WTB Newport Pro with a Maple Top

[mtn cub]

Hello,

I would like to find a Newport Pro with  either flame or birdseye maple top instead of a spruce top.

I already have a really nice Newport Pro with the spruce top and have attached a couple of photos of that guitar.

So, if anyone here on the HFC has one tucked away and might be considering parting with it, I would appreciate it if you would reach out to me....

Thanks in advance and thanks also to Gabe who pointed out some misconceptions, of the different models, on my part...

Tim.

 

[mtn cub]

1st Bump...

[Gabe]

On 9/27/2024 at 1:11 PM, mtn cub said:

I would like to find a Newport Pro Custom, the model with a maple top instead of a spruce top.

 

Please be aware that what you describe is still a Newport Pro with custom options (like a maple top), while the Newport Pro Custom is  a different specific model, almost always in ruby red and with a trapeze tailpiece. 
 

Gabe 😀

[burningyen]

8 hours ago, Gabe said:

Please be aware that what you describe is still a Newport Pro with custom options (like a maple top), while the Newport Pro Custom is  a different specific model, almost always in ruby red and with a trapeze tailpiece. 
 

Gane 😀

Yep. I vaguely recall seeing a flame maple top Newport Pro being called a Newport Pro BE even though it didn’t have birdseye, but I might be imagining that or it might not have been official. You’d think it’d be a Newport Pro FM.

[Camstone]

I used to own one. I bought it from Wilcutt and sold it here maybe 15 years ago. It's kind of a rare bird. Good luck.

[mtn cub]

Thanks for the information on the various models of the Newport Pro....

I will make a few changes to the word description in my post.

Thanks also to Camstone as "a picture is worth a thousand words"...

That guitar has the features that I'm looking for.

[kizanski]

3 hours ago, Camstone said:

I used to own one.

...and this one which you sold to me.

[burningyen]

I wonder where pirateflynn's ended up. That was a real stunner, natural, B&C, and with the tailpiece in a normal spot rather than far away from the bridge like on most Pros. Can't even find a pic of it anymore.

[stratacus]

Newport Pro BE (Birds Eye)

[mtn cub]

Bump #2.

Thanks for those of you who have posted in regards to my search.

Some of the finer details I would like are:

A nut width of a full 1 11/16".

A full 50's neck profile.

Having the tailpiece in the Gibson, traditional location would be a real plus as I just think that it looks "correct" although, I realize that they may have built only the one referred to in burningyen's post.

Thanks again and the quest continues.....

Have a good weekend.

 

[veatch]

2 hours ago, mtn cub said:

Having the tailpiece in the Gibson, traditional location would be a real plus as I just think that it looks "correct" although, I realize that they may have built only the one referred to in burningyen's post.

Yeah, with my understanding, there was only the one. : /

[cmatthes]

12 hours ago, veatch said:

Yeah, with my understanding, there was only the one. : /

That is correct.

[mtn cub]

Bump #3...

[mtn cub]

Sunday, Bump #4...

[mtn cub]

Bump #5.

Birdseye maple, 1 11/16" nut width, '59 neck profile, nickel hardware.....

Is this too much to ask for?

Thanks again.

[geoff_hartwell]

7 minutes ago, mtn cub said:

Bump #5.

Birdseye maple, 1 11/16" nut width, '59 neck profile, nickel hardware.....

Is this too much to ask for?

Thanks again.

I think unless you’re trying to track down the one in the pic, your search is done - there aren’t any more - I think Chris confirmed?

But Chris or Steve (Matthes) would prob be able to tell you if there were any actually made with some of the features you wanted.

[mtn cub]

Thanks Geoff,

Does anyone know how many of the maple top Newports were built?

As far as my quest goes, you never know, maybe someone who has one of these might read this post and decide that they might just want to part with theirs.....

I'll probably keep this thread going for a while to see if I can come across one.

I really do like my spruce  Newport Pro, especially after adding the second vol & tone pots, and would like to add a maple Newport to the mix...

Sometimes patience pays off and sometimes it doesn't but...

Thanks again, Tim.

 

[mtn cub]

Bump #6...

[burningyen]

Rooting for you! And for sloppy 2nds!

[velorush]

On 10/18/2024 at 10:38 AM, mtn cub said:

I really do like my spruce Newport Pro, especially after adding the second vol & tone pots,

Would love to see pics of that when you get a chance!

[Teh]

I'm not looking to move it but could be convinced at the right price.  2006 Newport Pro, custom built to my specs with some very special 'stuff' added by Jol & team.  Was the centerfold in the last Hamer catalog (2006).  It is a 60's carve neck but plays very comfortably.  Seth Lovers with coil split via push/pull tone pot.

Here's a quick pic.  Can get you more if interested.

[mtn cub]

Thanks Teh,

You are the 1st one to reach out confirming my belief that there might be a few of them out there either hiding away somewhere or being played and appreciated.

I will send you a message for more details although, with these big hands, I have to say that a bigger neck profile has always been my go to shape.

Thanks again, Tim.

[burningyen]

18 hours ago, Teh said:

with some very special 'stuff' added by Jol & team. 

Can you expand on what they added? And do you recall how it was routed inside?

or

or solid the whole length?

[Teh]

That carve looks correct, Ben - Thanks for the pics.  I'll take some detailed pics of the other details this evening and get them posted.

[Teh]

Alrighty, here's a quick rundown on this beauty - 18 years old as of last week!

Measurements:  Nut width is confirmed at 1.675".  Neck depth at 1st fret - 0.875".  Neck depth at 12th fret - 0.899". I guess I would call the neck profile a flat 'D' shape.  Measured fretboard radius looks to be 14".  Not chunky like my 50's LP, but comfortable to play and easy to get around.

Body construction:   Carved solid Mahogany back with 2 piece solid carved quilted Maple top,  Jazzburst finish.  Mahogany neck. Ebony fretboard with single Victory chevron at 12th fret. Bone nut. Quilted Maple headstock veneer with pearl logo.  Italian Ivoroid binding with BWB purfling outline the body, fretboard and headstock.  Ivoroid binding only on F holes

Hardware:  Seymour Duncan 'Seth Lover' pickups neck & bridge.  TonePros bridge and tailpiece.  Schaller Imperial tuning machines.  Original hardshell case.

'Extras':  This guitar was the grand prize for a contest sponsored by a teaching website, workshoplive.com, that I was lucky enough to win in early 2006.  I could pick any guitar in the Hamer line up and work with Jol to customize as I desired. That brought about the specs above. I also flew out to New Hartford for a tour of the facilities and receive the guitar from Jol, Frank, and the entire crew.  very cool experience! 

To sweeten the pot, Jol and team added a couple nice extras to the guitar to make it unique.  Those extras included:

• Pickup coil split via push/pull tone pot. 
• Back has full body carve like the front (Newports traditionally have a flat back). 
• Another nice plus is the electronics access door in the back with matching Mahogany cover plate (see pics).  I've never needed to use it as everything inside is original and untouched, but it is a cool conversation piece, nonetheless.

The only change are the control knobs.  The tone knob was starting to crack, so I replaced both of them with PRS lampshade knobs.  The originals are in the case.

Here are a few more pics of the details.  It's really a killer instrument that can go from George Benson to George Lynch with no problem.