My new R4

k.online · 05-08-2009, 06:18 AM

Got the guitar last Saturday. A couple of jams this last week getting used to it, now tonight my first real gig. Everyone, and I mean everyone, came up to me to tell me how great I sounded tonight. Many didn't even notice I had a new guitar. After 25 years of playing, I have never been this comfortable with an instrument. All other guitars have now been sold except an old Silvertone and a J-45.

Meet 'Johanna'.

Lefty Elmo · 05-08-2009, 06:54 AM

Congrats on your R4! I just bought an R6 last week, P90s are great pickups.

Liam · 05-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Great looking guitar, got a real soft spot for the wrapover bridge guitars.

Is that a 2009 model? Very authentic looking top carve.

Liam

JustinMcCorkle · 05-08-2009, 11:29 AM

Wow beautiful guitar! Congrats.

R9. · 05-08-2009, 12:26 PM

Nice!
What's up with the pointer?

k.online · 05-08-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam

Great looking guitar, got a real soft spot for the wrapover bridge guitars.

Is that a 2009 model? Very authentic looking top carve.

Liam

It's a 2008. The wraptails are the bomb. There was a used R6 in the shop when I bought mine that I could have had quite a bit cheaper but it was a totally different sounding guitar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by R9.

Nice!
What's up with the pointer?

The nut had come a bit loose. I took the pointers off just after I took the photos. I was pretty sure I was going to tear my hand on them. Those things are vicious sharp...!!! Besides, I set the volume and tone by ear, not sight. I am a bigger guy and quite frankly I can't see the damn knobs when I'm playing without leaning WAY forward anyway... ;-)

SKATTERBRANE · 05-08-2009, 06:58 PM

Oh! You are supposed to move the KNOBS?

k.online · 05-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

Oh! You are supposed to move the KNOBS?

I can't imagine NOT moving them. I basically set the amp that all the way up on the guitar is my lead tone, then back off the guitar volume for rhythm playing. So many great tones, especially in the middle position blending various amounts of each pickup.

I know you are probably being sarcastic, but I played with a guy last night who did exactly that. Rhythm and lead with the same setting, no dynamic, then points to me for a solo. How the hell am I supposed to get up and over that...?

Last · 05-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Stroll over to his amp & turn him down?

lewddude · 05-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Congrats! What were you playing before this? Everyone says how great my guitar sounds as well. It's the p90's. They are just so full of... Gurth and life!

k.online · 05-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last

Stroll over to his amp & turn him down?

It was tempting, believe me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewddude

Congrats! What were you playing before this? Everyone says how great my guitar sounds as well. It's the p90's. They are just so full of... Gurth and life!

I played Strats for years and I am now officially divorced from them. At some point you simply get tired of trying to make a Strat sound fat and just get a fatter guitar. I like to think of P-90's like a fine whiskey. Smooth with a little bite on it... but the right kind of bite.

frankthomson · 05-09-2009, 10:33 PM

sweeeeeeeet!!!!!!

...and i also HATE the pointers!

k.online · 05-10-2009, 04:42 AM

You can hear it in action on my MySpace, a clip recorded live at the Yale this afternoon with Oliver Conway from Incognito. I am playing slide on the R4, neck PU through a Lovepedal Eternity and a silverface Super Reverb.

Kenneth Eckert on MySpace Music

agustin barrios · 05-10-2009, 11:57 AM

that is one of the prettiest guitars ive ever seen in the whole of this sight, tell me how big is the neck, compared to other les paul, if indeed you have tried others

k.online · 05-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agustin barrios

that is one of the prettiest guitars ive ever seen in the whole of this sight, tell me how big is the neck, compared to other les paul, if indeed you have tried others

The neck is huge. Really, really big. It's funny though, now that I have had it a week it doesn't seem so big anymore. Very comfortable.

tigerfan22001 · 05-10-2009, 05:32 PM

Nice, I want one of those.

bluesjuke · 05-10-2009, 07:36 PM

You must shop in good places.
Not often do you see an R4 in a store.

Have a blaaaaaaassst!!!

Tele Jr. · 05-11-2009, 12:20 PM

K, Great photo's, she's a beauty, nice avatar too...

k.online · 05-11-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele Jr.

K, Great photo's, she's a beauty, nice avatar too...

Hey TJ. You really gotta post some more photos of that sweet girl you've got... puh-leeez...???

Tele Jr. · 05-11-2009, 04:20 PM

K,

I'm not quite able to capture the true beauty of the thing as I see it but here's some of my attempts...

It's a subtle but expressive peek a boo eastern maple top, also has a dark walnut back with straight even riftsawn grain, like it came from a large old growth tree, also fairly light at 8.75 lbs and has a very open hollow tone.

Neck shape is on the smaller side like a chunky R9 but has some slight shoulder to it so it's almost kind of a D shape.

With all of the feeding frenzy going on this year with the '09 R9's I actually started out on the prowl for one of those but ended up sort of dissapointed with the wood I saw compared to my old '07 R9, ended up going with "old wood" in the form of this NOS '07 R4...

k.online · 05-12-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele Jr.

K,

I'm not quite able to capture the true beauty of the thing as I see it but here's some of my attempts...

(photos above)

It's a subtle but expressive peek a boo eastern maple top, also has a dark walnut back with straight even riftsawn grain, like it came from a large old growth tree, also fairly light at 8.75 lbs and has a very open hollow tone.

Neck shape is on the smaller side like a chunky R9 but has some slight shoulder to it so it's almost kind of a D shape.

With all of the feeding frenzy going on this year with the '09 R9's I actually started out on the prowl for one of those but ended up sort of dissapointed with the wood I saw compared to my old '07 R9, ended up going with "old wood" in the form of this NOS '07 R4...

OMFG...!!! As much as I love my goldtop, I must admit to some serious envy. Seriously, that is absolutely gorgeous. You already know my offer is standing... ;-)

Tele Jr. · 05-12-2009, 02:45 PM

I still am blown away and grateful that I found this thing, it's like a blessing from above. Looks, tone, feel, the total package.

I was gassing for a P-90 LP for the longest time and had the whole R4 vs R6 decision looming the whole time.

It was a little bit of a leap of faith to go with the R4 but now I'm so glad I did.

I love goldtops too and I think the R4 is the big daddy of them all so I actually still have a bit of R4 goldtop gas too. There's something about a goldtop that sort of makes my heart skip a beat when I see a nice one like yours.

So now I'm starting to get a hankering for a chambered R4 goldtop to go with the CR7...

neils · 05-12-2009, 09:53 PM

Oh boy is this R4 stuff is catching on. I just shook hands on a deal for an R4 Goldtop. It had been on eBay and was only 3 miles from where I work! That never happens does it? It didn't sell on eBay so I called and it was still there.

So tonight I saw it, played and I'll buy it. Now I gotta sell my Epi '56 GT P90 and maybe an Epi '57 RI Jr. Both have RS electrics and TonePros/Pigtail as well as other goodies. There is just something about that R4 though isn't there.

I'll post shots when I have it.

Neil

bluesjuke · 05-13-2009, 10:34 PM

Congrats Neil!
Looking foward to hearing about it and seeing it.

dwagar · 05-14-2009, 09:42 AM

I love R4s. Way to go man.

neils · 05-14-2009, 12:26 PM

Well I won't have my till next week. I now have 2 guitars to sell also. I'm selling these 2 to fund this R4. I'll put them in the FS section soon.

Both have full RS electronics, TonePros and the Jr has a JS Moore +5% P90 and it RIPS.

The R4 needs strings and an action raise. I'm not sure it ever got played. As it stands right now my '56 Epi sounds better unplugged than the R4. That will need to be addressed.

Question for R4 owners, has the stock bridge let you get the intonation correct? The Pigtail I put on that Epi Jr is just flat out excellent and I can do a nice fine adjustment. So how has the stock tail worked for you guys

Neil

neils · 05-14-2009, 01:46 PM

I meant to post these 2 shots of the guitars I have to sell. Ba Bye

Neil

k.online · 05-14-2009, 02:02 PM

I was down in Seattle yesterday hanging with Jay and the boys at Emerald City Guitars and played a boatload of cool Les Pauls. Two '70's P-90 Goldtops, '60's single and double cut Specials, a '56 Goldtop with a Bigsby and original strings (!!!!!), and original '59 and '60 Les Pauls...!!! Sorry for the crappy iPhone photos. Didn't bring a camera with me.

If anyone is looking for an R8, this one has it going on...!!!

I came home around midnight last night and my R4 blew me away all over again. IMO, the nicest guitar I played all day... ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by neils

Question for R4 owners, has the stock bridge let you get the intonation correct? The Pigtail I put on that Epi Jr is just flat out excellent and I can do a nice fine adjustment. So how has the stock tail worked for you guys

Neil

I adjusted mine to intonate the low E and B strings. The four other strings are "out" on the strobe tuner but by ear I can't hear a difference between the 12th fretted note and the harmonic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by agustin barrios

that is one of the prettiest guitars ive ever seen in the whole of this sight, tell me how big is the neck, compared to other les paul, if indeed you have tried others

I finally have a way to answer this question. The neck on my R4 is so big that a standard Kyser capo doesn't work at the 7th fret. I had to get the deluxe model with the little wheel and even then, the adjustment is all the way out.

Tele Jr. · 05-14-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.online

I came home around midnight last night and my R4 blew me away all over again. IMO, the nicest guitar I played all day... ;-)

How cool is that?

They did a comparison of vintage vs historic goldtops in Vintage Guitar a while back and they compared very favorably.

Neils, congratulations, excellent choice!

Tele Jr. · 05-14-2009, 04:23 PM

Check this out...

Vintage Guitar® magazine : Features :

05-08-2009, 06:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
k.online Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My new R4 Got the guitar last Saturday. A couple of jams this last week getting used to it, now tonight my first real gig. Everyone, and I mean everyone, came up to me to tell me how great I sounded tonight. Many didn't even notice I had a new guitar. After 25 years of playing, I have never been this comfortable with an instrument. All other guitars have now been sold except an old Silvertone and a J-45. Meet 'Johanna'.

05-08-2009, 06:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lefty Elmo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: upstate, ny Posts: 324 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 3 Posts	Re: My new R4 Congrats on your R4! I just bought an R6 last week, P90s are great pickups. __________________ "And you can tell Rolling Stone Magazine, my last words were...I'm on Drugs!!!!" "The Dude abides"

05-08-2009, 09:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Liam V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom Posts: 2,855 Thanks: 34 Thanked 24 Times in 9 Posts	Re: My new R4 Great looking guitar, got a real soft spot for the wrapover bridge guitars. Is that a 2009 model? Very authentic looking top carve. Liam

05-08-2009, 11:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
JustinMcCorkle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 282 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: My new R4 Wow beautiful guitar! Congrats. __________________ Possum in a bucket. It's what's for dinner. Justin McCorkle uses and recommends: Gibson Guitars Copley Guitars WCR Pickups In Tune Guitar Picks

05-08-2009, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
R9. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5,251 Thanks: 269 Thanked 222 Times in 38 Posts	Re: My new R4 Nice! What's up with the pointer? __________________ Historic Les Paul Database

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

05-08-2009, 06:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
SKATTERBRANE Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,869 Thanks: 62 Thanked 91 Times in 36 Posts	Re: My new R4 Oh! You are supposed to move the KNOBS? __________________ https://www.skatterbrane.com/pickups/index.php

05-09-2009, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Last Master Crafter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO. USA Posts: 3,463 Thanks: 172 Thanked 50 Times in 26 Posts	Re: My new R4 Stroll over to his amp & turn him down?

05-09-2009, 09:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
lewddude Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NEW YORK U.S.A. Posts: 694 Thanks: 24 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Re: My new R4 Congrats! What were you playing before this? Everyone says how great my guitar sounds as well. It's the p90's. They are just so full of... Gurth and life! __________________ 2007 Ebony Top R6

05-09-2009, 10:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
frankthomson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Camelot Posts: 986 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 sweeeeeeeet!!!!!! ...and i also HATE the pointers! __________________ My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

05-10-2009, 04:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
k.online Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 You can hear it in action on my MySpace, a clip recorded live at the Yale this afternoon with Oliver Conway from Incognito. I am playing slide on the R4, neck PU through a Lovepedal Eternity and a silverface Super Reverb. Kenneth Eckert on MySpace Music

05-10-2009, 11:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
agustin barrios Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 103 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 that is one of the prettiest guitars ive ever seen in the whole of this sight, tell me how big is the neck, compared to other les paul, if indeed you have tried others

05-10-2009, 05:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
tigerfan22001 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Muscle Shoals Posts: 459 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: My new R4 Nice, I want one of those.

05-10-2009, 07:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
bluesjuke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 325 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 You must shop in good places. Not often do you see an R4 in a store. Have a blaaaaaaassst!!!

05-11-2009, 12:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tele Jr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 K, Great photo's, she's a beauty, nice avatar too...

05-11-2009, 04:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tele Jr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here ya go... 4 7008 K, I'm not quite able to capture the true beauty of the thing as I see it but here's some of my attempts... It's a subtle but expressive peek a boo eastern maple top, also has a dark walnut back with straight even riftsawn grain, like it came from a large old growth tree, also fairly light at 8.75 lbs and has a very open hollow tone. Neck shape is on the smaller side like a chunky R9 but has some slight shoulder to it so it's almost kind of a D shape. With all of the feeding frenzy going on this year with the '09 R9's I actually started out on the prowl for one of those but ended up sort of dissapointed with the wood I saw compared to my old '07 R9, ended up going with "old wood" in the form of this NOS '07 R4...

05-12-2009, 02:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
Tele Jr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 I still am blown away and grateful that I found this thing, it's like a blessing from above. Looks, tone, feel, the total package. I was gassing for a P-90 LP for the longest time and had the whole R4 vs R6 decision looming the whole time. It was a little bit of a leap of faith to go with the R4 but now I'm so glad I did. I love goldtops too and I think the R4 is the big daddy of them all so I actually still have a bit of R4 goldtop gas too. There's something about a goldtop that sort of makes my heart skip a beat when I see a nice one like yours. So now I'm starting to get a hankering for a chambered R4 goldtop to go with the CR7...

05-12-2009, 09:53 PM	#23 (permalink)
neils Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 261 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: My new R4 Oh boy is this R4 stuff is catching on. I just shook hands on a deal for an R4 Goldtop. It had been on eBay and was only 3 miles from where I work! That never happens does it? It didn't sell on eBay so I called and it was still there. So tonight I saw it, played and I'll buy it. Now I gotta sell my Epi '56 GT P90 and maybe an Epi '57 RI Jr. Both have RS electrics and TonePros/Pigtail as well as other goodies. There is just something about that R4 though isn't there. I'll post shots when I have it. Neil

05-13-2009, 10:34 PM	#24 (permalink)
bluesjuke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 325 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 Congrats Neil! Looking foward to hearing about it and seeing it.

05-14-2009, 09:42 AM	#25 (permalink)
dwagar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: C eh? N eh? D eh? Posts: 4,960 Thanks: 28 Thanked 51 Times in 9 Posts	Re: My new R4 I love R4s. Way to go man. __________________ ------------ Don my favorite toys (one wants to be a '59, the other is a '59):

05-14-2009, 12:26 PM	#26 (permalink)
neils Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 261 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: My new R4 Well I won't have my till next week. I now have 2 guitars to sell also. I'm selling these 2 to fund this R4. I'll put them in the FS section soon. Both have full RS electronics, TonePros and the Jr has a JS Moore +5% P90 and it RIPS. The R4 needs strings and an action raise. I'm not sure it ever got played. As it stands right now my '56 Epi sounds better unplugged than the R4. That will need to be addressed. Question for R4 owners, has the stock bridge let you get the intonation correct? The Pigtail I put on that Epi Jr is just flat out excellent and I can do a nice fine adjustment. So how has the stock tail worked for you guys Neil

05-14-2009, 04:23 PM	#30 (permalink)
Tele Jr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My new R4 Check this out... Vintage Guitar® magazine : Features :

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode