New guitar: vintage 1959 Gibson Melody Maker

[Emre]

Ok, so I just got my new Linc Luthier bass today. That should have been enough or one day. But I was at GC and saw what appeared to be a vintage Melody Maker. I've always had a thing for Melody Makers and LP Specials, especially '59-'61 vintage.

Turns out it was an original '59 (not a reissue). The pickup, pots, and wiring are all original. One-piece mahogany body and one-piece mahogany neck with Brazilian rosewood board. It all checks out: everything dates to early 1959. Looks like this is the real deal.

The neck is phenomenal. I've never played such a sweet neck! I couldn't put it down. Amazing tone. The 7/8" pickup isn't as shrill as a P90; it's like a cross between an old Tele and a Les Paul with mini humbuckers.

I had to have it...













To this day, I have never picked up a guitar that was more of a pleasure to play or had a cooler tone. I love it.

My checking account is smouldering

[evandael]

at guitar center, of all places? great find man. i like that 2 tone burst color, it's so much nicer than the three tone on fenders and such.

[slaterd]

that is a MAN GUITAR! You're gonna have to grow a beard to keep up with its manliness

[Emre]

at guitar center, of all places?

I know, right? I couldn't believe it was real. But it was verified by the home office in Hollywood. We opened it up and looked inside: it all checks out.

I had some cash set aside for a new MacBook Pro. I spent it on this instead. My wife is going to kill me :-?

[evandael]

in 5 years, a MB Pro won't be worth what that thing's worth. you made the right choice man :up:

[travish325]

Gorgeous. Guitar player in an old band I was in bought one of these for 100 bucks. Didn't know what it was but turned out to be an orginal very low serial number. Unfortunatley someone had spray painted it black. Hence the low price and not knowing what it was.

[Emre]

They were cheap student guitars in their day. People beat them up and tossed them out. Hard to find a good one.

But they're made of the same woods as the high-end Les Pauls. Very solid and stable. Plus, they're very light and resonant (unlike most Gibson solid-bodies). This one plays like a dream and sounds awesome. I love it.

[jw 325ic]

siiiick. Ive been a strat man for awhile thanks to my gilmour/floyd influences but really starting to get into gibsons. Looks like a sick piece man.

[uofom3]

Beautiful - great find.

[MattBimmer]

Sweet sweet find. I think this should start a guitar thread. Maybe just edit the thread name.
Sweet find and pick up.

[ZM Blue Devil]

come play at the shop, Emre unplugged.

[Emre]

come play at the shop, Emre unplugged.

Unplugged is the only way anyone could tolerate my playing. I suck.

[Xat1cZ]

Sweet sweet find. I think this should start a guitar thread. Maybe just edit the thread name.
Sweet find and pick up.

ahem...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=123116

[MattBimmer]

Haha yep to lazy to search and hasn't seen it yet :)