Gibson Console Grande

[Bob Jennings]

I just acquired a Gibson Console Grande yesterday. Haven't really looked it over as yet. I plan to set it up today and see if it plays--it's been there but seems to be in condition for its age. Question: Should I think about restoring it to new and original condition or when setting it up and if it plays, leave it the way it is--I can take some photos for any evaluation when I get it set up and tell if it plays or not.

Bob Jennings

[Noah Miller]

It's really impossible to give an informed answer without knowing what condition it's in now.

[Doug Taylor]

Congrats on picking up a new guitar Bob, can’t wait to see pictures!

[Bob Jennings]

Photos attached. I set it up and everything functions fine--smooth Pots, neck switch works--plays well--one leg is very wobbly.

Bob J.

[Bob Jennings]

I forgot to attach the Photos--

[John Rosett]

If it was mine, I would play it as is. I have a '48 GC that's kind of beat up, with some changed parts, and I love it. Plus, I don't have to worry about it when gigging with it.

[David Matzenik]

You can't buy that finish.

[Bob Jennings]

John Rosett & David Matzenuk:

I am going with both your comments--play it as it is and always remember "Ya caint buy that finish" I never thought of it that way but it is the correct way...I have a Gibson L50 that my Parents bought me in 1952--All the Gin Mills I did music at in the late 1950's early 60's can't got the finish that is on that Guitar now---it plays and sounds just as good now as it did then-and, by the way, that was the Golden Age of the REAL COUNTRY MUSIC!!!! Another by the way; I never got discovered so that's why you never heard of me...

Bob J.

[Bob Jennings]

remove 'can't' from my last post.[/code]

[Bob Jennings]

David;

I'm very sorry for the misspelling of your last name==the u is very close to the i and I must have hit it instead.

Bob Jennings

[David Mason]

I've actually wished to "luck into" one of those in the kind of condition that precludes any of that "premium... near-mint!" kind of... umm, PRICING! If you should find it truly offends you with it's "character" lemme know, I could potentially relieve your eyeballs of their torment.

[Bob Jennings]

David Mason,

I'm keeping it as is and playing it. Everything works fine and the sound is what my ears tell me are what I like hearing. I did plan to restore it to new condition but when I set it up and everything functioned properly plus two Gentlemen Steelers gave me advise--the one that said "You can't buy that finish" was the one that did the convincing for me to play it and keep it. But, like you mentioned, there are a lot of these Gibson Console Grandes out there for sale but very costly!!

Good Luck in finding one for a reasonable price--I wouldn't know where to look, but maybe at a Music Store in small towns that don't have much call for a Non Pedal Steel and a Gibson, and maybe took one in on trade and want to unload it, you maybe can get a good one at a fair price. Bob J.

[Matthew Lutton]

Sweet! I’m new and learning. When was this made? I may have missed it.

[Bob Jennings]

Matt,

I'm still trying to get the date it was made from Gibson--they want photos. Hopefully I'll get the info. I'll post it when I receive it.

I did check some Serial Numbers on the Web but came up with that it was made in 1965--68, but I'm thinking that it is an older guitar than that since it has the P-90 pic-ups rather than the 4-8-4 Pic-ups.

Bob J.

[Matthew Lutton]

Very cool - keep in touch, I’m after all kinds of Fender, Gibson, Rick, etc lap and pedal steels but should probably try to find 6 or 8 string models.

[Bob Jennings]

Matt,

My Grande is dated between 1953 and 1956.

I sent you an Email talking Music.

Bob J.

[Bob Jennings]

Can anyone tell me how to date a Pot with this on it:

6154190 500 K 514

Bob J.

[Doug Beaumier]

I believe the 514 indicates the 14th week of 1955. That's when the pot was made.

[Bob Jennings]

Thank you Doug,

Bob Jennings

[Brad Davis]

Great looking Console Grande! This is a later one, as evidenced by the 4 legs and P-90 pickups. I think this variety was made from early 50s until 55/56. The knobs are replacements, should be gold speed (barrel) knobs. Play it, love it, enjoy it. They're not making any more of them. You can gently clean them if you want, but only other thing I'd ever do to them is minimal electronic repair only when strictly necessary. Beautiful guitars. Now I need to get mine out and play it.

[Bob Jennings]

Brad Davis,

Thank you for the info on the replacement knobs.

Bob J.