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Post by guildx700 on Jan 4, 2020 23:00:15 GMT -5
I've had a lovey 1939ish Gibson L50 archtop since about 1979,( has the old Gibson script logo on the headstock). And even though the original frets are shot, (quite obvious visually), It still plays wonderfully and does not note out. I can't bring myself to refret it. It's still bone stock. Also have a "The Loar" LH-650-VS, I bought it new when they first came out. Sadly it seems to be out of production now? I really like it, especially for the price. It's really aging in/playing in nicely. I had to work some magic on it to bring it up to snuff, but the bones of it are good enough that it was worth the time invested. Mainly massaged the frets, cut a new bone nut, and really nailed the setup and string selection on it. After much trial and error I settled on New Tone AM-H 14-58, same set I use on the L50. Should've tried those first. Duh. I have quite a few electric archtops, but those are for another forum to discuss.  |
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 5, 2020 12:47:01 GMT -5
What do i have? Gas.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 5, 2020 16:06:30 GMT -5
I've "almost" cured my G.A.S., but it could flair up at any time I fear. |
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Post by HenryJ on Jan 5, 2020 17:00:24 GMT -5
Archtops? My very first guitar was an archtop from Western Auto. 1964. $28 birthday gift. The neck eventually warped and I had to pitch into the trash.
After 10 years I took the pickguard off because it rattled, not because I was trying to be like John Lennon with his Epiphone Casino.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 5, 2020 19:18:03 GMT -5
In 75 or 76 I was in CA, Soquel I think, and passed a pawn shop with an Epiphone arch top in the window that looked immaculate. I was dead broke and did not go in but it was a beaut.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 5, 2020 20:04:58 GMT -5
That old L50 of mine records wonderfully, it has a very strong voice.
I remember when I first got it. I was sitting outside playing it.
A friend who lived well over a block away and was also a guitar player heard guitar playing and thought it was nearby.
As he walked towards the sound he was shocked to find it was coming all the way from my house.
First thing he said was, WOW...does that thing carry, I heard it clearly way down by my house!
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 137
Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Jan 5, 2020 22:35:08 GMT -5
None. I did have a 1961 6117 for some time, though.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 6, 2020 0:15:54 GMT -5
None. I did have a 1961 6117 for some time, though. Love me some 6117. |
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 137
Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Jan 6, 2020 0:33:48 GMT -5
It was a great guitar, one that a friend lusted after, so I sold it to him. He does it much better justice than I ever did.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 6, 2020 13:42:45 GMT -5
I have a few. Gretsch New Yorker acoustic Guild X150D Savoy Guild M65 Freshman Guild M75 Aristocrat And like you, a Loar 650. They were *cheap* when they were first issued. And this Washburn HB15 I converted into an ES175-sorta-thing by installing two humbuggies and a switch:  |
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Post by jazzguy on Jan 6, 2020 19:30:59 GMT -5
not enough bandwidth....;^)
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 6, 2020 20:39:23 GMT -5
I like the look of them and would love to own one, but I'm not sure it would have the right voice for what I do. I love getting wooly and jazzy with my Gretsch but that's a semi-hollow body not archtop. Acoustically, I'm more of a dreadnought, 000 guy
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Post by jefe46 on Jan 7, 2020 19:20:52 GMT -5
I have owned an L-50...all solid, mint with tags and original tweed case bought for $100 around 1966.
Godin 5th Ave
Epiphone Elitist Byrdland.
Currently considering another but built strictly as an acoustic.
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Post by dadzmad on Jan 8, 2020 11:24:22 GMT -5
I've got a Godin Kingpin - an modern inexpensive ES125 knockoff for plywood it sounds decent unplugged
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Post by jazzguy on Jan 8, 2020 14:18:15 GMT -5
'64 Gibson L-5CES w/PAF pickups Attachments:
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 8, 2020 23:12:04 GMT -5
'64 Gibson L-5CES w/PAF pickups Man...I luv me some L-5CES!!!!  |
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Jan 9, 2020 14:14:13 GMT -5
Here I was, wondering why there was a banjo thread in here.
My very first banjo was a Whyte Eagle Archtop. I still have it. It plays and sounds as good as my other banjos. Used it was $800, so it wasn't cheap, but certainly not a Gibson, either!
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Post by jefe46 on Jan 9, 2020 20:44:57 GMT -5
I like archtops as well, unlike most banjoists who prefer flattop or top tension.
My favorite though was the early Gibson Ball Bearings..I had a 1925.
Now back to guitars. 2
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Post by LTB on Jan 10, 2020 22:48:36 GMT -5
'64 Gibson L-5CES w/PAF pickups Very nice! How long have you had it? |
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Post by LTB on Jan 10, 2020 22:51:13 GMT -5
I have a few. Gretsch New Yorker acoustic Guild X150D Savoy Guild M65 Freshman Guild M75 Aristocrat And like you, a Loar 650. They were *cheap* when they were first issued. And this Washburn HB15 I converted into an ES175-sorta-thing by installing two humbuggies and a switch: peegoo, wow, nice job! How is it compared to your Guild’s |
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Post by magictwanger on Jan 28, 2020 0:39:14 GMT -5
I have a 1934 L50, inherited from my father's Godfather. He played in a jazz combo in New Orleans and remembered my Dad sitting-in during practices, so he left the guitar to him in his will. I was 1st string violin in 8th grade when my Dad came home with it and gave it to me. The guitar is in great shape and gets humidified and played regularly.
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Post by jazzguy on Jan 29, 2020 10:29:36 GMT -5
'64 Gibson L-5CES w/PAF pickups Very nice! How long have you had it? about 20 yrs |
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Post by FlyonNylon on Jan 29, 2020 22:57:29 GMT -5
I have a Marwin Star archtop from 1937, sunburst with spruce top and birch back/sides that needs some luthier love.
But I really feel like trading the epi les paul pro that sits unplayed in a random closet in on an ES-335..
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Feb 3, 2020 12:55:28 GMT -5
Looking into a D'angelico EX63 I was offered in trade for an import Guild Starfire V I have for sale. Archtop, about the size and shape of a Gibson J200 but thinner. If it sounds ok acoustically, I'm in!  |
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Post by hushnel on Feb 7, 2020 11:20:34 GMT -5
I went into a junk store/antiques a couple days ago. There was an old acoustic archtop It was a mess, I could find no indication of a name or manufacture on it. I was really only interested because the neck was all cattywampus, I saw it as a challenge. I’ve never done an acoustic neck re-set before and thought it might be a cool project. The guy told me it would be too expensive for me, that he paid $40.00 for it. I agreed, Still I could tell that the body had a good tone to it. It’s hard to date. I’m thinking maybe he’d take a trade. I picked up two instruments from my neighbor who’s dad passed away, she wanted $50.00 for his violin and acoustic guitar, the violin case was worth the money, plus I wanted to see if I could make the Estaban Dread a playable instrument. I did and donated it to the U of F Rehab/Physical Therapy Center. The violin is solid, sound post where it should be, the bow need’s re-haired.
I’ll take pictures if I can get it.
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Post by HenryJ on Feb 9, 2020 18:01:07 GMT -5
Here is a link to a Truetone archtop similar to the one I had and made reference to in this thread on January 5. Same fretboard, looks like maple but said to be rosewood. And I had also taken the pickguard off of my also. It rattled. reverb.com/nz/item/4303738-1960s-truetone-archtop-guitar |
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Tom B.
Halfnote
Posts: 54
Formerly Known As: Tom B.
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Post by Tom B. on Feb 16, 2020 4:12:35 GMT -5
Just an old ES-175 w/ single P90, 1954 I believe.
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Post by Opie on Feb 16, 2020 8:18:13 GMT -5
Gretsch Country Club,2006
Gretsch New Yorker-1955
Epi Joe Pass, 2017- completely new PU's,benidetto front,classic gibson HB bridge,bigsby. This one gets played,a lot.
Harmony- unknown model,probably late '50s early '60s, currently on bench being restored.
Gibson 12 string 335-1965, center block of course but archy non the less.
Gibson FrankenES something- bought it for $20 bucks, was cut in two with bandsaw presumably at the factory, the neck was separate and not known if it went with this guitar or not. I believe it was ES 350T or maybe a birdland.I put it together thinking I'd use it for slide. Had to redo the neck,it was rejected due to wacky fret distances.Used a strat fretboard with variable radius, put Gretsch style trestle bracing in it, used Lollar Charlie Christian for front, Lollar P-90 at bridge. The neck is wide,1 11/16 at the nut. This is my #1 nowadaze, plays great and is one of a kind,worth at least $25.
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Post by hushnel on Feb 17, 2020 10:21:02 GMT -5
Made a deal with the guy and picked it up on Thursday. I haven’t put it on the bench yet, I’m not sure how the neck was/is attached. It seems pretty old, no makers marks or numbers. I don’t recognize the fret markers, they seem a bit unusual and may be a clue to the manufacturer. It doesn’t appear to be a high end instrument. It’ll be my first neck reset on an acoustic, the main reason for it’s acquisition.
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Feb 17, 2020 15:44:18 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting project. I've bee watching videos from Rosa String Works and he does alot of repairs and neck resets on lower value guitars.
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