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The Big Al Good Mojo thread

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,294
Hey Al, a quick hi and wanted you to know I was thinking about you. Sending you well wishes and thought you'd be interested in my return to the world of vintage: I picked up this lefty 1964 ES-345 in June. What an amazing guitar! Take care Amigo!
A recent gig pic:
68562129_1311324422382645_496121808483778560_n.jpg
 

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Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,294
Story behind this one is, ES-345 ordered by Jimmy Fey in 1964. He wanted his name inlayed into an ebony board, and Gibson complied. Jimmy used this guitar with the band, The Unknowns, who later changed their name to Spur. They released three singles as The Unknown?, The Unknowns, and an album after they changed their band name to Spur. The album was from 1968. I got the guitar from Alex Pavchinski in June, by then the original fingerboard with Jimmy's name had been swapped for a traditional style fingerboard. The Varitone and stereo wiring are still intact, and I have no plans to convert it to mono. I run a "Y" cord into the two channels of my Deluxe Reverb and while not really stereo, it works great.
I recently was contacted by Rick Willard, who was the bass player in The Unknowns/Spur, who gave me a lot of info about Jimmy Fey, and the band days. They never realized fame and fortune, but as a regional band were tapped to open for Cream, Bob Segar, The Greatfull Dead, The Byrds, and others. Rick told me a pretty funny story about when Clapton started a back-stage conversation with him asking, "have you ever heard of Frank Zappa?" He also provided an autographed copy of their album from 1968. Unfortunately, Jimmy died in May, but the guys from the band still remained friends, even after the band split in 1972.
Best to you Al.lefty  64 es 345 j.jpglefty  64 es 345 a.jpgjimmy fey.jpgjimmy fee 2.jpglefty  64 es 345 aa.jpg
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Looks nice, Steve. Always a treat to know the backstory and history.
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
A positive VIBE coming your way Big AL..............The AlBurst :peace2


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Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Heh, heh. WTF! :bigal It ain't yellow and is that a REAL neck and not some skinny, thin ass wimpy one?? No high gain ceramic pups??!!!!!:ha:hmm

I have an Amber Studio Lite Plus, with an absolutely stunning three piece matched flame top and the stupid thin, early 90's Classc type neck with ebony board. I couldn't bond with the Classic ceramic 500T/496R pups so it has Duncan P rails. Also a yellowish pale Unburst, [one of those Guitar of the Week runs from several years ago], with what USA Gibson called a 50's neck profile, [not even close, more like a real 1960, but rounded C shape], and hot Duncan double cream Antiquity pups w/flipped magnet neck and pup for the Peter Green thang.

My favorite R9 Lemonburst is faded into a Lemondrop but at least has a toneful, fat real neck. So for all my ribbing you about yeller Classics kinda bit me in the ass, and 11 Les Pauls at home and not a proper Cherryburst in the lot!

I can't see buying one now, so seeing how I've 3 that always remind me of the yellow Les Paul evangelist, TA, I'll adopt that beauty in spirit. :hank:laugh2::peace2
 

John Vasco

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2002
Messages
2,064
Hi Al,

Long time no speak, so I thought I would drop in and say 'Hello'.

Here's pics of this old dog (I'm 69 at the end of the month!) from last night's gig (5th Sep). Still enjoying getting out and playing, and having a great time with the other guitarist in the band. Must be mad!

eUu9EFu.jpg


qcNsde5.jpg


You can see how the binding has 'yellowed' on my '91 Custom in the second photo.

Take care, mate.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
Hi Al,

Long time no speak, so I thought I would drop in and say 'Hello'.

Here's pics of this old dog (I'm 69 at the end of the month!) from last night's gig (5th Sep). Still enjoying getting out and playing, and having a great time with the other guitarist in the band. Must be mad!

eUu9EFu.jpg


qcNsde5.jpg


You can see how the binding has 'yellowed' on my '91 Custom in the second photo.

Take care, mate.

Great photos John! I bet it was a real fun gig. :salude
 

Pellman73

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
1,762
Hi Al,

Long time no speak, so I thought I would drop in and say 'Hello'.

Here's pics of this old dog (I'm 69 at the end of the month!) from last night's gig (5th Sep). Still enjoying getting out and playing, and having a great time with the other guitarist in the band. Must be mad!

eUu9EFu.jpg


qcNsde5.jpg


You can see how the binding has 'yellowed' on my '91 Custom in the second photo.

Take care, mate.

Man that’s got to be one rare bird guitar! A lefty kinda darkburst custom from 1991? Looks cool as hell too. I’d wager she’s not a featherweight? Great pics! Are you playing thru the Mesa?
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hi Al,

Long time no speak, so I thought I would drop in and say 'Hello'.

Here's pics of this old dog (I'm 69 at the end of the month!) from last night's gig (5th Sep). Still enjoying getting out and playing, and having a great time with the other guitarist in the band. Must be mad!

eUu9EFu.jpg


qcNsde5.jpg


You can see how the binding has 'yellowed' on my '91 Custom in the second photo.

Take care, mate.

John!!, THAT IS IT BROTHER!!! You always look like you have such good gigs and enjoy it fully! You get t, you hagis eating plank spanking highlander. Do ya still have that killer Jr??

Playing with your pals is still the single greatest thing I can think of in this whole guitar endeavour we're in and you alwys are right in the thick of it. I know Tom and Charley stay pretty active and Tom has posted pics from his jams and seems to have a great time doing so.

I miss that so much!!! I'd give anything to have one last play with my pals. I have had the pleasure of bending strings with Steve "Crawdaddio" Craw a few times over the years, he sings as well so it's quite fun.

I'm glad to see you are still enjoying it, John. You made my day, mate!
 

John Vasco

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2002
Messages
2,064
Man that’s got to be one rare bird guitar! A lefty kinda darkburst custom from 1991? Looks cool as hell too. I’d wager she’s not a featherweight? Great pics! Are you playing thru the Mesa?

No, it's not a featherweight! Nearly as heavy as my '76 Deluxe!

Here's a front-on view of the top with the scratchplate removed:
lxefzrz.jpg


I'm playing through my Mesa Boogie F-50 Limited Edition. It's in blue vinyl, and differs from the normal F-50s in that there are no bolts through the front of the cab holding the 12" speaker in place.
GTZx8DG.jpg


The other Les Paul I gig with is my 2009 '08 Standard.
e38OY9G.jpg
 

John Vasco

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2002
Messages
2,064
John!!, THAT IS IT BROTHER!!! You always look like you have such good gigs and enjoy it fully! You get t, you hagis eating plank spanking highlander. Do ya still have that killer Jr??

Playing with your pals is still the single greatest thing I can think of in this whole guitar endeavour we're in and you alwys are right in the thick of it. I know Tom and Charley stay pretty active and Tom has posted pics from his jams and seems to have a great time doing so.

I miss that so much!!! I'd give anything to have one last play with my pals. I have had the pleasure of bending strings with Steve "Crawdaddio" Craw a few times over the years, he sings as well so it's quite fun.

I'm glad to see you are still enjoying it, John. You made my day, mate!


Oh Man! I'm a Scouser, not from north of the border!

Yeah, I still have the LP Junior, and gig it in rotation with the Standard and the Custom:
goWKToP.jpg


Barrie, the other guitarist, and I have gigged since the late-1960s, so there's no ego present at all. When we work on a new song, one of us always says 'the solo in this is your style, you run with it'. So his style and his Fender work on certain songs, and my more rock style works on others (such as 'Walk in my shadow' & 'The Hunter' by Free, 'Crossroads', 'Call me the breeze' [Skynerd version]). The two earlier pics I posted were taken when we were doing 'Around and around', based on the Stones version. Aside from the main Chuck Berry riff, there's a fast part towards the end, and Barrie always says to me before we start 'You'll make a balls of it tonight, mate!' 'You'll see!' I say, so I always turn to him at that part of the song and pull it off, hence me playing high up the neck while he plays rhythm low down, him laughing trying to put me off! We are of an age now where we just go out and enjoy it and hope it transmits to the audience.
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
Johnny's longtime go to amp the F-50:jim.......MESA sure made a lot of beautiful sounding amps to cater your ears courtesy of Mr. Smith:dude:
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Johnny's longtime go to amp the F-50:jim.......MESA sure made a lot of beautiful sounding amps to cater your ears courtesy of Mr. Smith:dude:

Who do you think turned him on to that amp now, hmm? :teeth
 

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
Hi Big Al,

my newest acquisition - 2014 LP Junior Historic 57, this one is really a tone monster, best from all Historic Junior an Specials i ever had. Absolutely shines through my Hiwatt. :dude:



 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hi Big Al,

my newest acquisition - 2014 LP Junior Historic 57, this one is really a tone monster, best from all Historic Junior an Specials i ever had. Absolutely shines through my Hiwatt. :dude:




I've owned many original 50's Jr's and used one as my primary guitar forever. I remember Steve Craw asking me once why, with so many nice guitars in my possession, did I choose to use a lowly Jr? To be fair, Steve had just gotten a 57 goldtop Historic R7 and was in tone heaven, under the powerful sway of the accurate 50's Standard reissue spell that the Historic offers and the general impression most have of Jrs and Melody Makers as cheap, student grade guitars, far below the top line models.

A mindset or opinion, I've never held. These guitars are serious tone monsters and offer a very responsive, expressive tone and great playabilty that is as good as it gets. The Historic Reissue Jrs capture all that magic and glory. I sold off almost all my vintage Jrs as I find the new reissues nail it perfectly.

Oh my good lawdy miss molly!!! I wish I could be there, with you my good friend. I can just imagine how that beautiful slab of mahogany, p90 loaded, wraptail tone monster must sound like through your mighty Hiwatt!!!!! What a great combination. There are universes of tone within the volume and tone controls. You just have to turn 'em a little.

EXCELLENT SCORE!!!!:dude::yah:hank:hank:peace2:salude
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
What a waistline on that Junior:wow P90 growl with an attitude yes!:applaude

Congrats to another adage to your arsenal.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
IVE BEEN CRYING AND I AM IN AWFUL PAIN

THE METAL HUMERUS ERUPTED THROUGH THE SKIN OF MY UPPER ARM MUCH WORSE THIS TIME

I CANT PUSH IT BACK THE BLEEDING HAS SLOWED AND I BANDAGED IT UP

SUPPOSED TO BE A NICE DAY SO I WANT TO GO FOR A LONG WALK WHEN THE SUN COMES UP


FAMILY DOESNT KNOW YET ILL GO TO THE HOSPITOL AFTER MY WALK


THERES ALOT I WANT TO SAY BUT CANT RIGHT NOW

IT HURTS

IM SCARED

I THINK I GONNA LOSE MY ARM

YOURE GONNA MISS ME

see ya
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
IVE BEEN CRYING AND I AM IN AWFUL PAIN

THE METAL HUMERUS ERUPTED THROUGH THE SKIN OF MY UPPER ARM MUCH WORSE THIS TIME

I CANT PUSH IT BACK THE BLEEDING HAS SLOWED AND I BANDAGED IT UP

SUPPOSED TO BE A NICE DAY SO I WANT TO GO FOR A LONG WALK WHEN THE SUN COMES UP


FAMILY DOESNT KNOW YET ILL GO TO THE HOSPITOL AFTER MY WALK


THERES ALOT I WANT TO SAY BUT CANT RIGHT NOW

IT HURTS

IM SCARED

I THINK I GONNA LOSE MY ARM

YOURE GONNA MISS ME

see ya


Awwww man!!! So sorry to hear Big Al:dang

Hang tight brother, all will be well. Hoping and praying for you!
 
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