MyaByrne
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2018
- Messages
- 44
- Reaction score
- 43
I got my 1976 F20 (ser. 138877) “Betty Lou” in nearly new condition in Dec 2006 from Millburn Music in NJ. It’s a curious instrument. I’m posting this as I’m curious as to the origin story of these long-scales. I’ve only seen one other one IRL like mine, similar year, identical pickguard. It sounds like a 12-fret Martin or Gibson dread or jumbo, and is super duper loud with a giant neck. I like that the bridge is so far down on the body, like a 12-fret Anybody know anything about these? What the thoughts were behind it, what they look like inside, etc? I’m also curious because the unusually figured fingerboard wood absolutely does not match the bridge, and looks and feels like Brazilian. It would make no sense to do that but I’m curious if that was ever a thing.
For a good chunk of the last 15 years-ish this was my main guitar, esp for travel and recording, but shd has definitely been through it, including me literally falling into a giant firepit at Kerrville one year (I don’t drink anymore, thankfully!). I’ve more or less retired her at this point - not because she’s falling apart but just very worn down and not as stageworthy as my 99 F30R. Every scratch on her is from me. Two years ago I replaced the original Grovers (which were square-shaped buttons) with these drop-in 18:1s, as the originals were truly worn out.
When I have the dough and find the right person to do it, I want to give her a proper neck reset/refret and maybe replace the bridge with an NOS piece (it was shaved down a few years ago by a tech who meant well when the action was too high but I don’t like it!).
For a good chunk of the last 15 years-ish this was my main guitar, esp for travel and recording, but shd has definitely been through it, including me literally falling into a giant firepit at Kerrville one year (I don’t drink anymore, thankfully!). I’ve more or less retired her at this point - not because she’s falling apart but just very worn down and not as stageworthy as my 99 F30R. Every scratch on her is from me. Two years ago I replaced the original Grovers (which were square-shaped buttons) with these drop-in 18:1s, as the originals were truly worn out.
When I have the dough and find the right person to do it, I want to give her a proper neck reset/refret and maybe replace the bridge with an NOS piece (it was shaved down a few years ago by a tech who meant well when the action was too high but I don’t like it!).