| Author |
Topic: Gibson Console Grande |
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 11:27 am |
|
I recently purchased and don't like the sound.
Would like to know if the pickups could be bad?
If so how would I know? Also a lot of string noise when you use the bar, any suggestions?
I was told the guitar I purchased was a 1950 but there is no seriel number or identification number I can find...it has four legs. Any help appreciated.. This is my first time on the forum.
Mike Phillips,
Bethesda, OH |
|
|
 |
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 11:34 am
|
|
Welcome Mike!
Do both pickups sound bad? In what way? Do you have a VOM ? |
|
|
|
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 11:42 am Gibosn Console Grande
|
|
John,
Not sure what VOM means? Yes, on both pickups. |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 11:46 am
|
|
| Volt Ohm Meter. Used to measure voltage and resistance. You can use it to measure the resistance in your pickups. Not a be-all/end-all measument, but can indicate problems. If they both sound cruddy,,, can you raise or lower the pickups? Are there individual polepieces? Over their history, Grande Consoles came with several different style pups. Mine look like Charlie Christian's but are not, and they have individual, adjustable polepieces. |
|
|
|
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 11:52 am Gibson Consol Grande
|
|
John,
Yes, both can be adjusted and I have already tried
that...
Mike Phillips
Bethesda, OH |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
|
|
|
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 12:07 pm Gibosn Console Grande
|
|
john
Do they make replacement pickups for guitar?
Thanks for your help!
Mike Phillips,
Bethesda, OH |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 12:10 pm
|
|
| Yes, Jason make a wide range of guitar pickups. All very highly regarded. Go to the first link in my last post, and click on guitar pickups, on the top line. |
|
|
|
Terry Barnett
From:
Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
|
Posted 17 Apr 2011 6:36 pm
|
|
| Michael, these steels do have a different sound...more like the early Gibson electric guitars with P90's. If you're not used to that sound, it may be a revelation when you first plug in. My question would be what are you comparing the sound to? I own an old Console Grande. The pickups are noisy (plenty of single coil hum) and not terribly ballsy but they have a truely vintage sound. Be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Find out if there is a similar guitar nearby that would allow you to draw a comparison sound wise so you can know for certain if the pickups are the problem. Getting a pair of new pickups or even just having them rewound will be expensive and the end result may not be that different. Just a thought....cheers all. |
|
|
|
Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 7:57 am
|
|
What Terry said is true. I have two CG's and they
both sound different.
Didn't like either one at first, but after I had played them for a while I got used to it.
I have a 1949 and a 1956.
If the sound really grates on your nerves, don't waste time trying to modify it.
Just sell it to someone who wants that model and then
go buy something you really like.
Blake |
|
|
|
John Haspert
From:
Illinois, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 9:35 am Gibson Console Grand
|
|
I have one as well. When I got it, one pickup was dead. Jim Rolph rewound it and it is impossible to tell which is original and which one was rewound. http://www.jmrolph.com/. The sound as noted is more like a P-90, but then that's the Vintage sound that Uncle Don had.
I have a question though- What are the function of your 3 knobs? 2 Volumes, 1 tone? 1 Volume, tone for each Pickup or 1 Volume, 1 treble and 1 Bass?
_________________
Pedal Steel Guitar is "Music from Heaven" |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 11:01 am
|
|
Just for kicks, here's "Blackie" (1939, I think);
And the "not a Charlie Christian" pickup;
 |
|
|
|
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 3:14 pm
|
|
Thanks for the pictures of the black 39.
If you could possibly tell me how old my
Gibson Console Grande is...?
Thanks |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 3:32 pm
|
|
| Pics Mike? |
|
|
|
Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 4:10 pm
|
|
John H, The functions of the three controls are:
(Left to right)
1. Volume
2. Bass Tone
3. Treble Tone
The controls are wired in the circuit after the neck selector switch.
Last edited by Blake Hawkins on 21 Apr 2011 11:44 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2011 4:34 pm
|
|
I have a GCG that is 49/50. The late 40s early 50s have an oval pickup. You can see that on Jason Lollars site. I am not sure when Gibson went from the style on the 39 "Blackie". (cool guitar) It may have been after WW2. Sometime around 53 or54 the look more like the P-90 rectangle. That's about all I know.
_________________
www.deluxe34.com lap steel stands, Clinesmith, Gibson Console Grande, Northwesterns, The Best Westerns
https://www.facebook.com/TheBestWesterns |
|
|
|
Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
|
Posted 21 Apr 2011 7:42 am
|
|
| Terry Barnett wrote: |
| Be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. |
Good advice on these older vintage guitars. Before I would start tearing into things, I would have another opinion offered by someone who is knowledgeable on the Gibson Console Grande and determine if it's pickup(s) are bad or wiring etc.
While there are some great aftermarket replacements & those that can rewind, I would attempt to stick with the originals at all costs. |
|
|
|
