Van Ghent tuners on 1966 365

dr_bob · Post by **dr_bob** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:45 am

There is a 1966 365 (the listing says 360) being offered on eBay. It appears that this guitar has Van Ghent tuners and the seller is claiming that they are original. Could this be possible?

In addition the seller also claims that some red coloration on the back is due to the fact that the guitar had been stored resting on a red leather guitar strap and that this is not an indication of a refinish. Is this possible? If it is could this discoloration be buffed out?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:49 am

Yes, Van Ghents were used sporadically by Rick during the mid-60's. Some here posess more info on the topic, i'm sure.

dr_bob · Post by **dr_bob** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:01 am

Thanks John and, by the way, in reference to another thread congratulations on the anniversary and DON'T cut the hair.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:05 am

Ha! Thanks Bob. Keep me posted on your project for NPR.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:58 am

Bob, IMO the '66 365 is all original, and a real beauty...exceptional condition. The seller's account of the strap dye bleeding into the finish sounds probable to me, but I would leave it alone if it were mine for the bleeding of the dye is minimal.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:44 pm

The leather strap was very likely dyed with aniline (alcohol-soluble) dyes. When the alcohol combines with the oils still present in the leather, it will migrate into the varnish. It probably goes all the way through, into the colored part of the finish itself. No buffing out is possible. Like Pocket John sez, leave it be.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:31 pm

"..Pocket John .." LOL...I'm wearing my BDU's to the next confluence.

You want pockets?? YOU GOT POCKETS!!!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:48 pm

Pocket John, ha ha.
Van Ghents were used from the early '60s thru the late '60s. No real cutoff date. And they weren't all Deluxe models either. I had a '65 615 with them. Cool tuners.

bigred53 · Post by **bigred53** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:31 am

I have the Van Ghents on a couple of Hagstroms and they are really good tuners...nickel too....

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:02 am

Now theres a '64 365 with Ven Ghents on Ebay right now. This guitar made it to the 75th RIC Anniversary. If I didn't already own one, it might have ended up with me.

musicnmore · Post by **musicnmore** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:53 pm

John,

You are simply too funny. It was great meeting you at the 75th shindig.

Rene

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:37 pm

Rene, I enjoyed meeting you too. The '64 cleaned up nicely.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:15 am

Yes, that was a nice '64...Good luck in selling it, Rene.