Black Beauty / "Fretless Wonder" '54 Re-issue(2003 Model)
Written: Apr 03 '04 (Updated Apr 11 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Excellent construction; fabulous fretboard; versatile tone; definitely not just a nostalgia piece!; looks stunning!
Cons: HEAVY!
Rough nut needed a little work.
The Bottom Line: An often overlooked model that has a very versatile range of tones from "Les & Chet" to Rock-a-billy or even grungy Neil Young! Truly does its "ancestor" justice.
|
|
|
| bluebmwz4's Full Review: Gibson 57 Les Paul Custom Beauty Electric Guitar G... |
This model is a re-issue of one of the solid-body electric guitars that kicked it all off back in the early '50's, and it does it's "ancestor" proud. It is based on the model built from 1954-57. If anything, with quality control (and computer machining) as it is nowadays, I would have to say (as a guitar tech) that these re-releases seem somewhat better than many of the originals in terms of consistency. (even Les Paul himself has been heard to say so!) However, this is not the place to start arguing about the merits of "Old vs New". I'll stick to the facts about this particular guitar that I feel fortunate enough to own.
This 2 Single-coil pickup version was built before the true hey-day of the Les Paul. (the era started by Seth Lover, when he designed and built the humbucker that would revolutionize Rock'n'Roll for a whole generation via the '59-'60 Sunburst Les Pauls) The Bridge p/up is a classic P-90, while the neck has an Alnico V p/up that I personally have to say that I've rarely (if ever) seen on other Gibson models. Maybe someone in the know can fill me in on this point?
According to Tony Bacon's excellent book "50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul", this was the guitar that Les himself wanted built back in '52, but had to wait an additional 2 years to finally get one in black. Having said that, it's very easy to picture him sitting and pickin'-away on this guitar, as it has both a sound and tone that can be immediately recognized as his. A smooth, jazzy tone from the neck p/up, and a raunchy, biting tone from the bridge p/up that I don't have to describe to any P-90 afficionados.
The real original "Les" sound, however, comes from the middle position, and is quite unique among the multitude of "Les Paul" versions available through the years. A simply delicious woody tone is the only way I can describe the overall sound of this guitar. It can make a grown man cry! Perhaps it's due to its body-construction as much as anything, as it was the only carved-top model to have been built out of solid Mahogany, without a Maple cap. That first appeared on the Gold-tops, and has continued to this day. Mind you, being all Mahogany, it is heavy, and I mean HEAVY! Definitely not something you want hanging around your neck for too long while standing on a stage. It's a sit-down only model for me, at least.
To the overall construction : The neck is what these early "Fretless-Wonders" were all about. Although it has the early "Baseball-bat" style thick neck, (which I personally like) it has one of the smoothest playing actions I've ever come across, (that's how it earned its nickname. It felt "fretless") and can only be likened to some of Mr. Reed-Smith's guitars in terms of playability. The frets are substantial but very low, allowing for the action to also be set very low if required. A beautifully smooth Ebony fingerboard only adds to this feeling of speed. Of course, being a Custom model, it also has the usual "Split-Diamond" headstock design. It's a great place to visit at any time!
The carved-top body is very well-finished, with excellent binding, no visible flaws in the paint-work and first-rate Gold hardware including Gold Grover Tuners. (has there ever been a better tuner?) The bridge, of course, is a Tune-O-Matic style, with the usual "Bar & Stud" tailpiece, all very familiar to guitarists everywhere. It all comes together in a very handsome "Historic Series" hard-case.
Although not as versatile as a Strat, Les Paul's have always had their place in Rock music, (even with their limited range of tones in the humbucker versions. The PRS's and Hamers kill them here!) but this model often seems to have been overlooked in favor of its more famous cousins. It's a shame, because it can hold its own against pretty much anything out there, even now! There are quite a number of old rockers who still prefer the sound of their P-90's to humbuckers, (even if they are a little on the noisy side!) but this model sounds different again because of the Alnico V (P-90 prototype?) pickup at the neck. Anything from "As clear as a bell" to hard-Rocking Dave Edmunds etc.
I have to say that it's a pleasant change to come across a Les Paul that is so well put together, and both plays & sounds as it should. I've come across (and worked on) some real dog Les Pauls over the years, so it's refreshing to find that there are still some great ones out there. The only adjustments I've made to this one were to grab the nut-files and lower the slots a fraction, plus a tad of neck straightening . The nut was both a little tight and high at first for the recommended 10-46's, but now complements the low action perfectly.
One noted "Black Beauty" player from the '70's who almost always gets overlooked is JAN AKKERMAN, from the Dutch instrumental band FOCUS. He played a '57 version (fitted with Gretsch Filtertron pickups!!) and if you really want to hear just what is possible on one of these amazing necks, just listen to Jan playing on "HOCUS POCUS" or "TOMMY" from the FOCUS album, "MOVING WAVES". Simply amazing speed, dexterity, emotion AND taste from one of the World's (still) greatest guitarists. A little plug here for Jan's 1999 album, PASSION.....one of the greatest acoustic guitar albums ever released. Tears your heart out!
In summing up, I have to say that I do not understand just what made this guitar's previous owner sell it! Maybe he was into Heavy Metal. These pickups are NOT really suitable for that genre! Or maybe it was the high nut? I never ceased to be amazed at the excuses some people use to justify selling what is a 90% spot-on guitar! A little bit of TLC goes a long way. Anyway, I can't complain, as it's given me access to some superb instruments at next-to-nothing prices!
I picked it up used when it was just 4 months old, with all the Historical documentation (and labels) still intact, and at 70% of the new price! (Here in Tokyo, where I live) It is a first-rate, beautifully built instrument with a great neck, (well-dressed frets, no dead or high spots) that I feel very fortunate to now own. It can handle just about anything you throw at it. Highly recommended.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
bluebmwz4
|
|
Member: Steve Tracy
Location: Tachikawa, Japan
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Guitar-tech. Had 'em all! Personal favorite, JOHN SUHR Classic Strat. Build Warmoth's for fun.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.