-
So I recently acquired this awesome guitar, but it had been modified and messed with through the years. So it's a player which I'm completely fine with. I'm posting some pics of my work as I get her closer to what it looked like when it came out of the Gibson factory.
I've aged the finish and hardware as I don't want a brand new looking or shiny vintage guitar.
The neck pickup and all electronics are original except the bridge pickup, which is a patent sticker T-Top. The neck pup is the very first edition narrow space PAF where Gibson used the standard PAF bassplates and rotated them 180 degrees and just machined the new adjustment screw holes for the narrow spacing. The knobs where early 60s, sold, very old Bigsby, probably early 50s, sold, it was heavily modded... Vintage Grover Imperials sold, 60's Chrome tune o matic, sold all to finance some of the expenses involved in getting the guitar the right parts and back to speck.
I also referred the guitar. The case is original to the guitar, but painted black
-
07-11-2018 10:01 AM
-
Tried replugging the 4 small holes that were drilled on the top with wood that better matched the surrounding maple, but I think is near impossible to completely hide them without a solid finish. I'm fine, I guess they're testament to the age and all the things the guitar has gone through...
Got the burst as close to some of the examples I googled and liked as possible. Used 2 different tones for the edges to make it look like a faded tobacco. The guitar was sunburst originally and had been stripped rather recently as the clear had not yellowed at all.
-
Awesome so far!
-
I set it up with that tailpiece for now, but did get a Byrdland tailpiece with no font. In 56 there were some ES350 T's that came with those but more than likely this one had the standard 350T Tailpiece. I'd love to find one if someone has one they can sell me for a reasonable price!
I'll post some pics when I get the tailpiece in possibly tonight. Still waiting on the pick guard bracket.
-
Great restoration project!
You are obviously a skilled craftsman. Kudos!
-
I'm a less than part time amp and guitar tech lol, but know a enough to get into trouble from 20 yrs of doing amp and guitar work. I rarely work for customers, so it's safe since it's all mainly to restore, mod and resale many of the items I acquire. Although, this one is probably a keeper. I appreciate the compliment! I'm No Mirabella though lol.....
Originally Posted by Little Jay
-
Very nice work! Kudos for restoring such a great guitar. Keep the pictures coming!
-
Super cool project!!!
You got skillz
-
Just got the tailpiece, the gold plating is better quality that the Kluson tuners and the Gibson ABR1 so it doesn't want to corrode, but it'll lose some of the luster in a day or two. Still waiting on the bracket and then I'll call it done, unless I get the 350T Tailpiece....finally.
Thanks for the compliments!
-
Nice work!
-
I'll call this one a final pic, since it's done. Now on a separate note, the Gibson GA55 V on the background there was a other restoration project. So the amp was at GC in California for an affordable price. When I purchased it online it took a while to get it sent to me, the reason why was because their tech for hire, a pedal guy. Had taken it apart to get the vibrato up and running. Unfortunately in doing so, he disconnected and added wires all over the place. Caps glued in and restores added with hot glue to the cans and with new wires and old wires everywhere. Luckily I found the some pics and schematics online and was able to get it back to spec and sounding awesome. Because the the tech was not able to get it reassembled, they ended up giving me an extra discount for an as is project amp. But I couldn't be happier with my equipment.
I've tried it all, boutique guitars, solid state jazz micro amps, all the fads etc, but as a fan of the old jazz records and jazz guitarist we're all familiar with, nothing gets you there faster than an old guitar and an old tube amp. Now, for a gigging musician, non of this stuff is very practical. Tube amps and old guitars come with increase risks and even reliability concerns. Everything has it's place and function, but to me this is the happiest I've been. A few old Gibson guitars and amps
Even if I don't take em out much!
The GA 40 on top, only has some cosmetic issues, needed very few minor tweaks here and there, but was in good working order. Also got it for a very fair price.
-
Beautiful work. That rig sounds good in the pictures!
Enjoy.
-
That 350 is beautiful, as you've restored it. Really nice and tasteful work!
-
Beautiful restoration that likely sounds amazing. Note the thin laminate that Gibson used in those days. My feeling is this makes a big difference in tone, especially when it ages.
-
That is a fantastic result. May I ask what colours you used for the sunburst please? I have done a few, but not one like. Was it a dark brown and mahogany brown?
-
Yes, I used Stew Mac tints, Vintage amber for the center, red mahogany for the edges and ended with a touch of tobacco brown for the upper bout and a bit on the sides back of neck etc. Where sunlight won't fade a guitar as much. Originally Posted by plasticpigeon
-
Very beautiful !
What's the nut width on it ? Is it 23.5 scale ?
God speed getting the right TP for her
I played one once in a shop in Denmark street
It was fab like an old Birdland ...
One day
-
I've recently tried a '52 ES-350 T, carbon copy of yours. A truly exceptionnal guitar.
Now you've done a tremendous job by restauring it this way.
Hat off !!!
-
Well it's an amazing transformation of a great guitar. I think some of the 350Ts have the Citation style tailpiece if I remember correctly. I'd actually considered snatching that baby up (or one JUST like it) about 3 months ago... Decided to hold off and save my money for my next Holy Grail (Hank Garland's original Byrdland)...
You did an amazing job on it. Un be leviable !!!!
Big
-
Hi Big Mike. Sorry this is a bit of a thread hijack, but you mentioned Hank Garland's Byrdland which would be quite a coup if you get it! I remeber a while back when looking for an L-5 in the UK, that for a short while a rather sorry condition 1950s cherry burst p90 L-5 came up for sale. The colour was unusual for the year, and it had replacement Grover tuners. I had a search around the internet and I think it may have been the one that belonged to Billy Byrd before he used a Byrdland. It looked identical down to the grain on the back, and the pattern on the pickguard. I was in communication with the seller but they decided to keep hold of it in the end and pulled the auction. One that got away but it is probably still floating around the UK somewhere!!!
-
These are narrow 1 5/8s Originally Posted by pingu
Last edited by abelljo; 07-14-2018 at 08:40 AM.
-
Beautiful!
-
Nice thread, thanks, congrats, enjoy!
-
Sweet restoration. These old Gibsons are worth the effort. A true classic.
-
Beautiful job with the burst and finish. Not easy thing to do. I know from personal experience. Looks like a top notch job.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Reply With Quote
Henriksen Bud or Blu 6
Yesterday, 07:53 PM in For Sale