JJB Electronics pickup install :: 1951 Gibson SJ [3.8 lbs]

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This super killer, previously refinished '51 Gibson SJ is back in the shop for a pickup swap.  The old Fishman was giving the player trouble so he supplied a JJB Electronics pickup for me to install for him.  These pickups are pretty much identical to the K&K Pure Mini's.  Check the video below for the install.

Muted high e :: 1951 Gibson Southern Jumbo [3.8 lbs]

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An extremely responsive 1951 Gibson SJ that was refinished a long time ago.  This mahogany back and side slope shoulder has been in the shop a couple times before and it's always a pleasure to play when it stops in.  This time it was in for a minor tweak.  The player was having troubles on a recent recording session where the high e was not ringing out clearly.  I ended up shimming up the saddle about 1/32nd and removed the string bite in the top of the saddle.  The high e string had worn a groove into the saddle which (along with the low action) was choking it out.

1951 Gibson Southern Jumbo [3.8 lbs] :: bridge reglue, back structural repairs, setup

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1951 Gibson Southern Jumbo [3.8 lbs] :: bridge reglue, back structural repairs, setup.

This guitar has been through a lot in it’s 63 years, most notably a complete refinish a long time ago.  There are quite a bit of sanding swirls and ripples left in the body and the finish has a very open-pore look.  I also suspect that the top and back plates were heavily thinned in the stripping process as they are very flexible and yield a loud, open tone.  Many signs of brace and crack repairs can be found when peeking inside.

I first re-glued the bridge as it was pulling from the top.  This bridge has been removed before as the original bolts under the pearloid dot inlays were absent.  The back had a cracked brace end that needed to be glued, along with some previously repaired binding damage that needed some rework.  The back’s center seam was open from the 4th brace to the tail and sections of the seam reinforcement braces were peeling off.  I reglued the center seam, along with the loose reinforcements and added a mahogany cleat near the tail block.

There was just enough saddle exposure to allow me to get the action down, but ideally the guitar is ready for a neck reset.  I suspect that the thinning of the top during the stripping process has exaggerated the belly of the top and is contributing to the low neck angle.

All in all, this slope-shoulder dred sounds great with a funky vibe!

70’s Hagstrom Swede :: previously modified with a middle humbucker, active Artec EXP

70’s Hagstrom Swede :: previously modified with a middle humbucker, active Artec EXP tone control and 3 independent volumes.  Also an ebony dragon pickguard.  Setup and wiring diagnostics.

70’s Hagstrom Swede :: previously modified with a middle humbucker, active Artec EX

70’s Hagstrom Swede :: previously modified with a middle humbucker, active Artec EXP tone control and 3 independent volumes.  Also an ebony dragon pickguard.  Setup and wiring diagnostics.