mdubya
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Messages
- 1,026
With all due respect, OP said he wants to less string tension.
Have you ever experienced that a traptail 335 suffered negative consequences from a properly done stoptail conversion? I.e. a loss in sustain, deadnotes that weren't there before, less character to the sound?
Or did all of the conversions you had done always significantly improved the respective guitars? :salude
I would really not do this. The guitar is in such a fine condition, looks almost mint. And the trapeze really isn't such a bad feature.
I have a 1970 335, and I considered this mod for quite a while. I'm glad I didn't go through with it. There are plenty of threads on various forums, where guys report how the mod changed the guitar for the worse.
And what if you find an earlier 335 at some point with the stop tail already added, and want to sell this one? You'll loose a lot of money by converting it.
It's a beautiful as it is, and I bet it plays and sounds great! Just my 2c...
Hi Chaps,
I picked this one up this week. I think it's 69 based on features. One piece neck, no volute, no "Made in USA", witch hats, no dot over the "i" in Gibson and the one pot I can read with a dental mirror is dated 11th week of 1968.
I have a desire to add a stoptail, as it is a little tight on the tension front, but the guitar is in very very good all original condition, I would say 9/10. This does present a dilemma, as it's just so clean and original. But I do want to keep it and play it.
Will I devalue the guitar greatly if I do this?
Also, where can I find a 68/69 repro chrome stoptail, studs and bushings that I would need to keep the look of the guitar as "period correct"?
Thanks in advance,
Rob.
The original post says "I have a desire to add a stoptail, as it is a little tight on the tension front..."
A stop will give tighter feeling tension.
exactly ..that is, unless it’s jacked up an inch or two
I really wouldn't touch it at all . Beautiful , beautiful guitar . Best of luck with it. It's a gem. It is vintage . And there is this "given" and "understood " taboo about modding a vintage guitar. I'm sure there are different schools of thought on de-valuing it by adding a stop piece.. but from what I have seen, heard , and owned, you will devalue it. If you want it to hold it's value, and I'm guessing close to $7,000 ( you can pick a reissue up for about $5,800) , I would leave the trapeze. Just a humble dude's opinion .Hi Chaps,
I picked this one up this week. I think it's 69 based on features. One piece neck, no volute, no "Made in USA", witch hats, no dot over the "i" in Gibson and the one pot I can read with a dental mirror is dated 11th week of 1968.
I have a desire to add a stoptail, as it is a little tight on the tension front, but the guitar is in very very good all original condition, I would say 9/10. This does present a dilemma, as it's just so clean and original. But I do want to keep it and play it.
Will I devalue the guitar greatly if I do this?
Also, where can I find a 68/69 repro chrome stoptail, studs and bushings that I would need to keep the look of the guitar as "period correct"?
Thanks in advance,
Rob.
At least you've said you won't make a hasty decision. Now, for the love of gawd, man, leave this magnificent piece alone!
You know its provenance - under a bed for 40 years! It's a stunning beauty and all original (didn't you say that?). It's a holy grail of sorts.
If you have heavier gauge strings than 9's on it, then try 9's. I went through the whole 10's-for-better-tone thing years ago. I've gone back to 9's and now I enjoy playing again!
And if, when all is said and done, this glorious beast doesn't feel right for you sell it to an evil collector and use the $$ to get one that's already buggered up.