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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → The Babe CC 3 - experiences?
Any on hand experiences available? I've seen there are still quite a few CC 3s in German shops and a Bigsby equipped LP would be a nice addition. Would be nice to get some infos - unfortunately, the shops carrying them here are a little too far away...
Any on hand experiences available? I've seen there are still quite a few CC 3s in German shops and a Bigsby equipped LP would be a nice addition. Would be nice to get some infos - unfortunately, the shops carrying them here are a little too far away...
hi Jimi
I am fortunate to have two Cc babes. One of them is the Babe that Joe used to approve the build. They are very different that is having a Les Paul with a Bigsby.
The neck on these guys are beefy. Like all custom shop models I have or played are just wonderful instruments. If you are use to 60 profile contour small necks the Babe would be a different experience. Do you have specific question? I would be happy to give you my perspective on it.
Cheers Ron
Jimi75 wrote:Any on hand experiences available? I've seen there are still quite a few CC 3s in German shops and a Bigsby equipped LP would be a nice addition. Would be nice to get some infos - unfortunately, the shops carrying them here are a little too far away...
hi Jimi
I am fortunate to have two Cc babes. One of them is the Babe that Joe used to approve the build. They are very different that is having a Les Paul with a Bigsby.
The neck on these guys are beefy. Like all custom shop models I have or played are just wonderful instruments. If you are use to 60 profile contour small necks the Babe would be a different experience. Do you have specific question? I would be happy to give you my perspective on it.
Cheers Ron
Yes thanks, there are indeed a few things I'd like to know. Are the CC 3s significantly heavier due to the Bigsby, compared to a regular R9? The soundclips I've heard sound very woody and transparent, so I wonder if this is with all the CC 3s. I am preferring lighter sound but it should not lack the bottom. Last thing is, can you tell me about the tuning stability?
I have one of the last CC3's made and it's a fantastic guitar. Good weight (not too heavy), great tone and no tuning problems at all (strung with 11's). It plays easier than my other LP's due to the bigsby. The neck is a solid '59 shape and it looks like mine is getting flamier with time. As far as I know Gibson only produced 165 of them instead of the announced 300.
cindyron wrote:Jimi75 wrote:Any on hand experiences available? I've seen there are still quite a few CC 3s in German shops and a Bigsby equipped LP would be a nice addition. Would be nice to get some infos - unfortunately, the shops carrying them here are a little too far away...
hi Jimi
I am fortunate to have two Cc babes. One of them is the Babe that Joe used to approve the build. They are very different that is having a Les Paul with a Bigsby.
The neck on these guys are beefy. Like all custom shop models I have or played are just wonderful instruments. If you are use to 60 profile contour small necks the Babe would be a different experience. Do you have specific question? I would be happy to give you my perspective on it.
Cheers RonYes thanks, there are indeed a few things I'd like to know. Are the CC 3s significantly heavier due to the Bigsby, compared to a regular R9? The soundclips I've heard sound very woody and transparent, so I wonder if this is with all the CC 3s. I am preferring lighter sound but it should not lack the bottom. Last thing is, can you tell me about the tuning stability?
No heavier than other Les Pauls I have. As far as tone as you know that is so dependent on the listener so for me I love the tone out of Babe I little mellower but great harmonic content. Sound great for slide, if only I could play slide working on it, in general a great Custom shop collectors choice. As far as the Bigsby I use nut sauce on all my guitars. Helps with the string binding up in the nut. Love the stuff. The Bigsby actually makes it very playable with 11's and I never have tuning problems. Also I never really attack the Bigsby that hard. In general I love my babe's.
You can't go wrong with Gibson Custom shop guitars. If you can try one. The big difference you will notice is the neck contour bigger but fits nicely in your hands. I have a small fat hands and it still plays awesome for me.
Cheers Ron
Another for the small fat hands and short fingersclub then. 
My R7 has a fat, but perfectly shaped and comfortable neck. If the Babe has a big neck, well then it's more than welcome to me. You guys reported about the easy playability. I hope the feel is not too much on the spongy side.
Will check a used one nearby next weekend. Looking forward to test driving the Babe on this occasion.
I love the neck on mine! Feels some what asymmetrical. Very very comfortable to me. I would love to have that profile on every guitar I own. The custombuckers are perfect. I don't plan to change them anytime soon. Playability is smooth and easy. Nothing spongy at all.
I think the reason for the low build total on this CC run was due to lack of interest. The Bigsby is not everyones cup of tea and since it's a 2012 build there was talk that the fingerboard is laminated. I don't know if these are laminated or not. Depends who you ask. To me it makes no difference. I thoroughly enjoy playing mine!
Good Luck!
Hi Jimi75, i don't know if you have already found your Babe CC 3, but there's one here:
http://worldguitars.co.uk/3-1960-les-paul-the-babe-082/
I don't know if the price is good or expensive, but the guitar seems really nice
Another +1 on the big, but comfortable Gibson CS neck shapes. I've got Ron to thank for that!!
Another +1 on the big, but comfortable Gibson CS neck shapes. I've got Ron to thank for that!!
Keep rocking my friend
Hey folks, it was only last Saturday that I had time to play the Babe. It's an insanely good guitar, with a very transparent sound. I was well impressed by the sound of the neck PU and also the craftsmanship was excellent. After having slept over the decision and impression for some days, I will pass on this one, because I can not really connect with the Bigsby. I shortly thought about removing it, but feel that this isn't the right way to do - I'll further check CCs until I find one that completely fits.
Hey folks, it was only last Saturday that I had time to play the Babe. It's an insanely good guitar, with a very transparent sound. I was well impressed by the sound of the neck PU and also the craftsmanship was excellent. After having slept over the decision and impression for some days, I will pass on this one, because I can not really connect with the Bigsby. I shortly thought about removing it, but feel that this isn't the right way to do - I'll further check CCs until I find one that completely fits.
Have you tried a Skinner? They are awesome I have two aged and signed units serial number 001 and 018. I scored 001 right after buying 018. I am selling 018. Only been in my studio since purchased new a few months back.
Cheers Ron
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