New Old Aged 73 Goldtop

[Jethro Rocker]

Got a 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. I wanted something that is and looks 50 years old. Other than a couple, my guitars are all quite new and I will never live long enough to see them get aged.
Goldies seem to age really cool with finish checking, greening etc so I went on the hunt.
Found one with cracks in the finish, checking, some arm wear. Surprisingly no finish gone from the back. It isn't all original but I don't care. Pretty hefty at 9lb 9 oz. I am getting a higher output mini HB to see. I am a higher gain guy.
Cool mojo IMO.

 

[charliechitlins]

SWEET!
A player.
What's the neck profile like?
I have a '71 with a dead-on '59 carve.
Chunky!

 

[Jethro Rocker]

SWEET!
A player.
What's the neck profile like?
I have a '71 with a dead-on '59 carve.
Chunky!

Not sure. Feels good so hopefully a 60s slim. What was generally done back then?

 

[rockabilly69]

Have you heard these minis (11K bridge pickup!) https://reverb.com/item/6959828-d-urbano-magnetics-mini-humbucker-pickup-set-alnico-nickel My buddy has them in an old Slvertone and I really like the sound!

 

[Triplet]

Nice. Reminds me of mine when I first got it. I stupidly stripped the goldtop finish. I don't even remember why now. Anyway, there was a faded burst finish underneath which looked pretty sharp so I left it at that.

 

[Elmore]

I have a ‘70 in cherry that was routed for full size buckers. My experience is the neck position on a LP Deluxe with minis is fantastic. I could see replacing the bridge pickup with a hotter proper fitting mini. Also, those minis go great in the neck of Telecasters. That is what I did.

 

[charliechitlins]

Not sure. Feels good so hopefully a 60s slim. What was generally done back then?

I don't know.
I've had 2 '71s.
One skinny and one fat.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I don't know.
I've had 2 '71s.
One skinny and one fat.

Cool! Anyone's guess. All I can do is compare to my 60s slim. Thanks!

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Have you heard these minis (11K bridge pickup!) https://reverb.com/item/6959828-d-urbano-magnetics-mini-humbucker-pickup-set-alnico-nickel My buddy has them in an old Slvertone and I really like the sound!

No I haven't. I currently have a Mojo tone higher output Mini with Alnico 8 mags coming.
DM also makes a Super Distortion HB in a P90 package.

 

[rockabilly69]

No I haven't. I currently have a Mojo tone higher output Mini with Alnico 8 mags coming.
DM also makes a Super Distortion HB in a P90 package.

Never tried the Mojotone, but I have tried the P90 sized DiMarzio Super Distortion, I had one in the bridge of my old '72 Deluxe. I liked the ones I posted better though (in my friends LP Special) as it had more of a dynamic range where the Super D sounds a bit darker and compressed. The pickup I posted is a 11K DC resistance with alnico magnets, and the Super D is 13.5 with ceramic magnets.

That said, I like the Super D, I just put a full sized one in the bridge of this Tele Deluxe (with a DiMarzio PAF in the neck)...

But, I am not a super high gain player. The hardest I go for is 70's hard rock crunch with a bit of air around it. And I have master volume amps that help with that.

I'd like to hear the Mojotone, post a clip when you install it!

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Never tried the Mojotone, but I have tried the P90 sized DiMarzio Super Distortion, I had one in the bridge of my old '72 Deluxe. I liked the ones I posted better though (in my friends LP Special) as it had more of a dynamic range where the Super D sounds a bit darker and compressed. The pickup I posted is a 11K DC resistance with alnico magnets, and the Super D is 13.5 with ceramic magnets.

That said, I like the Super D, I just put a full sized one in the bridge of this Tele Deluxe (with a DiMarzio PAF in the neck)...

But, I am not a super high gain player. The hardest I go for is 70's hard rock crunch with a bit of air around it. And I have master volume amps that help with that.

I'd like to hear the Mojotone, post a clip when you install it!

Thanks!
I am 80s metal to more modern flavours. Will see how the Mojo pans out. Otherwise maybe the Super D.

 

[shadowbox]

Got a 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. I wanted something that is and looks 50 years old. Other than a couple, my guitars are all quite new and I will never live long enough to see them get aged.
Goldies seem to age really cool with finish checking, greening etc so I went on the hunt.
Found one with cracks in the finish, checking, some arm wear. Surprisingly no finish gone from the back. It isn't all original but I don't care. Pretty hefty at 9lb 9 oz. I am getting a higher output mini HB to see. I am a higher gain guy.
Cool mojo IMO.

I was looking for something like this for years. Finally gave up and bought an R6. Funny story - a former work collegue found I played guitar and told me he had a guitar he wanted to sell. It was a Goldtop from the early 70s. He said he has to do a good price because he left it in his car for a couple days (this was in MA in the winter) and when he brought it indoors "the finish all cracked". It had some amazing checking. Of course back then, people were less aware of the desirability of checking and no one had ever heard the word "relic". I didn't buy it, but funny that he thought the guitar was ruined.

 

[Big Al]

I've always had one. Love the Minis. They sound great and I see no reason for an overwound, dull toneless pickup with high capacitance fairy hair thin wire.

 

[SpencerD]

Oh yes!

That's just plain badass

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I've always had one. Love the Minis. They sound great and I see no reason for an overwound, dull toneless pickup with high capacitance fairy hair thin wire.

I will be trying it stock in a proper rehearsal at some point first. Can likely compensate fairly well with the amp but just in case...
Different styles. I am a higher gain higher output guy but the extra brightness and less output might be a nice change.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Oh yes!

That's just plain badass

Thanks! I really liked it.
Got some better pics of it.
Also added a custom poker chip.

 

[Azmedian]

Wow is that a crack between picard and pick up

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Wow is that a crack between picard and pick up

Yep. Finish cracks all over it besides the checking.

 

[Azmedian]

?

 

[SpencerD]

Yeah

You're just flat out winning. Very nice.

(edit) After scrolling the pics again ....... the back of the guitar right?

The top strap button was mounted on the back at some point in time. Like an SG

Ronnie Montrose did that on a Burst. ?