Gibson Custom Shop Original Flame Top Bass

[Chris P.]

I know about the Doublecut Jr. shape, but I compared it to the Gretsch for wood type and overall looks and to the Hamer just to get this bass into the picture..

That EB looks totally natural with that added pick up. Nice!

[dadagoboi]

I know about the Doublecut Jr. shape, but I compared it to the Gretsch for wood type and overall looks and to the Hamer just to get this bass into the picture..

That EB looks totally natural with that added pick up. Nice!

Thanks, I have some 5A Flame veneer on order.  It will NOT be making an appearance on mine.

Here's a pic I found on the web of another '60.  That bridge, relocated strap button and body edge reradius are all bad ideas.  Nice pg though.

[uwe]

Very observant of you, Dave, I was thinking the same thing ...



That limey luthier who went to California and did the Gibson West Coast Custom Shop for some years. It's very much his handwriting, the kitsch maple top, DiMarzio pups, but retaining the trusted three point, the brownish back color - all ingredients shared by my Explorer. Even the CS logo is as on my Explorer (there are further pics on the linked dealer site at the start of this thread, just not very obviously presented, this is where I took this from):



The big dif was that the Explorer was a lovingly done fake after the WCCS had ceased to exist for 2.000 bucks and this here is so far a mystery for 5.OOO bucks. With the Explorer I accepted to be very likely getting a well-executed fake, with this I have to be sure at the price.

Geddy Lee with a short scale? You need a lot of Passages to Bangkok to believe that. If the Rush connection is true than I'm more likely to think that Alex Lifeson asked for something like that to try out bass parts for his compositions, guitarists like short scale basses.

[uwe]

I think it's a short scale, it's a small body.

Here's my 1960, again...at age 50 the intonation with the original bridge is xlnt w/ long scale Rotosounds, I like it's simplicity. The bridge pup is a from a '68 Tele bass.  Replaced the original banjo tuners with Schallers in 1965.

That is very tasteful, slanted pup and all! Compliments!!!

[dadagoboi]

That is very tasteful, slanted pup and all! Compliments!!!

Thanks, I'll tell it to the 26 year old hippie who did it with a chisel, hand drill, sandpaper and a Preval spray bottle.  Didn't need much for tools in those days.

BTW, Bananas is a reputable vendor, I do see a Gibson logo on the headstock and the back shot is exactly like mine.  So it's possible.  Geddy? who knows, different horses for courses.  The best example of a '60 EBO I've ever seen is JAE's in Bass Culture, wouldn't think of him as a short scale player.  But I would agree, Lifeson more likely if it's authentic.  That said $5K is crazy for that,um, thing.  Really sweet Explorer!

[Highlander]

Very similar top, too... caveat emptor...

[Dave W]

Okay, I didn't see the links to the other photos. Definitely the same luthier, and I'll bet it's also a lovingly done fake like the Explorer you bought. Especially with that same unconvincing custom shop logo. Custom job, yes, just not Gibson-made.

[gearHed289]

Please!  Come on, guys, it's a doublecut Junior shape. Period. The Curlee, Washburn and Malcolm Young Gretsch were influenced by the Junior, not the other way around.

Yup. If it looks like anything besides a Gibson, it is hands down Hamer.



The Rush connection seems like total BS. I know Geddy has mentioned being interested in something with the simplicity of one pickup like a Ric 4000 in recent years, but a short scale with neck mounted humbucker seems extremely unlikely. I suppose it could have been for Lifeson.

[uwe]

I've written an email to Bananas, to Gibson and to Giffin Guitars (the luthier from the West Coast Custom Shop). Let's see what they say.

[Dave W]

Roger Giffin! I had forgotten that he was the luthier in question. Quite a talented builder.

[Highlander]

I guess we'll see if push comes to shove...

[uwe]

Roger Giffin sent me a kind email:

"Hello Uwe.
   That one does look like something I might have done, but to be honest, I can't say for certain that I did build it.  I kept no records of the instruments I made back at the Custom Shop, and it's highly unlikely that Gibson would be able to shed any light on it.  So I think the best we can do is to say that it may have been one of mine, but I wouldn't want to give any guarantee on that!
  All the best.............Roger"

[Chris P.]

Well, that mail could give an answer.

[uwe]

I read his answer as "this might very well have been me, but please don't base a purchase decision on that". Which is fair enough.

[OldManC]

I read the same thing. He seems like a nice guy and it's cool that he's always good about responding to your questions.