's what the sticker on the scratchplate says....   :oops:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: juansolo on May 28, 2012, 02:12:15 PM

Do like  PDT_003

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: TheyCallMeVolume on May 28, 2012, 02:16:23 PM

Congrats!

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: PhilKing on May 28, 2012, 02:20:24 PM

It looks really nice.  I have a couple of the double cutaway juniors and they are great guitars for old school rock.  I like the look of the finish.  One of mine is TV yellow, the other is cherry.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Afghan Dave on May 28, 2012, 02:59:33 PM

I didn't expect to like that but I do.. and I like the colour.  :)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Tellboy on May 28, 2012, 05:42:28 PM

Have always loved the DC Juniors. Very nice!

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: marauder on May 28, 2012, 05:54:10 PM

That's gorgeous Phil, I blame me too!

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Andrew W on May 28, 2012, 06:43:37 PM

That is a very tasty guitar. I've always liked double-cut Juniors and Specials and I certainly like this. A good score.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: 38thBeatle on May 28, 2012, 08:14:25 PM

My favourite Juniors are DC's-in fact I have one in the USA that I hope to acquire before too long-fate has conspired against me for ages! But that is a great looking guitar Philly and I love the colour.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: richard on May 28, 2012, 08:16:17 PM

Gorgeous, one of my favourite guitar shapes.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Andrew W on May 28, 2012, 09:15:01 PM

Just out of curiosity, how smooth and thin is the finish? I had a double cut LP Special for years that was a decent guitar but had a very thick finish on it which I suspect in hindsight led to the rather stifled tone it had. Are the fancier Gibsons better in this regard?

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 11:01:37 PM

Quote from: marauder on May 28, 2012, 05:54:10 PM

That's gorgeous Phil, I blame me too!

 :lol: :lol:

Comment of the thread!

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 11:17:52 PM

Thanks for all the comments, gents!  :D

Quote from: Andrew W on May 28, 2012, 09:15:01 PM

Just out of curiosity, how smooth and thin is the finish? I had a double cut LP Special for years that was a decent guitar but had a very thick finish on it which I suspect in hindsight led to the rather stifled tone it had. Are the fancier Gibsons better in this regard?

The VOS finishes are meant to be thinner than a normal-production Gibson nitro finish, but it's hard to tell if it really is or not.

I was expecting this one to have quite a "rough" finish, with lots of sinkage (is that a word?) into the mahogany grain.  That's what the two Edwards "Lacquer Taste" Juniors I had were like.  Oddly enough it's very smooth indeed, maybe the smoothest finish of any Gibson I've owned.  Still feels like nitro, though.

I'm surprised your LP Special had a thick finish - I'd say nearly all my Gibsons have had pretty thin finishes, although the finishes do sometimes feel quite "soft" and easily marked.  A few of those guitars did  sound quite thin and strangled, but I always put that down to poorer quality timbers on the production models.  Long ago I had a (singlecut) Gibson LP Special with P-100s which was really quite cr@p - my MIJ Epiphone LP Special pisses all over it, frankly.
 

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Ian Price on May 28, 2012, 11:29:59 PM

Nice one Philly!

For a moment I thought you meant Nick Clegg  :oops:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: AndyR on May 29, 2012, 08:23:25 AM

Quote from: Philly Q on May 28, 2012, 11:17:52 PM

Thanks for all the comments, gents!  :D

Quote from: Andrew W on May 28, 2012, 09:15:01 PM

Just out of curiosity, how smooth and thin is the finish? I had a double cut LP Special for years that was a decent guitar but had a very thick finish on it which I suspect in hindsight led to the rather stifled tone it had. Are the fancier Gibsons better in this regard?

The VOS finishes are meant to be thinner than a normal-production Gibson nitro finish, but it's hard to tell if it really is or not.

I was expecting this one to have quite a "rough" finish, with lots of sinkage (is that a word?) into the mahogany grain.  That's what the two Edwards "Lacquer Taste" Juniors I had were like.  Oddly enough it's very smooth indeed, maybe the smoothest finish of any Gibson I've owned.  Still feels like nitro, though.

I'm surprised your LP Special had a thick finish - I'd say nearly all my Gibsons have had pretty thin finishes, although the finishes do sometimes feel quite "soft" and easily marked.  A few of those guitars did  sound quite thin and strangled, but I always put that down to poorer quality timbers on the production models.  Long ago I had a (singlecut) Gibson LP Special with P-100s which was really quite cr@p - my MIJ Epiphone LP Special pisses all over it, frankly.
 

When I stripped my Gibson Explorer I found it had a surprisingly (to me) thick finish. It was like a solid shell that came off in great big lumps in places - I was a bit worried that the thing was going to be noticably smaller!!

I have to say though, I can't really tell whether the tone changed a great deal. My first thought is it must have, but there's a little voice in my head saying "you don't really know, not really, do you?" :lol:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Twinfan on May 29, 2012, 09:54:10 AM

Gorgeous Phil - love it  :D

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 29, 2012, 05:58:30 PM

Cheers Dave!  :D

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Mr. Air on May 30, 2012, 06:56:34 PM

Oh man what a nice guitar! I totally dig the DC jr and special look. I want one!!!  :D

Congrats on the guitar, Philly!

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 31, 2012, 12:36:56 AM

Quote from: Mr. Air on May 30, 2012, 06:56:34 PM

Oh man what a nice guitar! I totally dig the DC jr and special look. I want one!!!  :D

I've always loved the look of the singlecut Jr and Special, and the doublecut Jr..... but never really liked the doublecut Special!  Always thought the pickup and control placement on that model looks a bit odd.

But funnily enough, I'm now starting to get some GAS for a DC Special.... it's the obsessive collector in me, I'm afraid.  :roll: :lol:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Andrew W on May 31, 2012, 09:04:40 AM

Quote from: Philly Q on May 31, 2012, 12:36:56 AM

Quote from: Mr. Air on May 30, 2012, 06:56:34 PM

Oh man what a nice guitar! I totally dig the DC jr and special look. I want one!!!  :D

I've always loved the look of the singlecut Jr and Special, and the doublecut Jr..... but never really liked the doublecut Special!  Always thought the pickup and control placement on that model looks a bit odd.

But funnily enough, I'm now starting to get some GAS for a DC Special.... it's the obsessive collector in me, I'm afraid.  :roll: :lol:

I had one of the mid-90s DC Specials like this one and I like the look very much:

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/23miles/DSC_0025.jpg)

I slightly regret getting rid of it in retrospect as it was well made and I did like the period uncorrect Tune-o-matic bridge. I got rid of it before I'd learned what horrible pickups P100s are and I suspect given something better from a certain South West based pickup manufacturer, it could have been a belter.

If you find one of those, Philly, I think you'd like the neck, but perhaps not the weight.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on May 31, 2012, 12:18:14 PM

Yeah, P-100s are terrible pickups!  And if I recall correctly they're not even very good at cancelling hum!

My main "problem" with the DC Special is the same as the SG Special - the pickups are too close together!  I know they have to do it that way to avoid weakening the neck joint too much, but I don't like it.

If I do ever buy one, it'd have to have a wraparound bridge - I don't dislike tune-o-matics at all, but these guitars are all about the one-piece bridges!  :D



Hmmm....

I'm afraid I'm starting to see myself collecting the complete "set" now - Junior and Special, in both Singlecut and Doublecut....  :roll:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: PhilKing on June 01, 2012, 02:27:38 PM

I have a 1960 special which I really picked up for a song because it was advertised as a junior with an additional pickup added!  It also had a stripped body and the wrong tailpiece (a Badass was on it).  It is a great guitar, it is the model where the pickup was moved back, but it has one of the best necks I've played (IMHO).  When you put it against my 60 Junior (with the same feeling neck), there isn't quite as much grit, but it has a wider tonal palette.   It is also different to my single cut 55 special (reissue from 1972), the single cut having a bit tighter sound and a bit longer sustain.  However they are all brilliant guitars and if you get a special I'm sure you will like it.

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on June 01, 2012, 04:55:09 PM

Quote from: PhilKing on June 01, 2012, 02:27:38 PM

However they are all brilliant guitars and if you get a special I'm sure you will like it.

I'm sure I will, Phil!  :)

I already have a couple of Singlecut Specials (a Gibson and a Japanese Epiphone with a tune-o-matic), it seems churlish not to get a Doublecut....  :wink:

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: gwEm on June 01, 2012, 05:04:39 PM

Quote from: Philly Q on June 01, 2012, 04:55:09 PM

I already have a couple of Singlecut Specials (a Gibson and a Japanese Epiphone with a tune-o-matic), it seems churlish not to get a Doublecut....  :wink:

I agree ;)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on June 03, 2012, 06:06:26 PM

Philly, that is just awesome! Love the color and you know I share the love for LP Jrs! :D

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: roland_rat on June 03, 2012, 07:52:26 PM

Very nice indeed! Enjoy.....

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on June 03, 2012, 11:31:13 PM

I'm enjoying!  :)

But rummaging around today trying to decide what I can sell to pay for it....

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Andrew W on June 04, 2012, 07:28:38 AM

Quote from: Philly Q on June 03, 2012, 11:31:13 PM

I'm enjoying!  :)

But rummaging around today trying to decide what I can sell to pay for it....

Have you looked under the bed? I reckon there might be couple of things there...

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DrCJj1E7hHs/S7TEirA7JfI/AAAAAAAAADI/5UJ-RoFpMxk/s1600/raiders_book_warehouse-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on June 04, 2012, 09:33:40 AM

I was doing that very thing yesterday....

If I sell the Ark of the Covenant on eBay, do you think I should have a reserve price or just say what the hell and go for a 99p start...........?  :?

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Ian Price on June 04, 2012, 09:41:19 AM

Don't risk it at a 99p start Philly. Just do it as a BIN. Maybe a couple of hundred quid?

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Afghan Dave on June 04, 2012, 09:46:39 AM

Quote from: Philly Q on June 04, 2012, 09:33:40 AM

I was doing that very thing yesterday....

If I sell the Ark of the Covenant on eBay, do you think I should have a reserve price or just say what the hell and go for a 99p start...........?  :?

Better sell it to the Germans before they pay for the next Euro bailout..

Title: Re: Another NGD.... I'm blaming Cleggy!
Post by: Philly Q on June 04, 2012, 09:48:21 AM

£199 maybe, so they don't realise it's nearly two hundred quid?  (Bit of psychology, I'm no fool)