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Player 1950's Goldtop on eBay....Mystery Solved

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
I took a chance buying this guitar after a lot of emails to the seller. From the pics I thought it was just a replaced fretboard and a refin to the back of the neck. I've been looking for a candidate for a 57 conversion or a Snatch knock off like CD's.

Perfect weight at 8lbs 11oz.
IMG_20151221_092556275_zpslhgxpjgo.jpg


Great neck angle.
IMG_20151222_114557396_HDR_zpstbodx1zm.jpg


Let's see what's under that fingerboard.
IMG_20151222_123846969_HDR_zpsvdfkdbiy.jpg


Original headstock.
IMG_20151222_124025782_zps7n7kint4.jpg


Can't wait to see to neck joint.
IMG_20151222_134707027_zpsitw2ib5v.jpg


Fretboard removed
IMG_20151222_135030367_zpss0bbq9ur.jpg


Moment of truth......Yes it is the original factory neck:yah
IMG_20151222_134929472_zpshivy0vz6.jpg


I have a set of early 57 no sticker PAF'S, pots & harness that would make a great 57 conversion. Maybe keep the wrap tail and neck P90 and just add a PAF for the bridge. I can't get to this project for a while but wanted to see if the neck was original. Merry Christmas to all:salude
IMG_20151222_141800158_zpsea5wrrh1.jpg
 

kidmo

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
154
Congrats, that is one mojo'd mofo. Excuse my ignorance and maybe I'm seeing it incorrectly, but it looks like spacers on each side of the tenon or it that just body wood that didn't get painted (which of course they wouldn't), it just looks like the grain is running parallel with the neck. Any way, that is one badass goldie, good luck with which ever way you go. Tho, I vote for the whole enchilada, there's a lot of magic in middle or neck positions of two PAF's.
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Congrats, Boogie!

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one.

Personally I'd be happy with it with a new fretboard, otherwise as-is :jim
 

sws1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
So, what's with the block inlays? Custom order from Gibson?

If you look at the pic with the level, it's clear there is a replaced binding on the neck. So, perhaps the whole board was replaced.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
I suspected that might be the original neck.
A 1956 wraptail is so rare, it seems a shame to convert it. It could be restored so easily. :hmm
 

CDaughtry

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner and Moderator
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
12,646
If I were you (I know I'm a little prejudiced...) I'd do it one humbucker at a time. I can PROMISE you, if you only put one in the bridge position and keep the neck P-90, you'll thank me later. The middle position is magic.:jim
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Yes the neck pickup route would suggest the neck has not been removed from the body, but the fretboard and back of neck finish (and SN) appears to be non-original. And I trust BoG's in-hand evaluation.

I'm with TW as far as what I'd do with it, but it's not my guitar, it's BoG's and he can do whatever he wants with it.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
I suspected that might be the original neck.
A 1956 wraptail is so rare, it seems a shame to convert it. It could be restored so easily. :hmm

And on the other thread peeps were so judgemental on converting a Junior. And people are OK with this? I don't get it. Restore it. I mean it is your guitar, but I think it is horrible to deface it. Replace the fingerboard with the correct one.
 

buyusfear

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
2,951
And on the other thread peeps were so judgemental on converting a Junior. And people are OK with this? I don't get it. Restore it. I mean it is your guitar, but I think it is horrible to deface it. Replace the fingerboard with the correct one.

I agree. Why are guys so opposed to P-90's? I just don't get it. As a guy who plays both live, if you know what you're doing with your rig there is no hum. Especially once the drums come in.

They're such a magical pickup. Big, blooming with tone.
So much More versatile and nicer sounding IMO than a humbucker. Especially with today's electrical compared to 60 years ago.

Humbuckers were invented as a compromise not an improvement.
But that's just my 2c.

Great pics and guitar! :yah
 
Last edited:

zhivago

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2004
Messages
1,417
What a cool thread...so good to see the mystery solved, merry Christmas!!! :salude
 

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
If I were you (I know I'm a little prejudiced...) I'd do it one humbucker at a time. I can PROMISE you, if you only put one in the bridge position and keep the neck P-90, you'll thank me later. The middle position is magic.:jim


That's the plan, thanks for the input. I'm going to keep the wrap tail also.
 
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