Gibson Johnny A. anyone?

[fumblefingers]

i never really paid much attention to these before. and i didn't know anything about the player either. then i learned that it had a 25.5" scale length, was fully hollow and had a carved top. more intrigued now.

anybody here own one, or have you played one?

thanks.

YouTube - Johnny A - Witchita Lineman


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCTm1...eature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ7am...eature=related

[savage8190]

Never have, but Id love to play one. None in my area though.

[NiAg]

Played a couple. They seemed identical. I have not tried a non-Bigsby version.

It is a long neck on a fairly small body. If you are used to something like a 175, it can feel at first as if most of the guitar is in another room off to your left.

But between the mahog' neck and the very lightweight Kluson-inspired tuners, it is not really neck heavy in the way you might expect.

(EDIT: Thought to add: And notice that Gibson did a really good job of moving the "waist" up toward the neck a bit. I can only assume that this was to help keep the guitar from actually hanging way out to then left. So after a minute it really feels surprisingly balanced when seated. Although I still had the sense that it was a large neck on a small guitar - not necessarily a bad thing at all.)

Unplugged I do not feel that it has as much "hollow" character as you get from some of the small but built-up hollow bodies out there. But plugged-in, I really hear wood; it works.

I'm not so much a fan of the aesthetics ("let's make everything pointy,..."), but it does sort of flow and it is just my opinion on a non-sonic part of the picture.

The finish is unfortunately sticky in the modern Gib-Nashville way. Some/many/most players do not mind this at all, so take my opinion as a possible/likely outlier - but I really wish they would not make the lacquer so goopy. (And I do not buy for a minute the Gib-tale that the softness of the lacquer was to meet environmental requirements.)

[fumblefingers]

Originally Posted by NiAg

Played a couple. They seemed identical. I have not tried a non-Bigsby version.

It is a long neck on a fairly small body. If you are used to something like a 175, it can feel at first as if most of the guitar is in another room off to your left.

But between the mahog' neck and the very lightweight Kluson-inspired tuners, it is not really neck heavy in the way you might expect.

(EDIT: Thought to add: And notice that Gibson did a really good job of moving the "waist" up toward the neck a bit. I can only assume that this was to help keep the guitar from actually hanging way out to then left. So after a minute it really feels surprisingly balanced when seated. Although I still had the sense that it was a large neck on a small guitar - not necessarily a bad thing at all.)

Unplugged I do not feel that it has as much "hollow" character as you get from some of the small but built-up hollow bodies out there. But plugged-in, I really hear wood; it works.

I'm not so much a fan of the aesthetics ("let's make everything pointy,..."), but it does sort of flow and it is just my opinion on a non-sonic part of the picture.

The finish is unfortunately sticky in the modern Gib-Nashville way. Some/many/most players do not mind this at all, so take my opinion as a possible/likely outlier - but I really wish they would not make the lacquer so goopy. (And I do not buy for a minute the Gib-tale that the softness of the lacquer was to meet environmental requirements.)

the pointed cutaways used to bug me too, but when i see a person play it, it looks good. es 335 style is just too bulky for me, mostly because of its darned weight. i like the Benedetto Benny model too.

regarding the sticky finish. i have also experienced that on two gibson archtops in the last several years. one was better than the other ( kept that guitar). i get around it by usng the mcguire conditioner on the back of the neck. prefer my Guild/Benedetto in this regard. no such compromises.

[NiAg]

>>> regarding the sticky finish. i have also experienced that [...] i get around it by usng the mcguire conditioner

I found that "Zymol" car finish worked reasonably well.

But then I saw an infomercial for "Gibson-Free in 6 weeks or less" and bought the Cream, Helmet, and FDA approved skin patch. It allowed me to break free and sell my L4-CES about a year and a half or two years ago.

Actually, my L4 was on the less sticky end of the Gibson scatter - but still a pine-tar experience for me.

I do not know the actual weight of the Johnny A, but my impression was that it was considerably lighter than a 335. Of course, the body sits quite close in all playing positions, so this could affect the perception of weight as well.

I never tried one standing and hanging on a strap, but even of it is slightly neck-heavy, the total tonnage is just not enough to strike me as a likely practical problem.

[ldg0352]

Johnny explains the model here on "The Gibson Interview"

The Gibson Video Interview: Johnny A.

Going to see Johnny in just a few days at Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA (Wed, May 11).

Larry (new member, intrigued about venturing into American standards to broaden my musical pallete, so I've been lurking here a bit.)

[Flat]

I hope to hear Johnny live someday. I love his two instrumental CDs. Such great technique.

His "Taste, Tone, Space" DVD was excellent. Live performances, talk about and demo various riffs, pdfs. Really well done.

http://www.johnnya.com/shop.html

Amazon.com: Johnny A.: Taste, Tone, Space: Johnny A: Movies & TV

[fumblefingers]

Originally Posted by NiAg

>>> regarding the sticky finish. i have also experienced that [...] i get around it by usng the mcguire conditioner

I found that "Zymol" car finish worked reasonably well.

But then I saw an infomercial for "Gibson-Free in 6 weeks or less" and bought the Cream, Helmet, and FDA approved skin patch. It allowed me to break free and sell my L4-CES about a year and a half or two years ago.

Actually, my L4 was on the less sticky end of the Gibson scatter - but still a pine-tar experience for me.

I do not know the actual weight of the Johnny A, but my impression was that it was considerably lighter than a 335. Of course, the body sits quite close in all playing positions, so this could affect the perception of weight as well.

I never tried one standing and hanging on a strap, but even of it is slightly neck-heavy, the total tonnage is just not enough to strike me as a likely practical problem.

not that it should be needed, but wouldn't adding a little bit of new nitro to the back of the neck be easier than selling off? my guitar tech man restores guitars and claims that he can do this easily.

[Soco]

A good friend of mine has one, it is really a wonderful guitar, quite unique.
It has a hollowness to the sound, but it is quite twangy and articulate as well. The sound might project more like a soildbody. He has the bigsby version.
The sound is more similar to a PRS hollowbody 1 than a 335 imo. It is much lighter than a 335.

[NiAg]

>>> but wouldn't adding a little bit of new nitro to the back of the neck be easier than selling off?

Yes. I sold it for a number of reasons - not as the cure for the sticky finish.

>>> my guitar tech man restores guitars and claims that he can do this easily.

The nice thing about nitrocellulose lacquer is that you get 100% 'burn-in' when you do repairs. That is to say that a new coat can overlap the existing finish and blend in perfectly. The solvents in the overcoat allow it to melt into then existing lacquer.

In my opinion, yes, a few coats of lacquer is a simple cure for the Gibson goop. I really like the Behlen/Mohawk instrument lacquer myself.

I have not tried the relatively new Seagrave version of the erstwhile Mcfadden lacquer, but by all accounts it is identical to the much-loved McFadden lacquer.

I have never tried the inexpensive Sherwin-Williams low VOC lacquer, but some guys say it is great.

I think that any of these would be a significant improvement over the stock finish in terms of reduced stickiness.

[fumblefingers]

Originally Posted by NiAg

>>> but wouldn't adding a little bit of new nitro to the back of the neck be easier than selling off?

Yes. I sold it for a number of reasons - not as the cure for the sticky finish.

>>> my guitar tech man restores guitars and claims that he can do this easily.

The nice thing about nitrocellulose lacquer is that you get 100% 'burn-in' when you do repairs. That is to say that a new coat can overlap the existing finish and blend in perfectly. The solvents in the overcoat allow it to melt into then existing lacquer.

In my opinion, yes, a few coats of lacquer is a simple cure for the Gibson goop. I really like the Behlen/Mohawk instrument lacquer myself.

I have not tried the relatively new Seagrave version of the erstwhile Mcfadden lacquer, but by all accounts it is identical to the much-loved McFadden lacquer.

I have never tried the inexpensive Sherwin-Williams low VOC lacquer, but some guys say it is great.

I think that any of these would be a significant improvement over the stock finish in terms of reduced stickiness.

thanks for your reply. BTW - what does gibson now use and why do they say it is more green? surely not VOCs. i mean, what's next? no paint?
does it have to do with disposal?

[NiAg]

'Fingers,

I am not aware of the exact formula Gibson uses.

One clear effect is that the Gibson formula lacquer is more flexible, and less subject to checking vs. even some of the more forgiving lacquers such as McFadden (now made by Seagrave), and the Behlen/Mohawk instrument lacquer.

I have asked Gibson about the modern formula and noted how much it has changed over time. They explain that any changes were in response to environmental regulations.

I did not bicker with them about this response. It did not make clear sense to me, but neither do Brussels Sprouts yet people love them.

>>> why do they say it is more green? surely not VOCs.

Well, the Sherwin Williams lacquer is low VOC and yet is reported to be quite hard. I have not actually used the Sherwin Williams though, so this is hearsay on my part.

I did ask Gibson how any environmental concern results in a softer lacquer, but the two people I have spoken to were really not in a position to describe any details. Fair enough - it's their business.

My opinion is that lacquer checking is pain in terms of warranty coverage. You can see Benedetto clearly (and very reasonably, in my opinion) explaining what causes checking, how to help avoid it to some extent, and how it is not covered under their warranty.

A couple of things:

This is my personal opinion. Others may have different experiences, or at least other observations following their experiences.

Soft lacquer can come from a variety of sources, not all of which are intentional.

Lacquer does not "cure". The solvents evaporate and it "dries". This has some positive effects, such as easy touch up and repair.

Some downsides are that some formulas can take a long time to harden (like a year or more), and under some circumstances lacquer can become soft from contact with oils, solvents, etc..

>>> does it have to do with disposal?

I do not know exactly how Gibson would characterize the reason for any formula change.

And,...

All possible experiences seem to occur - or are at least reported to occur. A guitar can have extensive lacquer checking from an abrupt temperature change, when most guitars would show no effect. Another guitar can have no checking whatsoever despite a long hard life. And reports of seemingly impossible combinations of circumstance and effects are also common enough.

Back to your earlier comment:

>>> my guitar tech man restores guitars and claims that he can [overspray lacquer to cure the goopies] easily.

My opinion is that this would work well under many circumstances and that for someone who knows what they are doing it is likely to be a very effective solution.

But I would avoid any sort of amateur spray-can lacquer for such an application. Really, the extra solvents (or additives of which I am not aware) in a spray can package can make for a very long drying time even when applying thin coats with care.

This is all in my opinion. Others may have more useful views.

And to mention yet again: Many great players are very happy with their modern Gibson guitars exactly as delivered from the factory.