• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

58 special pair

cfh

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2004
Messages
895
I just picked up a 58 LP Special. And also picked up
another 58 spec about a month ago. I'm not rich enough to
keep both, so i have give one to a friend (NO you can't
have it... it's already spoken for, please don't ask).
My friend doesn't care which one he gets. In fact he's even
willing to let me change a knob or a tuner to make the one i
keep 'better' if i want.

but the question is, which one to keep? Both guitars are
nearly twins. Both same weight and sound and neck
shape/size. But the key difference is the lower serial
number one (the one that is slightly cleaner too) had
mini-Schallers installed. So the tuner shaft holes in the
peghead were enlarged. Also the 'dog leg' hole was
drilled on the back for the mini-schallers.

When i put the original tuners back on the guitar,
they installed very cleanly. The only hint of the Schallers
are slight compression washer impressions in the face
of the peghead (can't see them in the pics). The dog
leg hole on the back is hidden by the original 3-on-a
plate Kluson tuners.

The other difference between the 2 guitars is the
R/T switch. One has the big rubber washer, one
has the plastic ring. Tuner buttons on the lower
serial number Special are new too. Other than those
things, they are pretty much the same.

So the question is, which to keep? the slightly
cleaner one again was drilled for mini-schallers.
I think that's a pretty big deal. But the original
tuners really hides it well. The other more original
one is not quite as clean. decisions decisions...

(Lower serial number 58 Special is the right pic or
the bottom pic in all the pictures).

58SPEC1.JPG

58SPEC2.JPG

58SPEC3.JPG

58SPEC4.JPG

58SPEC5.JPG

58SPEC6.JPG
 

sunburst1

Active member
Joined
Sep 3, 2002
Messages
3,989
For investment reason the org. one. Guitars like these are fun, but in the wonderful world of resale the org. example even if its not as clean is a better value in the long run imo. I'm surprised your even thinking about which one to keep. I like the ambered look of that one also. :salude
 

kharrison

Active member
Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
4,225
Keep the one that hasn't had the tuners changed, unless there is a BIG difference in the tone. It's a win win anyway... congrats. I love these guitars.
 

AtomEve

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
4,666
i swear when you do that, you can't tell the difference!
they are like identical twins.
Clay,

Keep the one that was not Schallerized!!!!! :wail

Either way they are both BEEYOUTEAFULL!
 

cfh

Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2004
Messages
895
Then keep them both. :ganz

:salude

I told my friend he could have one. There's no sense in being a guitar blackhole. spread the love. having two of nearly the exact same thing does not make a lot of sense to me, especially in this day and age of higher prices.
 

Topcat

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2005
Messages
56
Damn nice guitars there Clay.

Keep 8 4605 and try to do something with the bent tuners. The color is deeper in tone--more appealing to the eye. They seem too close in cosmetics to worry about the one being a bit cleaner.

Terry
 

LowE

Active member
Joined
Nov 16, 2005
Messages
2,455
Clay I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Maybe we can be friends? My name is Ralph. I like movies, music, animals, and long walks in the park. What are your hobbies?
 

Groover

Active member
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
614
Clay I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Maybe we can be friends? My name is Ralph. I like movies, music, animals, and long walks in the park. What are your hobbies?


:rofl :applaude
 

TomGuitar

Active member
Joined
Apr 28, 2005
Messages
3,700
Clay I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Maybe we can be friends? My name is Ralph. I like movies, music, animals, and long walks in the park.

:rofl And 50's LP Specials, right?
 

RAB

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
2,122
keep the all-original one and swap on the best parts...
 

LowE

Active member
Joined
Nov 16, 2005
Messages
2,455
keep the all-original one and swap on the best parts...

Or better yet, keep the all-original one, take all the parts off the other one and replace them with repros and give him that guitar :rofl
 

akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Nice Specials!

I gave my brother-in-law a nice vintage amp a couple of years ago to turn him on to good tone. Now it just sits there and he really doesn't appreciate what is or can do. I would hate to see that Special not feeling Special!

Keep them both! IMHO, buy him a nice Historic and call it good!:rofl
 

andreja marovic

New member
Joined
Jun 1, 2004
Messages
2,688
They are both fantastic.
Clean all the way......
Sell them both and buy a 58 - 60 Burst.

This will be a good deal.
 

Hamerfan

Active member
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
791
Get a double cutaway! Excuse me but since i saw Keith R. playin a blonde DC on a 81 tour poster, i can ony think in double cuts!
 
Top