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Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

mdubya

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Mar 31, 2010
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As a self proclaimed "not a Les Paul guy" I have four Les Pauls: a Less Plus, an ES Les Paul, a Les Paul Special, and the only "full spec" is a Tokai. :LOL:

I don't feel or need a tummy cut, but I love all of the funky variations while maintaining the traditional LP look and tone.

I am not sure I would trade this motley group for anything.

luuQ842.jpg
 

pentatonicwanker

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Sep 22, 2021
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Because most people want the Les Paul to be exactly what it is. There's no balance problem with a good Les Paul.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind an expansion of the Modern line...

I can live without stuff like RoboTuners but fully welcome stuff like compound radius fretboards, enhanced upper heel access, tummy cuts, and jumbo/stainless steel frets. Would be super rad if Gibson did a lower cost Studio Modern.
 

CAGinLA

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I'm talking about the weight distribution. Most Les Pauls have such heavy bodies, they don't balance easily in a seated position. Putting on heavier tuners like Grovers can help if the guitar is not much heavier than 9 lbs.
Never had this problem in any of my Les Pauls - all of which have been less than 9 lbs.
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
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5,274
Yes, the Modern Collection should do cuts. Remember the Custom Lites? Compound radius too. And other competitive 'innovations' :cool:

Heck, do the PRS-like cutaway bevel on LPs; also do them on Jr/Special slabs like PRS's S2 line.

I like the SG Moderns but they are too scarce (especially in Lefty), and some folks prefer an LP shape.

Maybe even a fully beveled double cut LP would be cool. [The Modern Doublecut shape has fans, perhaps not enough to sustain production.]

And while we are at it, have you thought about doing more chambered guitars using some of the heavier mahogany that comes thru the sourcing piles, akin to the Midtowns but using other shapes, no F-holes...? Hmmm.
 
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fretout

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Sep 16, 2015
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Hi Mat!

I have a question that seems to be debated really often, and was looking for sone clarification.

In regards to the 1957 reissues, can you clarify whether these guitars are a separate mahogany top joined to a mahogany body?

It seems that a lot of the confusion comes from the Gibson website that states these guitars feature “all mahogany bodies”, which implies that the entire body and top are “one single piece of solid mahogany”.

If the current 1957 Reissues are made without joining a top to a body, when did this spec change occur? I’ve viewed multiple pictures of these Reissues that contain different mahogany grain patterns that would indicate a separate body and top construction, along with square wire routes between the pickups, which would be impossible if there wasn’t a top joined to the body after the routes were carved.

These features can be seen in historic and pre-historic reissues, so another question would be if the original/vintage 1957s and 1954s one solid, continuous piece of mahogany, or were they a mahogany top joined to a mahogany body?

Thank you in advance, and I apologize for such a long question! I’m sure I speak for the majority of us forumites when I say that I am grateful to have you here for us!
 

wmachine

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Mar 17, 2016
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...........It seems that a lot of the confusion comes from the Gibson website that states these guitars feature “all mahogany bodies”, which implies that the entire body and top are “one single piece of solid mahogany”...................................................
Regardless of what the answer to you question really is, "all" does not mean how many pieces no matter how how you look at it. If there is anything implied, it would be the construction is same but the cap is not the usual maple. Regardless, Gibson should not leave that to question when they can be more specific.
 

GreenBurst

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748
Hi Mat!

I have a question that seems to be debated really often, and was looking for sone clarification.

In regards to the 1957 reissues, can you clarify whether these guitars are a separate mahogany top joined to a mahogany body?

It seems that a lot of the confusion comes from the Gibson website that states these guitars feature “all mahogany bodies”, which implies that the entire body and top are “one single piece of solid mahogany”.

If the current 1957 Reissues are made without joining a top to a body, when did this spec change occur? I’ve viewed multiple pictures of these Reissues that contain different mahogany grain patterns that would indicate a separate body and top construction, along with square wire routes between the pickups, which would be impossible if there wasn’t a top joined to the body after the routes were carved.

These features can be seen in historic and pre-historic reissues, so another question would be if the original/vintage 1957s and 1954s one solid, continuous piece of mahogany, or were they a mahogany top joined to a mahogany body?

Thank you in advance, and I apologize for such a long question! I’m sure I speak for the majority of us forumites when I say that I am grateful to have you here for us!
VIntage '54-'57 Customs were one piece mohogany and had a hole drilled from the output jack to the toggle switch positon to facilitate the wiring.

It is a safe assumption for R4BB and R7BB reissues that when the drilled hole exists instead of the routed channel it is a single piece mahogany body.

Technically, it could still be the same build process as a Standard but with all mahogany pieces. But it seems doubtful they would change their build process (hole vs. channel route) just for vintage appearance.

Mat would need to weigh in on that.
 

DutchRay

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Mar 15, 2015
Messages
872
I'd like to know when the custom shop started with the one piece body, they didn't in the 90's, '57 Customs were made with a 2-piece top mahogany back in 1993.
Oh and don't let the Nashville bridge fool you, it came with an ABR-1.

11999709_1500647436924288_4152020971376746423_o.jpg



12034449_1500649063590792_9213316943333422869_o.jpg
 

fretout

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Sep 16, 2015
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Regardless of what the answer to you question really is, "all" does not mean how many pieces no matter how how you look at it. If there is anything implied, it would be the construction is same but the cap is not the usual maple. Regardless, Gibson should not leave that to question when they can be more specific.
I agree. Based on the verbiage on Gibson’s website today, it doesn’t leave much to the imagination. I’ve highlighted the sections that address the body below…

B24D9837-AAA9-4DB7-9575-C92878999D61.jpeg

Based on these descriptions, it seems to describe a completely solid log of mahogany that is cut, carved, and worked into a 57 Reissue.

However, the ‘57RIs in various eras appear to have different construction methods. There have also been brothers of this forum that have claimed that their modern ‘57RIs appear to be a solid chunk of Mahogany, but conclusive photos haven’t been posted yet.
 

fretout

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VIntage '54-'57 Customs were one piece mohogany and had a hole drilled from the output jack to the toggle switch positon to facilitate the wiring.

It is a safe assumption for R4BB and R7BB reissues that when the drilled hole exists instead of the routed channel it is a single piece mahogany body.

Technically, it could still be the same build process as a Standard but with all mahogany pieces. But it seems doubtful they would change their build process (hole vs. channel route) just for vintage appearance.

Mat would need to weigh in on that.
I agree. This is what I have observed in multiple 57RIs as well. It not only makes the most sense, but from a business standpoint, it would be far more feasible to have all carved top Les Pauls constructed with the same “standardized” method of construction: a carved top glued to a Mahogany Body.

It is a safe assumption for R4BB and R7BB reissues that when the drilled hole exists instead of the routed channel it is a single piece mahogany body.
I would agree with this as well, if the wire route is a drilled hole that extends from the jack hole to the toggle switch route, this would be the best evidence that the top and body may be one, single piece of Mahogany. but I have noticed an interesting detail that I’ve only observed in the 57RIs…

I’ve viewed pictures from many other 57RI owners that shows a ROUND wire channel when observed from the control cavity, but then the wire route between the pickups is SQUARE!

Therefore, the best method I have found to verify whether a guitar could possibly be a single solid piece of Mahogany is to inspect the wiring channel between the pickups.

So, this is why I wanted to get Mat’s expertise on this topic. I’ve seen more than a few 57RIs that appear to exhibit a mahogany carved top glued to a mahogany body. But, there are a few owners that state that their 57RIs are NOT top-glued-to-body and attest that their guitars are one solid chunk of mahogany. Were 57 Customs ever built out of one solid, continuous piece of Mahogany? If so, when?

Thank you!!!
 
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madrivermoco

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Sep 26, 2021
Messages
35
Matt,

I know this is weird, but don’t sleep on that Modern V. They are aging really elegantly. Another small run would be loved…
 

djcmusician

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Apr 29, 2015
Messages
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I agree. This is what I have observed in multiple 57RIs as well. It not only makes the most sense, but from a business standpoint, it would be far more feasible to have all carved top Les Pauls constructed with the same “standardized” method of construction: a carved top glued to a Mahogany Body.


I would agree with this as well, if the wire route is a drilled hole that extends from the jack hole to the toggle switch route, this would be the best evidence that the top and body may be one, single piece of Mahogany. but I have noticed an interesting detail that I’ve only observed in the 57RIs…

I’ve viewed pictures from many other 57RI owners that shows a ROUND wire channel when observed from the control cavity, but then the wire route between the pickups is SQUARE!

Therefore, the best method I have found to verify whether a guitar could possibly be a single solid piece of Mahogany is to inspect the wiring channel between the pickups.

So, this is why I wanted to get Mat’s expertise on this topic. I’ve seen more than a few 57RIs that appear to exhibit a mahogany carved top glued to a mahogany body. But, there are a few owners that state that their 57RIs are NOT top-glued-to-body and attest that their guitars are one solid chunk of mahogany. Were 57 Customs ever built out of one solid, continuous piece of Mahogany? If so, when?

Thank you!!!
Not the best pics, but here is my 2010 B7 when I swapped out pickups to Antiquities.
 

garga

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Aug 8, 2020
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Hi Mat, i was in Tokyo recently and this LPC custom caught my eye and i brought it home from one of the reputable dealers. This its name that was advertised: Japan Limited Run 1974 Les Paul Custom VOS Silver Burst and the specs are listed below. I have a few questions about it.

They told me it is a limted run for the Japan market. Can you kindly explain how does this work and how many of the same models were made?

It is in silverburst finish with gold hardware. I thought VOS models were supposed to be speced similarly to the original models but the silverburst colour only appeared from 1978. How is it that a 1974 model has this finish? Ditto for the gold hardware.

Plays fantastic and looks killer! Just wanted to understand more about what i own. Thanks

Spec.
Body : Maple Top / Mahogany Inside Piece Maple Back
Binding : Multi-ply
Neck : 3P Mahogany
Prole : Small D Profile
Nut width : 1.687" / 42.85mm
Fingerboard : Solid Ebony
Scale length : 24.75" / 628.65mm
Number of frets : 22
Nut : Nylon
Inlay : Mother of Pearl
Bridge : Wire ABR-1
Tailpiece : Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Knobs : Black Witch Hats with Gold Inserts
Tuners : Grover Keystone Gold
Plating : Gold
Neck pickup : Super 74
Bridge pickup : Super 74
Controls : CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers Case
 

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jb_abides

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It is in silverburst finish with gold hardware. I thought VOS models were supposed to be speced similarly to the original models but the silverburst colour only appeared from 1978. How is it that a 1974 model has this finish? Ditto for the gold hardware.

Congrats on the guitar, looks great!

A model year spec is the basic framework for the 'bones' of a guitar, but you can vary the specs using the basis being referred to... things can get adventurous. It's not as organized or codified as, say, Fender's Parallel Universe, but aberrations abound based on varying the basic product specifications into custom formulas.

VOS mainly refers to the finishing process both lacquer and hardware aging, originating on the Les Paul Standard Historic Reissues, but extended to other models.

Dealers can specify 'limited runs' or even do Made-to-Measure one-offs for customers.

The Japanese market is particularly good at doing so, but this happens elsewhere.

See "Wildwood Spec" from Wildwood Guitars, CME Spec from Chicago Music Exchange, and Les Paul Seniors from The Music Zoo (TME) as examples.
 

garga

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Congrats on the guitar, looks great!

A model year spec is the basic framework for the 'bones' of a guitar, but you can vary the specs using the basis being referred to... things can get adventurous. It's not as organized or codified as, say, Fender's Parallel Universe, but aberrations abound based on varying the basic product specifications into custom formulas.

VOS mainly refers to the finishing process both lacquer and hardware aging, originating on the Les Paul Standard Historic Reissues, but extended to other models.

Dealers can specify 'limited runs' or even do Made-to-Measure one-offs for customers.

The Japanese market is particularly good at doing so, but this happens elsewhere.

See "Wildwood Spec" from Wildwood Guitars, CME Spec from Chicago Music Exchange, and Les Paul Seniors from The Music Zoo (TME) as examples.
thanks a lot for the reply! it makes sense now! Will like to tap on your expertise with a few more questions

1) where can i find the "base spec" of a guitar? say 58,59,60,74 etc. Want to have a deeper understanding of which specs are "fixed" and which can be modified (like colour, hardware etc)
2) Is there a recommended way to take care of a VOS finish? All my guitars have been high gloss and use guitar/ metal polish to get the parts back up to a high gloss and shine. i dont think this will be advisable on my VOS finished guirar?
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
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thanks a lot for the reply! it makes sense now! Will like to tap on your expertise with a few more questions

1) where can i find the "base spec" of a guitar? say 58,59,60,74 etc. Want to have a deeper understanding of which specs are "fixed" and which can be modified (like colour, hardware etc)
2) Is there a recommended way to take care of a VOS finish? All my guitars have been high gloss and use guitar/ metal polish to get the parts back up to a high gloss and shine. i dont think this will be advisable on my VOS finished guirar?

Basic specs for reissued models are on Gibson's site. What is not on the site are models which haven't been produced as standard offerings for a while. Those might be available as custom Made-to-Measure (M2M) orders, you'd have to inquire via a dealer or Gibson Garage. Then, modification parameters can be seen using custom shop catalog of materials e.g. here:

Note this document is out-of-date; current Gibson Custom Shop specs may vary. Best to consult directly with an authorized M2M dealer and they will get approval from Gibson as to what can be done. You may be able to imagine more or different than what's in the catalog and your dealer will work with their Gibson representative to accommodate or reject.

Mat has stated he is working on a 'configurator' but I suspect that is down his list of things to do...

As for VOS care, that largely depends on your goals...

The main complaint many have is VOS does not persist As-Is, that is, with playing the unbuffed areas will buff and approach gloss, imparting a patch of gloss on an otherwise dullish finish. Probably not much to do but play through and enjoy, or even out with buffing overall.

Some choose to polish them to a gloss finish which can be done via normal buff and polish.

My path has been to just clean off any errant buffing compound residue aka 'VOS gunk' and anything that clings to the hardware then leave well enough alone. I prefer this, kind of a 'loved but cared for' appearance.

I use naphtha and Virtuoso Cleaner, never Polish for this. If you want to go further gloss, then Virtuoso Polish is well-regarded. Also, any polish recommended for nitrocellulose finishes will do; people have their favorites... search the LPF for more.
 

garga

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Aug 8, 2020
Messages
6
Basic specs for reissued models are on Gibson's site. What is not on the site are models which haven't been produced as standard offerings for a while. Those might be available as custom Made-to-Measure (M2M) orders, you'd have to inquire via a dealer or Gibson Garage. Then, modification parameters can be seen using custom shop catalog of materials e.g. here:


Note this document is out-of-date; current Gibson Custom Shop specs may vary. Best to consult directly with an authorized M2M dealer and they will get approval from Gibson as to what can be done. You may be able to imagine more or different than what's in the catalog and your dealer will work with their Gibson representative to accommodate or reject.

Mat has stated he is working on a 'configurator' but I suspect that is down his list of things to do...

As for VOS care, that largely depends on your goals...

The main complaint many have is VOS does not persist As-Is, that is, with playing the unbuffed areas will buff and approach gloss, imparting a patch of gloss on an otherwise dullish finish. Probably not much to do but play through and enjoy, or even out with buffing overall.

Some choose to polish them to a gloss finish which can be done via normal buff and polish.

My path has been to just clean off any errant buffing compound residue aka 'VOS gunk' and anything that clings to the hardware then leave well enough alone. I prefer this, kind of a 'loved but cared for' appearance.

I use naphtha and Virtuoso Cleaner, never Polish for this. If you want to go further gloss, then Virtuoso Polish is well-regarded. Also, any polish recommended for nitrocellulose finishes will do; people have their favorites... search the LPF for more.
thanks a lot for your reply! learnt a lot today about both the specs and instrument care
 
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