rachelsdad
Member
:grumpy:
Hummingbird Project
- Thread starter rachelsdad
- Start date
rachelsdad
Member
Run Forrest, Run!
rachelsdad
Member
haven't bought it yet.
I still may have my eyes on a D-26 out there
I still may have my eyes on a D-26 out there
Great (inspiring) photos. ;~}
Is the guitar yours, or are you repairing it for someone else?
(Question answered...had a waited another minute before posting...)
Is the guitar yours, or are you repairing it for someone else?
(Question answered...had a waited another minute before posting...)
rachelsdad
Member
Well, I was awaiting response from a local gent who would have loved to do it but he found a few issues with it...and quite frankly, if I sunk $2,500-$3,00 into it and hated the sound....
The owner said he removed the plastic bridge...said it was a common "fault" of that era (this is a 63)...and they were much better w/a solidly glued bridge. From what I gleaned that doesn't kill the collector value of the guitar to a huge degree..but i haven't had enough time to research....sadly he "lost" it.
The bridge off my other project, the Martin D-28, that I removed in place of a proper one was Gibson...and...an exact fit for the Hummingbird, right down to the bolt pattern....karma man. That had me jazzed up as well.....
Still, I think what was compelling to me is that I have "restored" things, furniture, pre 67 corvettes, lamps blah blah..and my eldest brother has a smaller Gibson he bought new in 68 and I remember him drooling over the Hummingbird pictures in the catalogue...so in spite of its' painted lady gaudy looks....I have a soft spot for one
so this had some charm.
But I am so far over my head as far as knowledge goes I need to pass on this.
The owner said he removed the plastic bridge...said it was a common "fault" of that era (this is a 63)...and they were much better w/a solidly glued bridge. From what I gleaned that doesn't kill the collector value of the guitar to a huge degree..but i haven't had enough time to research....sadly he "lost" it.
The bridge off my other project, the Martin D-28, that I removed in place of a proper one was Gibson...and...an exact fit for the Hummingbird, right down to the bolt pattern....karma man. That had me jazzed up as well.....
Still, I think what was compelling to me is that I have "restored" things, furniture, pre 67 corvettes, lamps blah blah..and my eldest brother has a smaller Gibson he bought new in 68 and I remember him drooling over the Hummingbird pictures in the catalogue...so in spite of its' painted lady gaudy looks....I have a soft spot for one
so this had some charm.
But I am so far over my head as far as knowledge goes I need to pass on this.
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davismanLV
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Obviously, I am not familiar with this brand or age or design of guitar. What are those BIG holes under where the bridge should be? And then there's two more holes I can't account for. I'm a bit lost on this one...... has it had a bridge doctor or some other aftermarket thing installed or is there critical information that I'm missing......
GardMan
Enlightened Member
For a time, Gibson used bolt on bridges, adjustable bridges, and all sorts of other things upon which we now look askance. My wife's Grandmothers '66 LG-0 (an entry level Gibson) had a plastic bolt on bridge.
I didn't know they used them on Hummingbirds.
davismanLV
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That photo tells the story and fills in the blanks! Thanks, Dave! Kinda tacky, if you ask me..... which I know you didn't. HAAAAA!!
For a time, Gibson used bolt on bridges, adjustable bridges, and all sorts of other things upon which we now look askance. My wife's Grandmothers '66 LG-0 (an entry level Gibson) had a plastic bolt on bridge.
I didn't know they used them on Hummingbirds.
That's a tone killer if I ever saw one. Sometimes I wonder why there's so many Gibson haters out there (love mine), but then I see something like this. Plastic bridges, adjustable saddles, and the Norlin era; no wonder!
Dave, great photo of that bridge. Thanks for sharing that.
Sandy, I may have shared this with you already and, if so, I apologize for not remembering, but (guitar maker) Kent Everett did something for me that demonstrated two astonishing facts about myself:
1. Bias (preconceived notion) is real (I was so convinced I was beyond it) ;~}
2. I could trust my ears
He pulled out several guitars, some his own, one of mine, some friends instruments, etc. and made me face the wall while he played each one. We noted my findings (judgements, criticisms, etc.) and I turned around. As I matched guitar to critique, I was aghast! I knew what I liked when I heard it (but hadn't see it) and I had to admit I never would have arrived at the same conclusions had I been looking at the brand, admiring the inlay, sniffing the soundholes, imagining the possibilities, etc. first!
As an aside, the two "finest" sounding instruments from that test were both Everett guitars, one of which I purchased.
Whenever possible, I now drag someone along with me (Kathy, usually) to help me perform the same type of test when I am shopping (window or otherwise). I encourage everyone to try this with your own and/or others guitars. I think you will be amazed at the findings. (And don't me upset with me if you discover you actually like the sound of one of those "other" brands) ;~}
Christopher
I don't recall you telling me that story before Christopher, but there's definitely a lot of truth there.
I try not to be biased when it comes to guitars, and thought that I conquered a lot of that when I bought my Gibson. I'm sure some remains though, as that being said I've still played far more bad Gibsons than good ones. Same holds true for Taylors, but I admire Bob Taylor's philosophy when it comes to preserving the wood supply for future generations (wish Henry J felt that way).
It also informs me that I'd best not play an Everett guitar!
Not to try and influence you but if that is a 1964 it will still have the 1 11/16" nut and the best neck profile you will find on any Gibson built in the 1960s. While not near as full as the pre-1960 necks they have a bit more meat on them than guitars made from 1960-1962.
The wood ADJ bridges (I am not even going to talk about the plastic ones) were not near as much the problem as the saddles which on the HB were ceramic (all in all though still probably better than the rosewood saddles other such as the B45-12).
Just something to think about as if you are going to snag an older HB, 1963 and 1964 are the years to get.
The wood ADJ bridges (I am not even going to talk about the plastic ones) were not near as much the problem as the saddles which on the HB were ceramic (all in all though still probably better than the rosewood saddles other such as the B45-12).
Just something to think about as if you are going to snag an older HB, 1963 and 1964 are the years to get.
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