2006 R0 on the way to me...

[mmcquain]

Happy Father's Day to me...
This baby will be here later this week. I hope I like the way it feels (you know how it goes when buying via eBay). I think it looks pretty nice (nice flame... I'm wondering if it is as red in person as the pics make it out to be - digital cameras often over do the reds on these tops IMO). So what do you guys think?

[shotgunlew]

BEAUTIFUL!

chris

[Mike60]

yaaaass!

I think you did okay. If you go for authentic looking flame, and beautiful rift sawn tops, glossy finish and R0s, I mean. And to add the fact that the tailpiece placement on Historics are only accurate to 1960 specs and all. Other than that.......

[mmcquain]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

I think you did okay. If you go for authentic looking flame, and beautiful rift sawn tops, glossy finish and R0s, I mean. And to add the fact that the tailpiece placement on Historics are only accurate to 1960 specs and all. Other than that.......

You're too funny... Yep, I hope I did well. I know for sure once I get it in hand and can feel how it plays. I'm wondering about the red in some of the pics (but imagine the picture in the case is probably a little more accurate for the finish color). I'm also wondering about the burstbuckers (2006 R0s did come with BB IIRC). Hey, do you remember when they started Pleking all the Historics? I'm thinking 2007 but haven't looked it up to be sure. Now as for the BB pups, I KNOW I like Classic 57s (in my Classic Antique and CS356) so I can always put 'em into this R0 if I decide to down the road. Anyway, I'll be posting full reports once the guitar actually get her.

Pleking started in 2006. The Burstbuckers starting in 2005 used Poly wire, they abandoned the PE wire in 2005. (I THINK the 57 Classics still use PE?) The R0 necks are quite nice medium C shape. I find the R0s have a more focused tone than the R9s and other Rs. I think the R0s are underrated and the best Gibson has to offer.

[mmcquain]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

Pleking started in 2006. The Burstbuckers starting in 2005 used Poly wire, they abandoned the PE wire in 2005. (I THINK the 57 Classics still use PE?) The R0 necks are quite nice medium C shape. I find the R0s have a more focused tone than the R9s and other Rs. I think the R0s are underrated and the best Gibson has to offer.

Oh OK, so I should have a pleked neck with BB pups... I just wasn't sure about the pleking. I'll see how the BB sound and maybe I'll keep it stock - I love the tones I've gotten out of a G0 that the Tampa GC has had for a while. It has BB pups and I just love it (but missed the flames on top - so hopefully this guitar will be the perfect fit). Thanks again for the info...

[decoy205]

You have good taste sir! That is a great top on that one.

More pics tone reports and review is necessary once you have that sucka.

[delawaregold]

Flame, grain, the top has character, 60 style neck,
60 hardware (which brings a premium in its self).
A very desirable guitar in this market. Nice catch.

[dukeastaire]

Congrats Mike! I know you're going to love it!

[jkinnison90]

Very nice!

[sapi]

Looks awesome bro i hope it sounds as fine as it looks for you. Congrats!
Best,
jo

[Mike60]

...well?....

[mmcquain]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...well?....

The big brown UPS truck should be pulling into the driveway this afternoon... pics to come this weekend.

[Stowburst]

Originally Posted by mmcquain

The big brown UPS truck should be pulling into the driveway this afternoon... pics to come this weekend.

This is one of the best bits about getting a guitar sent to you.. as soon as you see "the truck" you start to get ready...

Fair play man... pics

[mmcquain]

The flame on this one if tricky to photograph as it changes based on the angle (from something of a
plain top in places to a fairly strong flame in the same spot viewed from the other side). I've tried to
get the color as close as possible to the real thing. It is certainly a cherryburst with plenty of reds in it.

It plays about like you'd expect a Historic 2006 to play (it's been pleked) but it really could use a setup to
get it "just right". The weight is nice (9 lbs 1 ounce on my postage scales). This is a gloss model and is
actually a nice change from a lot of the VOS models' "gunk" that I'm used to seeing these days.

The pictures below try to show the flame from various angles going around the top. I've also taken the
pickguard off so you can see how that side of the body looks as well. As for it being a "keeper" or not,
the jury is still out on that. I'm continuing to look around at different R0s to see if I find something that
I like better. I like the amount of flame on this top but it may be a little too cherry red for my personal
tastes (guess I'm bias after having so many honeybursts over the past several years).

Anyway, that's the latest. Sorry I'm behind posting these pics. Been busy with vacation Bible school
at church last week and this week I've been having back/leg nerve problems (it sucks getting old ).

I'll post a tone report tomorrow (need to get to bed now). But you can compare my pics below with
those from the eBay seller that I posted above. That should give you a really good idea of the overall
look of this guitar:

[mmcquain]

[LPCollector]

She is a beauty....congrats on getting her home!

[Gunner]

She's a keeper for sure Dude. Nice grab!

[Mike60]

very nice...

the cherry is too dark?nonsense...

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by Mike60

very nice...

the cherry is too dark?nonsense...

Really brother, how can the cherry be too dark?
Me likey, of course its cherry for me or nuthin. Well I wouldnt kick a lemonburst out the door. But cherries are where its at with me.
Maybe someday I'll learn to like a tobacco, but I doubt it, I dont look good in brown.

[mmcquain]

I never said the cherry was too "dark" just that "it may be a little too cherry red for my personal tastes (guess I'm bias after having so many honeybursts..."

I'm still seeing what I think overall... it certainly has potential

[Mike60]

my only beef about cherry sunbursts are is Gibson gives them Washed Cherry,not a true cherry sunburst.Unless you get one that's been sprayed on the darker side I think they don't look right.

[mmcquain]

Quick Tone Report...
I finally got around to comparing this R0 with BurstBuckers to the Classic 57's in my CS-356 and really like the sound of both. They are certainly different but both are cool. The R0 is "darker" where the Classic 57/356 combo is "brighter" with more harmonic overtones. The 57's seem to do pinch harmonics better (but the R0 can certainly get 'em too).

Since I only had a chance to compare these 2 guitars I can't say that the differences are due to the different pickups or if they have more to do with the 356 being semi-hollow or what. In some ways I would say the R0/BB pups are warmer sounding and would be great for a more laid back blues sound. Where the 356/57's are a little more in your face and would be good for some rock-n-roll.

Of course, I always thought the 57's were warm sounding compared to a lot of other guitars so I'm a little surprised at my findings. Both guitars are similar when you go to the neck pup and roll back the tone (ala "woman tone") but the 57's seem to keep their edge just slightly more than the BurstBuckers.... very interesting.

Now for the bottom line - I think it would be great to have both types of pickups in my lineup. However, I'm to the point financially that I'm probably going to have to sell the R0 since I haven't yet been able to sell either my Custom Premium Plus or Taylor T5. The wife is really on my case and we've got some bills and since I'm now working for myself after being laid off it is tough. I was starting to bond more with the R0 after playing it some more but can't say that I feel like it is "the one" for me (probably also due to the top being a little more cherry and I'm more of a honeyburst kinda' guy). So all that combined leads me to say it's time to try to move the R0 as I've got to get some cash flow soon! So my loss is going to be somebody's gain...