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Whadayaguys think?

crossroader

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Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
461
Just put a deposit on a pretty much mint, more or less NOS 2000-R9 with a "flecks galore" Eastern Maple top at Mark's. I actually went up to put a deposit on another 99-R9 teaburst he had... and that one was a real beauty too! But I just liked this one better for its tone and feel, which are ultimately the most important points of choosing a new guitar. But man...what a nice playing and sounding 00-R9 this is! And again, it's pretty much dead mint!

I don't know what it is about the 03s. I had an 03-R9 and although it was a beauty, I still seem to like the 99 and 00 R9s just a bit better. I can't put my finger on exactly why I do, but man, they are sweet!

Not a bad price either... I mean, considering what the new 03s are going for these days. What a pleasure it is doing business with Mark. He's a total stand-up cat do deal with and flat out doesn't pull any punches! He's pulling the stock tailpiece to install a new light-weight Allparts tailpiece, which will bring the weight of the guitar right down around 8 lbs. 2 oz.

Here's the 00-R9 shots.
1.jpg
 
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bjewell

Banned
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
693
The back...

That is some great wood all around. The whole thing about 99s and 00s is the wood. Gibson seemed to have found a real nice stash about that time. Plus the top carve has a bit more definition, especially compared to the 03s. If you get a chance, browse Mark's stash of sold 99s and 00s. They ALL look great!

Kunio-san says there is a real buzz about the 99s and early 00s these days. They are selling off the floor in Tokyo after sitting for years. It has to do with the economy picking up here, plus, in hindsight, they were really cool guitars that turned off people because of the ugly knobs and heavy tailpiece.

The terminally faded 99 I saw in Shinjuku might be available for 2900 bucks. If so, I'm on it! But it really needs to be refinished, it is that faded.

However -- I learned something about the 03s -- the body shape -- at NANCY Guitars today from Kunio-san. The are more accurate in a very suble but obvious way. not enough to make me want to sell my 99, but enough that you can see it for sure...

That guitar will fade REALLY quick and severely, so if you like the color, keep it out of the light -- yes the light, forget the sun -- as much as possible.

I also find Mark to be one of the great guys in the guitar biz...
 
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crossroader

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
461
Re: The back...

bjewell said:
That is some great wood all around. The whole thing about 99s and 00s is the wood. Gibson seemed to have found a real nice stash about that time. Plus the top carve has a bit more definition, especially compared to the 03s. If you get a chance, browse Mark's stash of sold 99s and 00s. They ALL look great!

Kunio-san says there is a real buzz about the 99s and early 00s these days. They are selling off the floor in Tokyo after sitting for years. It has to do with the economy picking up here, plus, in hindsight, they were really cool guitars that turned off people because of the ugly knobs and heavy tailpiece.

The terminally faded 99 I saw in Shinjuku might be available for 2900 bucks. If so, I'm on it! But it really needs to be refinished, it is that faded.

However -- I learned something about the 03s -- the body shape -- at NANCY Guitars today from Kunio-san. The are more accurate in a very suble but obvious way. not enough to make me want to sell my 99, but enough that you can see it for sure...

That guitar will fade REALLY quick and severely, so if you like the color, keep it out of the light -- yes the light, forget the sun -- as much as possible.

I also find Mark to be one of the great guys in the guitar biz...

Thanks for the thumbs-up guys!
Yeah bjewell, there really does seem to be something about the sound quality of the 99s and 00s. I've played at least a half-dozen or so 03-R9s and have so far owned 2. But for the most part they haven't knocked me out in the sound/tone department the way these do. I mean... I still love the 03s, especially with the closeness of the authenticity thing and I know there are some truly great ones out there. But even though there are some great 03s to be found, there's still something truly special about a lot of the 99s and 00s. I also really like the sound of the 57’ Classic pick-ups.

I've heard about these guitars fading quickly just from being in the light too, so thanks for heads-up, as I had completely forgotten about that. Also, I wasn't aware that the top carve was all that much different between these years, though I'm not surprised. I have an 03' Goldtop that I will compare the carve of the 00 to when I finally get it home. My Goldtop weighs a bit over 9 lbs and although "weight" was never a huge concern for me, it will be good to have one that's quite a bit lighter.

It's the absolute truth about Mark being a super guitar biz guy and continually gets some of THE BEST Historics out there! I'm really glad that I can jump in my car and be at his shop in about 45 minutes to check out all the great gear he always has in stock. I guess I can forget about putting any serious money away with him being so darn close :nut Oh well...c'est la vie!
 

bjewell

Banned
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
693
New England...

The absolute best time in my life was as a boy in Huntington CN. You are a lucky person to live up there, even if the Patriots are sucking this year... -L-
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
Re: The back...

bjewell said:
However -- I learned something about the 03s -- the body shape -- at NANCY Guitars today from Kunio-san. The are more accurate in a very suble but obvious way.

Stop teasing! explain:)spin
 

D'Mule

Active member
Joined
Apr 5, 2003
Messages
4,621
Beautiful guitar, and remarkably light! Love the total figure/fleck/flame thing!
 

Gold Tone

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Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
Ya gotta ditch those knobs though. Its too freakin' beautiful to have the silly amber things. Gets some nice gold ones (preferably but doesn't have to be DMC) and man it'll look like you went back to 1959 and bought it yourself!
 

John C

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Messages
64
Verrry nice - the flecks give it that "original Burst" or "natural" look as I like to call it.

John C.
 

crossroader

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
461
thanks guys...

Thanks guys... I was thinking that if a couple of you veterans thought it looked pretty good, then I'd be sure I had made the right move on buying this one. I appreciate the positive feedback, as I sometimes second guess myself when it comes to picking a new R9.

Always great hearing from everyone...always great hearing from you Ed and burst59!

59 Darkburst and John C...that's what I second-guess myself about at times when I pick out a new R9; is this top realistic looking? I kinda thought it was, so thanks for the confirmation on that. At one time, I would have never even considered owning an R9 with out a perfectly bookmatched top! But as time has passed, I now really dig the look of a non-symmetrical top. I also really like the fact that at different angles, the flame/figure is a bit subtle. Though in person, it's very 3D and it lights-up really nice at different angles. I could have bought another 03, but I'm very much convinced that there's something very special about the wood that was used for a lot of the 99 and 00 R9s. I have an 03-R7, so my "pointed-inlay/B-Board" jones has been quelled. I don't mind the old inlays and the Madagascar one bit, as long as the axe sounds great, is a great player and looks good. I'm not saying the 03-R9s are overrated, I'm just saying that the 99s and 00s are every bit as great as the 03s, as far as being great players go. Of course that’s just my opinion…

Goldtone...which are the good replacement knobs to get? Does Allparts make good ones? I forgot about those lousy amber ones! As I mentioned, Mark is going to slap on an Allparts lightweight tailpiece, so perhaps I should change the knobs while I'm at it. Thanks in advance GT!
 
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Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
Re: thanks guys...

crossroader said:
Goldtone...which are the good replacement knobs to get? Does Allparts make good ones? I forgot about those lousy amber ones! As I mentioned, Mark is going to slap on an Allparts lightweight tailpiece, so perhaps I should change the knobs while I'm at it. Thanks in advance GT!

The DMC knobs that Dave's Guitar stocks are damn close to origionals. The shape of the skirt, the dimple in the top, the gold (bronze powder) paint used to paint the bottom......it'll even green with age. But they're $109 for a set of four. I bought a set and love 'em. They really look nice.

Other than that the 2003 Gibson Historic knobs are probably the next best thing. I don't know if Allparts, WD, etc have gold knobs with indented numbers, I think they are painted on which looks a bit cheap.

But a beauty R9 like that deserves the DMCs:dude
 
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