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1959 L.P. Special Dilema

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
I have a early double cut Cherry LP Special that I bought about 30 years ago. It had a neck/body break at one time and fixed poorly, but still functioned. The neck pickup is all the way up against the end of the fingerboard. About 2007 I sent it to Todd Money at Gibson Restorations.. Wrong move in hindsight. They installed a new neck as the old one wasn't fixable. They did use a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard. They claimed the original one was too thin to re-use. What I didn't like was the use of the wrong logo, ABS binding and big neck. They did use my original Trussrod, but that's now not adjustable due to the channel being too big. I had a 2007 ES-339 that Kim @ Historic Makeovers redid that had the same problem. He installed some thin strips of maple down the sides, problem fixed. But the neck has a bow that can't be fixed by a simple rod adjustment and it renders the guitar just about un-playable. The Tenon is one of those "Hot Dog" Tenon's that was used at the time and then filled in around the hot dog. I don't know why Gibson couldn't just make a correct neck, after all it was suppose to be their "Restorations" Division... No Hide Glue was used, only the crap vinyl based stuff that is so un-historically incorrect. The peghead is the wrong shape and way too big, the "Gibson" logo is wrong for 1959, the neck has shoulders that are too big. The binding is that awful ABS shit. I do have a digitally scanned rubber stamp of the original serial number that can be used.
Gibson took way over a year to do this which really pissed me off...
I'd like to have someone who knows what the "F" they're doing fix this and I wanted to see who you all recommend. I'd prefer someone in the SoCal area that I could drive it too, but would send it off if that's what it takes. Gibson charged me $2K for their work. I felt it was really excessive. Kim @ Historic Makeovers won't do it as he only wants to deal with Historic's or original Les Pauls. I wish he would as I know he'd do it right. But, as I see it, the neck needs to come off, the fingerboard needs to come off and the TR channel fixed, neck re-shaped(or even replaced..), etc.
Anyone have anyone that they highly recommend to take this on?? I just want it to be as great as it was when I bought it 30 years ago. Sonically the guitar still sounds outstanding, but it not any good to me in the condition it's in. Not like I can take it to a gig and play it like I use too..
Thanks!!
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Hey Don. Sorry to hear about Gibson's 2K screw up on your neck man! What a sad story.

I don't know who to suggest, maybe BCR Greg?

( Kim won't make an exception in your case? You've kinda been a spokesperson for them for many years and the neck should be the same as a Les Paul, right?)
 
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TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
I asked him a couple of times about 2-3 years ago and he wasn't looking to take it on. I might just ask him, but hate to push it and ruin a friendship..
Thanks!!
 

RSVG&A

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2015
Messages
77
Send me a DM - I have someone in the North County San Diego area that is great.
 
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TM1

Well-known member
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Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Thanks!! Message sent!! I really appreciate it!
 
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