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Gibson Red Sparkle 1974 deluxe

kerryboy

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
1,199
I've had a number of guitars over the years that have had maple necks and I have never got on with them.

Maybe its just me, but I now avoid them totally.

They just don't look right or sound right to me, especially on a les paul style guitar.
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Maple neck (vs. Mahogany) will noticeably add some brightness and "snap" to the tone.
 

deytookerjaabs

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
Funny how if it was 1958 a 3 piece maple neck would be an exquisite upgrade few could afford but decades later the feature you'd see on the cheapest student model is preferred. :laugh2:
 

Kris Ford

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
Funny how if it was 1958 a 3 piece maple neck would be an exquisite upgrade few could afford but decades later the feature you'd see on the cheapest student model is preferred. :laugh2:

Yeah..not a "cost cutting" measure, or "Norlin Cheapness"..Laminated maple necks were a very high end feature.
 

Wally

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Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
3,535
I had one of the Blue Sparkles from the same era....very good guitar.
 

moozak

Les Paul Forum Member, Classic Club
Joined
Jul 25, 2001
Messages
458
i have an old 75 red sparkle for many years... it has been fitted for humbuckers but it's been a great guitar. i honestly didn't realize there were any red ones from 74. my understanding was that the red ones were only shipped in 75 and the blue ones 75 thru 77. i also have never seen a red one with a maple neck. anyway, cool guitars. i've actually considered letting mine go... not as young as i used to be in the old back!
 

Bob Womack

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Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
2,191
I wasn't aware of any maple-neck Kalamazoo LPs, and supposedly the Nashville shop didn't start production until '76. But one must keep an open mind - Gibson was consistently, um... inconsistent, in that period. :hee

Bob
 

Progrocker111

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Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
No way that this one is a 74. Maple necks started in mid 75 actually. Serial number is a bit weird too... :hmm
 

deytookerjaabs

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
I think the neck just stands out on this sucker because it's a clear finish, it was what, at least 7 years 3 piece maple necks were standard on Gibsons?. As for the '74-'75 thing, ooof.
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I had a Rocket Red Deluxe. Mahogany three piece neck 73 or 74. It was NOS and I got it in 77. I've never seen one with a maple neck and find it odd. I sold mine to Bill Lapham in 83.
 
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