List of 2009 R9 changes

[Jason Smith]

That other thread was getting quite long so I decided to start this new thread to concentrate on listing what changes were made on the new 2009 1959 Reissue.

Frank (Pinefd) has put together a good list that we can start with. There are some more details that I have heard about that I will add after that.

Since this information is just coming out, I'm sure we will make some mistakes, but we can correct things as we go along.

If anybody has any other new specs, please keep adding them to this thread as we learn them.


Information Originally Posted by pinefd

1) Top Carve: Reports have it that the top carve is much better.
2) Neck Profile: I’ve also heard that this is much closer to a ’59 neck profile.
3) Bindings: Rolled (supposedly)
4) Burst Color: From all accounts, it’s beautiful.
5) Bridge: Non-wire ABR
6) Nut: Correct nut material
7) Switch Nut: Correct number of ridges; much closer to vintage specs
8) Poker Chip: Thin, and much closer to vintage
9) Pots: Upgraded
10) Back Control & Switch Plates: Proper material
11) Back Control Plate: Correct location/orientation
12) TRC: Period correct Truss rod cover...is that what I heard?
13) Tailpiece & Knob Positions: It appears that they probably left the tailpiece in place, but moved the knobs a bit…obviously an area of much debate.

Here are some additional things I have heard from Dave Carpenter and Gibson's Phillip Whorton who are at NAMM:

14) Overall body thickness is the same, but mahogany is slightly thicker and maple is slightly thinner
15) Fingerboard thickness is more accurate (thinner than it was previously)
16) the radius on the edge of the body backside is sharper
17) Pickguard shape more accurate
18) Maple "window" in cutaway is smaller
19) The jackhole is now 1" diameter (was smaller)
20) The overall body shape is more accurate

 

[Xmas]

Since you're at NAMM, are there any other Historics (e.g., R7, R6, R8) on display with any of the new specs? Is there any word on whether, for example, a 2009 R7 will have these changes? Thanks for the list, BTW. Are you the JS from the Fender CS?

 

[MWR]

Jason:

I appreciate the info. :jim However, I do not understand how Gibson can come to NAMM 09 and not have this information readily available for consumption. It seems really ridiculous and very un-organized. A real black-eye for their marketing group. If the info was available it would stop all the speculation and clear the decks for what this guitar is.

Man....I work for a manufacturer and if we ever launched a new model the way Gibson launched the 50th Anniversary R9 at NAMM we would all be looking for a new jobs.

Thanks! :jim

 

[Jason Smith]

I'm not actually at NAMM. Dave Carpenter is there and has been sending me some details he got from Phillip.

Chris Swope, a former Gibson Custom Shop employee that is now with GuitarSale has some additional details. I'll see if he will chime in.

 

[Jason Smith]

MWR, I agree. I wish they had a list of every change they made. Seems to me that would be good advertising to show all the improvements/changes they did.

Who knows, maybe their stategy is to have us discover these changes over time and not spill all the beans at once?

 

[Scott Weinmann]

I don't know if these have been said but...
21) Serial Number Location
22) Strap button screws are longer
23) Dial pointers are not as sharp
also beside the ABR not having the wire, it's suppose to be tighter tolerance so the saddles will not neccesarily fall out if the bridge is turned over.

 

[zombiwoof]

I wonder if the no-wire ABR will be available as a replacement part?

Al

 

[lpnv59]

also beside the ABR not having the wire, it's suppose to be tighter tolerance so the saddles will not neccesarily fall out if the bridge is turned over.

I call BS!.................A truely accurate non wire ABR should have the owner on his knees, searching the floor for the saddle. :rofl

 

[Chris Swope]

Chris Swope, a former Gibson Custom Shop employee that is now with GuitarSale has some additional details. I'll see if he will chime in.

Well, seems like most of the changes as I understood them have been mentioned. A few more details:
Hardware changes -
The CTS pots are now audio-taper.
Thumbwheels are now steel, rather than brass.
The nut is now Nylon. Gibson had apparently had one analyzed and it is nylon 6/6
The knurl pattern on the knurled nut has been change to match that of the fifties.
The material for the saddles and base screws is now correct, (not sure what material that is).
The Geometry of the truss-rod cover has been changed and is now historically correct.
Yes, the pickguard has been changed, I believe it will now have a gap by the bridge pickup.
The angle of the bevel on the bottom of the backplates now reflects that of the original die-stamped backplates and the material is now the correct ABS plastic.

Production changes-
The taper of the binding window in the cutaway is now correct
Neck pitch has changed. The range is now 4.5 - 5 degree neck angle.
BODY PERIMETER CHANGE most notable in cutaway and the waist, which is a bit slimmer.
The maple cap is thinner and the mahogany thicker.
The strap button, as a result, is now centered on the mahogany section of the rim.
The "heel" and "wrist" sections of the neck are shaped differently. In the case of the heel, the step is a bit higher, or closer to the back.
The body radius is tighter on the back
The scroll of the headstock has been changed slightly, I believe,in the moustache area.
The fingerboard thickness has been reduced.
The neck profile has changed. There is less "cheek" or "shoulder" to the neck.
The appearance of the spline (tenon?) in the neck pickup cavity has changed.
Here is an interesting one, the pickup routes are now parallel to the string line. This should keep the pickups from jamming up against the wall of the route and tilting down at an angle.
Serial # location.
Longer strap button screws.
Dial pointers not a sharp.

I hope I got all that right!

 

[bluesforstevie]

Well, seems like most of the changes as I understood them have been mentioned. A few more details:
Hardware changes -
The CTS pots are now audio-taper.
Thumbwheels are now steel, rather than brass.
The nut is now Nylon. Gibson had apparently had one analyzed and it is nylon 6/6
The knurl pattern on the knurled nut has been change to match that of the fifties.
The material for the saddles and base screws is now correct, (not sure what material that is).
The Geometry of the truss-rod cover has been changed and is now historically correct.
Yes, the pickguard has been changed, I believe it will now have a gap by the bridge pickup.
The angle of the bevel on the bottom of the backplates now reflects that of the original die-stamped backplates and the material is now the correct ABS plastic.

Production changes-
The taper of the binding window in the cutaway is now correct
Neck pitch has changed. The range is now 4.5 - 5 degree neck angle.
BODY PERIMETER CHANGE most notable in cutaway and the waist, which is a bit slimmer.
The maple cap is thinner and the mahogany thicker.
The strap button, as a result, is now centered on the mahogany section of the rim.
The "heel" and "wrist" sections of the neck are shaped differently. In the case of the heel, the step is a bit higher, or closer to the back.
The body radius is tighter on the back
The scroll of the headstock has been changed slightly, I believe,in the moustache area.
The fingerboard thickness has been reduced.
The neck profile has changed. There is less "cheek" or "shoulder" to the neck.
The appearance of the spline (tenon?) in the neck pickup cavity has changed.
Here is an interesting one, the pickup routes are now parallel to the string line. This should keep the pickups from jamming up against the wall of the route and tilting down at an angle.
Serial # location.
Longer strap button screws.
Dial pointers not a sharp.

I hope I got all that right!

Awesome!! Wish I had the loot!!! Thanks for the info fellas!!!

 

[moonweasel]

Wow, great list. I agree with above. A simple list could have helped calm the masses.

Did anyone of you ask if the regular RI GT's will be getting the lower Gibson logos like the JB Model and the J Bonamassa (sp) model? Would be cool to know, thanks.

I appreciate your posts.

 

[R9.]

I can't wait to get mine! :salude

 

[J.D.]

If anyone knows the details here on the forum it's gotta be Chris Swope (also maybe Murkat). I'd say this is pretty accurate info. Thank you, Chris! :salude

 

[pinefd]

Wow, great info Chris!

And thanks, Jason, for starting this thread. All this great info could have easily gotten lost in that other thread.

Any more info/details from either of you guys about the JP #2 or the Bloomfield model...or any others that may be coming later this year?


Frank

 

[bluesforstevie]

Does the fact that they only made 500 mean that none of these changes are permanent and or wont be part of the regular production R9's? Will the other R9's remain unchanged from 08????

 

[pinefd]

Does the fact that they only made 500 mean that none of these changes are permanent and or wont be part of the regular production R9's? Will the other R9's remain unchanged from 08????

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe the regular production R9s will get all of these things as well. The major differences between the regular R9s and the 50th Anniversary guitars are that the 50th will be gloss versus VOS, different color selections, and a 50th certificate.

 

[bluesforstevie]

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe the regular production R9s will get all of these things as well. The major differences between the regular R9s and the 50th Anniversary guitars are that the 50th will be gloss versus VOS, different color selections, and a 50th certificate.

Will the regular R9's get the same production changes...ie better top carve, thinner maple cap, slimmer waist and more accurate neck shape? 'These are the changes that matter most to me and will result in a slight tonal changes in the guitar!!!

Man oh man, do I wish I had the loot....I'd love to compare the tone between the old and the new R9's!!!

 

[R9.]

pinefd, what you say makes sense. Gibson's site only mentions the part about digitally scanning 5 bursts for the anniversary models, though. On the other hand, their site is a bit messed up. Sometimes it says 5 bursts, sometimes it says 7 bursts, sometimes it says $8,500, sometimes it says $10,500.

It wouldn't make sense to make them differently...but it would be nice for the guys who buy the 50th anniversary R9.

 

[Chris Swope]

If anyone knows the details here on the forum it's gotta be Chris Swope (also maybe Murkat). I'd say this is pretty accurate info. Thank you, Chris! :salude

Ah yes...my old friend Murkat. You out there, Murkat?

 

[D'Mule]

Thanks, I'm stoked!