New R0! Photo, observations, questions....

[trapland]

Here's my new R0. It came with a story (I trust the store). Presumably, a famous hollywood actor who I wont name (but he may have boogied with wild canines) plays in a band. This band played in the Gibson guitar tent at an event on 1-8-2008.

This unnamed actor and/or his band was either payed or gifted some guitars by Gibson. I've called Gibson with the serial number after I got home with the guitar. They confirmed that this guitar was listed as a sales promotion guitar rather than a guitar that was delivered to a dealer.

This is my first modern era Historic, although I have a 87 goldie prehistoric. I pulled the trigger on this one because the top looks so much like a real late 60, ie, nicely figured but not over the top.

Here's some thoughts. The neck feels similar to a 59 rounded USA model near the headstock, maybe a bit wider due to more shoulder. Farther up the neck it feels flatter than a USA59, more like a USA60 but more rectangular. The fret work is flawless. I've never seen better fret finishing on ANY other guitar, but I wouldn't have minded a few more thousandths taller. The BB 1 and 2 pups sound NOTHING like BB Pros. Thats a good thing. These pickups sound closer to the 490r/498t or the 490r/490t combos than any other gibby pickups IMO. I like 'em.

Now a few questions. Is there any way to shine up those VOS pickup covers a bit? I dont need high polish, but they look SO much different than the rest of the hardware.

I expected to see something written in the pickup cavities, like HCSB? or LPR0? There's nothing.

All the pots were pretty loose, but this guitar is in mint condition. Laziness? or shrinkage? Ideas? Is this common when pots are not mounted to a plate?

 

[MWR]

Really nice top......! :wow I don't understand the whole celebrity reference and how it relates to the Gibson event or the guitar if you are not going to say who?

The R0 stamp is typically in the control area with pots, caps and wiring.

 

[Minibucker]

*cough*costner*cough*?

 

[R9.]

I got a similar deal with my R9...minus the actor.
Mine was used at a guitar show and I got it directly form the president of the distributor.
It was only delivered to a dealer so I could pick it up.
Nicest guitar I've ever seen in person and by far, the best sounding Les Paul I've heard!

Now a few questions. Is there any way to shine up those VOS pickup covers a bit? I dont need high polish, but they look SO much different than the rest of the hardware.

You won't be able to make them look like new, but what you want is a non-abrasive metal cleaner.

 

[trapland]

Really nice top......! :wow I don't understand the whole celebrity reference and how it relates to the Gibson event or the guitar if you are not going to say who?

The R0 stamp is typically in the control area with pots, caps and wiring.

Thanks. I really like the top. It looks so real
The story is just of some interest to some. I was NOT influenced by it as I did not know the story until AFTER the store had banged by credit card. As for who the celeb was, the boogies with wild canine reference should be pretty obvious. It was a blockbuster.

 

[trapland]

You won't be able to make them look like new, but what you want is a non-abrasive metal cleaner.

Like Flitz? or is that abrasive?

WHat about Never-dull? Its some kind of liquid absorbed in a woll like batting.

 

[trapland]

Oh, I forgot to ask my most important question! I'd like to sun fade it a little. I had some success with a USA guitar. I figure a Historic may fade a little easier.

I'm expecting the fade to slightly darken the finish overall, and blend the red and yellow together a little. But.....

Pickguard on or off while fading? The knobs and pickup rings will stay, but should I take off the pickguard?

 

[mwm523]

Like Flitz? or is that abrasive?

WHat about Never-dull? Its some kind of liquid absorbed in a woll like batting.

Never-dull works great on the covers. They'll never be high gloss, but they'll be a shiny as they can get.

 

[mwm523]

Oh, and BTW, beautiful R0. That top is just about ideal for my taste.

 

[Sean French]

Oh, I forgot to ask my most important question! I'd like to sun fade it a little. I had some success with a USA guitar. I figure a Historic may fade a little easier.

I'm expecting the fade to slightly darken the finish overall, and blend the red and yellow together a little. But.....

Pickguard on or off while fading? The knobs and pickup rings will stay, but should I take off the pickguard?

A beauty you have there with a great looking top.:salude
Leave the guard on if you plan to fade it.
How about some more hotos of that beauty in natural light.

 

[trapland]

Oh, and BTW, beautiful R0. That top is just about ideal for my taste.

Thanks. Since 93 introduced the Historics, I've wanted one. I used to love the 90's insane flametops. I think they call em BBQ's. My tastes have changed, but I'm afraid realistic tops have been trendy for a few years and now the BBQ tops will be all the rage again. I don't care, I like mine

 

[DirtyRobber]

Whoa! Nice one.
+1 on the more pics comment!

I am a little puzzled though, about why you don't want to name the actor. Is there some kind of confidentiality agreement. I know it was eluded to, but you know what I mean. And, no it wouldn't influence me either. (although, Frank Stallone's R4 was looking pretty good on ebay... c'mon, Barfly?)

 

[goldtop0]

You've got a real beauty there trapland...........yes and like Sean says more pics please.
What year is she 2008?

 

[trapland]

I'll get a few more pics, hopefully today.

No particular reason for not naming the actor. Kevin Costner, of course. I have no way of substantiating this. However, my local vintage guitar place does alot of business with celebs and told of this after the sale. I guess I didn't want to name him as celebrity ownership doesn't really impress me. Except Pages #1, maybe.

Whoa! Nice one.
+1 on the more pics comment!

I am a little puzzled though, about why you don't want to name the actor. Is there some kind of confidentiality agreement. I know it was eluded to, but you know what I mean. And, no it wouldn't influence me either. (although, Frank Stallone's R4 was looking pretty good on ebay... c'mon, Barfly?)