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1965 Gibson Melody Maker with Red Rhodes Velvet Hammer Pick-Up - Original Case
Estimated price for orientation: 1 100 $
Category: Electric Guitar
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Gibson Dexterity: Right-Handed Body Type: Solid Body Color: Cherry Model: Melody Maker Body Material: Solid Wood String Configuration: 6 String Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
1965 Gibson Melody Maker with Red Rhodes Velvet Hammer Pick-Up - Original Alligator Case Double cut-away, with 1 single pick-up in the original cherry finish. This guitar is made from a solid slab of mahogany, with a single piece set neck. Unique feature: The guitar has a rare vintage hot wound / higher output Red Rhodes Velvet Hammer Pick-Up that is incredible, and paired with this guitar... I just love the tone. This is the same pick-up company used by Joan Jett in her Melody Maker (except she uses the humbucker). It's just a wicked sound, and I'm not even from Boston. The pick-up alone is rare, and often sells for over $300. Red Rhodes passed away in the late 90s and these have been hard to find and out of production ever since. The guitar has a wrap around compensated tail piece (not original, compensated for modern strings) and has vintage chrome Schaller of Germany tuners (not original). Tuners are solid and stay in tune. I believe one pot is original, one has been replaced, both smooth, all electronics in perfect working order. Finish is original heritage cherry, but naturally aged with that "relic" look. There are a number of marks, checks, dings and scratches... but this is all original from 1965. Prior to my ownership, someone tried to replace one of the dot inlays, so one dot looks slightly different, but it does not hinder playing what so ever (just want to make sure that I describe the guitar fairly). The frets are on the slim side, but with even wear. The guitar plays perfectly and is very playable and fast with low action. There are three holes on the top from the original tremolo arm assembly (not included). I think these tremolo parts tended to cause Tuning problems, so many players removed them, the holes are fairly common for vintage melody makers. I am very picky about intonation, and even with a simple compensated tailpiece, it holds very well with no intonation problems. Plays similar to a Les Paul Junior. Players love these guitars for their light weight, on average just over 5 pounds. The body and neck are solid as a rock and have never been cracked or damaged... It's solid. I love plugging this guitar into my smaller Fender Pro Junior or Blues Junior, cranking the amp and then working the guitar volume knob... at mid volumes it's got a nice warm tone... then turn up the Velvet Hammer and it just cuts through and ROCKS. Also included is the original and vintage Alligator skin case. The case is collectable, but not road worthy safe. It's old. The internal parts are missing. I use some foam to give it some support. The latches work and the original handle is there, but it's overall just a bit "loose", the stitching is a bit rough in a couple areas, there is some tape on it and some tears - but also rare and original. I've always thought that a leather worker or shoe repair person could probably restore it to some degree. (When I transport the guitar, I do so in a Les Paul case (not included) and it fits fine, as you may want to buy another case for it). Does it sound like I love this guitar? YES. Do I want to sell it? NO
BUT... it's time, and it needs to go to a good home where someone will play it and enjoy it,
Tip: The last Res Rhodes Velvet Hammer pick-up similar to this one, sold here on eBay for $297. Reverb.com has one listed right now for $349. If you are a guitar buyer / seller... You could buy this guitar, swap out the pickup with another great single coil... and re-sell the VH pick-up. But if you are player... I would buy this guitar and leave that bad boy right where it is! Please look at the pictures closely and ask any questions. I am responsive and will answer them to the best of my abilities.
This sale is final. No Returns. Sold Working and VERY MUCH playable, but AS-IS.
No international buyers, No international shipping. Domestic US only.
Prompt Payment via PayPal ONLY.
From the Gibson Melody Maker Wiki:
The Gibson Melody Maker was first launched in 1959 and discontinued in 1971. It had a thin slab-style mahogany body and a one-piece mahogany neck. All the electronics, from the small single-coil pickups to the cable jack, were assembled on the pickguard and installed in a rout in the front of the body. The strings ran from a straight-sided simplification of the traditional Gibson headstock at one end to a wraparound bridge/tailpiece unit at the other. From the Red Rhodes Wiki: Orville J. Rhodes, better known as Red Rhodes or O. J. Rhodes (December 30, 1930 – August 20, 1995), was an American pedal steel guitarist. His mother taught him to play the Dobro at the age of five, but at the age of fifteen he switched to the steel guitar. He was a boxer and an oil company engineer before he settled into music. He moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and became a session musician. In the late 1970s Rhodes shifted his focus from performing to guitar electronics at his Royal Amplifier Service shop in Hollywood, California. There Rhodes modified amplifiers and created his custom Velvet Hammer guitar pickups for James Burton, Clarence White, Gerald Ray and other influential guitarists. His shop staff included future instrument makers David Schecter, Michael Tobias and Bill Chapin. Rheumatoid arthritis restricted Rhodes' public performances and recordings in the 1980s and 1990s, with the notable exception of his appearance on Michael Nesmith's Tropical Campfires album and tour in 1992. Rhodes fell ill soon after this tour, and died on August 20, 1995.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Gibson |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed | Body Type: | Solid |
| Body Color: | Cherry | Model: | Melody Maker |
| Body Material: | Solid Wood | String Configuration: | 6 String |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
1965 Gibson Melody Maker with Red Rhodes Velvet Hammer Pick-Up - Original Alligator Case Double cut-away, with 1 single pick-up in the original cherry finish. This guitar is made from a solid slab of mahogany, with a single piece set neck. Unique feature: The guitar has a rare vintage hot wound / higher output Red Rhodes Velvet Hammer Pick-Up that is incredible, and paired with this guitar... I just love the tone. This is the same pick-up company used by Joan Jett in her Melody Maker (except she uses the humbucker). It's just a wicked sound, and I'm not even from Boston. The pick-up alone is rare, and often sells for over $300. Red Rhodes passed away in the late 90s and these have been hard to find and out of production ever since. The guitar has a wrap around compensated tail piece (not original, compensated for modern strings) and has vintage chrome Schaller of Germany tuners (not original). Tuners are solid and stay in tune. I believe one pot is original, one has been replaced, both smooth, all electronics in perfect working order. Finish is original heritage cherry, but naturally aged with that "relic" look. There are a number of marks, checks, dings and scratches... but this is all original from 1965. Prior to my ownership, someone tried to replace one of the dot inlays, so one dot looks slightly different, but it does not hinder playing what so ever (just want to make sure that I describe the guitar fairly). The frets are on the slim side, but with even wear. The guitar plays perfectly and is very playable and fast with low action. There are three holes on the top from the original tremolo arm assembly (not included). I think these tremolo parts tended to cause Tuning problems, so many players removed them, the holes are fairly common for vintage melody makers. I am very picky about intonation, and even with a simple compensated tailpiece, it holds very well with no intonation problems. Plays similar to a Les Paul Junior. Players love these guitars for their light weight, on average just over 5 pounds. The body and neck are solid as a rock and have never been cracked or damaged... It's solid. I love plugging this guitar into my smaller Fender Pro Junior or Blues Junior, cranking the amp and then working the guitar volume knob... at mid volumes it's got a nice warm tone... then turn up the Velvet Hammer and it just cuts through and ROCKS. Also included is the original and vintage Alligator skin case. The case is collectable, but not road worthy safe. It's old. The internal parts are missing. I use some foam to give it some support. The latches work and the original handle is there, but it's overall just a bit "loose", the stitching is a bit rough in a couple areas, there is some tape on it and some tears - but also rare and original. I've always thought that a leather worker or shoe repair person could probably restore it to some degree. (When I transport the guitar, I do so in a Les Paul case (not included) and it fits fine, as you may want to buy another case for it). Does it sound like I love this guitar? YES. Do I want to sell it? NO
BUT... it's time, and it needs to go to a good home where someone will play it and enjoy it,
Tip: The last Res Rhodes Velvet Hammer pick-up similar to this one, sold here on eBay for $297. Reverb.com has one listed right now for $349. If you are a guitar buyer / seller... You could buy this guitar, swap out the pickup with another great single coil... and re-sell the VH pick-up. But if you are player... I would buy this guitar and leave that bad boy right where it is! Please look at the pictures closely and ask any questions. I am responsive and will answer them to the best of my abilities.
This sale is final. No Returns. Sold Working and VERY MUCH playable, but AS-IS.
No international buyers, No international shipping. Domestic US only.
Prompt Payment via PayPal ONLY.
From the Gibson Melody Maker Wiki:
The Gibson Melody Maker was first launched in 1959 and discontinued in 1971. It had a thin slab-style mahogany body and a one-piece mahogany neck. All the electronics, from the small single-coil pickups to the cable jack, were assembled on the pickguard and installed in a rout in the front of the body. The strings ran from a straight-sided simplification of the traditional Gibson headstock at one end to a wraparound bridge/tailpiece unit at the other. From the Red Rhodes Wiki: Orville J. Rhodes, better known as Red Rhodes or O. J. Rhodes (December 30, 1930 – August 20, 1995), was an American pedal steel guitarist. His mother taught him to play the Dobro at the age of five, but at the age of fifteen he switched to the steel guitar. He was a boxer and an oil company engineer before he settled into music. He moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and became a session musician. In the late 1970s Rhodes shifted his focus from performing to guitar electronics at his Royal Amplifier Service shop in Hollywood, California. There Rhodes modified amplifiers and created his custom Velvet Hammer guitar pickups for James Burton, Clarence White, Gerald Ray and other influential guitarists. His shop staff included future instrument makers David Schecter, Michael Tobias and Bill Chapin. Rheumatoid arthritis restricted Rhodes' public performances and recordings in the 1980s and 1990s, with the notable exception of his appearance on Michael Nesmith's Tropical Campfires album and tour in 1992. Rhodes fell ill soon after this tour, and died on August 20, 1995.
BUT... it's time, and it needs to go to a good home where someone will play it and enjoy it,
Tip: The last Res Rhodes Velvet Hammer pick-up similar to this one, sold here on eBay for $297. Reverb.com has one listed right now for $349. If you are a guitar buyer / seller... You could buy this guitar, swap out the pickup with another great single coil... and re-sell the VH pick-up. But if you are player... I would buy this guitar and leave that bad boy right where it is! Please look at the pictures closely and ask any questions. I am responsive and will answer them to the best of my abilities.
This sale is final. No Returns. Sold Working and VERY MUCH playable, but AS-IS.
No international buyers, No international shipping. Domestic US only.
Prompt Payment via PayPal ONLY.
From the Gibson Melody Maker Wiki:
The Gibson Melody Maker was first launched in 1959 and discontinued in 1971. It had a thin slab-style mahogany body and a one-piece mahogany neck. All the electronics, from the small single-coil pickups to the cable jack, were assembled on the pickguard and installed in a rout in the front of the body. The strings ran from a straight-sided simplification of the traditional Gibson headstock at one end to a wraparound bridge/tailpiece unit at the other. From the Red Rhodes Wiki: Orville J. Rhodes, better known as Red Rhodes or O. J. Rhodes (December 30, 1930 – August 20, 1995), was an American pedal steel guitarist. His mother taught him to play the Dobro at the age of five, but at the age of fifteen he switched to the steel guitar. He was a boxer and an oil company engineer before he settled into music. He moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and became a session musician. In the late 1970s Rhodes shifted his focus from performing to guitar electronics at his Royal Amplifier Service shop in Hollywood, California. There Rhodes modified amplifiers and created his custom Velvet Hammer guitar pickups for James Burton, Clarence White, Gerald Ray and other influential guitarists. His shop staff included future instrument makers David Schecter, Michael Tobias and Bill Chapin. Rheumatoid arthritis restricted Rhodes' public performances and recordings in the 1980s and 1990s, with the notable exception of his appearance on Michael Nesmith's Tropical Campfires album and tour in 1992. Rhodes fell ill soon after this tour, and died on August 20, 1995.