Vintage Gibson Guitar Demos

**jakeyboy1216** · 02-17-2016, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Well then how come I've got a pre CBS 1929 model?

Pics please.

**jamieh** · 02-18-2016, 04:43 PM

Thank you for the kind words everyone. I'll try and answer all the questions

Mic'ing was the same on every guitar!

Amp used was as a BF Princeton Reverb - same setting for everything. I was playing with the guitar's volume and tone controls a LOT though. I never use full volume on archtops. Not quite sure why the BK sounds so much more acoustic than the ES-175 - they were about the same in person!

My favorite? I really found them all too different to compare and feel like I'll instantly regret naming one guitar as I will have changed my mind by tomorrow...

Thank you again for the kind words!

**jakeyboy1216** · 02-18-2016, 04:59 PM

Nice demo, Jamie, thank you. And some really nice playing too! I'd love to have any of them.

**icr** · 02-18-2016, 06:55 PM

If the date of a guitar is known, its date should be stated rather than nondescript nomenclature; old, vintage, antique, senescent, superannuated etc.

**jamieh** · 02-19-2016, 08:50 AM

Thanks, me too!!!

**ESCC** · 02-19-2016, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Moominpapa

I'm another who liked the sounds of the ES 175 and ES 330 the best. The 175 in particular was just gorgeous.

+1

**Jim Soloway** · 02-19-2016, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by jamieh

Amp used was as a BF Princeton Reverb - same setting for everything. I was playing with the guitar's volume and tone controls a LOT though. I never use full volume on archtops. Not quite sure why the BK sounds so much more acoustic than the ES-175 - they were about the same in person!

Just intuitively, I would suggest that it's a result of the longer scale length on the BK.

**Stringswinger** · 02-19-2016, 02:20 PM

I just listened to these. The 175 and the 330 are the ones that worked best for me as well.

Listening to the clips, I am reminded that every guitar sounds different, even two of the same model from the same maker. I liked the 347 WAY better than the 335. In general, I have preferred 335's to their more upscale brothers (345, 347 and 355) as I feel the rosewood fretboard makes them warmer (and better for jazz). In this test, the 347 was warmer and thicker.

Once again, I am convinced that it is best to play a guitar before buying it.

Tasty playing on the clips BTW

PS Before anyone goes out hunting a 1965 ES-175, know this: That was the year that Gibson started shrinking the nut. Some 65's have a full size nut and some have a 1 5/8 nut (which I find quite playable, but others may find too narrow). 65's should have non-T-Top Patent sticker PUPS, which are identical to late PAF PUPs and are therefore very valuable, so beware of changed pickups if you are buying one of these. It is not possible to tell without removing the covers so knowing the provenance of the guitar is most helpful to prevent being taken advantage of.

**Klausm** · 03-14-2016, 08:51 PM

Yeah nice Comparison, thanks.

You are writing that you never play with full volume on archtops, how come?

Cheers

**jamieh** · 04-07-2016, 12:37 PM

Hi guys, here are a few more.... hope you enjoy them!

**jamieh** · 06-12-2016, 11:59 AM

And some more!

**HeyNow** · 06-12-2016, 12:28 PM

345's have rosewood fingerboards.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I just listened to these. The 175 and the 330 are the ones that worked best for me as well.

Listening to the clips, I am reminded that every guitar sounds different, even two of the same model from the same maker. I liked the 347 WAY better than the 335. In general, I have preferred 335's to their more upscale brothers (345, 347 and 355) as I feel the rosewood fretboard makes them warmer (and better for jazz). In this test, the 347 was warmer and thicker.

Once again, I am convinced that it is best to play a guitar before buying it.

Tasty playing on the clips BTW

PS Before anyone goes out hunting a 1965 ES-175, know this: That was the year that Gibson started shrinking the nut. Some 65's have a full size nut and some have a 1 5/8 nut (which I find quite playable, but others may find too narrow). 65's should have non-T-Top Patent sticker PUPS, which are identical to late PAF PUPs and are therefore very valuable, so beware of changed pickups if you are buying one of these. It is not possible to tell without removing the covers so knowing the provenance of the guitar is most helpful to prevent being taken advantage of.

**HeyNow** · 06-12-2016, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the videos. Amazing playing!

**hot ford coupe** · 06-12-2016, 06:26 PM

Throughout the videos, the ES-175 seemed to be the best. The sound was warm, full and still clear. I used to have an ES-175CC and it was one of the best guitars I ever had. It had the 1 11/16" wide, 24 3/4" long scale and was very easy to play. Great playing Jamie.

**jamieh** · 06-13-2016, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the kind words guys. My fave was the '68 - it had some flats on it and chord voicings just flew around the neck with minimal effort.

I still have a soft spot for 125's though - they always sound so atriculate!

Last one I think!