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I was about to say how much I liked my old Johnson JH440 but I think I'll wait on that...
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04-28-2016 07:35 PM
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What about those two from Japan? The prices seem to be very reasonable.
https://reverb.com/item/1858511-gibs...ntage-sunburst
https://reverb.com/item/1815468-gibs...er-400-natural
Last edited by Drifter; 04-28-2016 at 07:52 PM.
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FWIW, I think the Super 400 is about the best production archtop guitar in the universe. Also, I am an absolute sucker for ebony guitars, having had an ebony ES-175 for 35 years. They just look like a tuxedo gig, all the time.
That said, I have had my eyes on Greg's (2bornot2bop) Super Eagle for quite some time. It is very special. It has extra depth, which makes it more of a Super 400 than a Super Eagle. With one set in humbucker it is like asking, "What would happen if Wes moved up to a 400?" PLUS...Greg claims that the guitar has an uncommonly impressive _acoustic_ voice. Owning one of Greg's old Super Eagles myself, I have come to take Greg's assertions with some authority.
BUT...then, there's that Florentine (sharp) cutaway. Now, you are talking Larry Coryell and Kenny Burrell territory. Super 400 guitars from the 60s look so good.
Tough decision.
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
LOL
A guitar doesn't have to be expensive to be good ..... and some guitars are just expensive
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Originally Posted by Greentone
First step will be to sell some solid bodies and maybe an amp or two
then see what's still on the market verses how much money I can raise
That Super Eagle is certainly tempting ... the video on Reverb makes it sound very good
he also ordered his Wu guitar an extra inch deep IIRC
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I was in your same situation, but I couldn't afford a Gibson, so I got this Super 400 inspired guitar by Mr Wu. I do miss not seeing a Gibson logo on the headstock
, but the other differenes are more to my licking I guess.
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Abjello, that is SUCH a beauty !!!
Back to the OP, I had to have my moment of Big Girl insanity and it pretty hot and heavy, but I cooled off a bit and eventually sold her (and these other gems if you know what they are) when I got married. I used the Super 400 (a non volute 1969) at a couple of convalescent home gigs and was asked to turn it down !! Rare since our piano player was a carpenter (not Jesus) who played piano like he was hammering 10 penny nails. I tend to like the 17 or 16 inch guitars more. But come on what fella can resist such classic Gibson styling. For the money Heritage sure makes some beauties. And doggone that guitar of Patricks' sure is a beauty, especially being able to see the wood lurking behind that burst finish. Oh My !!!
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As mentioned before that picture in the OP is not what I would think of when "Super 400" is mentioned. Now, if I collected black guitars, I'd be all over that to go with my LP Custom. I do collect red guitars, that is why I went with a red/gold ES-175, but I suspect is not what people think of when they hear "ES-175."
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Originally Posted by abelljo
does that have any negative effects on the finish over time?
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Originally Posted by abelljo
I was in your same situation, but I couldn't afford a Gibson, so I got this Super 400 inspired guitar by Mr Wu. I do miss not seeing a Gibson logo on the headstock, but the other differenes are more to my licking I guess.
I haven't ruled out Mr. Wu ... certainly an affordable option that would leave more money in savings for silly stuff like home improvement or saving for our next car
How did that work out for you? Did you replace the pickups and wiring?
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Originally Posted by Bluedawg
All parts I added here in the US. I only ordered the finished body. The guitar sounds very Gibson like due to the parallel bracing and all carved woods. Very convincing tone.
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Well my friend be careful, for that extra umph is addicting! Originally Posted by Bluedawg
J-Dub nailed their differences. But having owned both my preference was for the comfortability of the SE over the extra size of the Super 400. The Super 400 is a noticeably bigger guitar, even over the SE.
The final SE I own has .25 greater depth over a stock SE...that to me is is the best of both worlds for an SE...it's the only one I've ever seen that was ordered with greater depth.
The question I'd ask myself - Does spending an extra $4k for the Super 400 matter to me? SE's, when you find them sell between $3500-$4k.
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An SE or an S400, that is the question Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Well my friend be careful, for that extra umph is addicting!
J-Dub nailed their differences. But having owned both my preference was for the comfortability of the SE over the extra size of the Super 400. The Super 400 is a noticeably bigger guitar, even over the SE.
The final SE I own has .25 greater depth over a stock SE...that to me is is the best of both worlds for an SE...it's the only one I've ever seen that was ordered with greater depth.
The question I'd ask myself - Does spending an extra $4k for the Super 400 matter to me? SE's, when you find them sell between $3500-$4k.
Too bad I can't afford both .. at least not at the moment
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No, but if it was led paint, perhaps on my brain cells. LOL Thanks for picking up on that, but I'm too lazy to correct it. LOL Originally Posted by joe2758
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That is a beautiful guitar and I'm sure it sounds glorious but the bigsby kills it for me.
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It's not helping me either Originally Posted by Scotto
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It's pretty easy to remove that Bigsby! I don't think that the bridge is optimal for a Bigsby anyway.
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You have knowledge of a source of fakes but you won't name them and potentially help out someone who doesn't know that he/she might be buying a fake? Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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I am considering a Carr Rambler vs. a Skylark for use with both an L5-CES and a tele. I'm very impressed by the Rambler, but lugging a 40 lb. amp up and down three flights of stairs to and from gigs does not excite me. Somehow the 36 lb. Skylark soundsa lot lighter. But I haven't been able to get my hands on a Skylark locally to try. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Can you comment on the differences from personal experience?
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It was a short acquaintance as they belonged to two different guys. The Rambler has the cleaner tone. The Skylark has that bit of hair on the notes. The Rambler plays much louder without breaking up. The demos on Youtube are very accurate portrayals of the Rambler and Skylark. Originally Posted by FourOnSix
A few years on, I am much more inclined to Fender BF or Tweed designs. There is a nasal midrange presence in the Rambler that does not sit well with me. An ever present Nnnnng that irritates the ears. It might be the driver in the Rambler. The Skylark has it too in a smaller way. In a comparison with the Princeton Reverb clone I own I chose the PR everytime. I am saving up for a Louis Electric Columbia or Deltone.
Nice crystal clean and hifi is how I remember the Rambler. Nice, warm, and furry is how I remember the Skylark. I love their reverbs and the tremolo on the Rambler. I don't use those but they were really good.
It was a few years ago so my impression was of the amps as I tried them that day.
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