Gibson Tal Farlow Appreciation Thread

[Larry M]

Here’s my 2016 Crimson. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement to try/get a Tal. Love the looks, sound, playability. Have had it for a while, but now seemed like a good time to post.

[silverfoxx]

One thing I am noticing today as I play is quite a bit of buzzing coming from the ABR-1 bridge. Especially the A string saddle. I jammed some slivers of foam into the voids behind the saddle and it's a little better. I wonder if I might try a wooden saddle on this bridge base or fit a new rosewood bridge to this guitar. I notice Tal himself is using a wooden saddle on his guitar in the video above (Post #173). Any of you using a wood saddle? Or have tips to quiet the swarm of bees that apparently live inside this tune-o-matic bridge?

Roli

Roli. it might be worth a try, i have replaced the ABR bridge on my L5CT with an African Blackwood Bridge and saddle.
and have three guitars with wood saddles & bases. Ironically the TF sounds fine with the ABR !!, ditto a Byrdland

[rolijen]

Roli. it might be worth a try, i have replaced the ABR bridge on my L5CT with an African Blackwood Bridge and saddle.
and have three guitars with wood saddles & bases. Ironically the TF sounds fine with the ABR !!, ditto a Byrdland

I like the sound of the Tal as it is. I like the ABR-1 on my L-5 WesMo a lot too and think it may be an important part of that unique 'Wes' sound. But, my other guitars have rosewood or ebony bridges/saddles and I like them too. I don't want to lose the character that makes this Tal so special. But I am prone to tinkering, so I'll likely try a wooden saddle of some type soon. Interestingly, I am reading lots of posts about buzzing tune-o-matic bridges and remedies (like dipping the intonation/saddle screws in wax, etc.). Have never noticed any buzz on the L-5.

Roli

[vinnyv1k]

Set the intonation to spot on with your tun-o-matic then take a closeup pic of the bridge and email the pic to Matt Cushman and he will make you a rosewood bridge to match your intonation for $35. MATT is the man !

[Esport]

There’s a black one being sold locally that I keep going back online to look at. It’s a Crimson, 2017 that appears to be in excellent condition. I’ve considered going to look at it but the only thing keeping me at bay is the color. Well, that and the $4500 I can’t justify spending during this current kerfuffle. If it were a Viceroy, I’d probably be making my wife very mad...2017 Gibson Custom Shop Crimson Series Tal Farlow | Reverb

[Esport]

Time to fire up this old thread to celebrate New Tal Farlow Day! (Actually it was this past Wednesday, but I’ve been spending time with it and bonding). First, let me say that the almost universal praise for this model is totally warranted—this guitar is superb. It plays as nice as (if not better than) my L-5 and the neck is just a touch chunkier (which I love). The neck wood is AAAA and the plates and sides are fairly flamey and quilty. Although I prefer flats, it arrived with a new set of TI Bebop 12s on it. The tone is so full and resonant—the low notes ring like the bass notes on a Steinway grand. Amazing guitar.

I hate to mess with perfection, but I’ll hold off a few days to change strings—a.) because it sounds so good now; and b.) because I’m out of JS112s . I have a set of JS113s but want to start with 12s. I hope I can find a couple sets quickly despite the lockdown.

Here are a few pics I snapped this evening. Thanks for letting me gush!

Roli

Attachment 70873

Attachment 70874

Attachment 70871

Attachment 70872

Attachment 70870

Absolute stunner, rolijen! Just beautiful.

[rolijen]

There’s a black one being sold locally that I keep going back online to look at. It’s a Crimson, 2017 that appears to be in excellent condition. I’ve considered going to look at it but the only thing keeping me at bay is the color. Well, that and the $4500 I can’t justify spending during this current kerfuffle. If it were a Viceroy, I’d probably be making my wife very mad...2017 Gibson Custom Shop Crimson Series Tal Farlow | Reverb

I wanted Viceroy Brown or VSB. But, at the right price, I would have considered that glossy black beauty you shared the link to. That Reverb post has the "Make an Offer" button, so.... But it does look there are a few Tal Farlows for sale right now.

[rolijen]

Always nice to see that thread revived, my honeymoon phase is still going on...

Welcome to the Tal appreciation club rolijen
Yours is a beauty, play it in good health!

Look what you started!

[vinnyv1k]

This was the last TF made. CME wanted $7k for it. It took me 6 months to widdle the price down to $4.6K. I still paid top dollar but IMO worth every penny.

[Esport]

This was the last TF made. CME wanted $7k for it. It took me 6 months to widdle the price down to $4.6K. I still paid top dollar but IMO worth every penny.

vinny, that is fantastic. Congratulations on such a gorgeous instrument. Your patience definitely paid off.

[lawson-stone]

This was the last TF made. CME wanted $7k for it. It took me 6 months to widdle the price down to $4.6K. I still paid top dollar but IMO worth every penny.

Wow Vinny. That’s so beautiful it hurts my eyes just to look at it. It looks like what we all wish Gibson did all the time. If all Gibsons were like that, the company would have way more fans and the critics would be silent. But alas....


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[citizenk74]

This was the last TF made. CME wanted $7k for it. It took me 6 months to widdle the price down to $4.6K. I still paid top dollar but IMO worth every penny.

Vinny, there is sharp, and there is sharp. What you have there is super sharp! I think it fitting that The Last Tal should go to a gentleman such as yourself, a man who can truly appreciate an exceptional instrument. Hats off to you, Sir!

[rolijen]

Vinny, there is sharp. and there is sharp. What you have there is super sharp! I think it fitting that The Last Tal should go to a gentleman such as yourself, a man who can truly appreciate an exceptional instrument. hat's off to you, Sir!

Amen! That is a dream guitar and it's wonderful that Vinny got it!

[vinnyv1k]

Thank you kind Sir’s. Tal’s were always best bang for Gibson buck. They used to be the same price as a 175. I bought one brand new in 2008 and it cost $3K. A ex friend talked me out of it. It had the most incredible flame I ever seen. He traded it 4 months later hence the ex friend.
On a side note it doesn’t hurt that Tal Farlow is one of my biggest heroes.

[vinnyv1k]

Roli, welcome to TOG (Tal Owners Group). You will discover it is a lifetime membership. Very rare to have a member leave.

[Max405]

Roli,
I had a noise in mine too. If you are certain that it is the Bridge then disregard this.
I had a noise in the same spot. It turned out to be the lock nut or washer under the toggle switch. If you have little fingers, you can feel under the top where the toggle switch is through the F Hole. See if the noise is coming from there.
JD

[vinnyv1k]

The rosewood Tal insert on the tailpiece can rattle too. They are attached with a single glued on rosewood cross support. I had Frank Ford glue on a additional support making it rock solid and rattle free.
Also always make sure you have positive resistance on the adjustment screws on the bridge. The threads have slop and will rattle if you are in the “play” between forward and backward adjustments.

[rolijen]

Roli,
I had a noise in mine too. If you are certain that it is the Bridge then disregard this.
I had a noise in the same spot. It turned out to be the lock nut or washer under the toggle switch. If you have little fingers, you can feel under the top where the toggle switch is through the F Hole. See if the noise is coming from there.
JD

Thank you, Joe. I will check that out in the morning. So much fun to play a guitar that is so ‘right’ in so many ways.

Appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Roli

[rolijen]

The rosewood Tal insert on the tailpiece can rattle too. They are attached with a single glued on rosewood cross support. I had Frank Ford glue on a additional support making it rock solid and rattle free.
Also always make sure you have positive resistance on the adjustment screws on the bridge. The threads have slop and will rattle if you are in the “play” between forward and backward adjustments.

I’ll try a tiny twist to get that “A” saddle firmed up to avoid that middle/loose spot. Thanks for the tip, Vinny!

Roli

[rolijen]

I spent time today cleaning, polishing, adjusting, and restringing this beauty with TI JS112s. Got the bridge sorted. It sounds even better. It’s becoming my favorite. This thing plays like a dream. Easily as good as my L-5. Feeling grateful to have joined the TOG!

A few more pics:

[DB's Jazz Guitar Blog]

I spent time today cleaning, polishing, adjusting, and restringing this beauty with TI JS112s. Got the bridge sorted. It sounds even better. It’s becoming my favorite. This thing plays like a dream. Easily as good as my L-5. Feeling grateful to have joined the TOG!

Beautiful guitar for sure.

I have had my Tal Farlow since 2005. Bought it from a pic at Murch music in Canada and had it shipped to the Netherlands. I did a video on it a few years later that you might enjoy. It must have been made way over 10 years ago ... I am not wearing glasses yet. At the time I did not have much experience with vintage archtops so my statement at the end that the guitar is "light and responsive" should be taken with a grain of salt. But amplified it is one heck of a guitar and even now - owning a genuine 1952 ES 350 and a 1947 ES 300 - I still love playing it!

DB

[vinnyv1k]

Roli, we all rejoice and welcome you with open arms to TOG.

A VERY fine specimen indeed. Good thing happen to good people.
One more big Congrats !

[vinnyv1k]

Beautiful guitar for sure.

I have had my Tal Farlow since 2005. Bought it from a pic at Murch music in Canada and had it shipped to the Netherlands. I did a video on it a few years later that you might enjoy. It must have been made way over 10 years ago ... I am not wearing glasses yet. At the time I did not have much experience with vintage archtops so my statement at the end that the guitar is "light and responsive" should be taken with a grain of salt. But amplified it is one heck of a guitar and even now - owning a genuine 1952 ES 350 and a 1947 ES 300 - I still love playing it!

DB

Dick I have watched your TF video at least 20 times

[DB's Jazz Guitar Blog]

Dick I have watched your TF video at least 20 times

LOL You did? Was that before you bought yours?

DB

[vinnyv1k]

LOL You did? Was that before you bought yours?

DB

I got my 1st VSB Tal in 2008 but after your video I had to have the Viceroy Brown color. And like you a huge Farlow and Raney fan.