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Topic: Gibson C-530 |
Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2015 10:16 am |
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| I just purchased a Gibson C-530. Is there a way to tell what year it was made by the serial number? |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2015 12:28 pm
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If the number begins in a single digit followed by a space between the following group of numbers, the single digit usually corresponds to the last digit of the year of manufacture.
For example, 7 6543 would be a 1957 serial number. |
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 5:01 am
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Jack,
Thanks, I read that somewhere but wasn't sure it was really the case. If so, mine would be a 1958. Got it cleaned up and it looks amazing. Now just need to learn how to play it properly:) |
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C. E. Jackson
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 6:18 am
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C.E.,
Here's a couple I took after taking it apart and cleaning it before putting strings back on. Looks like someone might have had it in a closet for a while? Case is in really good shape too. What kind of wood did they use on these?
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C. E. Jackson
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 6:40 am
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| You're welcome, thanks. What are the best resources out there to learn to play? I'm putting C6 on the bottom and not sure yet what I want to do on top? |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 7:35 am
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Hi Trent,
Nice guitar. Why not try B11 on the second neck? It's good for Haiwiain tunes and I've also tried it with Jazz tunes like "Moonglow" and "Summertime" to good effect. Doug Beaumier has a new book out soon with some B11 tunes included. It's on my "To Buy" list.
Good luck
Keith. |
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 8:06 am
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Thanks Keith,
I'll check out B11. Like the old country stuff, that's why I'm putting C6 on the bottom, I've started to fool around with it a little but just in C6. Do you know of any real good instructional videos or books on this? |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 8:42 am
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Andy Volk and Doug Beaumier both have very good intsruction books out. Check them here on the Forum. Also check out Doug on YouTube. If you're not inspired by his playing I'll be amazed.
Keith. |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 8:44 am
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Forgot to mention. Doug's YouTube version of Sand in B11 tuning is very worth watching.
Keith. |
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2015 9:05 am
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| great, thanks so much. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2015 6:57 am
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| Thank you sir. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2015 3:04 pm
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That is one beautiful instrument; a bona fide treasure, in my opinion. Congratulations, Trent!
As Mr. Jackson stated, Gibson production records indicate only 229 Console C-530's were shipped from the Kalamazoo plant from late 1956 to 1966. 37 of them were from 1958.
The Console C-530, along with the various Electraharp Pedal Steels (EH-620, EH-630, EH-810, EH-820) and the Multiharp, were the only instruments equipped with the innovative 8-string humbucking pickup.
The 6-string version of the humbucking pickup is unquestionably Gibson's most successful pickup design, and one of the most widely imitated electric guitar pickups of all time. Interestingly, Gibson installed its new humbucker on Hawaiian (steel) guitars several months before it became available on Spanish (standard) guitars.
Undoubtedly, your humbucker equipped C-530 sounds just wonderful. |
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2015 7:00 am
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| Thanks Jack, It seems super clean. no scratch in either pot and the pickups are still really strong and sound great. Now just need to start learning how to play it. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 25 Jul 2015 8:38 am
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Trent, one of my favorite tunings for 8 string steels is A6 with G on the bottom as follows:
E C# A F# E C# A G
Works well for western swing music.
With this tuning you can also play C6 tab music with G on the top by moving up each note on the C6 tab 3 frets.
The above A6 with G on the bottom at the 3rd fret is as follows:
G E C A G E C A#
C. E.
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
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Adam Nero
From:
Wisconsin
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Posted 25 Jul 2015 7:09 pm
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Wonder if these have a long scale like my C 520... kinda looks that way.
_________________
2 cheap dobros, several weird old lap steels, and one lifelong ticket to ride on the pedal steel struggle bus. |
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Trent Harris
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2015 1:37 pm
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C.E. - I was thinking of putting A6 on the top, that way I had C6 on Bottom and A6 on top, at least the grips and things would be same? At least at first while I'm learning?
Adam- I think there are 35 frets marked? |
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C. E. Jackson
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