QUESTION

I see all the hype lately on Brazilian rosewood fret boards. Do they really make a difference. Thank you

REPLY

Ok, let me put on my bullet proof vest first before I answer this one! This is a big controversial question that has been circulating for some time and I an constantly asked about this so this is MY opinion on it bases on my 20 years in the business

I personally cannot hear the difference. Now that said I Will explain why and this is not in any way negating what other people may hear. I have tortured myself many times taking old les paul that are identical and the new ones with Brazilian boards and the new ones without and at the end of it all I am more puzzled than ever.

I feel Brazilian rosewood has a better tone and character than Indian on acoustic guitars. So it has to have an effect on solid bodies. All my favorite guitar have brazilian boards on them. So with that said I guess it does make a difference when combined with ther other structural aspects of the vintage  guitar.old wood is always better than new wood. But I feel the Brazilian rosewood in conjunction with other old wood other old pickups other old glue is what makes the difference not just the brazilian board. So i am a big fan of Brazilian boards but I cannot HONESTLY say you can hear a difference by just replacing the board.

I am sure if you took a 2003 Gibson Brazilian board les paul and compared it to an exact 2004 none brazilian on a sound wave scope you may see a difference. In fact I am sure it is difference, but through a Marshall amp I cannot hear it. Through any amp actually I have tried this test through many amps old and new and to me it is all the same.

So in conclusion. All my favorite vintage guitars have Brazilian boards. I think the board matters but only when it is put in the perspective of the rest of the vintage guitar itself and not alone. can I honestly say buying a Brazilian rosewood board on your new les paul will change what you hear. I would say no . Agian This is from my expieience from selling thousands of vintage guitar over teh years and personally comparimng them all. Maybe you can but I cannot

If you have any other questions please contacet me at  The Parts Drawer

Thank You

Jim Pasch

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QUESTION

All I every hear about is PAF’S,PAF’S, PAF’S never do I hear anyone rave about a T-Top Gibson humbucker. What is your opinion. Are they good pickups .

REPLY

Thank you for question . I am sure this will stir a bunch of controversy up but what the heck.  I Will start by saying they are not my favorites but I Will also add they are good pickups and sound fine and are better than a lot of the later Gibson pickups. Anyone who knows me and who has ready many of my articles and columns will note that the pre t -top Gibson pickups post 1962 are my favorites. I would gladly have a set of those over PAFS  ONLY because I personally feel the pre t tops are more consistent as many PAFS vary greatly. I have never really heard a non killer set of pre top from 63-65 period end of story!!!

Back to the T-top pickups. Just because I do not use them does not mean they are not great pickups. Many of the classic rock albums you have listened to and admired for years the guitars used these pickups. So that alone should silence the disbelievers. But again tone is a relative thing and one of a choice and is a personal thing. What I like you may hate an such is life and as it should be.

I love Gibson Les Pauls so lets take that as a starting point. most 1968-1974 les paul customs rock. They are some of my favorite  mod;es guitar from that era and they have these pickups. And yes an early 1970′s les paul kills if you get a good one. i still own one and think they are very underrated guitar. I still have the original pickups in them and will leave them as such they sound great and are very versatile from rock to jazz to country to blues. So Yes they are good pickups and yes I like them.

I only prefer the pre t tops probably because I played more blues rock and that have that real Billy Gibbons tone out of the box i love. Those pickups, a marshall and a great guitar is all you need .no pedals  no gimmick just turn it up and go , that is what i love. The t-top pickups to me are more middle of te road good for all kinds of music pickup which is probably why Gibson made them . A jazz guy can feel just as at home with them as a blues or rock guy. Gibson I assume was just reaching out to a wider audience at the request of their customers.

Today there is a very strong market for these pickups. And in answer to your question directly yes there is not a lot of buzz about them compared to PAF’S AND Pre T-Tops but in a way that is good. This  way they are still affordable as soon as something  is hyped you know the price doubles. So I would not overlook this versatile pickup try one and I am sure you will not be disappointed. Remember you are the one who has to like it not me or the rest of a forums members. Music is personal and an inner expression of yourself so check them out

Thank you for your question I hope this helps . If you have any more questions just follow the link below and i will be glad to answer them as soon as I can

JIm Pasch

The Parts Drawer

QUESTION :

I was recently told my 1961 Fender Stratocaster neck was only worth $1500 because the decal was not original how can that be possible when a regular neck is worth $5000.

REPLY:

That is actually true unfortunately and I will explain why. There are many fake vintage parts on the market these day and that goes for necks and bodies as well. It is easy to relic a neck swap finger boards etc. and deceive the public. I have seen guitar that looked amazing and fooled many dealers but were no more than 6 months old.

Here is the good news for the vintage guitar market. Not for your case in specific but NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO FAKE AN AGED FENDER DECAL YET!!! this is the best thing and the reason why the decal weighs so heavy in the equation. I have seen people try and have seen some real close fakes but none good enough to fool a vintage expert.

The thing they cannot fake is one a pre cbs decal the lettering has a greening and an oxidation like texture to it you can feel the decal and the lettering actually gets a raised texture over the years whether the guitar in in the case or played everyday. this natural aging cannot be faked . Unfortunately I am sure soon it will but for now the market is safe. Gibson guitar are easy to fake because the the logo is either a water decal or an inlay ed veneer that is easily changed

So this is why there is such a big difference in price. to me when i look at a vintage fender the decal is the FIRST thing I look at . This is a rule all Fender buyers should apply. I hope this has helped I know this is not good news for you but it is the reality of the vintage guitar market

Any further questions just contact me at The Parts Drawer

Thank you

Jim Pasch