Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst

kharrison · 06-29-10, 05:47 PM

There is a pic of this guitar in the back of the latest Guitar Aficionado. What is the story on this one. He says it is a good one. In looking at the pic it looks like it has some issues. The tailpiece is way low, the pup rings look warped, the inlays look off and there is no hole for a pickguard. Not knocking it, am just curious about its history. Don't have a scanner to post the pic. Do any of you burst detectives have the scoop on it.

27sauce · 06-29-10, 05:56 PM

I was wondering the same thing.

sgtJoe · 06-29-10, 06:00 PM

Are you talkin about this one

27sauce · 06-29-10, 06:05 PM

58Lover · 06-29-10, 06:08 PM

I've held it in my hands. Great axe.

58Lover · 06-29-10, 06:08 PM

Been on every album/CD they've done.

sgtJoe · 06-29-10, 06:10 PM

Yeah, I posted his photo in another thread a while back where the same issues were noticed. It's on page 20 of his book Guitars of the Stars by Bill Rich. He's quoted as saying he played it on almost every one of his records since 1975. It was average weight and played pretty nice. Sounded pretty darn good too.

58Lover · 06-29-10, 06:17 PM

It's a nice guitar, not as much "special" as it is sentimental to Rick - he always gets a good sound. But I will guess there are many reissues that sound as good.

You can easily see all the wear on the bridge pup bobbins. He played that baby!

kharrison · 06-29-10, 06:37 PM

The logo on the headstock looks wrong as well. I am sure it is a hell of a player, just curious about its history.

kharrison · 06-29-10, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtJoe

Yeah, I posted his photo in another thread a while back where the same issues were noticed. It's on page 20 of his book Guitars of the Stars byBill Rich. He's quoted as saying he played it on almost every one of his records since 1975. It was average weight and played pretty nice. Sounded pretty darn good too.

Do you have a link to this thread?

sgtJoe · 06-29-10, 06:49 PM

I tried a search and it didnt come up, I'll keep lookin, it's gotta be there somewhere.

MapleFlame · 06-29-10, 06:50 PM

INLAYS ARE NOT 50'S

sgtJoe · 06-29-10, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kharrison

Do you have a link to this thread?

Found it, had to search through my own posts.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=165108

kharrison · 06-29-10, 07:28 PM

s

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtJoe

Found it, had to search through my own posts.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=165108

Yeah now remember that thread. Still no conclusion if it is a 58 or not. He says it is in the article. When I first looked at it at the bookstore my first thought was it was a 58 that was a factory Bigsby that was poorly converted to a stop tail. I bought the mag just to take home to check out the pic....I usually don't spend 8 bucks on a magazine. Then the more I looked the more questions came to mind. He and the author say its a 1958 Les Paul Standard but it clearly has its issues. For a magazine to call itself Guitar Aficionado and then have a questionable 58 burst on the back page for us to ooh and ahh over and show our friends is a little too much of a stretch. Just sayin, not knocking the guy or guitar but just find the whole thing odd.

Overdriver · 06-29-10, 07:41 PM

Going by that photo the most obvious things to me are the tailpiece and no hole drilled for the pickguard.

Hetfieldinn · 06-30-10, 05:07 AM

here he is with a different Burst that he owns/owned

triggeron6string · 06-30-10, 06:13 AM

You guys are awsome! How could you tell about the inlays not being right on that photo?

Raw Materials · 06-30-10, 07:18 AM

It is very difficult to get one past the "burst detectives".

58burst · 06-30-10, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggeron6string

You guys are awsome! How could you tell about the inlays not being right on that photo?

Burst inlays have a somewhat dull, light greyish color, not a lot of swirl, and in most there tend to be vertical "striping" that can be quite pronounced. But bright white, with a lot of swirl, is pretty much a dead giveaway of non-genuineness-
(They are quite light-responsive, in this pic they've gone more towards white under the flash, in natural light they're a slightly bluish light grey)

In this pic below, the detail isn't good, but the color in the inlays is more accurate.

TW59 · 06-30-10, 09:25 AM

So, what's the serial number of the Les Paul in the original post?

kharrison · 06-30-10, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TW59

So, what's the serial number of the Les Paul in the original post?

In the earlier thread they are saying it is 8 1948

MapleFlame · 06-30-10, 10:40 AM

One thing to think about is, if he used that guitar that much, the fretboard sanding and refretting probably wore out the inlays to a thin piece of paper. My guess they used what was available. Buzz inlays and Johnson inlays were not invented yet. ; )

27sauce · 06-30-10, 10:46 AM

What about the crooked bridge pickup, that thing is nuts!

Overdriver · 06-30-10, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27sauce

What about the crooked bridge pickup, that thing is nuts!

It looks like the bridge rather than the pickup is mis-aligned. A re-top perhaps with the bridge and tailpiece wrongly located. That would explain the lack of pickguard screw hole too....

TW59 · 06-30-10, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kharrison

In the earlier thread they are saying it is 8 1948

That's not a normal 58 Burst number.

kharrison · 06-30-10, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TW59

That's not a normal 58 Burst number.

Yeah, like maybe someones birth year.

porkchopwoody · 07-01-10, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdriver

It looks like the bridge rather than the pickup is mis-aligned. A re-top perhaps with the bridge and tailpiece wrongly located. That would explain the lack of pickguard screw hole too....

Dude: That bridge pickup is crooked, no doubt! Looks like the routing was off and that was the only way to cover the hole.

But who cares, he says it sounds great and he's entitled to his own opinion. If he thinks it's legit that's his business. Stevie Ray said his #1 was a '59, but we all know it was a '62. Just as long as he's not trying to sell it to one of us as a '58 Burst, eh...

Overdriver · 07-01-10, 08:17 AM

It looks to me like the two pickups are parallel to each other........but maybe it's an optical illusion.....

sharq attaq · 07-01-10, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdriver

It looks to me like the two pickups are parallel to each other........but maybe it's an optical illusion.....

me too.

sillytele · 07-09-10, 07:23 PM

sillytele · 07-09-10, 07:26 PM

JIMI55LP · 07-10-10, 02:33 PM

The top of the two bobbins are not aligned with the inside top edge of the ring on the bridge pup indicating the Humbucker is mounted at an angle, and even though it looks like an optical illusion, I also don't see how the bobbins would be distorted by a cameras image. The top of the bridge side bobbin is closer the inside top of the ring than the neck side bobbin on the same pup. The ring looks like its twisted forward at top mount and back toward the ABR on the bottom mount, with the sides travelling at an angle to those mounts. I'm thinking the route would have to be at an angle for this to be possible.

porkchopwoody · 07-11-10, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMI55LP

The top of the two bobbins are not aligned with the inside top edge of the ring on the bridge pup indicating the Humbucker is mounted at an angle, and even though it looks like an optical illusion, I also don't see how the bobbins would be distorted by a cameras image. The top of the bridge side bobbin is closer the inside top of the ring than the neck side bobbin on the same pup. The ring looks like its twisted forward at top mount and back toward the ABR on the bottom mount, with the sides travelling at an angle to those mounts. I'm thinking the route would have to be at an angle for this to be possible.

That's what I said futher up the page....

triggeron6string · 07-20-10, 12:01 PM

You guys are clearly obssesed with LP's. (As am I). I am amazed at the wealth of knowlege and information in this place. My hat is off to the experts! By the way what is AVH?

mingus · 07-20-10, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggeron6string

By the way what is AVH?

Anal Vintage Homo.

kharrison · 07-20-10, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggeron6string

You guys are clearly obssesed with LP's. (As am I). I am amazed at the wealth of knowlege and information in this place. My hat is off to the experts! By the way what is AVH?

Some (myself included) are too obsessed and spend too much time here and not playing

Anal Vintage Homo is almost too kind for me, sometime I feel like I should be Anal Vintage Get A Life

TW59 · 07-20-10, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggeron6string

By the way what is AVH?

Anal Vintage Homo

... which means: Someone overly concerned with minute vintage details.

This term was invented in jest, but was used commonly on this Forum a few years back, and was not considered a "bad name".

triggeron6string · 07-20-10, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TW59

Anal Vintage Homo

... which means: Someone overly concerned with minute vintage details.

This term was invented in jest, but was used commonly on this Forum a few years back, and was not considered a "bad name".

Iv'e seen it here a few times and knew it must be something like that. Very apt and descriptive. It is these facinating details that keep me coming back. It is amazing how much I have learned about these amazing guitars lurking here.

Thank you guys for the insights.

TW59 · 07-20-10, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggeron6string

It is these facinating details that keep me coming back. It is amazing how much I have learned about these amazing guitars lurking here.

My feelings too!

Wilko · 07-20-10, 08:40 PM

So did just learn that Rick Neilsen's "'58 Burst" is not a burst at all?

The Fender Forum	The Cafe Wah	LilyPix
Merchandise	Vintage Guitar Registry	LPF Homesite

06-29-10, 05:56 PM	#2
27sauce All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,312	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst I was wondering the same thing. __________________ Marc

06-29-10, 06:00 PM	#3
sgtJoe Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Locust Grove, GA Posts: 1,751	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst Are you talkin about this one __________________ There are only two kinds of people in this world, ignorant and intelligent, which one are you.

06-29-10, 06:05 PM	#4
27sauce All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,312	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst Yup __________________ Marc

06-29-10, 06:08 PM	#5
58Lover Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: I had the right to remain silent, just not the ability... Posts: 3,128	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst I've held it in my hands. Great axe. __________________ (Yeah, I have lots of stuff too, but I try not to want to impress anyone with a big ol' list of pickups, strings, pedals, cords, vitamins, foot size that I have...) I love the ones I have, but I sure wish I had these back: 1972 Medallion Firebird V 1995 J-160E 1965 Firebird VII Frost Blue 1957 Bursted LP GT 1964 SG Jr. 1969 Fretless Wonder LP Custom 1970 EB-1 1973 Hardtail Strat (okay, I have that back but now it's a wall clock....) http://myspace.com/scooterjband

06-29-10, 05:47 PM	#1
kharrison All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Posts: 2,878	Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst There is a pic of this guitar in the back of the latest Guitar Aficionado. What is the story on this one. He says it is a good one. In looking at the pic it looks like it has some issues. The tailpiece is way low, the pup rings look warped, the inlays look off and there is no hole for a pickguard. Not knocking it, am just curious about its history. Don't have a scanner to post the pic. Do any of you burst detectives have the scoop on it.

06-29-10, 06:08 PM	#6
58Lover Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: I had the right to remain silent, just not the ability... Posts: 3,128	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst Been on every album/CD they've done. __________________ (Yeah, I have lots of stuff too, but I try not to want to impress anyone with a big ol' list of pickups, strings, pedals, cords, vitamins, foot size that I have...) I love the ones I have, but I sure wish I had these back: 1972 Medallion Firebird V 1995 J-160E 1965 Firebird VII Frost Blue 1957 Bursted LP GT 1964 SG Jr. 1969 Fretless Wonder LP Custom 1970 EB-1 1973 Hardtail Strat (okay, I have that back but now it's a wall clock....) http://myspace.com/scooterjband

06-29-10, 06:10 PM	#7
sgtJoe Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Locust Grove, GA Posts: 1,751	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst Yeah, I posted his photo in another thread a while back where the same issues were noticed. It's on page 20 of his book Guitars of the Stars by Bill Rich. He's quoted as saying he played it on almost every one of his records since 1975. It was average weight and played pretty nice. Sounded pretty darn good too. __________________ There are only two kinds of people in this world, ignorant and intelligent, which one are you. Last edited by sgtJoe : 07-20-10 at 12:04 PM.

06-29-10, 06:17 PM	#8
58Lover Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: I had the right to remain silent, just not the ability... Posts: 3,128	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst It's a nice guitar, not as much "special" as it is sentimental to Rick - he always gets a good sound. But I will guess there are many reissues that sound as good. You can easily see all the wear on the bridge pup bobbins. He played that baby! __________________ (Yeah, I have lots of stuff too, but I try not to want to impress anyone with a big ol' list of pickups, strings, pedals, cords, vitamins, foot size that I have...) I love the ones I have, but I sure wish I had these back: 1972 Medallion Firebird V 1995 J-160E 1965 Firebird VII Frost Blue 1957 Bursted LP GT 1964 SG Jr. 1969 Fretless Wonder LP Custom 1970 EB-1 1973 Hardtail Strat (okay, I have that back but now it's a wall clock....) http://myspace.com/scooterjband

06-29-10, 06:37 PM	#9
kharrison All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Posts: 2,878	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst The logo on the headstock looks wrong as well. I am sure it is a hell of a player, just curious about its history.

06-29-10, 06:49 PM	#11
sgtJoe Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Locust Grove, GA Posts: 1,751	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst I tried a search and it didnt come up, I'll keep lookin, it's gotta be there somewhere. __________________ There are only two kinds of people in this world, ignorant and intelligent, which one are you.

06-29-10, 06:50 PM	#12
MapleFlame All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Somewhere between Woodstock and D.C. Posts: 8,653	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst INLAYS ARE NOT 50'S __________________ Lotta Gold in my Hills these Days Just a Little mapleflame

06-29-10, 07:41 PM	#15
Overdriver Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Costa Mesa California Posts: 839	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst Going by that photo the most obvious things to me are the tailpiece and no hole drilled for the pickguard.

06-30-10, 05:07 AM	#16
Hetfieldinn Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 722	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst here he is with a different Burst that he owns/owned

06-30-10, 06:13 AM	#17
triggeron6string Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 109	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst You guys are awsome! How could you tell about the inlays not being right on that photo? __________________ Live to Play. Play to feel alive.

06-30-10, 07:18 AM	#18
Raw Materials Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Plainfield, Illinois Posts: 223	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst It is very difficult to get one past the "burst detectives".

06-30-10, 09:25 AM	#20
TW59 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lost in the Ozarks [again] Posts: 25,393	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst So, what's the serial number of the Les Paul in the original post? __________________ Pauls to the walls! Hüter der Flammen!

06-30-10, 10:40 AM	#22
MapleFlame All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Somewhere between Woodstock and D.C. Posts: 8,653	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst One thing to think about is, if he used that guitar that much, the fretboard sanding and refretting probably wore out the inlays to a thin piece of paper. My guess they used what was available. Buzz inlays and Johnson inlays were not invented yet. ; ) __________________ Lotta Gold in my Hills these Days Just a Little mapleflame

06-30-10, 10:46 AM	#23
27sauce All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,312	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst What about the crooked bridge pickup, that thing is nuts! __________________ Marc

07-01-10, 08:17 AM	#28
Overdriver Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Costa Mesa California Posts: 839	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst It looks to me like the two pickups are parallel to each other........but maybe it's an optical illusion.....

07-09-10, 07:23 PM	#30
sillytele Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas,Tejas Posts: 276	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst ... __________________ AKA: SillyPeterGreenBurstTele Remember, Clapton recorded the Beano album with a 7 year old guitar.

07-09-10, 07:26 PM	#31
sillytele Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas,Tejas Posts: 276	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst ... __________________ AKA: SillyPeterGreenBurstTele Remember, Clapton recorded the Beano album with a 7 year old guitar.

07-10-10, 02:33 PM	#32
JIMI55LP Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Metairie,Louisiana Posts: 826	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst The top of the two bobbins are not aligned with the inside top edge of the ring on the bridge pup indicating the Humbucker is mounted at an angle, and even though it looks like an optical illusion, I also don't see how the bobbins would be distorted by a cameras image. The top of the bridge side bobbin is closer the inside top of the ring than the neck side bobbin on the same pup. The ring looks like its twisted forward at top mount and back toward the ABR on the bottom mount, with the sides travelling at an angle to those mounts. I'm thinking the route would have to be at an angle for this to be possible.

07-20-10, 12:01 PM	#34
triggeron6string Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 109	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst You guys are clearly obssesed with LP's. (As am I). I am amazed at the wealth of knowlege and information in this place. My hat is off to the experts! By the way what is AVH? __________________ Live to Play. Play to feel alive.

07-20-10, 08:40 PM	#40
Wilko All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 15,724	Re: Rick Nielsen's 58 Burst So did just learn that Rick Neilsen's "'58 Burst" is not a burst at all?