Gibson R6

vic

A few days ago I was invited to come and test drive a 2010 Gibson R6 VOS at Gian-piero Melfi's owner of Guitar Tone in Somerset West. Now for such an occasion and opportunity one should certainly make ample time. ? Gian recently took the bold step and started importing Gibsons mainly from Italy where, incidently, Gibson Corp has a strong base.

Mr Melfi stocks several Gibson models including ES-335's, SG's, Studios and Les Pauls (both USA an Customshop) and I had the pleasure of viewing all these beauties, almost in private...unlike in a traditional store where you have to fight for survival...ha ha

Have a look here www.guitartone.co.za

To cut a long story short....I was completely hooked on the R6. Those P90's are just in a different class. Clear and crisp. The guitar (with its fat 50's neck) weighs in at about 8.5 lbs (3.9kg). This is light, real light for any Les Paul. This guitar is most resonant with a fantastic neck feel. The frets are smoothly polished and with a medium high set-up it handled like a dream. (apologies for sounding sooo romantic :-[ ) I am not a neck squeezer and thus the set-up suited my style perfectly.
It is bumblebee equipt with a period correct goldtop colour (called antique gold) and nice dark rosewood fretboard.

This guitar is the so-called lightback model...the mahogany of the body and neck showing nice grain and tight texture. And it is of course nitro covered.
Here are some pics

OK...so I bought it (after a few sleepness nights ! )...I always wanted a P90 Gibbo.....and now I'm officially financially challenged :?

makepeace

wow man. absolutely beautiful. if i ever bought a les paul it would have to be a goldtop ?

congrats!

singemonkey

Awesome vic! You nearly have the entire set ?

That's beautiful. And a fantastic weight. I'm really starting to believe that the lighter a solid-backed LP the more likely it is to really ring.

I agree that a lot of gold-tops don't really seem to look quite the right colour. But that looks spot-on.

And how are you finding the P90s? Quite different, eh? I'm thinking of having mine set up out-of-phase in the middle for an interestingly different sound. I've been listening to a ton of fleetwood Mac recently, and you always hear Danny Kirwin with his '50s Goldtop making some ultra-sweet tone.

We will expect more pictures shortly. ?

*edit*

And a group shot ?

AlanRatcliffe

Congrats Vic. Great guitar - If I were ever tempted to buy an LP, the R6 would be a strong contender.

Reinhard

Wow man, that is awesome. great to see so many Les Pauls popping up on the forum! Now stop giving me GAS ?
Play the hell out of it Vic ?

Reinhard

singemonkey wrote: Awesome vic! You nearly have the entire set ?

That's beautiful. And a fantastic weight. I'm really starting to believe that the lighter a solid-backed LP the more likely it is to really ring.

I agree that a lot of gold-tops don't really seem to look quite the right colour. But that looks spot-on.

And how are you finding the P90s? Quite different, eh? I'm thinking of having mine set up out-of-phase in the middle for an interestingly different sound. I've been listening to a ton of fleetwood Mac recently, and you always hear Danny Kirwin with his '50s Goldtop making some ultra-sweet tone.

We will expect more pictures shortly. ?

*edit*

And a group shot ?

I did it on my R9, gives some cool tones. You get a lot of honk in the middle position.

aubs1

Hey Vic, congratulations.......and what a lekker chat we had......... ? ?

I'm sure you will be very happy with your Gold Top!!! She is stunning!!!! The pics are awesome!!!!

vic

Thanks guys...
@Singe...the P90's are really special..sounds best with a bit of reverb/delay...real old school. Think Perkins, Moore, early Gene Vincent..as well as so many blues players ? and that's just one reason why I had to have it. Re modding the middle position...maybe it's a good idea as the mid pos, as is, is not tonewise specific enough..if you know what I mean.
I will post a group pic soon.
@Alan....you won't be disappointed...
@Reinhard...this forum is NO good for GAS hey..? ?
@Aubs...nice chat indeed...thanks a lot.
@makepiece...chat to Marco Melfi on this forum

DonovanB

*drool*
Man that is a work of art. Goldtops are the best finish IMO

inflames

Holy crap, that is a beauty!
Congrats! I'm green with envy!

singemonkey

Reinhard wrote:
singemonkey wrote:
And how are you finding the P90s? Quite different, eh? I'm thinking of having mine set up out-of-phase in the middle for an interestingly different sound.
I did it on my R9, gives some cool tones. You get a lot of honk in the middle position.

Yeah. I was kind of thinking that it was a humbucker only mod. Then I saw someone do it on his R6, and I thought, "Doh!" Obviously it works because that's where the Strat gets its quack. I'm keen to do it because it sounds a little different from out of phase hums or strat singles. Clearly. 'Cos they're P90s :?

nick

Very nice 8)