1965 Melody Maker? Or not [pending trade]

[robt57]

I got offered a Melody Maker claimed to be a 1965.

Some help appreciated. ;)

It is black, and I can not confirm that other than a custom they where red in the Double Cut years from 62-65. [I think]

A custom color on a student guitar does not make too much sense. But the Trem appears to be the Gibson SG/MM/Firebird from the correct era, and a custom color and a model with that trem make some sense, no?? I feel the tuners shows it is not a RI units as they all had chrome buttons, right?

Appreciate any info/help. I am hot on this.

[mr newhaven]

i think i remember seeing some black ones myself...and i think other than the newer joan jett models all the reissues are single cutaways...

without digging too much into this it look legit...to me at least...

[hannigan]

I have a burst one and I absolutely love it , I also have two sg style melody makers,fun little guitars and nice and light and they are precocious little beasts .

[bo]

Is that a three screw truss rod over and did Gibson ever make guitars with one? I don't ever remember seeing one.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by bo

Is that a three screw truss rod over and did Gibson ever make guitars with one? I don't ever remember seeing one.

I looked close at the pic and it looks like there is 3 screws on there, yes.

[hannigan]

Originally Posted by robt57

I looked close at the pic and it looks like there is 3 screws on there, yes.

Mine all have 2 screws

[mr newhaven]

to be honest from those pics its tough to tell anything...its a bit wide at the bottom but it could just be a replacement TRC...

i dont see why anyone would fake a MM...

but i have been wrong once or twice!

[mr newhaven]

http://www.guitarphotographer.com/Ot...-maker%20b.jpg

see how this link has a MM with the two knobs and what looks like a wider-bottom TRC?

i think the one in the pic from the OP shows a wide bottomed one but i cannot see 3 screws...a usualy sign of a fake...

get some better pics...

[mr newhaven]

remember those MM's dont have standard gibson les paul or sg sized heads...they are smaller which would make a TRC look wider is what im saying but nonetheless get more pics and a serial number to confirm...

[robt57]

NM

[Birdmankustomz]

Just something to compare, '65 MM. It has the 2 screw TRC

[allen st. john]

Have you seen it up close?
Is it a refin? If so, check that the paint isn't covering up headstock/neck damage, which plague set-neck Gibsons.

The truss rod cover looks a little odd, but it's the kind of thing that an earlier owner could have just popped on.

FWIW, Jason Lollar makes a P-90 style pickup, complete with pickup assembly, that drops into a vintage Melody Maker. Pretty cool idea.

http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/mer...oduct_Code=262

[robt57]

Originally Posted by allen st. john

Have you seen it up close?
Is it a refin? If so, check that the paint isn't covering up headstock/neck damage, which plague set-neck Gibsons.

The truss rod cover looks a little odd, but it's the kind of thing that an earlier owner could have just popped on.

FWIW, Jason Lollar makes a P-90 style pickup, complete with pickup assembly, that drops into a vintage Melody Maker. Pretty cool idea.

http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/mer...oduct_Code=262

I would be OK with a correct repair.

I found this pretty amusing on that Lollar link, thank for that BTW. What exactly is pre-wired then the pickup has a wire on it?

Lollar page info:

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-wired Melody Maker pickguards do not include volume or tone knobs.

[robt57]

Honestly, it looks too round in the lower bout to me. Or does that vary?

EDIT:
Never mind, just camera shot. Last pic shows it better

[hannigan]

It looks correct except for the TRC to me ,

I bet the original was lost and replaced with another .

Proceed with caution , but I think its legit .

[robt57]

Originally Posted by hannigan

It looks correct except for the TRC to me ,

I bet the original was lost and replaced with another .

Proceed with caution , but I think its legit .

The odd black for a 65 and the truss oddity is going to have me scrutinizing the nut area for 'that headstock repair' possibility.

[robt57]

Serial Number Checks out...

[allen st. john]

Originally Posted by robt57

I would be OK with a correct repair.

I found this pretty amusing on that Lollar link, thank for that BTW. What exactly is pre-wired then the pickup has a wire on it?

Lollar page info:

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-wired Melody Maker pickguards do not include volume or tone knobs.

It was really an inaccurate description on my part. The pickup will drop in without additional routing, and the pickguard should fit the pickup and the old pots and caps without additional screw holes etc.

There's actually a video of him installing one on youtube.

I've heard various opinions about the stock pickup, but it seems to me that being able to install a high quality P-90ish pickup for $100 or is an attractive option.

Jason's also just so cool to think about something like this.

[robt57]

I just thought that was funny. ;)

I agree, to be able to install keep the original saved and not hack a 45 year old Gibson is definitely attractive.

[robt57]

Additional pics/frets