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Topic: Gibson BR-9 |
Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 3 May 2021 3:05 pm |
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Need some advice. Is the BR-9 a decent lap steel? The one I'm looking at is from the '50's. I've got a Recording King RG-32
which is good, but I'd like to upgrade. Can't afford a Panda, but....... |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 3 May 2021 3:19 pm
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IMHO...
The BR9 is great as long as it still has its original P90 pickup. It was a Gibson student model. Simple, reliable, well made. But really, it’s all about that P90. Definitely a step up from the Recording King.
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 3 May 2021 6:01 pm
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I currently have two of 'em, and I like 'em alot, but mine aren't stock. In their original factory configuration, they sport an integral (and relatively fragile) molded Plexiglas combination control mounting plate/pickup/bridge cover (Gibson called it a fingerrest):
Coming from a pedal steel background, I like to rest the heel of my picking hand directly between the pickup and the top of the bridge to facilitate blocking. The factory fingerrest interferes with my right hand. So I ditch 'em and fabricate a new control mounting plate:
It's important to know that the BR-9 was by far the most common lap steel guitar to come out of Kalamazoo wearing the Gibson badge; over 13,000 were marketed between 1947 and 1959. That's more than double the entire prewar Gibson lap steel production of all models combined. The point being -- BR-9s are not exactly scarce. There are three main variations of the BR-9:
1) The early models (1947-1951) with gloss ivory paint and the wide oval/racetrack pickup.
2) Gloss ivory paint with the P-90 pickup (1951-1954).
3) Matte crinkle-coat ivory paint with P-90 (1954-1959).
Another issue to be aware of is the slim possibility of headstock warpage. I've personally seen this on two separate BR-9s; both of which were later models with the crinkled paint job. Not necessarily a deal breaker, as one can always fabricate a nut that's higher on one end than the other to level out the lie of the strings so they're all on the same plane between the nut and bridge.
Until the Skylark came along in 1957, the BR-9 had been Gibson's entry level student model lap steel. It's definitely not a Bakelite, but a decent BR-9 will give lots of Centurys and Ultratones a run for the money. And, in my opinion, they sound exponentially superior to Skylarks. |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 4 May 2021 1:44 am
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I think they are great steels. The first lap steel I bought was a BR-9 and even though I have since acquired double, triple and quad neck 8-stringers, my little BR-9 still gets plenty of use. If I'm doing a guitar gig or recording session, I always bring it too "just in case" and it almost always gets some use.
I had to replace the tuners as the pegs were cracking and deformed but an artificially aged set of "Les Paul Jnr" tuners were a perfect drop-in replacement.
Last edited by Jeff Mead on 4 May 2021 6:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Matt Berg
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 4 May 2021 6:33 am
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| I played one once, and thought that the pickup cover was an immediate deal breaker. Glad to see that someone has fabricated a workaround that is both practical and visually appealing. |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 4 May 2021 6:52 am
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I find it really strange that nobody ever complains about the old Fenders with the boxcar or trapezoid pickups or Rickenbackers with their horseshoe pickups or Supros. Even Stringmaster players usually seem to leave the bridge cover on. All of these prevent right hand string muting in exactly the same way as the BR-9 does but I've never heard anyone say a bad word about any of them.
But, it seems with the BR-9 (and only the BR-9), there are lots of people who just can't live with the bridge cover. Can anyone explain why? |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 4 May 2021 8:10 am
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| Jeff Mead wrote: |
I find it really strange that nobody ever complains about the old Fenders with the boxcar or trapezoid pickups or Rickenbackers with their horseshoe pickups or Supros. Even Stringmaster players usually seem to leave the bridge cover on. All of these prevent right hand string muting in exactly the same way as the BR-9 does but I've never heard anyone say a bad word about any of them.
But, it seems with the BR-9 (and only the BR-9), there are lots of people who just can't live with the bridge cover. Can anyone explain why? |
Here's my take on it, for whatever it's worth:
1) Many (if not most) postwar Gibson lap steels feature a fingerrest -- or pickup/bridge cover -- that is easily removable by pulling a few woodscrews or a single thumbscrew. Many players pull 'em off to play (check out Doug Beaumier's YT videos where he tears it up on his black Century-6). Often times those covers have gone missing from vintage Gibsons because they've been misplaced (or broken) somewhere along the line. The two exceptions to this are the BR-9s and the 2nd and 3rd generation BR-6s, both of which have molded Plexiglas covers that double as a control mounting plate.
2) Horseshoe-equipped Rics, string-through Valcos, and early Fenders all feature pickups which would be rendered useless by any modification. Players have little choice besides becoming accustomed to their inherent design. The covers on the Stringmaster steels are tiny and unobtrusive in comparison to the Rics, Valcos, early Fenders, and especially the massive molded Plexiglas covers that Gibson used.
I have an old Studio Deluxe with the Stringmaster-style cover; I pulled the cover off and stashed it away. But that's just me -- whatever works for ya' is good! I also have a Ric B6 with the horseshoe, which I consider the best-sounding electric guitar pickup I've ever played. Bakelite's ring like a good brass bell! I wouldn't dream of modifying it in any way, shape, or form. I'm not crazy about resting my hand on top of those two magnets, but ooh-lah-lah -- that sound!!! |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 4 May 2021 9:27 am
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Thanks for the replies and info. Really a big help.
Jack, are there any less expensive Ric's with the B6 horseshoe pickup? Or other guitars that are comparable? I ask because my next lap steel is kind of a bucket list thing, if I had a bucket. I've been a musician for most of my life and play multiple instruments, but have really fallen in love with the lap steel. I turn 72 next month and while my mind is still working reasonably well and before they pat me on the face with a shovel, I'd like to own and play a decent instrument. I'm thinking maybe in the $800 or so range. If you (or anyone else) has any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate it. There are just so many different lap steels out there it gets mind boggling for me. As this is probably the last one I'll buy, I don't want to make a mistake. Thanks much! |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 4 May 2021 10:01 am
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Brad, there are some wooden models from the '50s & '60s in the 100 series with horseshoe pickups. There are also some Bakelite "Ace" and "Academy" models that are downscale versions of the "B" series that have a good reputation, although I've never played or seen one first-hand. There's an Ace available on Reverb.com as I type that would seem to be right down your wheelhouse:
https://reverb.com/item/7438968-vintage-rickenbacker-ace-lap-steel-guitar-circa-1948 |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 4 May 2021 11:07 am
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| Hard to tell exactly from those pix, but that appears to be a lovely EH-100 (and only a coupla miles from my former domicile). I'd be all over that one if the seller would take $800.00. |
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David Venzke
From:
SE Michigan, USA
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Posted 4 May 2021 11:32 am
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Brad,
I have a Ric American Academy (or "Ace") that I would sell for a good deal less than the one on Reverb. Send me an email if you are interested and I'll be glad to send you some photos.
-Dave |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 6 May 2021 2:59 pm
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I really appreciate all the feedback everyone. It's really nice to be able to get advice I can count on when I don't have a clue (I do have a clue about pro audio equipment if anyone ever has a question).
Jack - I checked on that 37 Gibson, but we couldn't reach an agreement.
I was able to buy a very nice Ric American Academy from fellow forumite Dave Venzke. Can't wait to play it
I've got another question. Would it be in bad taste to put a couple of Hawaiian themed decals on a vintage instrument (easily removable).
Thanks again to all. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 May 2021 7:01 am
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| Brad Richard wrote: |
Jack - I checked on that 37 Gibson, but we couldn't reach an agreement.
I was able to buy a very nice Ric American Academy from fellow forumite Dave Venzke. Can't wait to play it
I've got another question. Would it be in bad taste to put a couple of Hawaiian themed decals on a vintage instrument (easily removable). |
Too bad about the Gibson in Eden Prairie. The asking price is certainly no great bargain, which is presumably why it's still available. You're sure to be pleased with your new Bakelite Ric. From dealing with him in the past, it's my feeling that Dave's a good guy and a straight-shooter.
I probably wouldn't put decals on a vintage instrument, but certainly would not advise against anyone else doing it, especially if it's easily reversible. One of my BR-9s (not the one pictured above) came with some decals from a Revell Chris-Craft yacht plastic model kit attached to the headstock. I kinda dug 'em, so I left 'em on there:
Have fun with your new Ric! |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 7 May 2021 7:59 am
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| Brad Richard wrote: |
I've got another question. Would it be in bad taste to put a couple of Hawaiian themed decals on a vintage instrument (easily removable).
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Well, it's an Academy, not a flamed maple Gibson EH-150 so I say, if it makes you smile, do it! Congrats on a great guitar, by the way. The only reason I recently sold mine is because I bought a B6. When my steel collection reached 12, I had to adopt a one-in-one-out policy! |
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Brad Richard
From:
Chisago City, Minnesota
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Posted 9 May 2021 9:53 am
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Received my Ric AA from Dave Venzke today and it sounds wonderful. Pleasure doing business with you Dave!! This is what I was looking for and I'm all set. When I'm playing it I feel just like Doug Beaumier except for the playing  .
Loving it. |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 13 May 2021 9:53 am Gibson BR9 Comments
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Yesterday I pulled out my BR9 for some playing time. In some ways it’s a bit of an oddball. It’s obviously a cheaply made instrument, made primarily for learners. But with its steel bridge and nut, and that P90 pickup, it punches way above its weight.
All in all, a very nice playing, and very nice sounding instrument.
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
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