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Topic: Gibson Ultratone (1954) |
Ryan Yarmel
From:
Rochester, New York
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Posted 3 Oct 2015 8:39 am |
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Gibson Ultratone
ca. 1954
SN: 4 4493
Late example of a Gibson Ultratone, designed by Chicago industrial design firm Barnes & Reinecke and first appeared in Gibson's 1947 catalog, which sought to capture the sleek design aesthetics of the 1940s and early 1950s. Features a cream colored, single-bound top, with lucite fingerboard, unique brown/purple pickup and peghead cover with golden floral embellishments. Interestingly enough, on the peghead cover the letters "MOMI" appear engraved in script. Equipped with Kluson tuners, and P90 pickup. In excellent condition, finish checking present, ding in fingerboard by 15th fret on bass side, and "belt-buckle" rash on back of guitar.
$1199
CALL (585) 473-6140 or email RYAN@BERNUNZIO.ccom
bernunzio.com/product/gibson-ultratone-20661/ |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2015 9:23 am
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How do you get belt buckle rash on a lap steel?  |
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John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 5 Oct 2015 8:11 pm
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I think that the correct term is "lap rash".
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"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Oct 2015 7:49 am
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"lap rash", I like that! 
Beautiful guitar, BTW! |
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Ryan Yarmel
From:
Rochester, New York
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Posted 6 Oct 2015 12:45 pm
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Lap rash! I will use that term from now on. Thanks everyone...does anyone have an idea what the "Momi" stands for?
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Bernunzio Uptown Music, located in Rochester NY, has been buying and selling vintage stringed instruments for over 40 years. We offer a fine selection of banjos, guitars, ukuleles, mandolins and more. For more information call (585) 473-6140, or visit Bernunzio.com |
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 7 Oct 2015 11:03 am
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I have a 1953 and a 1959. The 53 has the same pickup cover as the 54, but not a peg head cover or means to attach one. Mine was blue originally, but now is green after aging. The 59 has the pickup moved toward the bridge more. It has a smaller bridge cover, but the pickup is exposed with its own (Salmon) cover. The peg head has the cover picture on the 54.
There were many cosmetic changes in the years these were produced.
I love the sound and the scale length is perfect for me.
I have seen guys with these strapped on like a guitar. Maybe why the buckle rash on this one. Still a really nice piece.
Lefty |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2015 1:58 pm
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Gibson built a guitar very similiar to this one called the Century.
It wasn't as nice as this model and it didn't have the peg head cover. |
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Steve Knight
From:
NC
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Posted 8 Oct 2015 5:45 am
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"Momi" is Hawaiian for "pearl". Maybe a local store was trying to market this steel for Hawaiian music? Or maybe it was engraved for a nickname or band name? I found a pic of a clean cover from a 7-string:
I like the "Momi" inlay  |
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 8 Oct 2015 9:34 am
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I suspect the peg head cover was added in 1954.
My 1953 is the same exact guitar as this 1954 but minus the peg head cover. My 1959 has the peg head cover, but the newer style bridge cover. It also has Les Paul type cream colored knobs instead of the gold ones.
Lefty |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2015 1:31 pm
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| Lefty wrote: |
| I have a 1953 and a 1959. The 53 has the same pickup cover as the 54, but not a peg head cover or means to attach one. Mine was blue originally, but now is green after aging. |
Your '53 is most likely not an Ultratone, but rather a Century, as Mr. Niehaus suggests. The Ultratone was discontinued about 1955. Your salmon-colored instrument matches the description of the post-1955 Century. The Century is often mistaken for the Ultratone, and vice-versa. Aside from the headstock cover, the finish, and the tonewoods, they are virtually identical.
About 1956 Gibson produced a limited run of blue instruments with a peghead cover that they dubbed the "Century Deluxe." It shares the wraparound style bridge with the third generation salmon-colored Centuries. It may be difficult to tell from the following photos, but my Century Deluxe also has aged to a greenish-blue hue.
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2015 7:44 am
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Some beautiful instruments pictured.
Here is my Century:
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 9 Oct 2015 11:49 am
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You are never too old to learn something.
Mine is the same green color.
Mine has the logo on the peg head as Erv's guitar pictured above.
Lefty |
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