Replicas and Conversions..

[homenote]

dl post

 

[homenote]

I'm going to say replicas. I would rather see an early 50's LP (or any guitar for that matter) restored to what it originally was rather than changed into something it's not. I think that the originals have been studied enough now that a good luthier with the correct attention to detail can accurately replicate the original techniques and build quality. The key here as honenote has said is break in.

 

[homenote]

I'm not understanding this thread at all.
Isn't a conversion in a way a replica that's guaranteed to be made with old wood?
Unless the conversion finish or "plugs" are messed up, why wouldn't it be closer to a burst in tone?

No, you understand completely, The replica would have to have OG /wood. (Pun)

At this point we are talking very subtle but still present details.

But as OCD as this place can get at times, on things like 'vintage correctness' I'm simply stating, IMHO, that the replica, after it ages, is closer. Yes i am talking about things like 'routing looking suspect', size, location, stuff with the neck , holes being filled (plugs) and rerouted etc.

And that's all before getting into the (IMO) more important areas, like, tone and feel.
My question is, at some point, isn't it, at least a toss up, between a Real Great Burst, Great Conversion and a Great Replica after break in?

To widen the scope a bit, how long before we start hearing terms like a vintage Replica or 'one of the good ones' or "this is a early spring, 'x2, Italian wanker? or a Pre BM JG or a Pre AZ GY or a 'pre AZ DJ post AFD MAX?'

 

[bossaddict]

We're in the "Other Single-Cuts" section, so I'm not too surprised by some of the responses, but here is my take.

With both "builds," you're making a TOM, dual humbucker guitar out of a body/neck. The replica might be built out of all the right stuff, but the conversion is a 1950's Les Paul. Your sticking the ABR-1/TOM and making the PAF routes out of an actual 1950's Les Paul.

I'm just not seeing how a replica could ever be closer to a burst even if it's made from old growth wood, etc. It might be very close or maybe even just as close... but closer? Maybe if we're talking about a '52/'59 conversion in which the neck has to be reset, but otherwise, I don't see it.

YMM(and probably will)V

 

[homenote]

We're in the "Other Single-Cuts" section, so I'm not too surprised by some of the responses, but here is my take.

With both "builds," you're making a TOM, dual humbucker guitar out of a body/neck. The replica might be built out of all the right stuff, but the conversion is a 1950's Les Paul. Your sticking the ABR-1/TOM and making the PAF routes out of an actual 1950's Les Paul.

I'm just not seeing how a replica could ever be closer to a burst even if it's made from old growth wood, etc. It might be very close or maybe even just as close... but closer? Maybe if we're talking about a '52/'59 conversion in which the neck has to be reset, but otherwise, I don't see it.

YMM(and probably will)V

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[VictorB]

I should think there will be replica's and conversions that sound closer to an original Burst than some original Bursts!

They don't all sound the same, you know!

Blasphemy!

 

[Mosster47]

My personal experience is an acoustic guitar won't start to reach its tone capability until it has been together for ten years. At that point you know if you have a good guitar or a turd.

I don't think an electric would be all that much different.

 

[homenote]

My personal experience is an acoustic guitar won't start to reach its tone capability until it has been together for ten years. At that point you know if you have a good guitar or a turd.

I don't think an electric would be all that much different.

 

[Big John]

Conversion over replica, but that sometimes can depend on who does the work. There's a number of shops that do A-1 conversions, but there's also some real idiots that cater to the cheap seats.

Same goes for replica builders. Great quality if you know where to go, and lots of hacks & crooks with hand tools if you don't.

 

[homenote]

Conversion over replica, but that sometimes can depend on who does the work. There's a number of shops that do A-1 conversions, but there's also some real idiots that cater to the cheap seats.

Same goes for replica builders. Great quality if you know where to go, and lots of hacks & crooks with hand tools if you don't.

I can remember a set of tools being sold off, by one of the greats, that were supposedly pretty crusty POS, as I recall- but I see yer point and know you have had the luxury of frequenting, a pretty kick ass, A-1 shop.
(Ya Lucky BAStard!)

 

[SingeMonkey]

Bursts sounded great when they were new. Age has nothing to do with it. People didn't start wanting bursts because of how they started to sound recently. They wanted them because of how they sounded in 1965 the whole time.

If a quality replica is made with the same old growth wood as the originals it'll come down to the individual guitars. If you convert from a '52 you have to reset the neck anyway, so presumably you'll lose some of the '50s 'magic mojo' at that point.

 

[Big John]

I can remember a set of tools being sold off, by one of the greats, that were supposedly pretty crusty POS...

Yeah, and what some noticed at the time was that the most important tools (the jigs) never went on the block. Those jigs are decades in the making, and are pretty much worth their weight in gold in replica circles.

 

[homenote]

Bumping my on thread for more poll votes.

Also, i never got around to the reason i was asking. I think i found a way to accelerate the 'gel time' i did it to my GY and wholly **** did it really open up!

 

[alexanderja]

and that method is................. ?

 

[refin]

My personal experience is an acoustic guitar won't start to reach its tone capability until it has been together for ten years. At that point you know if you have a good guitar or a turd.

I don't think an electric would be all that much different.

I agree.
I had a '52 that was just piggy....lifeless pups,weighed a ton.Probably had sounded that was since the day it was made.
On the other hand,my current '55 conversion has the same woody timbre that my old '59 burst had,and it barely weighs 8 lbs.

 

[d1m1]

we're in the "other single-cuts" section, so i'm not too surprised by some of the responses, but here is my take.

With both "builds," you're making a tom, dual humbucker guitar out of a body/neck. The replica might be built out of all the right stuff, but the conversion is a 1950's les paul. Your sticking the abr-1/tom and making the paf routes out of an actual 1950's les paul.

I'm just not seeing how a replica could ever be closer to a burst even if it's made from old growth wood, etc. It might be very close or maybe even just as close... But closer? Maybe if we're talking about a '52/'59 conversion in which the neck has to be reset, but otherwise, i don't see it.

Ymm(and probably will)v

+1000

 

[d1m1]

what is closer to an original AC Cobra? an original AC Corba with changed cobra parts? or a replica AC Cobra made half century later by someone somewhere in the world? can be ever any replica car closer to an original oltimer than the original oldtimer it self? no matter if restored or tuned..

a lets say 1956 lp routed for paf´s and refinished to burst is still an orig. 50´s genuine gibson les paul, made with out discontinuation, by the same guys, in the same factory, with the same tools, woods, materials etc.. it is in fact a tuned genuine 50s gibson les paul.

also what means closer? even orig. burst vary all over the place. same as all orig. 50´s les pauls do.

replicas are great guitars and some of them are for sure "better" than some orig. 50´s lp´s since originals vary as well as replicas do, but when it comes to "closer" then there is absolutely no question. it is even funny to discuss it.

 

[refin]

If a GREAT replica builder can find wood that is as old as used on the '50s bursts,and makes a painstaking recreation,down to the hide glue,neck angle,blah blah-woof woof- quack quack .....electronics ,"bees" (gag)----
It will be a wonderful guitar.NOT retopped/refinned .............and I have had an original and have a conversion,and played replicas.They have ALL been good,if MADE good.
Having said all that-----I love my Gibbies.

 

[Cookie-boy]

If they are made of the same wood, metal and plastic of course they can sound similar. And I use the word "similar" because no two guitars are ever identical in looks or sound, ever.

 

[Wolf ^_^]

I think conversions are nice when they are done to badly treated Guitars but if not I just don't see why messing with a perfectly playable vintage instrument that has tons of value on its own tone wise and Historic wise

I voted for old growth wood replica

PS:I am probably wrong, I just said the stuff above becuase I like goldtops too much