NGD: Proper “Custom” Gibson

smudge_lad

AlexO said:

Stunning 
does it make you play like Barrie?

I wish!

uberscott

That really exceptional work - congrats and thanks for sharing such a detailed run down! 

Philly_Q

I was genuinely shocked when I started reading this and saw the first three pictures headed "Before" and "After"!

Wow, what a transformation.  It looks fantastic and I think you were right not to bother with the varitone, useless bloody things.

For some reason Imgur doesn't function on my work computer, but I'll take a look at the other pics later, very interested to see them.

I'm glad (and a bit surprised) to see that nobody's come in with "what a waste of a 335" comments.  You've got something much more interesting, much more personal and I'm sure it won't be going anywhere.

guitars4you

ICBM said:

smudge_lad said:

In the end however, I decided that my guitar was not, and never would be a '345' so I thought it was an added extra that would just add cost without adding any value, or really make much difference to the end result - the guitar looks stunning and cool without it

The Varitone is also a nuisance on a guitar with a Bigsby since it's too close to the arm cam, both visually and practically if you do want to use it. It's better without.

agree about avoiding the Varitone - I did an early 60's refurbishment a while ago on a ES345 with @SteveRobinson ; - Wasn't original anymore and was never going to be original again - But a hell of a guitar - So took out the varitone - left in a dummy pot, with chicken knob, to 'look authentic' and cover the hole - Better without it IMO as it sucks the tone, even on bypass

Hattigol

Just to clarify, I wasn't saying the OP should have put a Varitone in. I was just asking if he had considered it, bearing in mind he was attempting to recreate a specific 345 which had one.

Philly_Q

Hattigol said:

Just to clarify, I wasn't saying the OP should have put a Varitone in. I was just asking if he had considered it, bearing in mind he was attempting to recreate a specific 345 which had one.

Yeah, it was a perfectly reasonable question.  I'd have considered it myself if I was going for a specific look. 

I've got a BC Rich Mockingbird (very different guitar!) with a varitone and I really don't like it.  I'm always trying to think of an alternative use for that control, but I'd probably just settle for disconnecting it and leaving it there as a dummy.

Schmo

Congrats, that is an incredible transformation and man, what a guitar ! I’m going to check out that guys site and as I’m pretty close it’s really given me food for thought.

cgumtree

Amazing guitar! CME did a '63 ES335 run with the split parallelogram inlays a few years ago, which is very similar but without the bigsby. I've been trying to track one down for ages. I am very impressed by Smiggs work!

Schnozz

Not a relic fan at all, but that is tastefully done. I had a black jap custom and it's a strong look.

SlopeSoarer

smudge_lad said:

I hope I haven’t bored you all to death!

Cheers

Keir

Really excellent and not at all boring, an enjoyable read!

Kylef

Just seen this on Smiggs insta, the mans a wizard. Congrats on the guitar, it really is a stunner.

SRD81

Great story and cracking looking guitar! Thanks for sharing, a really enjoyable read

Wazmeister

Keir, great thread mate - well written and great photees !

Im delighted for you; it looks superb. 

Hattigol

It's a Keir Stormer!

Sorry....someone had to.

roberty

That is bloody marvelous

usedtobe

Looks cool as. Thanks for sharing!

Basher

Brilliant work and you have something quite special there. A black Gibson is a proper classy looking thing and the black-over-burst with a relic job as good as yours is stunning.
I love Barrie's music and playing and also love 345s and 355s. I have a 345 reissue from a few years ago and your guitar has reminded me how cool Bigsbys and "Custom Made" plaques look!


 

Teyeplayer

That screams ‘play me’! If we had guitar of the week (or month) that’d take it by a country mile, absolutely fantastic. Enjoy.