Gibson Console Inquiry -- I'd like to get one...

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

Paul Warnick says in the buy and sell section, "doesn't anyone want to sound like Don Helms?" Well, you know,I don't know if I can sound like Don, but I have to admit that ever since I saw a picture of him standing over his Gibson -- I wanted one. And isn't that how we end up with some of our guitars -- getting one like one of the greats? I would sincerely appreciate anyone out there giving me some tips on the good and the bad with these consoles, what year Don played, and what would be a fair price for one in good shape (with legs and case), because that's what I'll wait for. Thanks much.

Andy Alford · Posted 5 Jun 2001 3:19 pm

The Console Grande CG-520 was and is a versatile multiple-neck steel guitar with immense power and the widest range of dynamics and tone colorings.It is made with a richly finished oak body,handsome black and white bindings,and nickel plated parts.It has two eight string neck and a 4-8-4 magnetic high impedance pickups.The guitars often go for far less than a Fender Stringmaster.I have seen them go for around $500.00. I hope this helps.

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

The Gibson model associated with Don Helms is not the CG-520 (made between 1956 and 1967), but the Console Grand. From the mid 'fifties on, the CG's had the 4-8-4 pickup configuration, but the earlier post-war model Helms plays has black oblong pickups with fixed pole pieces (the pre-war model, with Charlie Christian pickups, is also highly desirable). I have a 7- and 8-string one in near-perfect condition, and it's a gorgeous instrument, with great sustain and a distinctive sound. The biggest limitation with the early post-war instruments is that there are only three legs, which provide a rather shaky foundation for such a wide and heavy guitar. What's more, the legs are non-adjustable, and uncomfortably short.
They're an extremely beautiful guitar (I prefer the sunburst to the blond finish), and it's worth looking for one in great cosmetic
condition. For such an instrument, $750-$900 would be reasonable. For a beater, $500-$600
seems to be the going rate.

Terry Huval · From: Lafayette, Louisiana

I had the good fortune of playing a few notes on Don Helms' Gibson Console Grande this past weekend. This is the same steel guitar you hear on most of those well-known Hank Williams records (Cold, Cold Heart, Your Cheatin' Heart, Hey, Good Lookin', Honky Tonk Blues, etc.). It is also the steel used on Patsy Cline's Walkin' After Midnight, along with many other hits of that era.

Based on my visits with Don, it appears his steel was built around 1949. It is a sunburst model with 8-strings on each neck (although, as pointed out earlier, Gibson also made a 7-string/8-string model). Don's steel originally had 3 non-adjustable legs (the 4-legged versions came out around 1953). Don replaced the original legs with Fender-type adjustable legs and leg sockets. More recently, he replaced the legs and leg sockets with ones he bought from Bobby Seymore. Bobby did a great job on them. Although he used to stand up to play his steel, he now sits down to do so.

The pickups are oblonged shape. In my opinion, these pickups sound better than the rectangular pickups found on later models.

The case is brown on the outside with a magenta colored velour on the inside.

Don plays his Console Grande regularly now. He is so smooth - you could swear he is has pedals on his steel. He uses a volume pedal along with an effects rack and a Peavey Nashville 400 amplifier. In his Hank days, he used a 1949 Fender Pro Amp.

I found a steel just like his in excellent condition about 5 years ago for $600. The more recent prices I have seen are about $700 to $750. They are all "short scale" (22 inches). Mine and Don's have great sustain and look and "feel" good. Although I also have a Fender D-8 Stringmaster, I prefer the sound of my Gibson.

I hope that is helpful to you.

If you need any pictures, let me know - I'll e-mail them to you.

Terry

Paul Warnik · From: Illinois,USA

AL-the Gibson Console Grande that I still have for sale is probably a few years earlier than the one Helms played with the pickups being the only difference as mine are of the type earlier than the black square P-90 but not the earlier Charlie Christian model-Helms did not play the later CG-520 model with the 4-8-4 pole configuration and the fake looking oak body which IMHO is not near as good looking,sounding, or as valueable as the earlier models with beautiful Gibson sunburst maple like mine-the guitar that I have is louder and has more tonal variation than the very mellow sounding ones with the Christian pickups-I owned all the mentioned variations of Console Grande and this one is about as good as they get-well now only if it was an original model CGN natural finish!!!

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

Thanks, everybody -- Andy, I couldn't personally email you as, I believe, you don't have an icon for email. Terry, I tried to email you a personal email, but it got returned; it was lengthy, full of jealousies of you being buddies with Don, but specifically asking if Don put on a fourth leg or kept it three legs. Would you please comment on that?

I have bought Paul's guitar, and soon will be in hog heaven.

Al

Andy Alford · Posted 6 Jun 2001 3:59 am

Just For Your Information

Console Grand

Introduced April 1938
Screw on legs Oct.1938
Metal plate extends under both fingerboards EH-185 Aug.1939
Production suspended for WW2 1942
Reintroduced contoured top(some with prewar body)3 knobs,oblongP-90 pickups,Lucite finger board back-painted silver,double 8 string standard,sunburst or natural (CGN)finish 1948
4legs by 1953
Large humbucking pickups with 4-8-4 pole configuration 1956
Discontinued 1967

Sarry I had to go last night but I was on call at the hosp.I hope this helps.

Terry Huval · From: Lafayette, Louisiana

Al,

It must be a long time since I set up my membership - my e-mail address has changed. It is now ahuval@earthlink.net. (Could someone tell me how to update my Forum membership?)

Don's original Console Grande has only 3 legs - it never had 4 legs. Don told me that he recently bought a second Console Grande which I believe he said was a 4-legged model. I know he told me he replaced the legs and sockets with the Bobbe Seymore replacements, I do not recall if he told me that he kept it as a 4-legged model, or if he converted it to 3-legs.

Try e-mailing me at the above address. I apologize for the outdated e-mail address on the forum.

Terry

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Interesting stuff. I don't know much about Gibson steels, so this has been an education.
Mike Boulware, owner of Pro Frets, the local vintage dealer here in Gainesville, had a beautiful natural finish Gibson double eight a few weeks ago. I don't know if he still has it, or exactly what model/year it was, but anyone looking for such a steel might try checking www.profrets.com

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