The Gibson Memphis ES330 VOS model is now discontinued, along with the Memphis plant, but is a great re-creation of a late 1950’s ES-330. Introduced in 1959, the ES-330 took visual cues from the new and very successful ES-335, but is uses a fully hollow body without a solid center block. A pair of under-wound P-90s provide great tone. Until about 1963, the ES330 and its cousin the Epiphone Casino set the neck joint at the 16th fret but subsequently the joint was shifted to the 19th fret, allowing easier access to higher frets.
The Twelfth Fret
Built from 1971 to 1979, the Gibson Les Paul Recording model sported the features most desired by Les Paul himself, but unfortunately this did not translate into sales success. Still, even this low selling model was copied by Japanese builders during the ‘Lawsuit Era’. Constructed during the Norlin years with strong references to the original Les Paul Custom models, the Gibson Les Paul Recording model featured a Mahogany body with carved Mahogany top – unlike the Gold Top and Standard models, which had Maple caps on a Mahogany slab. At this point, Gibson was using what’s come to be called ‘Pancake’ bodies, with at least two narrower layers of Mahogany.
Here we have a handsome, almost all original, Fender Precision Bass Maple neck built at the CBS/Fender Fullerton plant in 1975 – the pot codes date to 1974. First appearing in October 1951, the Fender Precision bass was a brilliant piece of industrial design. This innovation brought modern influences to the bass world – such as the ability to reliably and consistently produce a precise pitch, and to play at any volume without feedback. Quickly adopted, the Precision Bass was updated in 1954 to visually match the new Stratocaster, and has been in production with really only minor modifications since then. The P-Bass is arguably one of the most functionally successful bass instruments ever built, having appeared on more recordings and stages than any other bass.
The Ibanez RG1027PBF Premium is a seven string version of their very popular RG body shape. This double cutaway body has sleek sharp lines and high quality features. The body is made from American basswood which is a fairly light weight wood with a growly warm tone with good midrange presence. The poplar burl top is very alluring particularly with the Cerulean blue burst finish. The neck is a multi piece neck made from Panga Panga, maple, walnut and purple heart. The multi wood neck adds stability and the Wizard 7 profile has a very solid feel and is fast playing but not too thin.
The Taylor 214ce BLK DLX is an excellent multipurpose guitar with an eye catching all black finish. The grand auditorium body works well for fingerstyle and light to medium strumming with a good amount of volume production. The solid Sitka spruce top of the Taylor 214ce BLK DLX has a great dynamic range and clear balanced tone.