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Beauty of The Black Beauty - The "Alnico" Custom thread

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
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8,349
Wow!! Some truly Phenomenal photos & guitars! I really appreciate the efforts that have gone into this post.
I like the way the bobbin was made for the Alnico V pickup usingthe same material as the jack plates. Most of the Alnico V pickups I've seen are not built like this and use the regular styrene type bobbin material like the P-90's use.
Thanks/Cheers Zhivago!!
 

zhivago

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Sep 29, 2004
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1,417
My pleasure sir!

I love these guitars...I was rocking out on my '56 earlier this morning :)
 

Progrocker111

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Dec 10, 2003
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Havent you noticed, that these 50s LP Customs have a bit thicker body than for example late 60s or 70s LPs?
 

zhivago

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Here is an early one...1953, as linked in a thread here:

LP1_zpsufc3gxlx.jpg


LP1B_zps6qbrskoh.jpg


this one has been played! :)
 
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Ed Driscoll

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Apr 24, 2002
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i-CzSjpwj-L.jpg


No idea if these are actually vintage Customs, but I remember seeing this photo years ago at the LPF and saving a copy. Three beautiful instruments that look like they belong together.
 

Ed Driscoll

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Apr 24, 2002
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i-PTwVTht-L.jpg


A decade ago, I scanned the above photo into Photoshop and airbrushed out the staples and creases, printed it up and framed it, and it hangs on my wall.

I know this post is primarily about the early staple-pickup Black Beauties, but I remember staring at this nicely photographed Guitar World centerfold endlessly in the mid-1980s. (It ran in an otherwise all-hair metal issue, hence the allusion to HM in the copy.)
 
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zhivago

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Sep 29, 2004
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1,417
i-PTwVTht-L.jpg


A decade ago, I scanned the above photo into Photoshop and airbrushed out the staples and creases, printed it up and framed it, and it hangs on my wall.

I know this post is primarily about the early staple-pickup Black Beauties, but I remember staring at this nicely photographed Guitar World centerfold endlessly in the mid-1980s. (It ran in an otherwise all-hair metal issue, hence the allusion to HM in the copy.)



that is one awesome pic, thank you for posting it! :jim
 

rays44

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Jul 24, 2001
Messages
2,911
i-CzSjpwj-L.jpg


No idea if these are actually vintage Customs, but I remember seeing this photo years ago at the LPF and saving a copy. Three beautiful instruments that look like they belong together.

I believe the pair belonged to a very nice gent here on the forum back in the day. I dubbed them, "The tuxedo Suit". The triple p/u was offered at a very reasonable price last I heard. Wish I had the funds at the time. Those were the days of 60 Burst, 59 Burst, Rich R and a few other notable gentlemen of enlightening distinction. It was a different time, :dude:
 

Stratoben127

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Jun 30, 2013
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Been wanting an Alnico Custom so bad!

Jerry's best tones were with his Alnico Custom IMO.
 

P.Walker

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Apr 17, 2007
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jesus christ...i would give an arm and leg for one of these...make that two...absolutely mind-blown.

I'm going to get one some day in the very near future...
 

CPM55

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Jul 1, 2011
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The 53-56 Black Beauty will always be my personal favorite....who does everyone believe to be the best known (most associated with) guitarist for the early BB? Technically I think besides Les Paul himself, likely Peter Framptom may be the guy (even though it was modified to be a 3PUP BB, it was a 54. Bill Haley, Pat Martino, Jim Hall, Keith Richards...who would you all say is THE guy? I'm mostly talking about the original BBs.
 

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
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8,349
Hard to say who's the most well known. You just don't see anyone play these nowadays.
BTW, one way to being able to tell and original from a reissue is the originals always had the same size inlays for the top three nearest the body. All of the reissues have three different size inlays. A fact that Gibson just doesn't seem to care about when doing Historic's..
 
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