NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Got the guitar Friday, but I've been busy and didn't get a chance to sit down with it.

1963 Gibson Melody Maker Sunburst
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Weighs in at 5 lbs 12 ounces.

The nut width of the guitar is 1 5/8. The neck is somewhere between '50s rounded and a '60s neck. Feels comfortable and plays like butter. The guitar is definitely responsive and resonate. I was a little worried about getting a dud in the mail. It's just one of those gambits you take with online orders. Wood figure is what you would expect out of a 53 year old guitar. The sunburst is gorgeous and the checking is the cherry on top.
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Bridge pickup reads around 7.3k. I'm floored by how sensitive it is to pick attack. You can get a warm/fat tone by backing off a little and then get a crisp bite by digging in. Very clear and articulate. It's different from your typical strat or tele single coil, but in a good way. I love how it sounds through the "Lightning" channel of my amp. It's a lovey jangle for sure. My only complaint is that the pickup doesn't take dirt well. I ran it through my Plexitone and it actively resists to overdrive/distort as the gain knob is turned.
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The tuners are original, but are starting to get stiff from age. The bridge isn't original and since the studs are worn, I might swap it out in the near future. The tuners might go as well. Minor upgrades in the grand scheme. Parts wear out. No big d.
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All in all, a great guitar. Always nice to add a little history into the stable . I'm up to 2 Gibsons and 2 partscaster. Hoping I get a pointy and a PRS sometime soon haha. Different tools for different trades.
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Various replacement pickups exist for the Gibson Melody Maker that look standard but sound like a P90. Bwa-ha-ha-haaaa!
 
NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Way ahead of you good sir. A p90 with a "modern" baseplate may fit the route without any modification. I have two p90s that are roughly the same age as the guitar. Just got to order the pickguards \m/



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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Those are killer guitars, and it's nice that it hasn't been hacked, as many have been. If you learn to play with the pickup, you'll be fine. If it isn't cutting it in certain ways, a Duncan Pickup Booster will do a world of wonders for it.
 
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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Thanks guys. I'll definitely look into a pickup booster for the original pickups. Luckily, all I have to do is remove the ground to separate the guitar from the harness. I'll leave those other solder points intact.

I am looking into other alternatives. The fralin sp 42-43 caught my eyes. Would the neck version kill me in the bridge position?


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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Man, I really suggest that you just leave that thing as it is and learn to rock it. There any number of modern guitars, even ones that are very similar to that one, that you can play with and mod to your heart's content. Getting this practically untouched example that has survived 53 years of possible mods, and then modding it anyhow, would just be sad and dumb in my opinion.
 
NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Edit: I picked up a pickup booster. Any tips to address the issues with the tuners and bridge posts?
 
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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

These things are great. As a lefty this would be the one righty type vintage guitar I would look at......a bridge swap and a nut recut and it works with no access issues.
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

In a way it's a good thing that I didn't find one of those. I would absolutely swap the tuners & bridge, and I'd probably install a Hot Rails just for extra fun.
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

does a guitar with those type of tuners stay in tune very well?
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

It stays in tune pretty well. It's holding up to moderate bending. The tuners are extremely stiff though. I bought the guitar to play and if the tuners remain stiff, I'll remove them for functionality. I'm not looking to bust new holes in the guitar, but some of the hardware is dated for sure.


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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Pretty cool looking old friend to get. Enjoy it well.
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Like I said in your other thread,the '60-ish model I had was mangled hard(2 HB/Proto Floyd,far more worn/finish checked),& it was still one of the best guitars I've ever played,much less owned.
Still miss it,but it went towards my LPCstm(trade + ca$h).

"If" I ran across it again,I'd snake it back up in a heartbeat!

+ another for "unmolested",although you do have to get it functional(studs,etc)...

Lerv it,tho, brings back fond memories!!!

Enjoy!
:D
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

In a way it's a good thing that I didn't find one of those. I would absolutely swap the tuners & bridge, and I'd probably install a Hot Rails just for extra fun.

For people like you, there are more modern MM's that can be 'butchered' without a worry;)
 
Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Thanks for the kind words guys. My lightning channel was specifically made for this guitar. It's a match made in heaven.

+ another for "unmolested",although you do have to get it functional(studs,etc)...

Yeah, luckily it's only the studs and tuners that are worn out. The pots still sound great and the pickup itself isn't microphonic.

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Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

It stays in tune pretty well. It's holding up to moderate bending. The tuners are extremely stiff though. I bought the guitar to play and if the tuners remain stiff, I'll remove them for functionality. I'm not looking to bust new holes in the guitar, but some of the hardware is dated for sure.


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thanks - I was always curious about those kind of tuners
 
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