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Topic: Gibson Console Grande legs |
Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 1:13 pm |
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I'm trying to find out what is the normal leg attachment scheme on a Gibson Console Grande (late '40s/early '50s?, sunburst, black P-90s, silver-backed fbs, Don Helms-style except triple-8).
Photos below show the bottom with 2 closeups of leg "sockets" (closeups are both of what is the upper right socket in larger pic). That's bare wood inside there. Before I order a set of legs, I need to know what I've got here.
Original, ingenious adaptation or cockamamie jury-rig?
Thanks in advance for the Wisdom of the Forum.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
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Rich Sullivan
From:
Nelson, NH 03457
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 2:38 pm
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| That looks to be original, with some parts missing. The bolt/nut in the middle of each wooden strip is missing a lever, which when turned, would act as a cam and push a metal strip outwards and pinch the legs, holding them in place. Also, the original legs were not adjustable. IMHO, it really was a poor design. The original legs have always been wobbly on any CG I have seen. Maybe they worked better when they were new, and not wallowed out (?) I have many CG's that I have upgraded with modern screw-in, adjustable legs. The only way to go. |
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Chris Scruggs
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 4:47 pm
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Mr. Console Grande himself, Don Helms, had Bobbe Seymour put new legs and sockets on his guitar about ten years agoas the old Gibson legs are notoriously wobbly.
CS |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 5:12 pm
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Ben, these guys are telling you right - the old style pop-in legs and sockets are poorly designed and problematical.
The later models had the screw-in type and work fine.
The best thing to do would be get new sockets and legs.
Don Burrows makes the best legs and sockets - http://bsgsteelguitars.com/sslegs.htm |
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Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 6:23 pm
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Thanks for the info. Now what I see makes a little more sense. [EDIT--Chris and Rick have weighed in while I was writing something that's now unnecessary.]
I've seen Don Burrows' name here on the Forum but since this CG is a bit of a project, I figured I'd better get a good look instead of just blindly ordering a set of CG legs to go.
Now I know and thanks to all you Forum Wizards.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 6:34 pm
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You'll need sockets and legs - and somebody who knows what they're doing to install the sockets, because some careful routing and rasping will be required to fit them properly.
Don is very knowledgeable about these things and he can advise you. He has made several sets of legs and sockets for me, and he always makes sure his tolerances are exact. |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 12 Sep 2008 7:10 pm
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Ben,
I have one exactly like that. The legs that I have
were made from microphone stands. I'm sure they are
not original.
Takes a lot of pressure to hold them in.
I'd like to see the results when you have your's
refitted.
Mine could benefit from the same treatment.
Blake |
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