RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project - Page 2

RAB · 05-30-10, 03:29 PM

9 1866 is an excellent example of a darkburst...thanks!!

http://www.burstserial.com/gallery/m...g&var2=560_100

RAB · 06-05-10, 05:57 PM

more photos to come folks as the project progresses! Our band has a lot of gigs coming up in the Jul-Sept timeframe and I am hoping to be able to use this "new" old git for many of them!

RAB · 06-11-10, 07:30 PM

Hi folks...as an update Gord informed me the LP will be going out to his wood-working partner for humbucker routes mid next week! More to come y'all...

Burrmanchu · 06-12-10, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWR

Holy crap....how did I miss this? WOW!

It is a killer shade of red... Me likey.

RAB · 06-19-10, 04:05 PM

Here is a photo of an LP purportedly finished by Gord, I sent him a copy since it is very close to the dark burst I'd like him to use on my conversion...RAB

J.D. · 06-19-10, 05:25 PM

Sorry but that isn't working for me. At all.

RAB · 06-19-10, 06:58 PM

J.D., please elaborate on your concerns? Thanks!

J.D. · 06-19-10, 08:04 PM

If you don't want dissenting opinions on your color choice, which is what I interpret the

means, then why start this thread at all?

It's your guitar, do what makes you happy.

Wilko · 06-19-10, 08:10 PM

I'm not a big fan of the dark burst either. But it's not my guitar. There are a lot of great looking dark bursts out there. It looks razorblade checking that needs work as well.

I once shot a darkburst:

bluesforstevie · 06-19-10, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAB

Hi again folks and thanks for the suggestions! I see the idea of laying in a small piece of veneer to match the main piece of the top but I guess I am sorta opposed to the veneer idea...to each his own! I do like the below darkburst proposed by a friendly LPFer!

Is this veneer? Very cool looking nevertheless!!!

BurstMeUp · 06-20-10, 03:15 AM

- 1959 -

RAB · 06-20-10, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.D.

If you don't want dissenting opinions on your color choice, which is what I interpret the

means, then why start this thread at all?

It's your guitar, do what makes you happy.

DJ, sorry for any miscommunication! I do want all opinions dissenting or otherwise. I am a fan of these cute little symbols and maybe picked the wrong one?

Anyway I certainly would like to hear what you have to say on the finish choice...I respect all LPF opinions! Thanks!

Tim · 06-21-10, 10:28 AM

I would not be too obsessed with totally covering up the seem. The seam makes it look authentic imo.

RAB · 06-21-10, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

I would not be too obsessed with totally covering up the seem. The seam makes it look authentic imo.

Tim, I agree!

I am not too worried about covering up the top seam. The dark brown and then red color bands should almost completely mask it and what shows, shows!

RAB · 07-06-10, 04:59 PM

Hopefully will be able to provide y'all an update soon when the guitar comes back from Blair for 'bucker routes...

RAB · 07-29-10, 12:25 PM

Latest update! Gord said he should have the fiddle back from Blair next week from having the 'bucker routes done. We are back to doing the guitar in solid cherry (like George Harrison's '57 refin'd Goldtop). Sunburst will not work...there are some small black paint specks on the top (and would show thru the yellow portion of the 'burst) that can't be removed without excessive sanding and we don't want to compromise the top contours. No matter, I like the solid cherry look and really don't care too much what the color of the guitar is...I want to play it. The curly maple in the top is too pretty to hide with solid gold...I know a sunburst finish would make the guitar easier to sell and higher resale value but I don't plan to sell it (my heirs will!)

P.S. for folks wondering about the above-noted black paint specks, Gord thinks the guitar had been refined in black at some point...as noted it also had a Bigsby at some point (3 screw holes in the rim) but thankfully no holes in the top!

RAB · 08-12-10, 11:16 AM

Hi folks...hoping to be able to provide y'all an update soon! :>)

Classic71 · 08-12-10, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAB

Hi folks...hoping to be able to provide y'all an update soon! :>)

Don't worry, we ain't goin' nowhere!

I've got a feeling this is going to be a good one.

burstman59 · 08-12-10, 11:20 PM

Cool looking guitar RAB. looks like it had a bigsby at one time right ? I'm curious whats the headstock like ? Did it have klusons ? or aftermarket keys

Wilko · 08-12-10, 11:23 PM

... ok. bust out some pix. Let's go!

RAB · 08-13-10, 12:06 PM

Kind folks...thanks for your interest in this project! Believe me, as soon as I have a status update and/or pix I will post them immediately! Anyone who has experienced one of these conversions know they can take a long time (except for Wilko who is so skilled he did his conversion himself!!) In answer to some of the questions. Yes, the guitar had a Bigsby at one time. There are 3 small holes in the rim at the butt-end...fortunately no holes in the top! Re the peghead, the guitar came with repro Kluson tuners...I will be putting on a set of original single ring, single line Klusons and have the correct original tuner bushings. Infact, all parts on the guitar will be original 1950s except for the backplates, pickguard and poker chip...the pickups will be a pair of nice, nickel covered 1963 early patent number pups that sound great (thanks Kim!) Stay tuned LPF folk!

burstman59 · 08-14-10, 08:23 PM

RAB,
the reason I wanted to know about the headstock and tuners is that I've hoped for yrs to find out what ever became of a 56 or 57 Goldtop I had back in the 80s. The reason I said 56 or 57 is that someone maybe even Gibson had carved in a ser #. The # was if I remember 7 7790 . TW had once stated that # was too late to have p 90s in a 57 so it could have been a 56 that someone had changed the ser #. The guitar had had a bigsby at one time like yours and didnt have holes in the top. Whats odd is that it had a late 50s LP custom case with yellow lining. I ended up trading it for some stuff from Guitar Trader in NJ. They in turn offered it very cheap at 995.00. due to the ser # issue and the fact that they said the back of the neck had supposedly been refinished in their opinion by Gibson. This could explain the pressed in #. Anyway around the time Gibson was doing the Standard 80s in Nashville I contacted Jim Duraloo at Kalamazoo as they were doing some reissue stuff there and had them do a estimate on a re top and refin in a burst and they in fact sent me a hand written quote to do the work but I decided against it. I wish I knew what happened to it. This should be one nice conversion when your done.

RAB · 08-16-10, 02:21 PM

Burstman59, interesting story! The serial number on my '56 conversion is
7 20XX so not your old axe apparently!

RAB · 08-29-10, 05:13 PM

Hi all, as an update Gord says he hopes to have the GT back from the woodworker next week.

I assume spraying will begin at that point!

latestarter · 08-30-10, 04:41 PM

And for what it's worth, I love the dark burst look on mismatched tops. Coolness all round. We alls got different tastes!

RAB · 08-31-10, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latestarter

And for what it's worth, I love the dark burst look on mismatched tops. Coolness all round. We alls got different tastes!

Yes- we were going to go the darkburst route as an alternative but Gord recommended sticking with the cherry due to the microscopic black residue that couldn't be removed from the top w/o excessive sanding (Gord believes the fiddle had been painted black at some point!)

Blues Bird · 09-02-10, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesforstevie

Is this veneer? Very cool looking nevertheless!!!

No, ist not. Know that, because the girl is mine...

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05-30-10, 03:29 PM	#41
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project 9 1866 is an excellent example of a darkburst...thanks!! http://www.burstserial.com/gallery/m...g&var2=560_100

06-05-10, 05:57 PM	#42
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project more photos to come folks as the project progresses! Our band has a lot of gigs coming up in the Jul-Sept timeframe and I am hoping to be able to use this "new" old git for many of them!

06-11-10, 07:30 PM	#43
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Hi folks...as an update Gord informed me the LP will be going out to his wood-working partner for humbucker routes mid next week! More to come y'all...

06-19-10, 04:05 PM	#45
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Here is a photo of an LP purportedly finished by Gord, I sent him a copy since it is very close to the dark burst I'd like him to use on my conversion...RAB

06-19-10, 05:25 PM	#46
J.D. Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5,271	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Sorry but that isn't working for me. At all.

06-19-10, 06:58 PM	#47
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project J.D., please elaborate on your concerns? Thanks! Last edited by RAB : 06-21-10 at 07:18 AM.

06-19-10, 08:04 PM	#48
J.D. Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5,271	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project If you don't want dissenting opinions on your color choice, which is what I interpret the means, then why start this thread at all? It's your guitar, do what makes you happy.

06-19-10, 08:10 PM	#49
Wilko All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 15,724	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project I'm not a big fan of the dark burst either. But it's not my guitar. There are a lot of great looking dark bursts out there. It looks razorblade checking that needs work as well. I once shot a darkburst:

06-20-10, 03:15 AM	#51
BurstMeUp Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The 1960's Posts: 4,855	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project - 1959 -

06-21-10, 10:28 AM	#53
Tim All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,289	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project I would not be too obsessed with totally covering up the seem. The seam makes it look authentic imo.

07-06-10, 04:59 PM	#55
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Hopefully will be able to provide y'all an update soon when the guitar comes back from Blair for 'bucker routes...

07-29-10, 12:25 PM	#56
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Latest update! Gord said he should have the fiddle back from Blair next week from having the 'bucker routes done. We are back to doing the guitar in solid cherry (like George Harrison's '57 refin'd Goldtop). Sunburst will not work...there are some small black paint specks on the top (and would show thru the yellow portion of the 'burst) that can't be removed without excessive sanding and we don't want to compromise the top contours. No matter, I like the solid cherry look and really don't care too much what the color of the guitar is...I want to play it. The curly maple in the top is too pretty to hide with solid gold...I know a sunburst finish would make the guitar easier to sell and higher resale value but I don't plan to sell it (my heirs will!) P.S. for folks wondering about the above-noted black paint specks, Gord thinks the guitar had been refined in black at some point...as noted it also had a Bigsby at some point (3 screw holes in the rim) but thankfully no holes in the top!

08-12-10, 11:16 AM	#57
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Hi folks...hoping to be able to provide y'all an update soon! :>)

08-12-10, 11:20 PM	#59
burstman59 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: IN. Posts: 1,210	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Cool looking guitar RAB. looks like it had a bigsby at one time right ? I'm curious whats the headstock like ? Did it have klusons ? or aftermarket keys

08-12-10, 11:23 PM	#60
Wilko All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 15,724	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project ... ok. bust out some pix. Let's go!

08-13-10, 12:06 PM	#61
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Kind folks...thanks for your interest in this project! Believe me, as soon as I have a status update and/or pix I will post them immediately! Anyone who has experienced one of these conversions know they can take a long time (except for Wilko who is so skilled he did his conversion himself!!) In answer to some of the questions. Yes, the guitar had a Bigsby at one time. There are 3 small holes in the rim at the butt-end...fortunately no holes in the top! Re the peghead, the guitar came with repro Kluson tuners...I will be putting on a set of original single ring, single line Klusons and have the correct original tuner bushings. Infact, all parts on the guitar will be original 1950s except for the backplates, pickguard and poker chip...the pickups will be a pair of nice, nickel covered 1963 early patent number pups that sound great (thanks Kim!) Stay tuned LPF folk!

08-14-10, 08:23 PM	#62
burstman59 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: IN. Posts: 1,210	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project RAB, the reason I wanted to know about the headstock and tuners is that I've hoped for yrs to find out what ever became of a 56 or 57 Goldtop I had back in the 80s. The reason I said 56 or 57 is that someone maybe even Gibson had carved in a ser #. The # was if I remember 7 7790 . TW had once stated that # was too late to have p 90s in a 57 so it could have been a 56 that someone had changed the ser #. The guitar had had a bigsby at one time like yours and didnt have holes in the top. Whats odd is that it had a late 50s LP custom case with yellow lining. I ended up trading it for some stuff from Guitar Trader in NJ. They in turn offered it very cheap at 995.00. due to the ser # issue and the fact that they said the back of the neck had supposedly been refinished in their opinion by Gibson. This could explain the pressed in #. Anyway around the time Gibson was doing the Standard 80s in Nashville I contacted Jim Duraloo at Kalamazoo as they were doing some reissue stuff there and had them do a estimate on a re top and refin in a burst and they in fact sent me a hand written quote to do the work but I decided against it. I wish I knew what happened to it. This should be one nice conversion when your done.

08-16-10, 02:21 PM	#63
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Burstman59, interesting story! The serial number on my '56 conversion is 7 20XX so not your old axe apparently!

08-29-10, 05:13 PM	#64
RAB Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 699	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project Hi all, as an update Gord says he hopes to have the GT back from the woodworker next week. I assume spraying will begin at that point!

08-30-10, 04:41 PM	#65
latestarter Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 146	Re: RAB's '56 GT Conversion Project And for what it's worth, I love the dark burst look on mismatched tops. Coolness all round. We alls got different tastes! __________________ A closed mouth gathers no feet