Gibson officially files..

[Bucknekked]

my first electric guitar was a Gibson, way back in the day. Not a Melody Maker, but one very similar. Single pickup design with a wonderful finish and tone. One of the most foolish things I've ever done in my entire life was to sell that guitar later in life because I needed some money. I regret doing that everytime I think of it.

This isn't my actual guitar, but, its the same make/model. Lovely little thing. I have a Les Paul now, but I'd love to have this one back.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sound United owns D&M and Boston Acoustics, which they seem to be phasing out. They also own Polk, Definitive Technology, HEOS and Classe.

Yes, I know, they bought D+M Group fairly recently....I was just talking about ownership of McIntosh previously since DIYjunky thought they were still on their own.....

 

[KEW]

But manually played analog musical instruments seem to be dying out. Why is that?

I guess that trumpet and saxophone fans from the past may have said the same in the 1950s about those new electric guitars.

Find out when the Sant Andreu Jazz Band has their recitals and pack the wife up for a trip to Barcelona to restore your faith in youth muscianship!!!

 

[highfigh]

my first electric guitar was a Gibson, way back in the day. Not a Melody Maker, but one very similar. Single pickup design with a wonderful finish and tone. One of the most foolish things I've ever done in my entire life was to sell that guitar later in life because I needed some money. I regret doing that everytime I think of it.

This isn't my actual guitar, but, its the same make/model. Lovely little thing. I have a Les Paul now, but I'd love to have this one back.

Is that an ES-150?

Similar to a Melody Maker?

 

[Bucknekked]

Is that an ES-150?

Similar to a Melody Maker?

I believe it is an ES-125. Guitar afficianados can weigh in here, but, I think its a ES-125.
For years and years I don't believe I saw any guitars that looked exactly like the one I had.
I know it was not a super expensive guitar or my grandparents couldn't have afforded to buy it for me as a kid. At least not in the late '50s or early '60s.

My grandparents were pretty strict on the music: they didn't want me playing any of that damned rock n roll on it. I could play ballads and general old people music, but none of that damn stuff from the devil. Of course, that's all I wanted to play after they told me that

 

[slipperybidness]

My grandparents were pretty strict on the music: they didn't want me playing any of that damned rock n roll on it. I could play ballads and general old people music, but none of that damn stuff from the devil.

That seems perfectly reasonable

 

[TheWarrior]

That seems perfectly reasonable

I got a good laugh out of that, thank you!

 

[panteragstk]

My grandparents were pretty strict on the music: they didn't want me playing any of that damned rock n roll on it. I could play ballads and general old people music, but none of that damn stuff from the devil. Of course, that's all I wanted to play after they told me that

It's that damned Elvis and his ever moving hips...

 

[Bucknekked]

It's that damned Elvis and his ever moving hips...

to tell you how much music and times have changed, I remember my grandfather explaining the merits of his console stereo system. It was one of those furniture style cabinets with a tuner and a turntable inside with speakers inside cloth grilles: probably 4 or 5 feet long.

He explained to me that his system was perfect for listening at home because it didn't have "all that bass". He felt that bass was distracting and tiring to listen to. We were all better off if there was less bass in the music. That, and no gyrating hips.

I think a few things have changed since then.

 

[panteragstk]

to tell you how much music and times have changed, I remember my grandfather explaining the merits of his console stereo system. It was one of those furniture style cabinets with a tuner and a turntable inside with speakers inside cloth grilles: probably 4 or 5 feet long.

He explained to me that his system was perfect for listening at home because it didn't have "all that bass". He felt that bass was distracting and tiring to listen to. We were all better off if there was less bass in the music. That, and no gyrating hips.

I think a few things have changed since then.

A couple of things have...

Funny you mention console stereos. I've actually got one that was my grandmothers in my garage I plan to restore at some point. It was built somewhere around '63-'64 IIRC. I'll start a thread once I get done with some other projects.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

It's that damned Elvis and his ever moving hips...

yeah, all that gold-durned communist doper music!

 

[MR.MAGOO]

But manually played analog musical instruments seem to be dying out. Why is that?

those instruments only seem to be dying out, however IMO it's too many people today seem to not want to study, practice, or perfect the craft of playing a musical instrument. Now I'll shut up before my grumpy old-man persona takes control....

 

[highfigh]

I believe it is an ES-125. Guitar afficianados can weigh in here, but, I think its a ES-125.
For years and years I don't believe I saw any guitars that looked exactly like the one I had.
I know it was not a super expensive guitar or my grandparents couldn't have afforded to buy it for me as a kid. At least not in the late '50s or early '60s.

My grandparents were pretty strict on the music: they didn't want me playing any of that damned rock n roll on it. I could play ballads and general old people music, but none of that damn stuff from the devil. Of course, that's all I wanted to play after they told me that

Could be- I googled ES-150 and a photo of a guitar that looked the same from the front came up, but the 150 is thicker- if the sides on yours were about 2" wide, it would be a 125 but I couldn't see the depth in your photo. Nice! I worked at a music store and we were a Gibson dealer- all kinds of old models came through, including some from the 1920s and back in the jumbled info of my memory, there's a lot of info about these. I worked there when Norlin owned the company and they were selling guitars with flaws that had a numeral 2 stamped near the serial number, to show this. The flaws weren't bad, but it cost them a lot less to stamp a number than fix them.

That's human nature, for ya- we want what we're told we can't or shouldn't have. Some sad stories about music being considered 'The Devil's Music'- Howlin' Wolf's mother wouldn't take money from him or go to see him in the hospital when he was dying because that's what she though of Blues music.

 

[highfigh]

those instruments only seem to be dying out, however IMO it's too many people today seem to not want to study, practice, or perfect the craft of playing a musical instrument. Now I'll shut up before my grumpy old-man persona takes control....

And yet, high schools are turning out some great musicians. PBS has been showing a program about the Jazz program at Dillard High School and those kids are freaking amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/344067205171/videos/vb.344067205171/10151416981260172/?type=2&theater

Colleges are putting out some great players, too- here's a group of the faculty at the U of Miami Frost School of Music, playing a tune arranged by one of the 'kids' from my old neighborhood (on trumpet)-

The music from the students begins around 21:45-

 

[Bucknekked]

Could be- I googled ES-150 and a photo of a guitar that looked the same from the front came up, but the 150 is thicker- if the sides on yours were about 2" wide, it would be a 125 but I couldn't see the depth in your photo. Nice! I worked at a music store and we were a Gibson dealer- all kinds of old models came through, including some from the 1920s and back in the jumbled info of my memory, there's a lot of info about these. I worked there when Norlin owned the company and they were selling guitars with flaws that had a numeral 2 stamped near the serial number, to show this. The flaws weren't bad, but it cost them a lot less to stamp a number than fix them.

That's human nature, for ya- we want what we're told we can't or shouldn't have. Some sad stories about music being considered 'The Devil's Music'- Howlin' Wolf's mother wouldn't take money from him or go to see him in the hospital when he was dying because that's what she though of Blues music.

from what I remember, the body was indeed only about 2" deep. It was not the "big fat" body on many later models from Gibson. What set it apart for me was the simple, black pick guard and the single pickup set pretty high in the body. The sunburst finish was really pretty and the back of the guitar was gorgeous. It looked like some sort of burled walnut. I sure it was actually some sort of veneer or plywood but the finish was awesome. To my childhood eyes it was the coolest thing I'd ever held. I think I polished that guitar more than I played it.

Like I mentioned, I've seen very few that look exactly like mine. I've seen similar ones with very different pick guards, colorations and subtle changes in the body style. George Thorogood was a big ES 125 fan and played most of his big hits on one. But, his was either white or black and had 2 pickups and a scooped body. For me, his ES doesn't look anything like my old one. Apparently he had better judgement than me because he kept his ES125's and kept playing them. There's also the minor difference in talent too

 

[Montucky]

And yet, high schools are turning out some great musicians.

TOTALLY! When my wife and I got married, we actually hired a jazz band comprised of a group of girls from the local high school, one of whose father was a band professor at the University. They were freaking OUTSTANDING. The guests at our reception were stunned when they saw a group of young teenagers playing music with such talent and refinement.

 

[panteragstk]

those instruments only seem to be dying out, however IMO it's too many people today seem to not want to study, practice, or perfect the craft of playing a musical instrument. Now I'll shut up before my grumpy old-man persona takes control....

When I worked at Guitar Center most all of the customers were there for guitars, drums, and pianos. I worked in the pro sound/recording dept that also had all the pianos and synths. I hardly sold any synth/DJ stuff. It was mostly recording and pro amps/speakers.

That was true of the two different stores I worked at.

 

[hemiram]

to tell you how much music and times have changed, I remember my grandfather explaining the merits of his console stereo system. It was one of those furniture style cabinets with a tuner and a turntable inside with speakers inside cloth grilles: probably 4 or 5 feet long.

He explained to me that his system was perfect for listening at home because it didn't have "all that bass". He felt that bass was distracting and tiring to listen to. We were all better off if there was less bass in the music. That, and no gyrating hips.

I think a few things have changed since then.

My cousin, who is my business partner, "Hates" bass. Going back to High School days, he has had the most worthless and weak sounding systems I've ever heard. He had some low end Kenwood seperates back about 1971 or so, driving tiny little speakers. I don't remember what they were, but a decent sized portable radio sounded better. Years later, I ran into him when he was having a new car stereo installed with some tiny little gutless speakers. I don't get it at all. When I was living in my house, I had the room shaking most of the time. He came over once and I just had my speakers on, no sub, and he complained about the bass I had, and there wasn't much. He complains endlessly when going to movies.

 

[highfigh]

from what I remember, the body was indeed only about 2" deep. It was not the "big fat" body on many later models from Gibson. What set it apart for me was the simple, black pick guard and the single pickup set pretty high in the body. The sunburst finish was really pretty and the back of the guitar was gorgeous. It looked like some sort of burled walnut. I sure it was actually some sort of veneer or plywood but the finish was awesome. To my childhood eyes it was the coolest thing I'd ever held. I think I polished that guitar more than I played it.

Like I mentioned, I've seen very few that look exactly like mine. I've seen similar ones with very different pick guards, colorations and subtle changes in the body style. George Thorogood was a big ES 125 fan and played most of his big hits on one. But, his was either white or black and had 2 pickups and a scooped body. For me, his ES doesn't look anything like my old one. Apparently he had better judgement than me because he kept his ES125's and kept playing them. There's also the minor difference in talent too

Most of the ES-model guitars were pressed plywood, with Maple veneer and some did have much more figured grain. Some of the top models had their top carved by hand, like a violin. These used Spruce for the top and it can be seen as having straight, narrow grain. The plywood was thin enough that it still made excellent instruments and the ES-125 was one of Gibson't most popular models - those are classics and some are still fairly, somewhat, kinda, sort of not too terribly expensive.

https://www.garysguitars.com/catalog/1948-gibson-l-5-n#

 

[highfigh]

TOTALLY! When my wife and I got married, we actually hired a jazz band comprised of a group of girls from the local high school, one of whose father was a band professor at the University. They were freaking OUTSTANDING. The guests at our reception were stunned when they saw a group of young teenagers playing music with such talent and refinement.

I imagine that if a lot of kids were asked about Jazz, their response would be "What's a Jazz?".

My friends' 15 year-old daughter walked into the room several times while he was listening to some of his favorite music. He plays keyboards and several other instruments, so his interests in music are widely varied, through many decades. She would listen for a while, then go back to whatever she had been doing. Most of what he was listening to was from the mid-'60s through the mid-'70s and some of it was popular, but it really wouldn't be called 'pop music'. Some of it was pretty obscure, but has maintained a loyal following. At one point, she asked if the music was representative of that time and he said it was. She turned around and said, "God, my generation sucks!". She sometimes has a hard time making friends because she just doesn't follow the trends and would rather debate & discuss things than gossip, decide for herself that something is good or bad and she occasionally says things that don't make the other person happy when she hears them spouting BS, including her teachers. His 17 year old son listens mostly to traditional Jazz- plays mostly keyboards & percussion, but also guitar and possibly bass. Playing came from both parents playing, but the interest in Jazz came on his own. He had a recital last night.