Gibson C520?

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

Is this a Gibson C520?
How does it play/sound?
What is a reasonable price for one in excellent condition?

Many thanks-

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

Model question answered!
How about playing qualities and market price?

Thanks

Dennis Smith · From: Covington, Georgia, USA

Hi
The 24 1/2 scale should play fine. The sound is a little darker than a fender. There is a video on Youtube. I think you put in gibsonconsole and it comes up. Price, I've seen them from $600. for one that looked good but had holes where pedals had been to $1600. Depends on who is selling it. That is a nice looking Gibson could we see more photo's? I'm sure the real players on here could offer more.

Dennis

Dennis Smith · From: Covington, Georgia, USA

Hi,
I checked youtube. If you put in gibsonconsole and go down to 6th video, cold cold heart. It's played on a guitar like yours. If someone could put a link to this video I think everyone would enjoy it. Also I have a couple of questions. Anyone know who the steeler is and can't anyone tell what the amp is? He is right the guitar dose have tone to the bone, great sound.
Dennis

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

Deleted

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

Blake Hawkins · From: Florida

I play one of these.
MLA is correct about the complicated electronics.
There is no other guitar like it.
I have serviced and restored mine.
Michael, you are one of the few who understand.

Steve Perry · From: Elizabethtown Ky, USA

Dennis Smith · From: Covington, Georgia, USA

Hi Blake, how do you use the pickups? Different setting or same on both necks?

Stephen, Thanks would never have guessed a Fender Modleing amp.

Dina, there's one for auction on ebay starting at $900.

Dennis

Erik Alderink · From: Ann Arbor Michigan, USA

In that video of Cold Cold Heart you can see just how wobbly the guitar is. Do other Gibson owners find that to be the case with their guitars? I had an Early Console Grande that wobbled terribly, and a Multiharp that was almost as bad. The Gibson leg mounting isn't the best I've seen, so I wonder if all are prone to this, or just the well worn examples.

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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James Hartman · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

The early Console Grande's were the worst offenders as they only had three legs instead of the four legs on the later models.
Don Helms guitar was of the early vintage and I believe he had Bobbe Seymour redo the legs with new flanges and screw on legs.
I have a couple of the early models, one natural and one sunburst, and I am redoing the legs on one now.

Blake Hawkins · From: Florida

Dennis, In regard to the four position tone switch.
The only position I use is "Chime" and that is the
setting for each neck.
To my ear it is the only full range setting.
The position "Normal" gives a sort of Noel Boggs Sound. The "Bass" and "Treble" positions are useless. (For me anyway.)
The action of the switches should be the same on each neck. Otherwise there is a problem in the electronics.

Overall, I was disappointed with the sound when I first got it, but after a while I got used to it.
On the videos and the recordings we've done it are
OK. Have had this guitar for 5 or 6 years and play
it regularly.
I play it "dry" through a Nashville 112.

Bruce Terrell · From: Virginia, USA

I'm still coming to terms with a '59 C-530 that I picked up about a year ago. This one has an early humbucker for each neck. I agree that the legs are wobbly and are not extendable which is a bit of an inconvenience since I'm about 6'4". One big problem is the tuners. They try to strip out with the heavier strings and one of the kind regulars on the board actually repaired several for me w/similar tuners from a 12 string guitar set. I am also having a bit of a hard time with the string spacing. This is my first 8-string and I wonder if all 8 strings have the narrower string spacing? I do alright bare-fingered but get all cross-wise with finger picks. I am, however, persevering and some days are better than others. Otherwise, I love the pickups' sound and the volume and tone controls don't have a lot of play so I can get reasonable volume and tone dips w/my pinky.
Looks like this:
http://los-angeles-guitar-shop.com/1957-gibson-c-530-lap-steel/

Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

Deleted

Bruce Terrell · From: Virginia, USA

Thanks for the clarification, I did not know. However, it looks like the tuners are the same and they ARE a problem.

Stephen Baker · From: Lancashire, UK

My first 8 string was a ‘56 CG-520. Yes Bruce, most 8 string guitars have the narrower string spacing compared to a 6 string but the 520 has a wide spacing more like a 6 string so I found it a great introduction to 8 string. It makes slants a bit easier too. Sound wise it’s what you’d expect from a Gibson compared to a Fender, a warmer, darker, more mellow jazzy tone like with regular guitars but they can still scream a bit when you want them to. Yes, they wobble a bit but it’s not that bad. Mine never fell over. I had the adjustable legs.
I eventually traded mine for a Stringmaster, I just always wanted one, but the new owner currently has it for sale as he’s after a Clinesmith. If anyone here in the UK, or beyond , is interested let me know and I’ll put you in touch with him.
Steve

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

So, what is a reasonable price for the CG520 in the photos?
I am not sure I'll ever get good enough to use it, so want to be able to sell for near what I pay.
Thanks

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