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Got another R9 yesterday and have a question?

These go to 11

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
127
Great guitar but i read the plastics are not historically accurate so do i have to replace all of the plastics or just the knobs and rings? Some old burst's have almost white rings in contrast to the guard while others do not?
and those knobs on this one gotta go! Thinking of using Philadelphia Luthiers supply for some of the parts like the rings and knobs?
 

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Last edited:

DrewB

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,454
Take a deep breath and play it for a while. You don't need to change anything. You're R9 will never be a vintage 59.
Your guitar looks great. Why mess with it? What's wrong with the knobs?
Bingo, play it. If it was worth buying, you shouldn't have any problem forgetting that ancillary stuff that mattereth not. Rock out, roll on.
 

These go to 11

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
127
Take a deep breath and play it for a while. You don't need to change anything. You're R9 will never be a vintage 59.
Your guitar looks great. Why mess with it? What's wrong with the knobs?
Just wanted it to cosmetically be as accurate as possible. I will never own a old original so this is all i have and for peace of mind i wanted to at least
change the knobs and rings to the right ones.
 

These go to 11

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
127
Bingo, play it. If it was worth buying, you shouldn't have any problem forgetting that ancillary stuff that mattereth not. Rock out, roll on.
I am very happy overall with this R9 just wanted to take it that last step so when i see it i wont think wrong knobs! Wrong rings! ?
 

NickiC

Active member
Joined
Jun 30, 2022
Messages
124
I can relate. I went ahead and installed vintage hight butyrate rings on my standard 50’s. No deception for vintage, just what I like.
 

guitaroholic

New member
Joined
Oct 15, 2023
Messages
7
The knobs bug you but the R in the serial number of 2016s doesn't?
Sorry, had to tease on that one.

I'm halfway guilty too. My '73 Custom had repro knobs when I got it and the font bugged the hell out of me, so I finally put era-correct versions on.
 
W

Wizard1183

Guest
Just wanted it to cosmetically be as accurate as possible. I will never own a old original so this is all i have and for peace of mind i wanted to at least
change the knobs and rings to the right ones.
I’d rather it sound as best I can get it than to look authentic. No one will ever give you shit over your plastics and if they don’t look good to you? I mean I guess you can change em?

Buy some brass thumbwheels for it. Yours has steel. No good.
 

DrewB

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,454
I am very happy overall with this R9 just wanted to take it that last step so when i see it i wont think wrong knobs! Wrong rings! ?

I have to admit that I have two '60 Custom Shop Reissues, and I just can't hang with the reflector knobs, so I changed them to gold bonnets.
 

S. Weiger

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
1,889
Just wanted it to cosmetically be as accurate as possible. I will never own a old original so this is all i have and for peace of mind i wanted to at least
change the knobs and rings to the right ones.
The right ones:

4 knobs: $800 approx.
2 x M69, neck & bridge, from 1957-1960: $30,000 approx. maybe more, IF you can find them.


Ok, You mean right aftermarkets? Those on your pics looks just fine IMO.
I lived 12 years with pink plastic on a 2003 Historic, and yes, I did change that when I felt embarrassed over the really wrong 2003 Gibson plastic & the newer Gibson stuff was getting much less inaccurate.
I'd spend my $$ on sth. else and enjoy my 2016 R9 as is. GREAT looking 'lester :)
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,952
It's funny- the guard and rings can be really identical but a photo will make them look less so. Originals are all over the place color wise- i have seen dark burnt bone looking rings, rings with string cuts on them, horrible stains on guards.
Marks guitar loft sells lots of plastic parts for those with the look dilemma.
I had it.
 

MarcB

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2023
Messages
1,061
.. very nice R9.. congrats!

All good advice above..
..save your money or buy your mum a nice present..

Bonjour.
 

These go to 11

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
127
The right ones:

4 knobs: $800 approx.
2 x M69, neck & bridge, from 1957-1960: $30,000 approx. maybe more, IF you can find them.


Ok, You mean right aftermarkets? Those on your pics looks just fine IMO.
I lived 12 years with pink plastic on a 2003 Historic, and yes, I did change that when I felt embarrassed over the really wrong 2003 Gibson plastic & the newer Gibson stuff was getting much less inaccurate.
I'd spend my $$ on sth. else and enjoy my 2016 R9 as is. GREAT looking 'lester :)
There's a guard for $18,000 on ebay and only $150 to ship it! Great deal!!!?
 
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