Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2013 11:43:22 GMT -5
I have owned a few vintage Fenders and Gibson’s over the years. I still own a vintage Gibson and a vintage Fender Telecaster.
I'm not going to address the investment aspect of vintage guitars, we all know by now that if it is an original vintage guitar, bought at a fair market price, it is basically a no-brainer. An A rated guitar like a 50?s Les Paul or a Pre-CBS Fender will increase in value. Where I find the biggest misconception are the reissue Gibson’s.
Vintage Gibson Guitars:
If you diagree with my opinions that’s okay. You are in good company. smiley-laughing024
I believe a vintage Gibson sounds different and in most cases better than the reissues. I believe the more complicated construction of the Gibson as opposed to the Fender makes the aging aspect a big factor. For years I have heard guitar players all over the world speak about giving a Martin guitar a chance to “break in” or "open up". I believe that this is true on all guitars, not just acoustics (I know some guitar players who are still waiting for their 70?s J-200?s to “open up”).
You may be thinking “okay, but if my reissue guitar ages it will sound the same”. ..maybe. The quality of materials and workmanship has a big factor here so the best I can say is, we’ll see. I believe that vintage Gibson’s (pre 1972) sound more “woody” with a bit more high mid’s, they also seem to be a bit more touch responsive. I would say IMHO that this is material and workmanship mostly and a bit less leaning on electronics. As a sidebar I think that the black sticker patent pickups give the PAF’s a run for their money as far as overall sound (not characteristics). Every pickup era has its own characteristics these should factor into your choice when you evaluate their place in your sound.
Many of the reissue and Historic Gibson’s are as far from being “historic” as you can get, period. The sound is okay and they look fine but in the sound department they cannot cut it as far as I can see but, there are exceptions. I was amazed at my ability to cop the Bloomfield “Super Session” tone playing a 2001 58 Authentic Flametop Reissue through a blackface Twin. They certainly got that one right for sure.
So, I would say that vintage Gibson’s do sound better then the reissues across the board especially the semi-hollow and hollow bodies. Please judge these guitars yourself and remember take no ones word as gospel unless you have done the comparisons yourself.
I'm not going to address the investment aspect of vintage guitars, we all know by now that if it is an original vintage guitar, bought at a fair market price, it is basically a no-brainer. An A rated guitar like a 50?s Les Paul or a Pre-CBS Fender will increase in value. Where I find the biggest misconception are the reissue Gibson’s.
Vintage Gibson Guitars:
If you diagree with my opinions that’s okay. You are in good company. smiley-laughing024
I believe a vintage Gibson sounds different and in most cases better than the reissues. I believe the more complicated construction of the Gibson as opposed to the Fender makes the aging aspect a big factor. For years I have heard guitar players all over the world speak about giving a Martin guitar a chance to “break in” or "open up". I believe that this is true on all guitars, not just acoustics (I know some guitar players who are still waiting for their 70?s J-200?s to “open up”).
You may be thinking “okay, but if my reissue guitar ages it will sound the same”. ..maybe. The quality of materials and workmanship has a big factor here so the best I can say is, we’ll see. I believe that vintage Gibson’s (pre 1972) sound more “woody” with a bit more high mid’s, they also seem to be a bit more touch responsive. I would say IMHO that this is material and workmanship mostly and a bit less leaning on electronics. As a sidebar I think that the black sticker patent pickups give the PAF’s a run for their money as far as overall sound (not characteristics). Every pickup era has its own characteristics these should factor into your choice when you evaluate their place in your sound.
Many of the reissue and Historic Gibson’s are as far from being “historic” as you can get, period. The sound is okay and they look fine but in the sound department they cannot cut it as far as I can see but, there are exceptions. I was amazed at my ability to cop the Bloomfield “Super Session” tone playing a 2001 58 Authentic Flametop Reissue through a blackface Twin. They certainly got that one right for sure.
So, I would say that vintage Gibson’s do sound better then the reissues across the board especially the semi-hollow and hollow bodies. Please judge these guitars yourself and remember take no ones word as gospel unless you have done the comparisons yourself.