Deluxe Goldtop conversion to 69 (ish)

[bossaddict]

I just thought I would share a small project that I just completed. Last year, I bought a new '12 Deluxe Goldtop Limited Run on closeout. I really liked the guitar, but I decided that I wanted it to be a little closer to the specs of the original '68-'70 models that I have always had a thing for. I don't have a detailed "Before" picture, but here it is before the mods:

Here is a summary of the mods:

• Replaced the speed knobs with gold, silver-topped reflectors and knob pointers
• Replaced the stock Nashville bridge with a TonePros AVR-style bridge with their version of nylon saddles
• Swapped out the weird Neutrik output jack for a normal Switchcraft and a Gibson Historic jack plate

Here are the results:

Not a huge change, but I'm very happy with it!

The one thing that I couldn't match is the large Norlin headstock that was on the vast majority of these. In doing some research, I found that there were a fair number of these in the very early runs that had small headstocks, so whatever.

 

[DRB]

Nice job. Great vintage touch.

 

[elcajon64]

Looks cool! I dig the pointers.

 

[moonweasel]

Looks great!

Icing on the cake would be these (like the originals had): Kluson 3x3 Nickel Pearl Double Ring Tuners SD90SLNDR | eBay

I think you would have to use "conversion" bushings to make them work with your modern, Kluson drilled headstock.

Nice!

 

[theycallmegio]

yeah I love pointers, I have them on my standard.

 

[bossaddict]

yeah I love pointers, I have them on my standard.

Yeah, I added them on this one and my two standards. Almost seems like they should just come that way like they used to. They seemed to go out roughly with the ABR-1 or maybe the harmonica bridge.

 

[catmandu]

Looks awsome, love the GT, I'm gonna have one someday!

 

[kerokero]

Looks great. I'm sure it sounds great too! Been craving a goldtop for a minute now...think I may have to take the plunge!

 

[christophervolume]

nice. first two things i do with gibsons: raise the bridge pickup 90% of the time, throw on pointers if they don't have them.

 

[marantz1300]

That looks like a Norlin headstock.
My ex 71/72 with double rings.


Embossed covers are pure 72.They had them on mini's too.

 

[bossaddict]

That looks like a Norlin headstock.
My ex 71/72 with double rings.

Nice! I suppose mine is hard to see because of the wall hanger covering the base of the headstock, but it's definitely thinner than the Norlins like yours. Did you change out the mini's?

 

[marantz1300]

No.It was like that when I got it .
I had another with mini's.

 

[bosrocker51]

@bossaddict - very nice job! Looks great!

Is the one you modded made in 2010? I understand Gibson changed their finishes in 2005 to a non-nitro that is a bitch to strip off...

If you see the checking Marantz1300 has on his, it looks like a true vintage.

 

[HRC]

Gibson changed their finishes in 2005 to a non-nitro that is a bitch to strip off...

That's news to me.

 

[bossaddict]

@bossaddict - very nice job! Looks great!

Is the one you modded made in 2010? I understand Gibson changed their finishes in 2005 to a non-nitro that is a bitch to strip off...

If you see the checking Marantz1300 has on his, it looks like a true vintage.

Thanks! No, mine is a 2012. I wasn't really going for a relic job - just changing the hardware out to match the vintage ones, so I don't know about the finish. I do like the checking on the real deals, though.

 

[Bigsby'd]

Gibson still shoots nitro.

 

[CRobbins]

Looks good. I once owned a 1969 Deluxe GT.

 

[cgaglio]

Nice guitar, I am in the process of doing the same thing with my 2012 Traditional in heritage cherrry.
is the tonepros AVR2 that you used a direct replacement for the existing nashville bridge?
thx,

 

[bossaddict]

Nice guitar, I am in the process of doing the same thing with my 2012 Traditional in heritage cherrry.
is the tonepros AVR2 that you used a direct replacement for the existing nashville bridge?
thx,

The TonePros NVR2 thumbscrew posts should just screw into the existing Nashville studs.