1 Topic by jclark42796 (edited by jclark42796 2011-12-04 10:21:43)

  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Topic: JBLP goes through historic makeover

I don't recall seeing a post on this so I'll share it. 
http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showt … p?t=176760

In a nutshell, Don Ritter, the Category5 amp maker sent off his JBLP #99 to the folks at Historic Makeovers.  You gotta see this transformation.   The completed "product" was then played by Joe in Clearwater and Atlanta.

Quotes from the man;

Wow!! Gotta say... Wonderful job Kim and Don for coming up with that... Kim you know I d send you one of my GT's but my only one says.. Bonamassa 001....... Cant do it to the ole girl.. Love my recent R-9 one you did.. Its killer! Don... Gotta bring it to a show ....I ll give it a good go onstage..
Joe B

What happened to #52?

Its gonna be tough to give this thing up.... Thats all I can say...

...tone reports from Joe - First one "Dude, your goldtop is epic, Got two shows on it, I'm totally in love with that guitar-Congrats - hope you don't mind me breaking it in?"

Second one "Pickups are wicked, very clear and a little hotter than an original paf, but not by much".

Well the Experience continues!

Went to see Joe on Friday in Austin, I was running late so missed soundcheck, but was able to grab my guitar for about 10 minutes and play it acoustically. Definite change from when I had it before. Neck shape better, and guitar was ringing like a bell. Got to hang with Joe for about 30 min prior to show and a few after. We decided to leave the goldtop with him to finish out the tour. He is loving the guitar and the pickups. Chris Klein was there for the show and delivered a couple sets of pups to him. Joe grabbed the set marked "wicked" handed them to KIm Lafluer with one of Joe's other goldtops, and said "make it exactly like Don's guitar". The Pickups that are in mine are identical to the set going in his next makeover. I delivered a JB-50 amp to Kim Lafluer, which Joe signed(I'll get a pict up soon.) That gets me even with Kim. Joe also asked for a 50 watt silver 1 x 12 combo for his next Us tour leg.

Got a video of him on the john henry song and one with Eric Johnson who played three tunes with Joe), it was an unbelievable show.

Thx Joe! THx Kim!

DonR

Pickups are part of Chris Klein's "EPIC" series,  7.65 in Neck and 8.25 In bridge.

I don't know about you but I'm ready to send my razor bladed JBLP off for a makeover. big_smile

Jim

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
More pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/114580443759038003888/
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

That's a great thread. I have to admit, when Don first posted that, I was a little skeptical of having that done to a signature guitar (I have two HM guitars myself, so I have total confidence in Kim's abilities). I have to say, as I followed the progress, the end result was spectacular.

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

I admit I've been tempted to have a HM done to my 01 R8. Maybe one day when I have extra cash laying around I'm not doing anything with.

  • Registered: 2010-03-09
  • Posts: 422

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

I've bee watching that thread over there.  At first I thought he was nuts.  But it's his guitar and all......Then I saw the photos of it out of paint and wow what a great looking gt!  I loved the dark back.  Getting Joe to play it and sign it again also helps bring back the signature mojo.  Pricey but cool for sure.....

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Ok, good. I thought I was the only one wondering why you'd take a gold guitar, strip it down and repaint it gold again.  Now that I saw those pictures of the hideous original "relic" job, I understand why he did it.  Frankly, I'd be pretty upset if I spent a few K on a custom shop Gib and it looked like that straight from the factory.  I guess when its part of a limited run, there wouldn't be much if anything you could do about it, since it wasn't made specifically for you.  Maybe then you could dispute.

Final outcome looks marvelous.  I don't even want to know what it cost..

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

helrazr84 wrote:

Ok, good. I thought I was the only one wondering why you'd take a gold guitar, strip it down and repaint it gold again.  Now that I saw those pictures of the hideous original "relic" job, I understand why he did it.  Frankly, I'd be pretty upset if I spent a few K on a custom shop Gib and it looked like that straight from the factory.  I guess when its part of a limited run, there wouldn't be much if anything you could do about it, since it wasn't made specifically for you.  Maybe then you could dispute.

Final outcome looks marvelous.  I don't even want to know what it cost..

where are the pic's located?

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2010-03-09
  • Posts: 422

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Go over on the Les Paul forum and look for a JB Historic Makeovers thread.   Amazing looking guitar.

8 Reply by jclark42796 (edited by jclark42796 2011-12-05 08:06:19)

  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Also, there's a slideshow on Kim's site:

http://www.historicmakeovers.com/our-re … ssa-099hm/

Jim

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
More pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/114580443759038003888/

9 Reply by jclark42796 (edited by jclark42796 2011-12-05 08:01:56)

  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

helrazr84 wrote:

Ok, good. I thought I was the only one wondering why you'd take a gold guitar, strip it down and repaint it gold again.  Now that I saw those pictures of the hideous original "relic" job, I understand why he did it.  Frankly, I'd be pretty upset if I spent a few K on a custom shop Gib and it looked like that straight from the factory.  I guess when its part of a limited run, there wouldn't be much if anything you could do about it, since it wasn't made specifically for you.  Maybe then you could dispute.

Final outcome looks marvelous.  I don't even want to know what it cost..

I think payment came in the form of a JB50 Cat 5.

I delivered a JB-50 amp to Kim Lafluer, which Joe signed(I'll get a pict up soon.) That gets me even with Kim

Nice trade!

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
More pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/114580443759038003888/
  • jim m
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

jclark42796 wrote:

Also, there's a slideshow on Kim's site:

http://www.historicmakeovers.com/our-re … ssa-099hm/

Jim

Got to see it up close the pictures don't do it justice. What they did to the back is what I like best about it.

jim m's Website

  • From: NH - USA
  • Registered: 2010-11-08
  • Posts: 149

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

That is amazing, been thinking about this for my R9 but was having trouble getting my head around the cost.... and now i get it, WOW!

havoc41's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Ok, they do fantastic work.  Now does it have to be Gibson Custom shop or can any Gibson guitar go through the process?  Thats amazing what they did.  I stayed up till 2am and read every post on the other forum!  Incredible story, and an even better looking guitar!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

I think that you would be better to send a Custom Shop LP in for that. Otherwise, you will spend more on the Makeover than the USA is worth. Call Kim LaFluer. He's a great guy to talk to.

  • Registered: 2011-05-19
  • Posts: 113

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Did no one notice that is says JOE JAMS WITH ERIC JOHNSON?! Where is the youtube video of this?!

  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

dalandan wrote:

Did no one notice that is says JOE JAMS WITH ERIC JOHNSON?! Where is the youtube video of this?!

You should look over in show reports from time to time where such posts are placed. wink

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • Registered: 2011-05-19
  • Posts: 113

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

RickB wrote:
dalandan wrote:

Did no one notice that is says JOE JAMS WITH ERIC JOHNSON?! Where is the youtube video of this?!

You should look over in show reports from time to time where such posts are placed. wink

Thanks Rick! this is going to make my day. can't wait to get home from work and listen to that.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

Eh I was just wondering if they would.  I currently don't even own a Gibson anything.  But I could see someone trying to get the most tone they could out of their Gibson going through a process to reshape the neck and maybe fixing any tonal issues a stock guitar might have vs. a master rebuilding it.

wharris wrote:

I think that you would be better to send a Custom Shop LP in for that. Otherwise, you will spend more on the Makeover than the USA is worth. Call Kim LaFluer. He's a great guy to talk to.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JBLP goes through historic makeover

AD3THREE wrote:

Eh I was just wondering if they would.  I currently don't even own a Gibson anything.  But I could see someone trying to get the most tone they could out of their Gibson going through a process to reshape the neck and maybe fixing any tonal issues a stock guitar might have vs. a master rebuilding it.

wharris wrote:

I think that you would be better to send a Custom Shop LP in for that. Otherwise, you will spend more on the Makeover than the USA is worth. Call Kim LaFluer. He's a great guy to talk to.

I'd think I'd rather send a standard style LP in for that treatment, instead of paying 4k or more to begin with on a custom build LP, then drop another 4-5 or whatever into the same guitar to essentially have it rebuilt.  Thats just me though.

I have never played or even touched a Gibson custom shop anything but I am very curious as to the physical feel and differences, even tonal nuances in a Custom Shop model or a high end VOS model compared to my regular LP Standards.