Replacement R4 (Knobs?)

ljholland · 05-28-11, 05:20 AM

I've had an R4 for a number of years. It had some issues, the most serious was with the neck. There was a repair attempt a two years ago that seemed to work....but recently, the truss rod broke for no reason. I called the custom shop and they said send it back. They agreed that it was poorly made and built another one for me.

The replacement arrived last night...and WOW. It's a much nicer guitar than the original. The overall build quality is much improved and I'm assuming it's PLEKed as it plays perfectly all over the neck. The only negative is that the finish is thicker than my first one.

I know they are standard but what's with the speed knobs on this model? I would think the earlier top hat style knobs would be more correct. Also, why does Gibson install the knobs so high up? It's not a big deal, I lowered my original R4...but still odd to have them a 1/2" off the top.

Anyway....many thanks to the custom shop for standing behind their work.

Gold Tone · 05-28-11, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljholland

...what's with the speed knobs on this model? I would think the earlier top hat style knobs would be more correct....

Speed knobs came before top hat. Top hat came in mid 1955

TM1 · 05-28-11, 11:26 AM

The original Les Paul's did not use a lock washer between the pot and the inside of the cavity. The top of the pots were flush against the inside and is why the pots and knobs ride higher. Look at an old Les Paul and you'll see how high they ride. Too hard to adjust the knobs if they're right down against the top of the guitar.

ljholland · 05-28-11, 06:15 PM

Interesting! I guess because the speedknobs looked more modern, I assumed they were newer.

I had tophats that I added to my first R4....I put them on the replacement R4 this morning and it looks much better. I'll need to go in later and lower the knobs.

Gold Tone · 05-28-11, 06:27 PM

Tophats just look wrong on a wraptail Goldtop IMHO

TM1 · 05-29-11, 10:32 PM

My `07 R-4 after Dave Johnson finished with it in `08

ljholland · 05-30-11, 05:33 AM

TM1 - That's nice!

I didn't know R4s came with flame tops.

Electric Lloyd · 05-30-11, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM1

My `07 R-4 after Dave Johnson finished with it in `08

To me, The nicest R-4 in da world!! I love this guitar!!

andreja marovic · 05-30-11, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM1

My `07 R-4 after Dave Johnson finished with it in `08

This is coolissimo LP 54 style.
LOVE THE LOOKS....was the maple top under the gold paint? nice stripes if so...

TM1 · 05-30-11, 12:08 PM

Yes, that top was under the gold paint. I knew it had some flame by looking in the control cavity. Dave sent me some shots after he'd stripped the paint. I told Dave to make it look like an old GT that someone had re-fin'd the top to amber. Sounds as good as it looks! Sitting on top of a Gibson "Crest" GA-20 amp from 1960.

andreja marovic · 05-31-11, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM1

Yes, that top was under the gold paint. I knew it had some flame by looking in the control cavity. Dave sent me some shots after he'd stripped the paint. I told Dave to make it look like an old GT that someone had re-fin'd the top to amber. Sounds as good as it looks! Sitting on top of a Gibson "Crest" GA-20 amp from 1960.

I suppose Gibson painted in gold because of the flecks in the maple.
Otherwise it looks as good as a R9 or R0.
Great score my friend.Enjoy it!!!!

Axis39 · 06-01-11, 03:40 AM

Lance brought the R-4 over to my house last night (we get together once a week and make an awful racket). I cna honestly say that that guitar is one of the finest gutiars I've ever had my grubby mitts on. It's super light, and plays and sounds beautiful!

Just increased my lust for a Historic. Gibson really has upped their game!

Scott Auld · 06-07-11, 12:43 PM

Wow, a goldtop stripped down to that beauty? That's awesome.

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05-28-11, 05:20 AM	#1
ljholland Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 5	Replacement R4 (Knobs?) I've had an R4 for a number of years. It had some issues, the most serious was with the neck. There was a repair attempt a two years ago that seemed to work....but recently, the truss rod broke for no reason. I called the custom shop and they said send it back. They agreed that it was poorly made and built another one for me. The replacement arrived last night...and WOW. It's a much nicer guitar than the original. The overall build quality is much improved and I'm assuming it's PLEKed as it plays perfectly all over the neck. The only negative is that the finish is thicker than my first one. I know they are standard but what's with the speed knobs on this model? I would think the earlier top hat style knobs would be more correct. Also, why does Gibson install the knobs so high up? It's not a big deal, I lowered my original R4...but still odd to have them a 1/2" off the top. Anyway....many thanks to the custom shop for standing behind their work.

05-28-11, 11:26 AM	#3
TM1 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on the middle & bridge pickup of my L.P. Custom Posts: 4,450	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) The original Les Paul's did not use a lock washer between the pot and the inside of the cavity. The top of the pots were flush against the inside and is why the pots and knobs ride higher. Look at an old Les Paul and you'll see how high they ride. Too hard to adjust the knobs if they're right down against the top of the guitar.

05-28-11, 06:15 PM	#4
ljholland Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 5	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) Interesting! I guess because the speedknobs looked more modern, I assumed they were newer. I had tophats that I added to my first R4....I put them on the replacement R4 this morning and it looks much better. I'll need to go in later and lower the knobs.

05-28-11, 06:27 PM	#5
Gold Tone Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 5,991	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) Tophats just look wrong on a wraptail Goldtop IMHO

05-29-11, 10:32 PM	#6
TM1 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on the middle & bridge pickup of my L.P. Custom Posts: 4,450	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) My `07 R-4 after Dave Johnson finished with it in `08

05-30-11, 05:33 AM	#7
ljholland Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 5	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) TM1 - That's nice! I didn't know R4s came with flame tops.

05-30-11, 12:08 PM	#10
TM1 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on the middle & bridge pickup of my L.P. Custom Posts: 4,450	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) Yes, that top was under the gold paint. I knew it had some flame by looking in the control cavity. Dave sent me some shots after he'd stripped the paint. I told Dave to make it look like an old GT that someone had re-fin'd the top to amber. Sounds as good as it looks! Sitting on top of a Gibson "Crest" GA-20 amp from 1960.

06-01-11, 03:40 AM	#12
Axis39 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 12	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) Lance brought the R-4 over to my house last night (we get together once a week and make an awful racket). I cna honestly say that that guitar is one of the finest gutiars I've ever had my grubby mitts on. It's super light, and plays and sounds beautiful! Just increased my lust for a Historic. Gibson really has upped their game!

06-07-11, 12:43 PM	#13
Scott Auld Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 48	Re: Replacement R4 (Knobs?) Wow, a goldtop stripped down to that beauty? That's awesome.