Gibson Consolette Double 8- any one have any experience?

[Andrew Staff]

Howdy all, I'm a newbie here. I need some advice from you folks. Scotty's has a Gibson Consolette (I believe it's 1953) that looks like a great deal. Haven't played it in person yet, I'm hoping to head up to check it out soon, I'm just wondering what input anyone has concerning these. I need a double 8 and I'd like something vintage. Any input positive or negative on this model would be very welcome. Thanks so much!

[Jussi Huhtakangas]

I did a session few months ago in RI borrowing Frankie Blandino's Consolette. REEEAAALLY nice sounding guitar, if you think the price is good for you, you can't go wrong with it, assuming the PU's in it are ok!!

[Andrew Staff]

Thanks Jussi, that's good to know. I love P-90's!

[Tom Cooper]

I have a late 40's Gibson Consolete and love it. It has been refinished, and fretboards replaced, but extremely usefull. Bought it from a fellow forum member for 5 or 6 hundred. Saved my life. I really needed a D-8 for what I wanted to do and it has never let me down. Korina wood really cool. Sort of a mahogany/maple combo sound. Pickups are getting a bit weak on mine. I am using a preamp temporarily to boost the signal a bit, but new or rewind is soon in oreder. But major mojo steel. Check out the guy who plays for the Wyos. He makes his do anything you have ever heard. That one looks good, but the beat up case may be a concern. Those old cases are not very durable and hopefully nothing happened to the steel. Even if i has some minor damage, may be worth getting. I do not have a ton of experience, you may want to wait and hear other posts. I have an Emmons Legrand pedal, but different animal to compare. I play my D-8 more than anything I have. Pedal only for special church gigs. Yes those P-90's are really cool. With the Korina body really nice sound. Price doesnt seem too bad at all. My case is falling apart just from natural causes(70 yrs). You will want to get a better case anyway. Again, would like to hear some more experienced forumites re the price but seems fair. Would like to know if steel is damaged in any way. TC

[Andrew Staff]

Tom, thanks for all of the info. I've found some other good deals on Fender's but tehy were all missing cases and I figured finding a case to fit these now adays is getting harder. I'll head up there and check it out in person. I also like the fact that it's got 4 legs as opposed to 3, seems a bit more stable than it's Fender counterparts.

[Bill Creller]

The String Masters have four legs, but my old Dual-Pro has three. I'm thinking about putting four legs on it.
It would sure be more stable with four legs. I'm not a purist enough to keep it original, since the finish on the guitar was trashed anyway, and it really isn't worth much money-wise.

[John Bechtel]

I have a T-8 with 3-legs and a T-10 with 4-legs and I really have no problem with either one for stability, but; if I stood to play there might be a little difference in stability! Andrew, that's a nice lookng guitar, reguardless of what it is. Apparently refinished, but; very nice.

[Andy Sandoval]

I think John is right about it bein refinished, at least I've never seen a sunburst finish like that on a Consolette. it's still a beaut!

[John Bechtel]

If I thought I wanted one of those, I'd buy it! You don't need the best guitar to sound good. That part will be up to you!

[Roy Thomson]

Hello Andrew,

I have a Consolette like that for about 5
years and it plays well. The only thing I
had to do was replace the tuner buttons.

The guitar has four legs which I do not use.
I find my homemade stand more stable.

[Andrew Staff]

Thanks for all of the help guys! I'll let you know what I think once I head up to STL and give it a play.

As far as the refinish goes I was doing some research and found that someone else had one that looked exactly like that. It was a 53 and they called it Korina Sunburst. Who knows, either way it looks great.

[Erv Niehaus]

Did Gibson make the Consolette and the Console Grande concurrently?
I have a couple Console Grandes and always had the impression that they preceeded the Consolette.

[Tom Pettingill]

... I was doing some research and found that someone else had one that looked exactly like that. It was a 53 and they called it Korina Sunburst. ...

Judging by the pics at Scotty's, it very well could be Korina / African limba. I love the tone of Korina / limba, similar to mahogany, but with a sweeter mid / upper mid. With those pickups on limba, I'll bet it sounds great.

.

[John Bechtel]

To the best of my knowledge, the Consolette came first and was the less expensive of the two models. Sort of like a Student Model verses a Professional Model. But, I think they were both good guitars! I wouldn't mind owning either model!

[Erv Niehaus]

John,
I'm not so sure about which model came first, I have to believe it was the Console Grande. The earlier models, like Don Helms played with Hank Williams, were 3 legged and then they went to 4 legs. I think it was later that Gibson came out with the Consolette.

[CrowBear Schmitt]

the Console Grande was produced before the Consolette
here's a 1940s model w: the Charlie Christian PUs

[Andrew Staff]

Thanks for all of the great input and help everyone. I'll let you know what i decide to do.