Gibson Melody Maker

hippietim · September 10th, 2007, 02:57 PM

These recent Gibson Melody Makers are killer. I picked one up a couple months back for $320 brand new. I don't much like the feel of the low budget finish on the neck so I rectified that with some sandpaper. The finish is so cheap it only took like 15 minutes to do the job. I then oiled the neck and it feels fantastic. Great medium chunky Gibson Les Paul feel.

The guitar would have been fantastic if I had stopped here but I wanted the guitar to be a bit hotter so I put in a Dimarzio Super Distortion-S that was in my pickup drawer. I had to do some "routing" with my drill press and a few minutes with a round file on the pickguard to make a bit more room for the pickup. I also had a TonePros lightweight locking tailpiece sitting around so I put that on while I was at it.

All told it took about an hour from start to finish from stock guitar to ready to wail rock machine

sunkidd · September 10th, 2007, 04:13 PM

That is really pretty cool looking with the neck sanded! I'd like to get one of those.... I had an old one back in the early 1970's and didn't really think about it being worth much ever... so I probably traded it away for something I don't remember and didn't need.... but they were "rock and roll" from the word *Haul A$$*!!!!!! me likey..........

sundin4prez · November 5th, 2007, 09:35 AM

deleted

jdarnell50 · November 12th, 2007, 11:25 PM

I have a 59 Melody Maker my dad gave me in early 60s, its quite beautiful guitar.

spauldingrules · July 6th, 2009, 03:30 PM

I like the sanded down look - what grit paper did you use? And has anyone done that to the entire guitar?

hippietim · July 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM

I used 200 to take the finish off. Then worked my way up to 1000 or so.

CharlieO · July 6th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spauldingrules

I like the sanded down look - what grit paper did you use? And has anyone done that to the entire guitar?

I owned both an original Les Paul Jr. and an original Melody Maker that had the entire finish removed. I think they look great that way. I never felt the need to seal the wood with anything, and the necks played nicely unfinished.

Rabog · July 6th, 2009, 03:49 PM

hippietim, sorry off topic - any chance of a pic of that 'flame like' guitar to the right of the MM...looks interesting!

.....

September 10th, 2007, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,193	Gibson Melody Maker These recent Gibson Melody Makers are killer. I picked one up a couple months back for $320 brand new. I don't much like the feel of the low budget finish on the neck so I rectified that with some sandpaper. The finish is so cheap it only took like 15 minutes to do the job. I then oiled the neck and it feels fantastic. Great medium chunky Gibson Les Paul feel. The guitar would have been fantastic if I had stopped here but I wanted the guitar to be a bit hotter so I put in a Dimarzio Super Distortion-S that was in my pickup drawer. I had to do some "routing" with my drill press and a few minutes with a round file on the pickguard to make a bit more room for the pickup. I also had a TonePros lightweight locking tailpiece sitting around so I put that on while I was at it. All told it took about an hour from start to finish from stock guitar to ready to wail rock machine

September 10th, 2007, 04:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunkidd Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 624	That is really pretty cool looking with the neck sanded! I'd like to get one of those.... I had an old one back in the early 1970's and didn't really think about it being worth much ever... so I probably traded it away for something I don't remember and didn't need.... but they were "rock and roll" from the word Haul A$$!!!!!! me likey..........

November 5th, 2007, 09:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
sundin4prez NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: toronto Posts: 6	deleted

November 12th, 2007, 11:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
jdarnell50 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: peoria, illinois Age: 59 Posts: 1	I have a 59 Melody Maker my dad gave me in early 60s, its quite beautiful guitar.

July 6th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
spauldingrules Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kansas City Age: 35 Posts: 134	I like the sanded down look - what grit paper did you use? And has anyone done that to the entire guitar?

July 6th, 2009, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,193	I used 200 to take the finish off. Then worked my way up to 1000 or so.

July 6th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rabog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 660	hippietim, sorry off topic - any chance of a pic of that 'flame like' guitar to the right of the MM...looks interesting! .....

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