Melody Maker Club.....

[Flaneur]

Something this thread demonstrates, about MMs and their owners: we don't get upset about a loss of originality. The collector aspect is downplayed, it seems, in favour of functionality and playability. We like them, we use them, we enjoy them. The narrow headstock makes it tricky, to just hang them on a wall and admire the aesthetics.

 

[Electric Warrior]

Speaking of loss of originality, here is a 1965 Epiphone Olympic Special with an old refinish. Most everything else seems original. It came up locally and I couldn't help myself.

It needs some help...the nut needs to go, the slots are chasms and deep. I'll be buying some files and blanks and will try to learn to do that myself. I kind of like the pickup but it is weak, like many say, so I will look for a replacement. I might re-do the wiring and pots first, to see what effect that has.

This is also the lightest electric I have ever held. The closest thing to compare it to are those P90 w/ tune-o-matic "Les Paul Melody Makers" from 2003 or so. Very similar neck profile.

 

[Matt Sarad]

T-top PAFS in my '65 red double cut.

 

[ScottJPatrick]

I totally forgot there was a Melody Maker club! Time to catch up. Stupidly sold the Pelham Blue '67 a while back, loved the look and sound of the guitar but the really skinny nut and neck that went from very slim to full baseball wasn't doing it for me.

Since then I have owned a 2003 (P90) and a 2009 which had a P90 added. Liked them both but again the shoulders on the necks got to me. (Yes, I have girlie hands that obviously don't do Gibson U necks!)

Happy to say that I am still a member of the MM club though as I picked up this few months ago. Love it, looks great, plays great and the wider pickup sounds great! I use it live tuned to open G for a couple of Stones songs, Jesus just left Chicago, Hot Blooded (Foreigner) and Can't get enough of your love (although I have to play the 2nd part of the solo an octave down) so it's a versatile wee thing!

 

[Flaneur]

2008: a good Gibson year, for me.

 

[BadTranslate]

Here is Margo Price playing a Melody Maker on Austin City Limits. I've never heard of this person but this randomly popped up on our TV.

 

[onewhiteduck]

Here’s my ‘62! It had a refin on the body (I think someone painted it black at some point) but original finish is still on the neck. A previous owner machined a superb bridge for it which intonates perfectly. I got it back in September, and just installed a new wiring kit from Gun Street Wiring Shop…the original electronics were failing. It plays beautifully.

 

['64 Tele]

Here is me and the 1971 Melody Maker D with Vibrola My dad gave me.

I had a 1970 just like the one you're holding. Only negative thing I remember about it was the sliding pickup selector switch.
You could shut both pickups off if you hit just the "wrong" spot.
I don't remember the dreaded SG neck dive issue with it, but that was long before the internet.
Nice looking guitar you have/had there.

 

[ScottJPatrick]

Here’s my ‘62! It had a refin on the body (I think someone painted it black at some point) but original finish is still on the neck. A previous owner machined a superb bridge for it which intonates perfectly. I got it back in September, and just installed a new wiring kit from Gun Street Wiring Shop…the original electronics were failing. It plays beautifully.

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Looks great, love the darker finish on the body.

 

[onewhiteduck]

Looks great, love the darker finish on the body.

Thanks!! Me too, I really like how it was matched to the original neck finish. I think it was just a hobbyist luthier, but he did a great job.