Nick Vassilev's Place: Cleaning etc.

#37 of 50 painted and aged by Tom Murphy himself

I’ve held a real 1959 Burst only once (never played one though – the guy wouldn’t allow it ) but this amazing guitar feels like the real thing. I guess it is Tom Murphy’s unique craftsmanship that represents the vibe of the Burst so truly.

It has the fatter and rounder 50′s profile neck which is somehow right for this guitar. I have mostly played lots of 60′s style thinner necks and this one feels differently pleasant.

The first thing that you notice is the AAA maple flame top and its amazing colour. Staring closer and you will see the period correct cracks in the paint that a real Burst would have developed today. I must say – it looks and feels like the real thing. The pickup covers have been changed with rustier and more convincingly older ones to complement the whole look of the guitar.

I am no specialist in vintage guitars although I have read quite a lot but I reproduce what I see and feel. The tone of this 40th Anniversary R9 is awesome. I wouldn’t notice the difference between these pickups and a pair of real PAFs, so to me they sound like PAFs. End of story.

Looking at a real Burst’s price of over £200,000, I believe that for its price the 4oth Anniversary Gibson Les Paul R9  represents unique value for money. Of course if you manage to find one on ebay.

By the way I have heard that Gibson have manufactured only about 700 Les Paul Standards (real Bursts) during 1959. The estimated number of Bursts today is higher that that. What, you didn’t think counterfeiters would spare that lovely piece of musical instrument? No man, people would sell their soul for money today .

Have you had this sudden feeling that something is wrong? Nothing wrong with that only when everything seems perfectly OK and you have an initial “bad” feeling about all this it may ring some alarm bells.

Let me give you some advice – your gut feeling is never wrong. I don’t know what exactly it is but I believe it is a way of self-preservation. Listen to it regularly and you will soon be able to know when to “leave everything and run” or “let go” of things.

I learned (another) lesson recently, following my total disrespect of my gut feeling alarm bells. Now I know better. Because I know myself better. My gut feeling is always right.

Just another piece of advice – if someone tells you he is cool – he is not. 100%.

If you dropped your coffee mug after reading my “shocking” advice, I suggest you call the Wood Floor Sanding London specialists to have a look at your damaged floor. Rispek!

Христос Возкресе! Нека всички бъдат здрави и щастливи!