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montesada

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Mar 21, 2008
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713
Progress to report: Traded off the "70s time capsule" modified '73 routed Deluxe on this... 2009 Knotty Pine Roundup, 1 of 75


...then picked up a screaming deal on a set of unmolested Patent Sticker pickups, mounted on a Jazzmaster pickguard, with 1970 dated pots...


...then, went into my local Long & McQuade to check out the new Gibsons they got in for "Gibson Month", with the objective of maybe getting something to put the Patent Sticker pickups into, and saw this; a mint 2014 Traditional, darkback tobacco burst with '59 tribute pickups and peek-a-boo flame. It had been traded in, so was much cheaper than a new one, and arguably the nicest looking guitar in the store.

the guitar is very resonant, great sustain on all notes, non weight-relieved body but only 9.2lbs.. and a big fat neck!
 
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Kris Ford

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Jan 6, 2007
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Progress to report: Traded off the "70s time capsule" modified '73 routed Deluxe on this... 2009 Knotty Pine Roundup, 1 of 75


...then picked up a screaming deal on a set of unmolested Patent Sticker pickups, mounted on a Jazzmaster pickguard, with 1970 dated pots...


...then, went into my local Long & McQuade to check out the new Gibsons they got in for "Gibson Month", with the objective of maybe getting something to put the Patent Sticker pickups into, and saw this; a mint 2014 Traditional, darkback tobacco burst with '59 tribute pickups and peek-a-boo flame. It had been traded in, so was much cheaper than a new one, and arguably the nicest looking guitar in the store.

the guitar is very resonant, great sustain on all notes, non weight-relieved body but only 9.2lbs.. and a big fat neck!

Ahh, that is a nice one, so when are the PAT#s going in?:salude
 

montesada

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Mar 21, 2008
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My first-world problem is that the '59 Tributes sound really good... I've got a buddy with a couple of guitars with Patent Stickers in them, so we're going to A/B them to see if it's worth changing them out. I'll post a comparison once that happens.
 

Kris Ford

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My first-world problem is that the '59 Tributes sound really good... I've got a buddy with a couple of guitars with Patent Stickers in them, so we're going to A/B them to see if it's worth changing them out. I'll post a comparison once that happens.

Sweet! If the 59s work, then they should stay, and the PAT#s can find a different home, or flipped..but I'd hang on to those!

Speaking of Deluxe conversions, I took the 70's DiMarzio set of Super Distortion/PAF out of my '76 Deluxe, and dropped in a set of 57 Classics..and they sound GREAT. They actually sound a lil more rude and rockin' over the T Top set I had in it for a bit...these work well with my gain modded Super Bass.
A shameless pic.
20170402_102216_HDR.jpg

It's actually darker wine, but looks cherry-ish in the sunlight.

Tell me about these 59 tribute pickups..are they in the 57 Classic family?
 

montesada

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Mar 21, 2008
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713
Cool, so like a reverse Burstbucker of sorts...what are your thoughts of them?

They're very very good. Smoother than the BurstBucker 2 and 3 I had in my R8, and a little bit edgier than the Patent Stickers I tried (in an SG). The SG was a bit darker, but I take that for the effect of the body.
The '59s were a touch louder, but with a bit less harmonic complexity than the Patent Stickers... like comparing a vintage Mullard tube to a new JJ. The JJ does the job admirably, but there's magic in the Mullard.
The Les Paul sustained about twice as long as the SG too, probably something to do with the telephone-pole neck. It's close, but I'm thinking I'll be putting the 1970 pickups in the 2014 guitar. I can't wait to hear it. That said, these '59s are the best sounding modern Gibson pickup I've heard. If you have a more modern rock sound than the late '60s, like Journey or Boston you'll like them a lot.
 

Kris Ford

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They're very very good. Smoother than the BurstBucker 2 and 3 I had in my R8, and a little bit edgier than the Patent Stickers I tried (in an SG). The SG was a bit darker, but I take that for the effect of the body.
The '59s were a touch louder, but with a bit less harmonic complexity than the Patent Stickers... like comparing a vintage Mullard tube to a new JJ. The JJ does the job admirably, but there's magic in the Mullard.
The Les Paul sustained about twice as long as the SG too, probably something to do with the telephone-pole neck. It's close, but I'm thinking I'll be putting the 1970 pickups in the 2014 guitar. I can't wait to hear it. That said, these '59s are the best sounding modern Gibson pickup I've heard. If you have a more modern rock sound than the late '60s, like Journey or Boston you'll like them a lot.

Excellent review, thanks!

The Mullard/JJ comparison I can definitely relate to..having all NOS in my JMPs...though a Brimar and Tungsram snuck in there too.. ;) but got the big 3 Mullards, a '58 and '59 long plate, and a I63 yellow label as well..yes, there IS a difference.

But JJs were a step up from Sovteks!:jim
 

dcdefend

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Aug 9, 2007
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Another 2014 Traditional with gullwing flame

This is yet another 2014 LP Traditional with a gullwing flame top. Why did Gibson use this sought after wood, especially to Duane Allman Hot 'Lana fans, on these Gibson USA models, rather than the Custom Shop models?
 

1all's Pub

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Aug 15, 2015
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Totally concur on the the excellence of the 59 Trib pickups. They are the best humbucker Gibson has made in a long time. Fantastic in fact. If they ever start selling them directly and offer them in zebra... I'll buy a set for sure... maybe 2! :biggrin:
 

montesada

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Mar 21, 2008
Messages
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Re: Another 2014 Traditional with gullwing flame

This is yet another 2014 LP Traditional with a gullwing flame top. Why did Gibson use this sought after wood, especially to Duane Allman Hot 'Lana fans, on these Gibson USA models, rather than the Custom Shop models?

You're right, it is very similar...

 
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