Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[matkoehler]

Howdy again Mat and thanks again for taking the time to address our questions.

Regarding the relatively recent reissues of the '70s era Les Paul Deluxe, can you provide the rationale, as you understand it, for using Nashville style locking bridges? I really like all the other design choices that were made on these reissues, but I've personally not had good experiences with locking bridges (in terms of their impact on the guitar's tone).

I would say -- school me on the difference! I'm honestly curious. I would assume that locking to the posts provides a stronger base for resonance, but sounds like you have a different take.

 

[matkoehler]

Thanks very much Mat!

So I guess the same could've held true for the '57 that is/was up for sale? Was there weight relieving going on in the '50s? And lastly, am I correct in typing that the original remake of Frampton's "Phenix", the one where only 35 were made, wasn't weight relieved?


Thanks again and

Matt

I may have missed the originating question. Personally I only know of one 50s LPC that was chambered (not weight relieved)...two piece body. Former Songbirds collection. RE: Frampton -- you are correct that the original Phenix and the limited edition aged models from Custom were NOT weight relieved.

 

[LeonC]

I would say -- school me on the difference! I'm honestly curious. I would assume that locking to the posts provides a stronger base for resonance, but sounds like you have a different take.

It certainly seems that way in theory...but when I tried an after market locking bridge six or seven years ago, the guitar's sound became so bright and harsh I couldn't get that locking bridge off fast enough. I believe I was trying it on my old '68 Les Paul Custom (which had an ABR-1 type bridge). Now, it could be that it was simply wrong for that guitar. However, I've got a buddy who had a very similar experience with a '72 gold top deluxe (converted to full size humbuckers). So...I'm a bit leery but I just bought a 2021 '70s Deluxe reissue...so we'll see how it goes.

 

[mdubya]

It certainly seems that way in theory...but when I tried an after market locking bridge six or seven years ago, the guitar's sound became so bright and harsh I couldn't get that locking bridge off fast enough. I believe I was trying it on my old '68 Les Paul Custom (which had an ABR-1 type bridge). Now, it could be that it was simply wrong for that guitar. However, I've got a buddy who had a very similar experience with a '72 gold top deluxe (converted to full size humbuckers). So...I'm a bit leery but I just bought a 2021 '70s Deluxe reissue...so we'll see how it goes.

I remove the grub screws from locking bridges. Problem solved.

 

[LeonC]

I remove the grub screws from locking bridges. Problem solved.

Well, yeah, but then, what's the point of using a locking bridge...which is exactly what I was originally asking.

So I guess my question for you is, just to be clear, are you saying that you also had issues with locking bridges? Did you have the same kind of issues I pointed out--nasty tone?

 

[Midnight Blues]

I may have missed the originating question. Personally I only know of one 50s LPC that was chambered (not weight relieved)...two piece body. Former Songbirds collection. RE: Frampton -- you are correct that the original Phenix and the limited edition aged models from Custom were NOT weight relieved.

Thanks very much Mat, I appreciate you taking the time to answer (my) questions.


Thanks again and regards,
Matt

@zhivago
@dnabbet2
@sweiger
@58 special

 

[Red Baron]

Excellent call-out and we have considered it, but in a nutshell they become a lot harder to tame than unpotted humbuckers. We are happy with the sound of them as are our dealers, but I like the idea of at least having the option on the aftermarket roster. Thank you.

Agree Mat, they do sound really good as they are, however I've never experienced any noticable squealing from any of the 50's P0's that I've owned, at least no more so than 50's PAF's. Yes unpotted would definitely be a nice option for the aftermarket versions. Thanks again.

 

[mdubya]

Well, yeah, but then, what's the point of using a locking bridge...which is exactly what I was originally asking.

So I guess my question for you is, just to be clear, are you saying that you also had issues with locking bridges? Did you have the same kind of issues I pointed out--nasty tone?

I had a tech/luthier/repair guy who really wanted to put a locking bridge and tailpiece on one of my guitars. It was all the rage at the time (~2009) so I let him do it.

The #1 thing I did not like about it is that I like to fine tune the bridges on my guitars each time I play, particularly when switching between guitars. I did not hear any improvement in tone, nor degradation, either.

I have had another guitar or two which came with a locking bridge. I just remove the grub screws and put them in the case. No harm. No foul. No sweat. I think my 2014 ES 335 came with the set screws on the bridge. It has been so long since I removed them, I don't even think about it any more.

They didn't need locking bridges for good tone in 1952, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1964, etc.

 

[LeonC]

...
They didn't need locking bridges for good tone in 1952, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1964, etc.

Indeed!

 

[LeonC]

Howdy again Mat and thanks again for taking the time to address our questions.

Regarding the relatively recent reissues of the '70s era Les Paul Deluxe, can you provide the rationale, as you understand it, for using Nashville style locking bridges? I really like all the other design choices that were made on these reissues, but I've personally not had good experiences with locking bridges (in terms of their impact on the guitar's tone).

Well it turns out, I am mistaken. I don't know which review or video I was reading/watching that said that the bridge was a locking bridge...it is NOT. It's a regular Nashville type T-O-M with bridge Allen-adjustable posts. So, in my best Emily Litella voice, "Nevermind."

 

[Lush_diviner]

It's kind of black and white to me, no pun intended. We could raise both prices and blend the margins, but that would completely throw off the M2M pricing structure...butterfly effect. Have to consider the black Les Paul Custom as the base model and any variations priced to complexity. This is just how I think about it as portfolio manager...our dealers have great margins to play with, so I would recommend going there with the pricing arguments! Ha. Kidding...somewhat.

Hi Matt. Thanks for all the information you have provided. To follow along the custom paint up-charge is the Silverburst more/less expensive than white.

 

[Pat Boyack]

Thanks. I believe that it takes an extra level of care. You're already being compensated to take that extra level of care before you tack on another $800. You're monetizing something that has always been part of the job from the start. I respectfully call B.S. and if you've had to answer to this previously, maybe other players are too.

Wow. This is the world we live in. Even basic facts will not change with your mindset. Even if the person giving you those facts is in the know FAR more than you are.

 

[Kutt]

Wow. This is the world we live in. Even basic facts will not change with your mindset. Even if the person giving you those facts is in the know FAR more than you are.

Riveting stuff. I'll take most of this week and beyond to really reflect on the "world I'm living in" concerning paint and my mindset. Maybe a Buddhist retreat is in order to really take in the gravity of the situation.

 

[Jericho-79]

Hey everyone. The Music Zoo finally got a quote from their rep at the CS.

The price tag will be $6090 before taxes and shipping. Of course, I have to put down 20% of that once the CS starts the build.

Is that the usual quote for a M2M LP?

What will the final quote be after taxes?

 

[ADP]

Peter Frampton told me directly in person his real "Phenix" Les Paul weighs 6lbs and is, in fact, weight relieved. The weight of it was always it's magic, and as I pressed him on it, he reiterated this fact to me more than 10 times during our conversation.

This was during the 35th anniversary FCA tour in Chicago.

 

[El Gringo]

Hey everyone. The Music Zoo finally got a quote from their rep at the CS.

The price tag will be $6090 before taxes and shipping. Of course, I have to put down 20% of that once the CS starts the build.

Is that the usual quote for a M2M LP?

What will the final quote be after taxes?

I think that is a decent price for a M2M LP for sure ! Music Zoo Rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jericho-79]

I think that is a decent pric4e for a M2M LP for sure ! Music Zoo Rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is my first time investing in a M2M order. And I don't know too much about dealers like Music Zoo.

This may sound a little off-topic.

But if Music Zoo is so awesome, will they also be able to help me with a Masterbuilt P-bass from the Fender CS?

 

[El Gringo]

This is my first time investing in a M2M order. And I don't know too much about dealers like Music Zoo.

This may sound a little off-topic.

But if Music Zoo is so awesome, will they also be able to help me with a Masterbuilt P-bass from the Fender CS?

For sure and this is who I would seek out for this !

 

[LoudLP]

Matt I’m looking at a ‘22 or ‘23 57 double gold top. Haven’t had the opportunity to play one yet. Would you say the current chunky c 57 profile is more similar to a 59 than the baseball ball bat profile of the 57 prior to the recent neck profile changes?

 

[justgotback]

Not sure what you mean by new pickups. We launched the Pickup Shop officially late last year. But reissues are still spec'd with Custombuckers.

All Reissues are spec'd for dark rosewood fingerboards. Hand sorted. If yours does not appear dark, it may be dry. Use some fingerboard conditioner to hydrate!

New to this forum, working my way back from today, saw your post about fingerboard conditioner and wondered if you could/would suggest a specific product, or probably to avoid complications, the qualities to seek in my own searching... Also, I have emailed customer.service@gibson.com and they seem busy(!). Could you suggest another approach, I have a question about a 2021 SG. And thank you for supporting the brand and the fans with your presence!