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Well, I ordered the Gibson 65th anniversary Lucille, and it arrived today at my local store. Its a fine guitar indeed, but not for me. Here's why:
1. I knew it was on the blingy side, but it's not until you see it in the flesh do you realise how much bling this guitar has
2. I knew the fingerboard was the composite Richlite, and at first glimpse it looked OK. However, I soon started noticing that I couldn't move so well along the string, say, sliding into a note a tone or more higher - my finger would stumble. It seemed to slow me down.
3. The neck is quite wide.
So, I was feeling a bit down about it all, after having got quite excited about it.
So I looked up, and there was a very nice-looking 2014 Gibson Memphis 1964 ES-345 Historic Burst Gold...
I plugged it in - hey presto: what a difference. It has a beautiful rosewood fretboard for starters. I always thought I was an ebony guy, but this rosewood is beautiful. The pickups are PAF copies, I believe, something Gibson call MHS Humbuckers, Alnico III in the neck, Alnico II at the bridge.
I found it so easy to play, sliding in and out of notes easily. The pickups are not as hot as on Lucille, but seem to have more depth and subtlety to them.
But...mid flight, the sound cut out. I thought the cable was a dud, but replaced it, same thing happened. The store guy said their tech would fix it or give me a replacement. Unfortunately the tech guy was off until Monday, so I left the guitar there.
So, no Lucille, but she did lead me to this beautiful 64 reissue.
Spec:
Gibson 1964 ES-345 TDC Historic Burst
- 100% American made, in Memphis, TN.
- Historically correct slim taper cutaway
- Historic Truss Rod
- Aniline Dye Neck Filler
- Nylon Nut
- All lightweight materials and 1964 Profile Mahogany neck
- Celluloid Split Parallelograms
- Accurate historic coloured multi ply binding
- Spruce top and back bracing
- Hot-hide glue Neck Joint
- 550K Audio Taper close tolerance individually matched-set potentiometers, Black Capacitors
- Lightweight Stop Bar Tailpiece with period correct long anchors and studs
- No-wire ABR-1 bridge
- MHS Humbuckers Alnico III Neck, Alnico II Bridge
- Tulip buttone Klusons
- Mono Varitone Circuit
Last edited by Rob MacKillop; 08-01-2014 at 01:57 PM.
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08-01-2014 01:33 PM
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From the Gibson website: The only difference between this new Memphis factory reissue and the original is that the current ES-345 comes wired for mono — a move most owners of vintage ES-345s made after getting the guitar.
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Hot Hide Glue Neck Joint! I'm in like Flynn.
You forgot the best part, Rob: Historically correct Mickey Mouse horns.
Sounds like a winner. Waiting for your YT demo. It may just convince me...
Edit: I stand corrected. There are 2 versions of the Memphis ES-345TD. There is the 1964 Memphis ES-345TD and the 1959 Memphis ES-345TD. It is the 1959 Memphis ES-345TD which has the Mickey Mouse cutaways.Last edited by Jabberwocky; 08-01-2014 at 02:30 PM.
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They are cute, aren't they?
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http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...549601254.html
how does it compare to this one?Last edited by jazzimprov; 08-01-2014 at 03:09 PM.
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That link isn't working for me...
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I'm surprised Gibson would use Richlite on such a high end guitar.
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I was prepared to accept it if it worked, if it was at least as good. My experience today told me otherwise.
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Beautiful guitar!
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Hey Rob !
Nice guitar ! Is the sunburst on your guitar as pretty as the one on the pic you posted ?
And you'll have a Varitone to tweak too ! ;-)
Can you wait until Monday now ?
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339, the one I played was a bit lighter. I think the black background in that photo makes it look a little sexier. But it still looks a beauty, for sure.
Yes, a varitone! I enjoyed using it on both instruments. Position 1 is a bypass - like not having a varitone. Best of all worlds.
Monday seems a LONG way off!
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The 1959 looks beautiful, same pups, but with a thicker neck. I like the 1964 neck a lot.
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Very nice, Rob
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Sorry , try this,
Gibson Guitar 335 2004 -Nashville- sunburst -near mint condition- $1,900.Last edited by jazzimprov; 08-05-2014 at 10:52 AM.
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Well, it's a different guitar, so I can't say.
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If you like ebony fingerboards (I do) you could check out a 355. I had one for a while, but find 1 11/16" a bit tight these days. Nice guitar - and you can pose like Keef!
That 345 is pretty though.Last edited by bananafist; 08-01-2014 at 03:23 PM.
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I am more surprised that BB did agree to it. Maybe he likes it but my guess is that he is just too kind a person to put Henry in his place.
Originally Posted by Klatu
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Would a nylon nut worry anyone? Historically accurate, maybe, but in these days of mammoth, graphtec, titanium, etc, can nylon hold it's own?
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Quote: "I am more surprised that BB did agree to it."
Ha, do you think BB is even aware, after all the years, and different models, issues, re-issues, while still calling it "Lucille"?
My "Lucille" was made in China, and it is as fine a guitar as Gibson has made here. My main gig guitar.
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>>> Would a nylon nut worry anyone?
On the contrary, it is a superb nut material and I would consider it a fine feature.
It is a little trickier to cut extremely good slots in it vs. bone. Much like Delrin (even slightly more so) it tends to resist cutting unless you have very sharp files. But this is a small issue.
It makes for a very smooth tuning, and wear resistant nut. It may feel somewhat soft to you, but it really works very well.
My opinion. Made lots of nylon and Delrin nuts.
Chris
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Yes, I think that BB knows exactly what versions of Lucuille are being produced. Yours is an Epiphone I guess and BB should know that there is a cheap version of it. Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack
I just cannot imagine that Gibson can change features or used materials without BB approving it.
I remember an interview with BB in which he said that every time he sent his Lucille to Gibson for repair he was sent a temporary replacement Lucille - that he boldly kept every time when his own Lucille was returned. This way he has aggregated a nice collection of Lucilles
but maybe he felt he wasn't in a position to object when Gibson wanted to change the fretboard material from ebony to richlite. Oh well, all pure speculation. I just know that I'd prefer an older one with an ebony board.
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Congratulations Rob! This looks like a fine guitar - I would probably also have preferred it over the Lucille. Gibson historic reissues are sweet guitars - I hope the minor issues can be sorted out quickly and the you can enjoy this beauty for many years!
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Thanks, Frank. Something is loose, and I'm sure it can easily be fixed. Looking forward to picking it up on Monday or Tuesday. The next thing is to start saving up for a good gigging amp, small clubs.
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Chris, thanks for the encouraging words regarding the nylon nut. Much appreciated!
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