Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[pqs]

They did not. Same neck profiles 2018-today. For the 2019 model year, it was important that we used more realistic profiles for year reissue year, taken from scans.

What you're mentioning about Murphy Lab neck profiles being different is somewhat true though, they ALL (regardless of model) receive extra binding roll along the neck at the end of process. "Extra Binding Roll" is part of the ML spec and, to me, the biggest advantage of buying a ML instrument...they feel like a broken-in baseball mitt thanks to thatl. We roll the binding of all CS guitars, but the "extra" comes from the possibility of breaking the lacquer line on the binding...it's not something we would want to do on a non-aged guitar. But on an aged guitar, all bets are off if that makes sense.

Thank you. That was what I suspected. People just like to make some wild claims about Gibson guitars for some reason. Sometimes even coming from people that you trust a respect. Anyways, thank you for the clarification.

 

[goldtop0]

Cheers Mat, I see CS ML have bought back(well they've done a run anyway of) the '58 335, a welcome sight

 

[Wizard1183]

They did not. Same neck profiles 2018-today. For the 2019 model year, it was important that we used more realistic profiles for year reissue year, taken from scans.

What you're mentioning about Murphy Lab neck profiles being different is somewhat true though, they ALL (regardless of model) receive extra binding roll along the neck at the end of process. "Extra Binding Roll" is part of the ML spec and, to me, the biggest advantage of buying a ML instrument...they feel like a broken-in baseball mitt thanks to thatl. We roll the binding of all CS guitars, but the "extra" comes from the possibility of breaking the lacquer line on the binding...it's not something we would want to do on a non-aged guitar. But on an aged guitar, all bets are off if that makes sense.

Aren’t all reissues from the 2015 TH series to now based off scans? So which originals were scanned and which new guitars get what neck profiles?

 

[ToneHenge]

Aren’t ALL reissues from the 2015 TH series to now based off scans? So which originals were scanned and which new guitars get what neck profiles?

From how your post reads, why antagonize the man? (I don’t wanna argue.) Mat has been a great resource when he can be. I read Mat’s post as maybe Mat means Gibson used the scans they have to make the guitars more suitable to the Murphy Lab process.

 

[Wizard1183]

From how your post reads, why antagonize the man? (I don’t wanna argue.) Mat has been a great resource when he can be. I read Mat’s post as maybe Mat means Gibson used the scans they have to make the guitars more suitable to the Murphy Lab process.

I don’t think I antagonized? It’s a valid question? Can you explain what you mean by uses scans to make more suitable to ML? A reissue is a reissue whether it be ML or not. ML is a finishing and aging process. Nothing to do with scans. If that’s the case? You now have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a ML just to get the correct body and neck shape? I don’t think so…

 

[L.A.Man]

.

 

[jb_abides]

Good to see these nuggets out in the open: nice article by Tony, with @matkoehler discussing the archive.

Gibson's Secret '50s Designs That Became the 335, Explorer & More

See the sketches inside.

reverb.com

Headstocks from '55

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Hi Matt: Do you have any information or drawings in regards to neck thru design being originally thought of for the futuristic guitars?

 

[Cowentin40]

Hello Matt, are there plans for the Staple to be available for sale at the Pickup Shop?
Thanks for your answer.

 

[clapciadrix]

I don’t think I antagonized? It’s a valid question? Can you explain what you mean by uses scans to make more suitable to ML? A reissue is a reissue whether it be ML or not. ML is a finishing and aging process. Nothing to do with scans. If that’s the case? You now have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a ML just to get the correct body and neck shape? I don’t think so…

I believe that in 2018, Gibson did an overhaul on the neck shape of the r9-0. A noticeable difference. People who have experience with real’58-60 Les Paul neck shapes seem to agree that the neck shape are now much more accurate.

 

[Wizard1183]

I believe that in 2018, Gibson did an overhaul on the neck shape of the r9-0. A noticeable difference. People who have experience with real’58-60 Les Paul neck shapes seem to agree that the neck shape are now much more accurate.

So the neck shape on a 2015-2017 True Historic which was scanned using actual bursts was not carried on? And more accurate to WHAT exactly? Being no 2 burst necks are alike…I mean wasn’t the Carmelita burst neck used extensively? And THAT wasn’t accurate enough?

I think far too many grasp as straws to find something to bitch about. I’ve said earlier. Gibson could literally clone the burst using all materials exactly as the burst? I bet you any amount? Someone would bitch about it not being accurate enough.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

So the neck shape on a 2015-2017 True Historic which was scanned using actual bursts was not carried on? And more accurate to WHAT exactly? Being no 2 burst necks are alike…I mean wasn’t the Carmelita burst neck used extensively? And THAT wasn’t accurate enough?

I think far too many grasp as straws to find something to bitch about. I’ve said earlier. Gibson could literally clone the burst using all materials exactly as the burst? I bet you any amount? Someone would bitch about it not being accurate enough.

No kidding. There is such a wide range of shapes during each year of the Bursts. More dependence should be placed on finding the shape that fits your hand best. I personally kept an older R9 just because it was fatter and I really liked the shape. If Gibson built their guitars with neck shape options like Warmoth or Musikraft this correct to the year issue would become mute. For example have 4 or 5 different 59 shapes so big hands and small hands alike could enjoy having an R9.

 

[El Gringo]

No kidding. There is such a wide range of shapes during each year of the Bursts. More dependence should be placed on finding the shape that fits your hand best. I personally kept an older R9 just because it was fatter and I really liked the shape. If Gibson built their guitars with neck shape options like Warmoth or Musikraft this correct to the year issue would become mute. For example have 4 or 5 different 59 shapes so big hands and small hands alike could enjoy having an R9.

While that is a good sentiment I just don't think that would be cost effective from a business point of view

 

[jb_abides]

While that is a good sentiment I just don't think that would be cost effective from a business point of view

Yup. Neck profiles from the scanned library are available using Made-to-Measure, so I don't expect variations becoming normal production options like the 60th Anny R0, except for those dealers willing to commit to runs with a particular spec, as some do. That seems like a sound business model, which is happening, no?

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

The 2010 50th Anniversary R0's had three versions with completely different neck sizes. I don't think it would be too hard to pull off. Maybe a couple different sizes that you saw between early 59 and late 59 and one even more skinny that you could call the Jimmy Page shaved.

 

[Wizard1183]

The 2010 50th Anniversary R0's had three versions with completely different neck sizes. I don't think it would be too hard to pull off. Maybe a couple different sizes that you saw between early 59 and late 59 and one even more skinny that you could call the Jimmy Page shaved.

If you go that route? You’re catering to a select few. It’s not cost effective. Most shops that carry reissues only have 1-3 tops. So it’d be harder to sell unless you had each color in 3 different necks. Rather than say a 3 set of Cherry burst? Then if you’re in a small city you might be lucky if you could sell say a fat neck or whatever. What sucks is they’ve increased prices out so much that you can’t walk into any guitar shop and play 10/15 of them. You’re lucky if you can play one. And then you’re stuck with that one if you decide to pull the trigger….

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

If you go that route? You’re catering to a select few. It’s not cost effective. Most shops that carry reissues only have 1-3 tops. So it’d be harder to sell unless you had each color in 3 different necks. Rather than say a 3 set of Cherry burst? Then if you’re in a small city you might be lucky if you could sell say a fat neck or whatever. What sucks is they’ve increased prices out so much that you can’t walk into any guitar shop and play 10/15 of them. You’re lucky if you can play one. And then you’re stuck with that one if you decide to pull the trigger….

If I remember correctly the 50th Anniversary R0 sold out pretty quickly. Also, the purpose of more neck sizes is to cater to the many. Lots of people like the look of a Historic 59, but not everyone likes the same size neck. At least maybe an early 59 larger and late 59 smaller. Don't know what neck shapes would be asked for the most on a Les Paul. I know chunkier necks are getting big business with Warmoth and Musikraft. It would be interesting to do a poll to see what thickness of 59 neck people would like to see on a 59 Historic. I guess people can always buy a 58, though, as long as it comes in the flamed version.

 

[Wizard1183]

If I remember correctly the 50th Anniversary R0 sold out pretty quickly. Also, the purpose of more neck sizes is to cater to the many. Lots of people like the look of a Historic 59, but not everyone likes the same size neck. At least maybe an early 59 larger and late 59 smaller. Don't know what neck shapes would be asked for the most on a Les Paul. I know chunkier necks are getting big business with Warmoth and Musikraft. It would be interesting to do a poll to see what thickness of 59 neck people would like to see on a 59 Historic. I guess people can always buy a 58, though, as long as it comes in the flamed version.

What I mean is more often than not you’re buying off the net sight unseen. Not everyone has a LGS with 15 reissues to choose from.

 

[NickiC]

If I remember correctly the 50th Anniversary R0 sold out pretty quickly. Also, the purpose of more neck sizes is to cater to the many. Lots of people like the look of a Historic 59, but not everyone likes the same size neck. At least maybe an early 59 larger and late 59 smaller. Don't know what neck shapes would be asked for the most on a Les Paul. I know chunkier necks are getting big business with Warmoth and Musikraft. It would be interesting to do a poll to see what thickness of 59 neck people would like to see on a 59 Historic. I guess people can always buy a 58, though, as long as it comes in the flamed version.

That’s what M2M Custom Shop order is for. Nothing worse than looking for a R9 and finding they all have Carmelita and 60’s necks.

 

[El Gringo]

Yup. Neck profiles from the scanned library are available using Made-to-Measure, so I don't expect variations becoming normal production options like the 60th Anny R0, except for those dealers willing to commit to runs with a particular spec, as some do. That seems like a sound business model, which is happening, no?

I think CME has exclusive runs along with Wildwood , and the Zoo .