'56 Goldtop

[rlw]

This thread sure sends a positive message about dealing with Clive. The fact that he believes in 100% customer satisfaction, and runs his business like a pro, makes him a stand up guy to deal with. Nice!

Totally agree. Knowing what he now knows he advised me against buying another of his guitars; that's what I call real customer service.

We are now playing with the idea of modifying another Epi - to be decided upon - to create my perfect sounding guitar.

 

[Dolebludger]

I think the 56 GT needs to be better understood by players than it is. My Epi 56 GT (as it came, out of the box) appeared and sounded as close to the original Gibson 56 GT as costs would allow. Very close indeed. I know, because I gigged with a Gibson 56 GT in the very early 60s.

The guitar music of the late 50s and early 60s involved tones not as rich and deep as those of today, and they had less sustain. In stock form, my 56 GT was totally incompatible with the Mesa Nomad amp I had then. I wanted a 56 GT "for old times sake" and didn't want to spend $3000 for a Gibson, so I didn't return it. I modded it. SD noise canceling pups added a bit of tonal depth and richness, and got rid of "P 90 buzz". an improved bridge, TP, and nut added to the sustain. POI caps helped too, as did some rewiring.

Only after these mods was I able to get "late 50s tones" and modern tones. Bottom line, a stock Epi 56 GT will get you a vintage late 50s tone, but may not get the modern tones you seek Play before you buy, or else be prepared for some mods.

 

[Dolebludger]

Let me add that a change in amps greatly helped the tone of my Epi 56 GT ( and that of other guitars as well), given my style of playing. Still, the Epi 56 LP has its own distinctive tone (even with the mods and the amp changes) that some love and others not so much.

Also, I have bought numerous items from vendors on this board (though not yet from the vendor here). Always had a good experience, so will continue to see what vendors here have to offer before I buy.

 

[charlie chitlins]

'50's tones notwithstanding....some huge rock and roll tones have come from vintage P90s.
I'm thinking Leslie West (Mountain) and Ariel Bender (Mott the Hoople).
Granted, these are tones that come from cranked amps, and that might not be what the OP is after.
I guess it's a matter of personal taste and what one is used to, so everybody is entitled to that....but, thin and hollow sounding?
Hard to imagine a LP with P90s set to the neck pickup sounding thin and hollow!

 

[Dolebludger]

Yes, clearly the amps of the 50s were a big part of the 50s guitar staccato tone.
But even through a custom built modern amp, and with mods to to the 56 GT, it sounds different than a LP with humbuckers. I think it sounds great, however. But not all players may think so.

The OP hasn't said what amp he is using, and I suspect it is one with a tone verging on "thin and hollow". It may sound OK with a humbucker- equipped guitar, but not with P 90s. And I'll bet that amp sounds thin and hollow with a Tele!

 

[cybermgk]

But I'm having a great time with a loaned LP Special with P90s although it, too, doesn't go so deep.

Stock '56 GT P90s (older MIK Epis) are not going to sound like Most Gibson P90s Today. Gibby current tday P90s hava a lot more lower end, and are a little bit more mid scooped. I like them, specially for Clean and semi clean tones.

And neither are going to be as low end fat as most Humbuckers. IMHO, that is their allure, that raunchy, mid sizzling larger high end tone.

 

[Unsung Heroes]

The OP hasn't said what amp he is using, and I suspect it is one with a tone verging on "thin and hollow".

Cornford Harlequin and a Fender Deluxe 90 DSP. On both I was getting a woody resonance at a far higher frequency than my Studio.

 

[Dolebludger]

Ops -- missed a post by the OP.

 

[rlw]

Thanks for all your comments everyone. It really is very complicated in that so many things have an effect. Yesterday I tried a 2014 Goldtop Pro with P90s and a fatter neck into a Marshall amp and what a difference. Maybe the pickups are revised, obviously the amp is very different but I was quite impressed nonetheless.

But maybe I'm not a P90 fan; I just don't know. I also played a 2015 Gibson LP Deluxe Goldtop with mini humbuckers and with the boost on the sound was just so. If these things are a kind of half way house, maybe thats the way to go.

Again, kudos to Clive for being a top bloke to deal with.