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A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:52 pm
by sloop_john_b
I've gotten some great stuff over the past few months. In fact, I can't remember ever being so over the moon with my gear and my tone.

First up was this great '93 Jazzmaster, a last-minute iPhone eBay win while I was at a street fair:

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It was a great deal even if you don't consider that it came with Duncans already installed. Just my color too! :D I'm either going to go for a Mastery bridge or some Tusq saddles for it, as the Mustang bridge hasn't been so great so far. Otherwise the guitar has been excellent and the Duncans sound great!

Next up, an '05 R8 Les Paul:

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After having a multitude of problems with a Country Gent, I made the decision to go with a more straightforward guitar next. I wanted something that wasn't finicky and didn't have too many silly bells and whistles - I just wanted something that played and sounded great and that I wouldn't have to think too much about while playing. I initially made the decision to go for a 60's ES-330, a fully-hollow guitar with a pair of p-90's. After searching unsuccessfully for several months (every single one I came across was either way overpriced or a dog that needed repairs), this Les Paul just called out to me one day while I was in Mandolin Bros.

The first thing I did, naturally, was pick it up. Super light. Later, i found it it was chambered. It has a huge, beefy neck (my preference). They called it a "plaintop" - clearly, it isn't. The coloring was gorgeous, the pickups sounded great, and it practically played itself (I have it streung up with 11's now - it puts up a bit more if a fight!).

The hardest part of the decision was deciding to go with (in Paul W parlance) a "bellybutton guitar". My tastes have always been a bit off-center - after all, I do hang out at this forum quite a bit. :D I don't really dig on Page, Slash, or Clapton all that much (much respect to those dudes though, naturally!) nor do I try to sound like them. But I decided to take the plunge anyway, and boy am I glad I did. It might just be the best guitar I've ever owned.

The last one came this past week - a 1962 Bass VI, in custom translucent Blonde finish (Not sure what this color would be called exactly):

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Yes folks, I traded my 4005WB for this, straight across, to Rudy's. What a fun instrument! Never owned one or anything like it before. Lots of interesting sounds to be found here. I even gigged with it yesterday in lieu of a "real" bass and it performed beautifully. I just need to find some flatwound strings for it (any ideas?).

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:00 pm
by libratune
Congrats, John! Looks like you've got a cool assortment of Tone Tools!

IMO the Bass VI finish would properly be termed "Blonde." If it had a matching painted headstock, it would likely be Olympic White.

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:01 pm
by ozover50
REALLY nice stuff there, JB..... well done!!! :D

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:04 pm
by sloop_john_b
Thanks guys! Ron, no paint here, but a very nicely intact logo. Blonde it is!

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Aitch, you've been busy on the non-Rick front yourself! How's the PRS treating ya? :D

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:05 pm
by deaconblues
Another R8 convert! 8) I really love mine, in part for the reason you said - it's just a no-nonsense guitar that sounds great and isn't 'finicky.' Might I suggest some linear pots, different caps, and Duncans...made a huge difference for me.

The Bass VI is really cool, always wondered what one would be like to play. Is it very heavy?

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:05 pm
by kiramdear
Those are all great, John. Enjoy! 8) :)

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:11 pm
by sloop_john_b
Hey Dan, before the guitar was in my possession I had all kinds of pickup change plans and new caps in mind for it. But for the time being, I'm pretty darn happy. :D Jestferfutureference, what's in yours?

The Bass VI plays much more like a guitar then a bass. The scale length is very comfortable and takes no adjustment - if youre a guitar player, that is. Moving from my Jazz to it was a bit tricky, especially with the narrow string spacing. Weight is about eight and a half pounds.

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:12 pm
by ozover50
The PRS is going great, John........ can't put the darned thing down!!!! :mrgreen:

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:22 pm
by deaconblues
Mine sounded great when I got it, but so many of the people on the Les Paul forum mod their LPs up that I had to try it...and I was happy I did.

Pots/caps:
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/pr ... cts_id=400

I installed SD Antiquities because they matched the rest of the aged stuff on the guitar, but I'm sure the Seth Lover models are just as good. The whole PAF-replica discussion goes on for ages, but the SDs are relatively cheap and get good reviews.

One surprisingly effective mod is to replace the bridge studs with longer stainless steel screws from any hardware store - big increase in sustain and volume (at least when unplugged).

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showt ... p?t=139132

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:23 pm
by opticnerve
I just need to find some flatwound strings for it (any ideas?).

Here you go John...

http://www.juststrings.com/lab-767-6f.html

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:25 pm
by jingle_jangle
JB, I love the Bass VI! A very early example with lots of vintage vibe.

With the 30" scale of this early model, you're going to want strings in the .095 .075 .055 .045 .035 .025 gauges. LaBella makes a set of flats that are very close to the Fender roundwound gauges, although they are pricey. It's their number 767-6F.

I've got an Eastwood Mosrite Baritone copy strung like a Bass VI instead of the Bari B-B, and it sounds pretty good, though I use Fender rounds on it. for a $240.00 fire sale price, though, I couldn't resist it!

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:36 pm
by opticnerve
A Fender Bass VI in action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:48 pm
by libratune
Good find, Tony! He's playing it like a baritone guitar, and even does a lead bit with it mid-way through.

Looks to me like a Fiesta or Dakota Red Fender custom color with matching headstock.

Wonder if he's still got it? (The Bass VI, that is.) :wink:

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:18 pm
by opticnerve
libratune wrote:Good find, Tony! He's playing it like a baritone guitar, and even does a lead bit with it mid-way through.

Looks to me like a Fiesta or Dakota Red Fender custom color with matching headstock.

Wonder if he's still got it? (The Bass VI, that is.) :wink:

Yes, very cool vid of a great song...and love the tone coming out of that Fender!

Oh, congrats John on your new geetars!

Re: A few of my recent acquisitions...

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:31 pm
by antipodean
Very nice gear JB - great JM, gorgeous LP and jaw-dropping Bass VI. They're rare enough as is, but in the original three-switch configuration and that colour, that possibly a one-off.