BubbaVO Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I saw this on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=220358022287 It's not stamped "Made in USA" but I read older ones aren't. It has a serial #, but it seems like it should be less digits in order to explain the missing "USA". Any opinions?
ArnieZ Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Must be legit, cause the strap button on the back is off center. Wouldn't happen on an import or fake really I don 't have a clue! ArnieZ
BubbaVO Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 1984??My thinking too, but then why doesn't it have "Made in USA" stamped on it?
Jason01 Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I little dusty? It looks like it was buried in the ground.
murkat Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 looks like a poor prototype thaat never went anywhere, which is/ was a good thing so many things wrong with that with some good lessons to be learned...... naaaaaaaaaa
Hackubus Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 That's the first time I've seen that bridge/tremolo combination before. Eet's soooo grimy!
Hamer of the gods Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 1984?? My thinking too, but then why doesn't it have "Made in USA" stamped on it? Gibson was, shall we say, less than consistent in the 80's! And I would guess that is an aftermarket trem of some kind??
tomteriffic Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 If that's an '84, it's important to remember that Gibson was dropping some absolute turds during that time period (the Corvus comes to mind) and, it seems, unloading all kinds of spare parts and junk in the form of complete guitars. It wouldn't surprise me if this was one of those.But WTF is the deal with that whammy???
velorush Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 The eight digit serial number is consistent with those that Gibson started in '77. By the serial number this one should be an '84 (first and fifth digits). The photos and the descriptions in my trusty Gruhn's Guide confirm an '84 (sloped shoulders, triangular control layout, decal logo, chrome hardware). If so, the body is alder. What's funny is that the Guide notes starting in '83, "several vibrato systems optional," including that really interesting piece of machinery on this example. Only black and white were offered in '83. The red finish started in '84. From the looks of things they tried several different iterations of the V from '83 through '87. The missing "Made in USA" stamp is strange as they started that back up in '77. I don't know about V's - maybe the stamp was too wide for the pointy headstock? But then again I distinctly remember seeing "Made in USA" stamped on a used S-1 (yep!) years ago and the headstock was about the same shape and size.
veatch Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I had an '83 that was very similar. I can't recall for certain, but i don't think it said Made in USA on it. I could be wrong, though, so don't go biddin on that alone. The wammy is definately not orig. Neither are the tuners. FWIW - mine was very average. Not a keeper by today's standards, but no turd, either. The dirty fingers pups were complete crap, though. I put a JB and a Gibby PAF in, and life was much improved. My buddy and i also swung the input jack aound to the side with a strat style jack - like the Jackson Rhoads. I filled the hole with a second tone control. I wonder if i have a pic of that monster somewhere i can scan in....
formula73 Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I've also seen that whammy thing on one of those 3 P90 Explorers from the same time.
mirrorimij Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I think that's the first time I've seen a guitar described as "garage kept". Veatch, I'm curious as to why the whammy and tuners are "definitely" not original? They say Gibson on them, there doesn't appear to be any other holes indicating a parts change and Gibson was known for cleaning out the parts bins. Why would someone go through the trouble of upgrading to that bridge- I could see if it was a Kahler. Just curious about some of these Gibson oddities. I have learned to never judge these 1970's/early 80's Gibson's by appearances. Hands down the best Les Paul sound I've ever heard came from a maple neck, pancake body, 11 pound Norlin that was sporting a headstock crack. I've been flamed on the LPF for saying it but that guitar had the sound I hear on many of the albums I love. I know where that guitar is and if its ever for sale it will be mine. Since then I judge each guitar on its own merits. I had a 1979 Gibson walnut "The Paul" that was also a great guitar (paid $200 for it).
zorrow Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I kind of see three letters on the back of the headstock which could be "U S A", but I'm not sure. Look at the the following picture: BTW, I don't hate it. It needs a serious clean-up and the whammy unit is weird as hell, but I do like it overall -- won't buy it though, so I'm outa yer way this time, guys. Look, a closer picture of the tremolo unit:
BubbaVO Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 I actually bid on it. Sent the seller an e-mail, and didn't get a reply. I was subsequently outbid. At this point, I'm walking away. If I want an alder V, I'll get a Hamer import w/ boomers. ; )
veatch Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Veatch, I'm curious as to why the whammy and tuners are "definitely" not original? They say Gibson on them, there doesn't appear to be any other holes indicating a parts change and Gibson was known for cleaning out the parts bins. Why would someone go through the trouble of upgrading to that bridge- I could see if it was a Kahler. Just curious about some of these Gibson oddities. I have to retract at this time. I was looking at that from a little BBerry last night. You are correct.It is an oddball, though...
mirrorimij Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Fair enough. I just thought maybe I was missing something.
Rocktuna Posted February 15, 2009 Posted February 15, 2009 It will be mine.......oh yes it will be mine
Brooks Posted February 15, 2009 Posted February 15, 2009 damn, no offense but that thing is hideous, i'll bet anything its a POS. you should buy lockbodys hamer V!!!
Steve Haynie Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I have learned to never judge these 1970's/early 80's Gibson's by appearances. Hands down the best Les Paul sound I've ever heard came from a maple neck, pancake body, 11 pound Norlin that was sporting a headstock crack. I've been flamed on the LPF for saying it but that guitar had the sound I hear on many of the albums I love. I know where that guitar is and if its ever for sale it will be mine. Since then I judge each guitar on its own merits. I had a 1979 Gibson walnut "The Paul" that was also a great guitar (paid $200 for it). A friend had a 1979 Les Paul with the maple neck and sandwich body that was one of those magic guitars that sounded better than other Les Pauls. No matter who heard it or tried it, that guitar with all the undesirable features was a tone generating monster. Another friend collected 1979 because he thought there was something special about that year's guitars. I kind of see three letters on the back of the headstock which could be "U S A", but I'm not sure. Look at the the following picture: I think you are right about the USA being there. I would like to try out this guitar. That trem may be just what I am looking for right now.
Hackubus Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I can faintly see an impression of USA under the SN.
Rocktuna Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I'm out I wanted it but it's not worth the money to me
veatch Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Holy shiznicki - another example sold recently with the same fugly trem:Much cooler Looking V
murkat Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Holy shiznicki - another example sold recently with the same fugly trem:Much cooler Looking Vlot better shape than the red one.Trem looks like a poor Pre or Post Kahler attempt of engineering.
veatch Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 lot better shape than the red one.Trem looks like a poor Pre or Post Kahler attempt of engineering.The '83 i had had the Gibson branded Kahler on it (2230?)Edit to add: yup - 2230 is the right model...
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