R4 Florian Jaeger

BlueFin · Sep 13, 2018

Hi Guys, After years of buying and sadly selling dozens of Gibbys, Fenders, Gretsch’s and Epi’s I finally landed on one that just does everything that I want. You know the one, when you plug it in each sound you get out of it makes you smile. I’ve tried to reproduce the sound I hear in my head with so many guitar pick-up combinations that I’ve lost count. Single coils have always been my preference. All the way back when I was playing a Jazzmaster in the early 80’s. I recently sold my R0 and found an R4 that makes all the sounds I hear in my head. I have wanted an R4 ever since I saw a fellow playing one in a bar in Nashville. It was beaten to hell and the geezer playing it could make it sound like a Tele or make it growl like Mississippi Queen. I was hooked. I finally have it and it is now in the hands of Master Luthier Florian Jager at Jaegerguitrars. I’ve been waiting patiently for many months to get the project started so here we go and Florian has been great helping me define what I’m looking for. Florian is going to put some character on my R4. For those interested, I’ll keep you posted.

fred dons · Sep 13, 2018

cool Project ! I will be following this one

there is a similar one for sale at maxguitars https://www.maxguitarstore.com/products/gibson-cs-1954-goldtop-by-florian-jaeger/
(not affiliated btw)

fakejake · Sep 13, 2018

:biggrin: yes!!! I've been waiting for a new makeover thread for quite a while!
Beautiful, please keep us posted!

What is your plan, what is Florian going to do with the guitar?

BlueFin · Sep 14, 2018

The main goal of the project is to give the guitar the look and feel of 1954. Gibson does a nice job to start with, what I want to do is just give the guitar some character. I don’t have time to put 60 years of natural aging on it but I’d like the guitar to look like what I imagine a well loved and well played 60-year-old Les Paul would look like. I’d like a nice deep carve to begin with. I’ve been collecting images of original 1954 Les Pauls to use as a reference. The finish on the guitar serves multiple purposes. First I’d like the guitar to look aged, I dig the vibe of aged instruments, always have. Secondly, I have a few original guitars from the 50’s, so aging this one makes it “fit” with the rest of the group and who has 25k to spend on an original? Lastly, I play a lot sitting at a desk where I’m either recording or lifting licks from youtube and I am constantly banging my guitars off the desk. I hate to put a mark on a new guitar it just looks bad for a long time. All my aged beauties take the odd bump without affecting their vibe.

Carved, aged, that’s the plan to start. For now.

BlueFin · Sep 14, 2018

That's better

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fakejake · Sep 14, 2018

Cool, nice case as well! Can you post the reference pic of your ideal GT? The one that Florien will use as a reference for aging?

BlueFin · Sep 14, 2018

Here is an example of a 54 that I just love. It is very like the first one I fell in love with in Nashville. With apologies to the owner.

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Cav · Sep 14, 2018

Great project! Can’t wait to see the next stages.

Reminds me good memories when I brought mine to Florian.

goldtop0 · Sep 14, 2018

May she bring you great tonefulness and joy:salude

Steve Craw · Sep 14, 2018

Are you having the logo moved to the vintage-correct location? I had it done to mine, and it's well worth the effort.

c_wester · Sep 15, 2018

Please post detailed pictures.
And tone reports in video form when shes ready.

That dude from Sweeden just killed it by posting before and after tone videos.

BlueFin · Sep 18, 2018

Ah Florian has been busy. Really interesting to see what kind of top grain was under that Gibson gold finish. Notice how meticulous Florian is about taping off the neck. Just amazing to have these pictures, to really know what is under your finish. Very exciting and thanks Florian for keeping me involved every step of the way.

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fakejake · Sep 18, 2018

Great top! So you are sure you're not going for a brazilian rw fretboard? Sure you won't regret that down the line?

BlueFin · Sep 18, 2018

Steve Craw said:
Are you having the logo moved to the vintage-correct location? I had it done to mine, and it's well worth the effort.

Yep. I talked to Florian this morning, def going to move the logo and go with a vintage one.

Hamerfan · Sep 18, 2018

Guess it would it look gorgeous with a faded sunburst like a Refin 55.

pinefd · Sep 18, 2018

Hamerfan said:
Guess it would it look gorgeous with a faded sunburst like a Refin 55.

Kinda like my '54 (which I bought this way, so no hate mail please):

Frank

gmann · Sep 19, 2018

pinefd said:
Kinda like my '54 (which I bought this way, so no hate mail please):

Frank

Gorgeous!

El Gringo · Sep 19, 2018

pinefd said:
Kinda like my '54 (which I bought this way, so no hate mail please):

Frank

Why would you get hate mail on a beautiful Les Paul ?

renderit · Sep 19, 2018

El Gringo said:
Why would you get hate mail on a beautiful Les Paul ?

Because I send everyone hate mail when they don't send me their beautiful guitars! Geesh.

goldtop0 · Sep 20, 2018

pinefd said:
Kinda like my '54 (which I bought this way, so no hate mail please):

Frank

That's just a great top Frank, can't see any join on it at all, a real beauty.......:2cool

R4 Florian Jaeger

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