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Collecter's Choice "Donna" has a double carved top?

buckaroo

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In an earlier thread linked here:

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/s...ll-with-True-Historic-parts-!&highlight=donna

The initial post refers to the top as being "double carved". I have seen that term elsewhere in relation to a Les Paul run a few years ago. What is a "double carved" top?

I am very anxious, as are others here I am sure, to learn more about this special model. Also, does anyone know an approximate release date or price?

I started this thread, rather than adding to the old one, to focus on the "double carve" phrase and discover what that is exactly. And perhaps to have some discussion about that feature in particular. :jim


 
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rockinlespaul

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Double carved is where the top as well as the bottom(underneath)of the maple is carved.
 

Wilko

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DoubleCarveTop-Underside.jpg
 

buckaroo

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So is that how the original vintage Donna was made? It also says the neck is double carved too. I wonder if there is additional meaning to the phrase "Double Carve" being used in regards to Donna? My sense is that Gibson would be tying to make it "vintage correct". Maybe Tom Wittrock will see this and apdd some clarity.....

Also, when they refer to a "hide glue top" I am unclear if that means:

1. that the two maple pieces are joined with hide glue
2. the maple top is bonded to the mahogany back with hide glue
3. both of the above

The Donna reissue has the promise of being an awesome guitar. Understanding more about these "marketing details" would be meaningful to me as a potential buyer.
 
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Tom Wittrock

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So is that how the original vintage Donna was made? It also says the neck is double carved too. I wonder if there is additional meaning to the phrase "Double Carve" being used in regards to Donna? My sense is that Gibson would be tying to make it "vintage correct". Maybe Tom Wittrock will see this and apdd some clarity.....

Also, when they refer to a "hide glue top" I am unclear if that means:

1. that the two maple pieces are joined with hide glue
2. the maple top is bonded to the mahogany back with hide glue
3. both of the above

The Donna reissue has the promise of being an awesome guitar. Understanding more about these "marketing details" would be meaningful to me as a potential buyer.

I see this and am unable to apdd any clarity. :spabout
 

buckaroo

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There you are! Thanks for jumping in. My typing is for shitt! (Apdd :spabout)

Obviously, I am interested to learn about what is meant by the double carve on this model. The images I have seen of your original reveal such a beautiful guitar.
 

sws1

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Seems weird. How would they know if the original has a chamber inside? Never heard of that.
 

Wilko

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If they are saying that the neck is also double carved maybe they mean something else...
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Fascinating stuff. I wonder what the double carves sound like... anyone got one I wonder? :salude
 

CDaughtry

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Guys,

I went straight to the horse's mouth and emailed Rick Gembar(President of the Gibson Custom Shop) about what they mean by "double carve." I sent him a link to this thread.
Here's his response:

"I am not sure where Wilko gets his terminology from but our double carve means we carve the top twice to eliminate slack belt sanding and other sanding operations down the line. It has nothing to do with carving the underside of the top. The process will allow us to maintain the integrity of the carving. We do not modify the underside of the top at all. It is solid maple against solid mahogany."


There you go! Thanks Rick for clarifying!:dude:
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Guys,

I went straight to the horse's mouth and emailed Rick Gembar(President of the Gibson Custom Shop) about what they mean by "double carve." I sent him a link to this thread.
Here's his response:

"I am not sure where Wilko gets his terminology from but our double carve means we carve the top twice to eliminate slack belt sanding and other sanding operations down the line. It has nothing to do with carving the underside of the top. The process will allow us to maintain the integrity of the carving. We do not modify the underside of the top at all. It is solid maple against solid mahogany."


There you go! Thanks Rick for clarifying!:dude:

Thanks Charlie. :biggrin:

I wonder what the correct terminology of the top that Wilko posted is? It's still a fascinating idea.....:laugh2:
 

CDaughtry

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I think Wildwood may have done a run of those with the little chamber underneath the top around 2009.
 

ufboy73

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cant speak to where Wilko got his info...but one of Gibson's largest AD's used to sell a 'double carve' and had this description:

The Double Carve Les Paul has the same specs as a Figured Top R8 Les Paul but the Maple Top is carved on the underside to mirror the top carve creating an acoustic chamber between the Maple Top and the Mahogany Body, the Top and Body are joined in the center of the guitar to support the pickups and tailpiece. The Double Carve has a defined upper end that is more airy and open sounding than a regular R8. The low end is rich and round with a smooth resonant response that is woody and open sounding. Overall tone and attack are between a fully Chambered LP and regular Solid R8.
 

Wilko

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I got my "terminolgy" and picture from Gibson's own website and advertisements.
 

ourmaninthenorth

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So what we can definitely say is that CC Donna's double carved top does not refer to an underside carve ( as per picture ), and rather specifically refers to a double carve on the top as per Mr Gembar.

Glad we got that cleared up...:laugh2: Fwiw, I'm really looking forward to seeing both Donna and Nicky in all their CC glory. I think and hope that these two are going to be spectacular.

On a tangential point; the underside carve still looks a cool idea, anyone ever play one at Wildwood? :peace2
 
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buckaroo

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Guys,

I went straight to the horse's mouth and emailed Rick Gembar(President of the Gibson Custom Shop) about what they mean by "double carve." I sent him a link to this thread.
Here's his response:

"I am not sure where Wilko gets his terminology from but our double carve means we carve the top twice to eliminate slack belt sanding and other sanding operations down the line. It has nothing to do with carving the underside of the top. The process will allow us to maintain the integrity of the carving. We do not modify the underside of the top at all. It is solid maple against solid mahogany."


There you go! Thanks Rick for clarifying!:dude:

Many Many thanks for this info. That was a superb response to my inquiry!
 

Pip

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Interesting thread - now for the imop big question, under the bonnet versus top accuracy.
 
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