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peteripeteri Frets: 1283
Massive thanks to @CMW335 for putting me on to this:

https://i.imgur.com/MwDwOl7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ldkiylB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Su4nnL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hmSJHRn.jpg

1965 Gibson J45, all original including the adjustable bridge.

Sounds great, alive and very, very loud! Will get Feline to pull the adjustable and put something more tone enhancing in - in due course.

But very, very pleased - my first proper acoustic!
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Comments

  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    edited May 2018
    Is that adjustable bridge made from ebony?

    I had one just like it... the original ceramic bridge was broken, so I made an ebony one for it.

    Don't have it replaced. Why do you think it sounds so good? :)

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283
    You know I believe it is!

    Won't rush, will let it bed in and see
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    Has it ever had any other machineheads on it?

    Just curious. Mine was a '61... I think! It did look exactly like that though, as far as I remember.

    I don't think the adjustable bridge is as much of a tone-killer as popular wisdom suggests - mine sounded amazing, the best J-45 I've ever played and possibly the best acoustic. When I got it the cracked ceramic bridge was held up with bits of lollipop stick jammed underneath, and that really did kill the tone! It sounded far better when I made the ebony one for it.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283
    edited May 2018
    Not that I can see, here's the headstock, guess these could be period correct replacements:

    https://i.imgur.com/5husLUm.jpg
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    If it was my old one, the owner two after me put the original type machineheads back on it, but unless the neck was refinished you'd see the extra screw holes from the Schaller M6s it had when I got it. I swapped them for some modern Gibson 'Kluson' types, but still with large front collars. I assume it had conversion bushings fitted to get the original heads back on, but I can't remember.

    The back of the neck wasn't as good as that on mine either, unless that's also been refinished - it had several marks from an old-fashioned 'clamp' type capo. I think I also put a strap button on at the heel, but I can't remember for sure.

    I don't actually think it is my old one, the pickguard looks different from how I remember - the tortoise pattern varies quite a lot. It was just the first thing I thought when I saw the ebony bridge saddle - but I know I can't be the only one to replace one like that, I've seen others. And then I saw you bought it from someone who's in Scotland...

    Unfortunately I don't think I have any good enough photos of mine to check the pickguard patterning and any distinctive wood grain. I do miss it though, probably more than any other guitar I've ever sold.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • jimmyguitarjimmyguitar Frets: 2464
    Another vote for leaving the adj bridge in, that’s the way these should sound! It looks great, nice find!
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    Ah, I think I remember now - yes, it did have a strap button at the heel, which I took from the other end and fitted a rosewood endpin because the original screw hole had been stripped and filled with matchsticks...

    So if it doesn’t have any of that it isn’t my one. Never mind! I suspect you aren’t going to be selling it any time soon anyway :).

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • scalino65scalino65 Frets: 261
    lovely, lovely! vintage acoustics are a wonderful new world for me. could you comment on how wide the neck is at the nut please? cheers. Will
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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283

    Thanks - will measure it tonight, it's definitely not end of 60's narrow Gibson.

    I completely agree, I've only (this month!) discovered them, they're wonderful! Played a few L series too, wouldn't be my first choice for a do it all acoustic, but there's a certain thing about them....


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  • ronnybronnyb Frets: 1742
    ICBM said:
    Has it ever had any other machineheads on it?

    Just curious. Mine was a '61... I think! It did look exactly like that though, as far as I remember.

    I don't think the adjustable bridge is as much of a tone-killer as popular wisdom suggests - mine sounded amazing, the best J-45 I've ever played and possibly the best acoustic. When I got it the cracked ceramic bridge was held up with bits of lollipop stick jammed underneath, and that really did kill the tone! It sounded far better when I made the ebony one for it.
    Same machine heads as my 67 J45.
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  • scalino65scalino65 Frets: 261
    peteri said:

    Thanks - will measure it tonight, it's definitely not end of 60's narrow Gibson.

    I completely agree, I've only (this month!) discovered them, they're wonderful! Played a few L series too, wouldn't be my first choice for a do it all acoustic, but there's a certain thing about them....


    Many thanks. I remember trying a 60s everley brothers gibson years ago and it was tiny. I'm still very much feeling my way around these lovely old instruments so am very keen to find out this sort of thing.
    cheers
    Will
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  • peteripeteri Frets: 1283
    @scalino65 Sorry forgot to measure until now - it's a 1"11/16, so the old wide spec rather than the slimmer (or the transition that my 67 ES-330 has)
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  • scalino65scalino65 Frets: 261
    many thanks @peteri ; You have such a lovely guitar there. I hope it sounds as great as it looks. Hope you're enjoying to the fullest. Cheers. Will
     
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  • mr-macmr-mac Frets: 200
    edited May 2018
    For anyone who likes old Gibson porn.  This 1968 suburst, wide neck, j200 is for sale on local fb buying and selling group at moment for £4750

    https://reverb.com/uk/item/10818043-gibson-j200-custom-1968-sunburst

    that's old advert from where he bought it ;)


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