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Topic: Pre-War Gibson EH-185 |
David D White
From:
Missouri, USA
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2018 5:52 am |
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That tone is why we love old guitars.
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Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 5 Aug 2018 10:18 am
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David, thanks for the post. More pictures would be appreciated, but I know you don't post many.
I, like John, really like the tone of old vintage steels, especially the Gibson EH-185 models. I have
one or more of each of the Charlie Christian (U-Magnet) pickup models, and ES-300 pickup models
on 6, 7, 8, 10 string steels.
C. E. Jackson 
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Robert Sands
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2018 10:51 am
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I recently purchased that same model lap steel. Mine is a 1940 EH-185 with the ES 300 diagonal pickup. Just like the video above. Tone of the Gods!!! I think it's the metal plate that runs the length of the body and the fact that the instrument is hollow that gives it that holly, rich metalic sound (duh, lol). Very vintage and very distinct. No other steel sounds like it. I have several really great lap steel. A 1940 Rickenbacher B6, a Sierra, a 1962 Supro Jet Airliner and a 1955 Stringmaster D8. All wonderful instruments. Nothing beats this Gibson. Just an amazingly toneful steel. And its unique tone helps it sit in the mix really well. Bright but really rich sounding.
Last edited by Robert Sands on 11 Aug 2018 4:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 11 Aug 2018 12:27 pm
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Periodically, I go through my collection, select a different lap steel, tune and play. However, I always go back to the one that is my favorite of all.
GIBSON EH-185 (v.1a) 7 STRING C.C. pu: c.1939
This model has a U-magnet pickup and non-slip grey-colored material spread on the back and neck that follows the outline of the back and neck, rather than being diamond-shaped as found on models shipped after the Fall of 1939. This steel was from the first batch of EH-185 steels, and a total of 7 of the 7 string model were shipped in 1939. It has a 22 1/2" scale, with adjustable pu, and fret markers at positions I grew up with. The "Hyblum" metal plate adds to beauty and stability of the instruments. Palm and finger harmonics are excellent at various positions. Overall string spacing at the nut is 2.0", which makes it easy to play various 3 string note positions on 2 or 3 frets. Upright tuners are my favorite, and of course I prefer control knobs on the same side. My favorite tuning is A6. In my opinion, the EH-185 models are the finest lap steels ever made by Gibson, although only an estimated 503 were made.
This is from an earlier post I made. However, it is still my favorite today.
C. E. Jackson
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels |
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