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Changed the thumbwheels to vintage spec size and brass...Wow

Morgan24

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Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Changed the thumbwheels on my 59' M2M 2018 to vintage spec size and brass. I cant believe the difference it made... unbelievable...
 

Morgan24

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Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Warmer and more woody tone. I play my Les Paul more unplugged than plugged ( small children). The accoustic tone is overall a lot better with a more balanced tone.
 

Sol

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Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
That you hear a difference in the acoustic, unplugged sound is evidence that something is going on, but as almost everyone uses their Les Pauls plugged in, can you provide us a review thats electrified ?
 

Morgan24

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Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Plugged in it sounds more vintage correct. Less sharp edges to the sound especially on clean sound. With overdrive and distortion it might be personal taste. I like it better than before, but when you use overdrive or distortion the amp or pedals color the sound a lot.
 
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TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Yeah, I installed a set of the Creamtone Thumbwheels on my 2021 Murphy Lab R-9. It made a difference both plugged in and unplugged. I also installed a pair of 1.5" posts and a set of vintage steel TP studs. The clarity and depth of the tone/sound now is pretty amazing. My R-9 sounds like a vintage instrument. I've played around 50 vintage Les Pauls in the last 5 decades. One of my best friends had one back in the `70's and he'd let me play it whenever I felt like it! He use to gig with it back then as they weren't "Vintage" in those days. They were cool, but we just called them old..!I also got an amazing set of ABR-1 saddles that were made to vintage specs. The new ones don't sit flush in the bottom of the bridge. These do and they're the correct "vintage" shape, materials and plating. Day & Night difference vs. the crap saddles Gibson uses these days! I have heard that Gibson is now trying to re-make the ARB-1 to correct vintage specs. I don't think they are in production on them, but they are working on them. They should correct the thumbwheels & tailpiece studs while they're at it. The steel studs are the wrong composition and the heads are the wrong shape.
 

Tommy Tourbus

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Jan 1, 2005
Messages
871
I noticed that when I did the mapleflame mod I heard a big diff unplugged. However, I didn't like it and switched back to brass posts
 

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
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8,349
All my stoptail guitars have the ABM Machined Bell Brass TP's!
 

el84ster

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Sep 10, 2001
Messages
1,420
I’ve one by one replaced all the metal parts on the body of my R8 with vintage parts and it’s a big difference.
the new Gibson metal is sharp and harsh sounding Yeesh!
Each time I replaced some it got more mellow, woody and musical.
The modern lightweight aluminum tailpiece is ok though, don’t bother paying through the nose for vintage with that.
But the Abr-1 and posts made the most difference followed by the TP studs/bushings.
 

renderit

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Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
I have always wanted to try "more correct" thumb wheels.

Just for chits and giggles mostly, but I could see where it could change the tone.
 

RossL

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Dec 11, 2021
Messages
68
What do you guys think of the hardware on the 2019 Anniversaries 59’s? I was thinking about trying new / vintage hardware to see what kind of difference it makes, if at all.
 

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
It is my view that anything in the electronics chain can make a huge difference, but there is no "silver bullet" i.e. what works on one guitar can sound poorly or make less of a difference on others.

It is also my view that this is partially due to the resonance properties of each piece of wood.

Because of that acoustic coupling can cancel/enhance/degrade things that may be beneficial to some guitars an not on others.

It is also my view that I may be full of crap...
 

RossL

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Dec 11, 2021
Messages
68
I think what you said makes perfect sense particularly when it comes to the variance in wood and perhaps some guitars may respond more favorably than others. Quite a few variables in the mix.
 

Gino753

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Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
I installed Cremetone nickle plated Brass, vintage correct thumbwheels on my 2019 R9 and 2018 R0, as well as the Absolute Vintage Collection poker chip,and upgraded the saddles to the Vintage Correct nickle plated brass saddles , with the fatter body, rounded over, and has the bandsaw marks on the back, those are from Vintage MOD,I also installed Montreux Time machine collection 3 way toggle switch tips, on them,

For my 2016 SG Historic standard Maestro, i installed Montreux Time machine collection, Nickle plated brass “Domed” thumbwheels , and Graphtech “white” saddles to make it look more like the 1964 model it was intended.

Im not really sure i noticed any difference in the Nickle plated brass Wheels, versus the “Steel” that Gibson uses stock, Gibson at least made the ABR-1 threaded posts correct, in that they are Nickle plated Brass

I now need to possibly add Double ring Klusons to the SG, and a white 3 way toggle switch tip, as Gibson installed the typical Historic Amber switch tip, and it looks like real 1964-65 SG’s had a white one

This stuff is fun but ,..expensive, $28 for the 3 way toggle switch tip
 

Gino753

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Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
What do you guys think of the hardware on the 2019 Anniversaries 59’s? I was thinking about trying new / vintage hardware to see what kind of difference it makes, if at all.
The Hardware is pretty much the same, on my 2019 60th Anniversary R9,as my 2018 R0

Gibson still used the Steel Thumbwheels, that are not the correct thickness , as well as the knurl is wrong.

The poker chip is still wrong too,
 

Brek

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Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
62
I just made my own brass posts after seeing the price the aftermarket sellers are charging, not installed yet, but will report back once done, because i could i also made them 1 1/2 inches. bought some modellers brass rod and a 6/32 die. took a good few minutes, turning half turn, then reversing to remove swarf, did a 12 in bar so i have a few left to install on other guitars if its a result i like.
 
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