NGD 1956 A 500

[Rich Cohen]

Well, I'm again an owner of an A 500, this time from the first year they were made, 1956. The guitar has been refinished sometime in the past, in a Gibson style, along with a Gibson type pickguard, and the original Kluson tuners have been replaced with gold Grover Imperials. Lou del Rosso of GuitarsnJazz in Summit, NJ who sold it to me put new Thomastik George Benson flat 12's on it. It has a Lollar pup with two stealth control wheels. Acoustically, even with flats on it is quite loud, and through my Rivera amp its sounds, well, amazing. Here's some pics. Wear a bib.

 

[HeyMikey]

Boy, that flamey back really shimmers Rich! She’s a beauty. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[zulu]

My gosh congratulations! Just stunning.

 

[GGJaguar]

I'm glad you warned us to wear a bib, 'cause I'm drooling! That's fantastic, congrats!

 

[GAD]

Beautiful refin!

 

[walrus]

That is beautiful! Flame flame flame!

Congratulations!

walrus

 

[scottferreter]

Damn that's beautiful!

 

[davismanLV]

HOLY CRAP!! My mouth is watering soooo bad. Congrats, amigo!!

 

[shihan]

You outdid your previous lofty heights with this one. Lordy that’s beautiful! Congratulations and enjoy!

 

[HeyMikey]

I’ve achieved a similar almost 3-D shimmer on some old flammed wood rifle stocks I’ve refinished. It takes not only having really good wood, but also following a methodical process of wet sanding to super fine levels. That 3-D shimmer doesn’t start to appear until the tail end of the process.

I wonder if the superb flame we are seeing here on Rich’s guitar was in part due to the refinish work. I’m guessing that whoever did it did so with some extra loving care to get it to illuminate so well.

 

[twocorgis]

Wow, that's just beautiful Rich. Play it in good health!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

That’s gorgeous, the figure in the wood is stunning!

 

[GGJaguar]

@Rich Cohen how does it sound acoustically compared to the other A-500 you had and the Benedetto Artist Award?

 

[Uke]

Love that top!

 

[Nuuska]

. . . It has a Lollar pup with two stealth control wheels. . . .

Absolutely beautiful guitar - happy you

Would you please show a picture of those stealth control wheels?

 

[Stuball48]

I think the name Rich or Richard means, "Hunter of Jewels" because that '56 is one good looking jewel.

 

[Rich Cohen]

I think the name Rich or Richard means, "Hunter of Jewels" because that '56 is one good looking jewel.

Shelby,
I won't dispute your statement!

 

[Rich Cohen]

@Rich Cohen how does it sound acoustically compared to the other A-500 you had and the Benedetto Artist Award?

GG,
It's been some time since I owned my first A-500, which was a product of the 1960's. What I can say is even with the Thomastik 12 flats, the acoustic voice is respectable, about the same as my earlier one (I don't remember its strings). However, I would say that the Lollar pup produces a creamier sound than the DeArmond 1100 which was on the first A500. Also, being a build of 1956, probably there were more experienced Epiphone craftsman in the shop at that time, being only four years after Guild hired them away from Epiphone during the labor strike of 1951-52 at Epiphone. One thing I really like about this axe is its neck...it's comfortable and fast. I'm going to record a jazz tune I invented called "Don't Keep Me Hangin' Baby," on this A500 to give you an idea of how mellow it sounds.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Absolutely beautiful guitar - happy you

Would you please show a picture of those stealth control wheels?

Nuuska,
Here's a pic of the stealth control wheels. It's a little challenging to a get a clear picture as they are hidden beneath the pickguard.

 

[AcornHouse]

Absolutely beautiful guitar - happy you

Would you please show a picture of those stealth control wheels?

Probably similar (if not the same) as these.

Schatten Thumbwheel Controls - StewMac

Convenient controls mount unobtrusively beneath a raised pickguard.

www.stewmac.com