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Beauty in Simplicty - The Melody Maker

DaveSG

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
126
I've had this guitar for about 8 months. I am left-handed so I'm always on the lookout for asymmetrical guitars and got the itch for a vintage Gibson. I was too young to get in on any of the vintage SGs and such when you 'couldn't give them away' as I've heard coined before and being on a budget, it was time to pick up a Melody Maker.

I recently installed a Lollar Melody Maker retrofit P90 and pickguard. I added my own volume and tone pot with a Russian PIO. For some reason it just sounded a little dull and didn't have the 'it' sound. I was doing a search for something completely unrelated and found a post on here about just wiring a bridge pickup straight through, no pots or caps. I figured, hmm why not try it? I was up for a little science experiment.

The results were astounding. The guitar completely came alive and has the 'it' sound in spades. It's raw, brash and makes no apologies. Right now it only plays out of tune as the compensated bridge doesn't quite compensate for left-handedness. A Pigtail wrap around will be in short order. I love it:peace2

It is a very interesting guitar. It is small, thin, it has one pickup and no controls. It is plug and play at it's most rudimentary form. As a guitarist, it forces you to get creative and explore your playing in a way that cannot be satisfied by twisting controls.

It is also not very collectible - it has replacement tuners, bridge, electronics, etc. About the only original parts are the truss rod cover and strap buttons, if that. And none of that matters.

If you've never had the pleasure of playing one of these guitars, especially with a p90, buy one. Affordable, 5-6lb range, wonderful necks, old wood. There is everything to love:salude

Here are some glamor shots in rather poor light -

p2040096.jpg

By daveamy at 2011-02-04

p2040097.jpg

By daveamy at 2011-02-04

The finish elegantly showing its age:
p2040100.jpg

By daveamy at 2011-02-04
 
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