I love the fact that Gibson quality was so spot on in 1959, that even the cheapest student model like the Melody Maker is playable 63 years later. Your playing is superb Matthew.
The guitar sounds just like it should for the way it looks, and your playing makes it sound even better, the vintage Fender amp is just the icing on what I already mentioned. Awesome content Matt.
I was playing rhythm guitar in a garage band back in about 1970. I had a 65 Fender bassman with the "big cab". My friend's dad had I think this same model, which he let me play at a gig. It was amazing and i could never find another. I think the best guitar I ever got my hands on.
Now THAT is what a relic looks like - no "lab" can fake that. And your playing gave me "White Summer/Black Mountain Side" vibes, probably because it echoes Jimmy's Dano single coil tone coming off those low-impedence liptsick tubes. Yeah, this one is worth saving.
Exactly THAT - that was my first reaction seeing the back.. exactly like my first guitar from 1972 looks today.. No way anyone can anymore mimic the old time nitro ageing.. the modern stuff has too much plasticisers in it, any attempts to "checking" just look silly... That said, Fender CS did it good some 10-15 years ago, looked authentic - but later they slapped new shiny chrome hardware on these :) bridges, knobs, tuning machines .. yikes 😂
WOW. She was compressing like MO-FO on that first chord progression. Its like she was recessitated and took her first breathe after many years of resting. She sounds glorious.
In my opinion, "Horrific condition" is what has preserved it and made it survive and arrive into your hands. Good God! you are in tune with the the universe of vintage gits man! your playing inspires me to play more! To quote Frieburger! "Don't get it right, just get it running!" Is there anything you can't make sound like angelic golden tone? To hear you play my '59 Silvertone 1365 (by Kay) Aristocrat is my dream.I can't recall ever seeing you play anything but solid bodies.
NOTHING turns on an inventor as some fool saying "they can replica this"... Give a fookin' break.... In the inventor world the mantra is: "If you can pay, we can invent it".
Wow... I am amazed at how responsive that pickup was to the variation in your attack on the strings weather it was finger picking, pick picking, hard attack, soft attack, more towards the neck and/or the bridge. The tones, OMG. I'm gonna have to subscribe to see how this turns out. Back to the video, I need to hear that ol' gal sing again. That pickup really has some magic to it.
@@davespargo5944 You forgot to question D M, on how far the stick was up his arse. I liked your original comment whether it's the Guitar, the Player, or the weather.
@@danielboone8748, dude, this is 100% total comedy to see that you and DM are throwing such a fit over 1 word. 1 F'n word. Then you go for the intelligence and credibility bs??? Thanks for the laugh. Sad to see that there (are you happy? I used the right one...) are folks so, so, ummmmm..... screwed up in life that this is the best they can complain about.
@@danielboone8748, it appears that YOU are the one on a rant. I'd suggest that if you want to be taken seriously, you would be wise in not being such a condescending a$$ hat. Oh, I'm sorry, those 2 $$'s are in replacement of the letter s. One last thought, if you are going to come unglued over one misspelled word at that was typed at 3 in the morning, you really have some issues to tend to. Sweet dreams there sugar cake.......🙂
Its like it has so much more to play. So many more songs left in it. I think its really happy you have resurrected it. Will be happy to see this journey as you bring it back around.
Wow. The noise from the worn out frets and the obvious extra effort to make it articulate, especially on the lower frets really makes it unique sounding. Goosebumps. It tells an amazing story, even more so because you have to use your imagination, wonder what was played on it, how far it traveled and all that glorious stuff. It looks like it was dragged behind a tractor on a gravel road. Every little ding singing a song in it's own voice. Priceless! And now, you're going to wake it up, give it a new life, more amazing stories. You're truly doing God's work, man. I think you might see it the same way, too.
I have two Melody Makers, single cut and both are double pickups. One’s a 1960 and the other is a 1961. These are great guitars! This must be a really great sounding guitar for it to be so worn. Those pickups can be found on a few Gibson lapsteel’s. They’re really bright.. enjoy! I’ve owned around 25 Melody Maker’s over the last 50 years.
The tone of those Gibson guitars from 50's and 60's is something you cannot replicate in modern guitars.I owned several 60's Sg junior,Lp juniors,etc,and the sound was somethin outta this world.Congrats for your vintage finds...this last Melody Maker is simply magical,and you play it very well.
@@liecht Alchemy is the right word.. I couldnt have said that better... wish I could own one of these.. My only consolation is my 1959 Gibsonette, sounds like no amp I have :)
this vid is like watching " i rescued a straying cat and now she loves me " .. right , this guitar deserves a bit of love and a warm home .... hehe cheers from germany. amazing vid.
Love the guitar safaris and subsequent restoration. Always sounds great, nicely done Matthew. Looking forward to hearing it again after the refretting.
I believe the melody maker pickups have a relatively large bar magnet and the windings are not wound on to a bobbin. Magnet is just snugly placed in the center of the coil. Closest thing construction wise would be a Danelectro lipstick pickup.
It sounds great, question is how does it feel? The back of that neck looks like the stock on a WW1 British Enfield rifle I used to have, made in 1916. That kind of wear is beyond cool! My guess is that new frets, a nice new nut, one period correct knob, and some tuners, and she ought to be good to go for another 100 years. Speaking of tuners, Waverly makes a 3 on a plate set with antique white buttons and just enough relic to the metal that they would be brilliant on this guitar. They're kinda pricey, but they'll last a lifetime, and you could always swap them back out if you flip it. This one is cool enough to justify saving up for a set, or sell something you don't need. Waverlys are amazing.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your video . Your Gibson reminds me of my brother's 51 Les Paul . It was stolen by a low life rock band he was in , in 1974 . Charley took the loss with him to the grave . Keep up the good work . Rocket Mic
Thing sounds fantastic! My first Gibson was a single pickup Melody Maker but a newer one with the SG type body. Loved that thing and played the hell out of it until it was stolen. Can't wait to see this after you put some serious love into it!
Very simple way of "aging" metal, is heating till it glows red, then drop it in some sunflower oil. Maybe twice. The metal color changes. What happens is, the oil contains carbon and that carbon gets into the metal surface. Be careful, I once found out a LP clone bridge was nickel (and some copper and a chrome finish), it started melting. No '59 bridge, still oops. Springs in a bridge won't survive glowing red hot, either. And screws holding the bridge, better just treat the top of the screw heads, you really do not want weak screws. Maybe watch some "aging" video's... Or buy a time machine.
Mathew, your blues playing is just so clean and tight and watching you play there is a lesson in every video. I am sure allot of us pick our guitars when you post!! Thank you for sharing this beast of a single coil with us.
I have a 1965 Double cut a way Melody Maker which I modded with the guts of a 1963 SG. It plays like a dream and the sustain is incredible..... far superior to all the guitars I have ever owned.... truly a "one of a kind". The one in this video is a sweet find and I am sure when "all fixed up", modded or not it will be cherished. The great thing about these guitars is they were built for student players but they can be re-built to become real screamers. Good Luck
Man Mathew! You sure know how to find the good ones! Love your playing! Your getting just the right amount of “Nasty” out of that 59 Gibson Melody Maker! Looks better than any “relic’d” guitar I’ve ever seen! As you mentioned some things just can’t be faked! Thanks for sharing your latest piece of treasure with us! It’s awesome!!!❤😮😊🙏👍✌️🤗
I like Melody Makers. As a project I bought a new one, 2 pu, sunburst, and bought a new pickguard to put CTS 500 pots, 50's style wiring, oil/paper cap, and 2 matched Lindy Fralin p90's in it, and I am so happy with the result. The body is poplar not mahogany, but it is nearly as heavy as a mahogany body. I call it my poor boy 50's Les Paul. When you are done, that's going to be a great little guitar. I would probably get a different pickup and wiring that fits in the same pickguard, but keep the originals when you want to sell it. The patina is really cool. Thanks for the video and the find.
So cool. This is the kind of video you hope would last longer. Very interesting to hear you share your knowledge. Kudos for your always well prepared research and quality stories. That guitar has some milage and traces of the life it has had so far. Hoping for a follow up video if you choose to do a refret and such. Cheers, Thor
My first guitar was a 59 MM single pickup. I was taking guitar lessons in Rockford Illinois and was 12 years old. I’ve hoped that I would run across one some day. Mine had a brown case but otherwise identical. I’m glad you a saving this one.
Great sounding guitar. I would hold onto that forever if it were mine. With new frets, as a pedal platform guitar, you will find so much inspiration from its voice..Lucky you.
THAT is a work of art. Even if you never played it, it would be worth every penny hanging on the wall. But I'm glad you're going to play it some!! Great stuff, man. 🙏
Good job! Glad you found it and are giving it some love! I also picked up an early Les Paul shaped Melody Maker, grew attached to it's original pickup sound, & I'm so glad I opted not to hack it up for Humbucker installation. It DOES work well with pedals. I've used a variety with mine. Isn't that faux 'gator case wild? Mine is from a brown cardboard 'gator!
Hi Matthew Scott, this is Bert from the Netherlands. I really enjoyed the video. I always love items with a story. And this gituar is a item that makes me smile. I also was surprised that the electronics still does their jobs. The frets may be plated for Many, many years...you almost can feel the touch of the artist who played it fir the last time. Great video..I subscribed instantly 👏. Until next time. It's a few days away but happy new year. I hope 2023 may be a successful year 🙏. Sincerely Bert de Vries.
That sure is something! Love the wear, shows how truly good these vintage lower-end models really are. Something like this and some of the '50s/'60s Musicmaster/Duo-Sonics are a couple really well-priced gems!
It refreshing to see someone do a straightforward, no fuss, just get to it and play. Really surprised how well it played. Thanks for video and I'll be back. ☮
I recognized it right away as a Melody Maker. I used to own a 1965 cherry finish version. I had a well renowned luthier totally rework it to make it play and sound better while keeping all the original parts. He mentioned that back in the day many players used them for lap slide playing. Thanks 😊
Mate, I love watching the history and story of old guitars.( by the way congrats on your your new song - love it -) but also look forward to you doing the sherlock holmes on old guitars.
I know this is an unusual comment to leave but anytime I see this guys videos I always say wow what a nice boy he is. There’s no angle here, he doesn’t make stuff up, doesn’t try to big himself up or make videos in hopes somebody with a name will give him a public pet on the head. Doesn’t demo a log of shit and try to tell you it sounds good. He’s just a dude that plays guitar and likes old guitars and wants to talk about them. I’m in! He just seems like a genuinely nice guy.
That is a guitar most people would have overlooked and considered it unplayable junk. You proved how cool it could be. Looking forward to seeing you bring that baby back to it's best and hearing it rock. Probably like never before! Don't know what you paid, but the story that case tells, could be worth it on it's own. Anxious to see/hear more from this treasure. 🎸🎶🤘
I really like the sound you got out of it, my buddy heard me listening to this from the other room and thought it was a Tele, but I think it has its own character for sure
That is so great Mr. Matthew, I'm sure late at night when no one is watching these old guitars reminiscent amongst themselves. Thank you for giving them all a home and a chance once again to sound proud and strong as they did when they were young and new. Love your channel Matthew, thank you for appreciating the beauty history sometimes tramples upon rushing for the next shiny object.
The narrow pickup Melody Makers have a very focused sound. It lacks the punch of P-90s as you said, but the low output means they take pedals extremely well. Great guitars.
The "Mojo" off that guitar is off the hook. Can't imagine how many times it's been played and the stories it could tell. I owned a 52' SG Junior with a single P-90 and sold it. It's one of those stories that I could kick myself in the ass ever day for. I must have been out of my mind.
"I Found this Vintage Gibson in HORRIFIC Condition!" I immediately think...YES!! then awe... Love this style of video and you pausing these guitars in time.
Hey Matthew! I think it's so wild how all of these "well loved" guitars somehow find their way to you so you can breath new life into them. You must have some very good connections and friends looking out for you. Thank you for taking the time to show us all of these cool guitars and amps since you obviously have a life other than YT. Wish you all the best and thanks again.
I own a 59 Melody Maker as well. I changed the pickup to a vintage telecaster pickup as it had lost its magnetic field and was quite weak. I’ve been playing mine as my main axe for 40 yrs. My fretboard was scalloped as well so I put an ebony fretboard and stainless steel frets on her. They are absolutely known as one of the best necks ever. I later put a double cream vintage humbucker in the middle position and she sings. Thanks for sharing this episode.
Amazing that the pickup was so articulate in this one. I wonder if it was owned by a roadie or sound guy. Those backstage cloth stickers have an amazing story of their own as well. Looking forward to the restoration. It was common to strip these and finish them in nitrocellulose to show off the gorgeous British Honduras mahogany. Can’t wait to see her all dressed up.
Man... Matthew, damn!.. Just have to say,as a guitarist myself. So freakin tastefull playing, not just in this video, But always..one of ny fav guitar tones in your finger tips master M...Top notch!
I love the fact that Gibson quality was so spot on in 1959, that even the cheapest student model like the Melody Maker is playable 63 years later. Your playing is superb Matthew.
It would cost Gibson thousands to make a guitar with these materials and finishes today. Yet they can still be purchased for less on Reverb.
Every guitar has a soul and a story. If this beautiful machine could talk. Thank you for your insight and inspiration.
Gotta hang the case! That’s art!
That was due to the original iteration of Gibson had passion not greed
Interesting name. Do you mean freeas in “without cost” or kind of talking about much music is liberating? Just curious.
The guitar sounds just like it should for the way it looks, and your playing makes it sound even better, the vintage Fender amp is just the icing on what I already mentioned. Awesome content Matt.
I love how you resurrect these forgotten relics. Sounds incredible!!!
Man, I'd love a '59 Melody Maker. Every MM I've played has been absolutely killer. Incredible guitars for the (relatively low) money!
The Chris buck?
No, it’s the other Chris Buck- his evil doppelgänger
@Chris Buck PM me, I may have the one you are looking for. It's a refinish from '75 and same tobacco as in the video.
When you come to the US and we can finally meet, I'll bring some guitars!
Man, I bet these guitars you find are so happy to be played again, especially by someone who makes them sound so good!
Guitars don't care about feelings
The guitar needs a covid vax so it can live longer to please it's master
@@maspesasmasperras5554 why not?
My thoughts buzzackly. I'm left very pleasantly surprised.
@@maspesasmasperras5554 Yeah, they do. And more importantly, they HAVE feelings. And YOU just broke this ones heart. You Bast@rd!!!! :D
I was playing rhythm guitar in a garage band back in about 1970. I had a 65 Fender bassman with the "big cab". My friend's dad had I think this same model, which he let me play at a gig. It was amazing and i could never find another. I think the best guitar I ever got my hands on.
Now THAT is what a relic looks like - no "lab" can fake that. And your playing gave me "White Summer/Black Mountain Side" vibes, probably because it echoes Jimmy's Dano single coil tone coming off those low-impedence liptsick tubes. Yeah, this one is worth saving.
I concur 👍
Exactly THAT - that was my first reaction seeing the back.. exactly like my first guitar from 1972 looks today.. No way anyone can anymore mimic the old time nitro ageing.. the modern stuff has too much plasticisers in it, any attempts to "checking" just look silly...
That said, Fender CS did it good some 10-15 years ago, looked authentic - but later they slapped new shiny chrome hardware on these :) bridges, knobs, tuning machines .. yikes 😂
WOW. She was compressing like MO-FO on that first chord progression. Its like she was recessitated and took her first breathe after many years of resting. She sounds glorious.
In my opinion, "Horrific condition" is what has preserved it and made it survive and arrive into your hands. Good God! you are in tune with the the universe of vintage gits man! your playing inspires me to play more! To quote Frieburger! "Don't get it right, just get it running!" Is there anything you can't make sound like angelic golden tone? To hear you play my '59 Silvertone 1365 (by Kay) Aristocrat is my dream.I can't recall ever seeing you play anything but solid bodies.
☝️☝️☝️ ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ɢɪꜰᴛ, ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ...... 🎁🎁
Your playing always puts a smile on my face. It's just uplifting and helps me to take a break from stress.
Take a break from stress? NEVER! LOL! Guitars are like a box of chocolates; sometimes ya just gotta go with that Guyatone!
Bless you for taking this on. Someone loved that guitar deeply - you can see it, and I'm sure feel it.
Amazing, well done for keeping these old instruments alive.
Never had any desire for a newly relic'd guitar, but a guitar with genuine scars from age is a thing of beauty.
You should see my 1968 Telecaster.
It's what is referred to as "honest play wear". I love banged up old guitars. Each and every scar tells a story.
And the sounds are incredible.
NOTHING turns on an inventor as some fool saying "they can replica this"... Give a fookin' break.... In the inventor world the mantra is: "If you can pay, we can invent it".
Wow... I am amazed at how responsive that pickup was to the variation in your attack on the strings weather it was finger picking, pick picking, hard attack, soft attack, more towards the neck and/or the bridge. The tones, OMG. I'm gonna have to subscribe to see how this turns out. Back to the video, I need to hear that ol' gal sing again. That pickup really has some magic to it.
WEATHER? Really? You honestly don't know the difference between WEATHER and WHETHER?
@@DougMen1, OMG, I am soooooooo sorry to have upset you with that glitch...
@@davespargo5944 You forgot to question D M, on how far the stick was up his arse. I liked your original comment whether it's the Guitar, the Player, or the weather.
@@danielboone8748, dude, this is 100% total comedy to see that you and DM are throwing such a fit over 1 word. 1 F'n word. Then you go for the intelligence and credibility bs??? Thanks for the laugh. Sad to see that there (are you happy? I used the right one...) are folks so, so, ummmmm..... screwed up in life that this is the best they can complain about.
@@danielboone8748, it appears that YOU are the one on a rant. I'd suggest that if you want to be taken seriously, you would be wise in not being such a condescending a$$ hat. Oh, I'm sorry, those 2 $$'s are in replacement of the letter s. One last thought, if you are going to come unglued over one misspelled word at that was typed at 3 in the morning, you really have some issues to tend to. Sweet dreams there sugar cake.......🙂
How you can just 'throw' some bits on a wreck of a guitar and make it sound like that leaves me in awe.
Had to subscribe Matthew, love the content.
Its like it has so much more to play. So many more songs left in it. I think its really happy you have resurrected it. Will be happy to see this journey as you bring it back around.
Wow. The noise from the worn out frets and the obvious extra effort to make it articulate, especially on the lower frets really makes it unique sounding. Goosebumps. It tells an amazing story, even more so because you have to use your imagination, wonder what was played on it, how far it traveled and all that glorious stuff. It looks like it was dragged behind a tractor on a gravel road. Every little ding singing a song in it's own voice. Priceless! And now, you're going to wake it up, give it a new life, more amazing stories. You're truly doing God's work, man. I think you might see it the same way, too.
I have two Melody Makers, single cut and both are double pickups. One’s a 1960 and the other is a 1961. These are great guitars! This must be a really great sounding guitar for it to be so worn. Those pickups can be found on a few Gibson lapsteel’s. They’re really bright.. enjoy! I’ve owned around 25 Melody Maker’s over the last 50 years.
That first rip through to test the pickup sounds fantastic. Just about as classic of a tone as you can get.
Can't wait to see what you do with this one, I really love these beat up antiques
The tone of those Gibson guitars from 50's and 60's is something you cannot replicate in modern guitars.I owned several 60's Sg junior,Lp juniors,etc,and the sound was somethin outta this world.Congrats for your vintage finds...this last Melody Maker is simply magical,and you play it very well.
Brazilian RW, Honduran hog, pickups made of stuff unobtainable anymore
@@tomasvanecek8626 absolutely,and everything working together and well seasoned through the years.That alchemy cannot be replicated
@@liecht Alchemy is the right word.. I couldnt have said that better... wish I could own one of these.. My only consolation is my 1959 Gibsonette, sounds like no amp I have :)
It's definitely unique and somehow just sounds like what it is.
this vid is like watching " i rescued a straying cat and now she loves me " .. right , this guitar deserves a bit of love and a warm home .... hehe cheers from germany. amazing vid.
Love the guitar safaris and subsequent restoration. Always sounds great, nicely done Matthew. Looking forward to hearing it again after the refretting.
Theres is a lot of history to this guitar! This is a prime example of "road worn" ! Absolutely awesome! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds amazing! Great find! So many questions about where this guitar might have been over the years. Clearly adored by someone.
It sounds like a 1950s Telecaster but with a bit more sustain , it is really nice.
I believe the melody maker pickups have a relatively large bar magnet and the windings are not wound on to a bobbin. Magnet is just snugly placed in the center of the coil. Closest thing construction wise would be a Danelectro lipstick pickup.
What a beautiful sounding guitar! Bet the guitars happy to get a second breath of life too. Fantastic as always
It sounds great, question is how does it feel?
The back of that neck looks like the stock on a WW1 British Enfield rifle I used to have, made in 1916. That kind of wear is beyond cool!
My guess is that new frets, a nice new nut, one period correct knob, and some tuners, and she ought to be good to go for another 100 years.
Speaking of tuners, Waverly makes a 3 on a plate set with antique white buttons and just enough relic to the metal that they would be brilliant on this guitar.
They're kinda pricey, but they'll last a lifetime, and you could always swap them back out if you flip it.
This one is cool enough to justify saving up for a set, or sell something you don't need. Waverlys are amazing.
wow, what a sound! it's amazing how this still works after all these years!
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your video . Your Gibson reminds me of my brother's 51 Les Paul . It was stolen by a low life rock band he was in , in 1974 . Charley took the loss with him to the grave . Keep up the good work . Rocket Mic
☝️☝️☝️ ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ɢɪꜰᴛ, ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ...... 🎁🎁
Awesome playing! The fret wear is crazy! I'm sure that guitar has some stories to tell.
Can’t wait to see you fix this up!
Man, I didn't want this one to end. Love the tone.
One day you might own a guitar store, man! You're destined for greatness.
Such tasteful playing… this goes to show: a great musician can make great music with just about anything. Well done Matthew! 👌
Thing sounds fantastic! My first Gibson was a single pickup Melody Maker but a newer one with the SG type body. Loved that thing and played the hell out of it until it was stolen. Can't wait to see this after you put some serious love into it!
Would love to see you age that hardware so it matches. Excited to see this after the refret and cleanup.
Very simple way of "aging" metal, is heating till it glows red, then drop it in some sunflower oil. Maybe twice. The metal color changes. What happens is, the oil contains carbon and that carbon gets into the metal surface.
Be careful, I once found out a LP clone bridge was nickel (and some copper and a chrome finish), it started melting. No '59 bridge, still oops. Springs in a bridge won't survive glowing red hot, either. And screws holding the bridge, better just treat the top of the screw heads, you really do not want weak screws. Maybe watch some "aging" video's... Or buy a time machine.
Wow, the tone's incredible. I wish I could find some of these orphans like you do.
Mathew, your blues playing is just so clean and tight and watching you play there is a lesson in every video. I am sure allot of us pick our guitars when you post!! Thank you for sharing this beast of a single coil with us.
I have a 1965 Double cut a way Melody Maker which I modded with the guts of a 1963 SG. It plays like a dream and the sustain is incredible..... far superior to all the guitars I have ever owned.... truly a "one of a kind". The one in this video is a sweet find and I am sure when "all fixed up", modded or not it will be cherished. The great thing about these guitars is they were built for student players but they can be re-built to become real screamers. Good Luck
Where do you find these wonderful old guitars?! Love when you play LP’s man. Your special is AWESOME!
Man Mathew! You sure know how to find the good ones! Love your playing! Your getting just the right amount of “Nasty” out of that 59 Gibson Melody Maker! Looks better than any “relic’d” guitar I’ve ever seen! As you mentioned some things just can’t be faked! Thanks for sharing your latest piece of treasure with us! It’s awesome!!!❤😮😊🙏👍✌️🤗
I get so excited when I see a notification from Matthew!! You are my favorite guitar content creator!!
I’ve never seen frets worn quite that much before, but that’s a great sound ! The refret should do it wonders
This is an awesome find. I would love to play this one. Can’t wait to see the refret video.
That guitar is really wicked and the sound is unreal great find keep it going love your music
Yes, please restore this beauty and please show us what you do. Amazing it still plays so well after so many decades.
I like Melody Makers. As a project I bought a new one, 2 pu, sunburst, and bought a new pickguard to put CTS 500 pots, 50's style wiring, oil/paper cap, and 2 matched Lindy Fralin p90's in it, and I am so happy with the result. The body is poplar not mahogany, but it is nearly as heavy as a mahogany body. I call it my poor boy 50's Les Paul. When you are done, that's going to be a great little guitar. I would probably get a different pickup and wiring that fits in the same pickguard, but keep the originals when you want to sell it. The patina is really cool. Thanks for the video and the find.
So cool. This is the kind of video you hope would last longer. Very interesting to hear you share your knowledge. Kudos for your always well prepared research and quality stories. That guitar has some milage and traces of the life it has had so far. Hoping for a follow up video if you choose to do a refret and such. Cheers, Thor
Please keep us posted about that pickup. Thanks for the great video!
Would be great to trace it’s former owner(s) and add in the history. How would you go about this? Can Gibson tell you it’s first owner?
My first guitar was a 59 MM single pickup. I was taking guitar lessons in Rockford Illinois and was 12 years old. I’ve hoped that I would run across one some day. Mine had a brown case but otherwise identical. I’m glad you a saving this one.
Great find Matthew ❗ Can't wait for the next vid.👍
Great sounding guitar. I would hold onto that forever if it were mine. With new frets, as a pedal platform guitar, you will find so much inspiration from its voice..Lucky you.
THAT is a work of art. Even if you never played it, it would be worth every penny hanging on the wall. But I'm glad you're going to play it some!! Great stuff, man. 🙏
Nice job! My parents bought me a single pickup Melody Maker as my first electric in 1963. Wow, I miss it so much now!
I can't wait to see more videos about this guitar
Good job! Glad you found it and are giving it some love! I also picked up an early Les Paul shaped Melody Maker, grew attached to it's original pickup sound, & I'm so glad I opted not to hack it up for Humbucker installation. It DOES work well with pedals. I've used a variety with mine. Isn't that faux 'gator case wild? Mine is from a brown cardboard 'gator!
Back from the dead,it's alive!!!!!! ,it's alive!!!!!! Great job in restoring the guitar. Interesting tones.
Awesome find! Can't wait to see this thing get fixed up a bit
Hi Matthew Scott, this is Bert from the Netherlands. I really enjoyed the video. I always love items with a story. And this gituar is a item that makes me smile. I also was surprised that the electronics still does their jobs. The frets may be plated for Many, many years...you almost can feel the touch of the artist who played it fir the last time.
Great video..I subscribed instantly 👏. Until next time. It's a few days away but happy new year. I hope 2023 may be a successful year 🙏. Sincerely Bert de Vries.
That sure is something! Love the wear, shows how truly good these vintage lower-end models really are. Something like this and some of the '50s/'60s Musicmaster/Duo-Sonics are a couple really well-priced gems!
It refreshing to see someone do a straightforward, no fuss, just get to it and play. Really surprised how well it played. Thanks for video and I'll be back. ☮
Came for the repair, stayed for the music. Great playing
That guitar sounds killer. You made it work as far as playing in tune with some MIGHTY fine playing!!!. What a find!!!!!
That thing is beautifully played in. Sounds heavenly
Nice one Matthew another awesome find looking forward to seeing the finished product good luck
Nice mis-labeled piece'o'tape on the back. I think it sounds FANTASTIC. I wouldn't really alter that aspect... it sounds so nice.
I’ve got a ‘62 and I love it. Melody Makers are cool guitars.
Awesome find...a guitar almost as old as me, I was born in 57...crazy you are closing in on 200k subs I've been watching from the beginning
So you work on restoring vintage guitars. And you also have mad guitar playing skills. Go brah!
Wow that's so cool man! Onestly i didn' expect it to work
Sounds AMAZING! Looking forward to future episodes documenting what you do to bring it back to its former budget glory!
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I recognized it right away as a Melody Maker. I used to own a 1965 cherry finish version. I had a well renowned luthier totally rework it to make it play and sound better while keeping all the original parts. He mentioned that back in the day many players used them for lap slide playing. Thanks 😊
a wonderfully weird blend of Fender bite and tone and Gibson heritage. What a find.
Mate, I love watching the history and story of old guitars.( by the way congrats on your your new song - love it -) but also look forward to you doing the sherlock holmes on old guitars.
I know this is an unusual comment to leave but anytime I see this guys videos I always say wow what a nice boy he is. There’s no angle here, he doesn’t make stuff up, doesn’t try to big himself up or make videos in hopes somebody with a name will give him a public pet on the head. Doesn’t demo a log of shit and try to tell you it sounds good. He’s just a dude that plays guitar and likes old guitars and wants to talk about them. I’m in! He just seems like a genuinely nice guy.
I love the sound of those melody maker pickups
Really cool find! Great vintage piece with tons of mojo!! Finding something like this in the wild makes the hunt so much fun!!
That is a guitar most people would have overlooked and considered it unplayable junk. You proved how cool it could be. Looking forward to seeing you bring that baby back to it's best and hearing it rock. Probably like never before! Don't know what you paid, but the story that case tells, could be worth it on it's own. Anxious to see/hear more from this treasure. 🎸🎶🤘
Wow, what fun! These vintage guitar resurrection videos are my favorite kind. Can't wait for the refret vid! Good one, Matt!
I really like the sound you got out of it, my buddy heard me listening to this from the other room and thought it was a Tele, but I think it has its own character for sure
Good stuff Matt. You were right when you said no custom shop can never truly replicate the wear of the antiques. Thanks!!
Man, how do you find so many awesome vintage guitars? It's very cool.
That is so great Mr. Matthew, I'm sure late at night when no one is watching these old guitars reminiscent amongst themselves. Thank you for giving them all a home and a chance once again to sound proud and strong as they did when they were young and new.
Love your channel Matthew, thank you for appreciating the beauty history sometimes tramples upon rushing for the next shiny object.
The narrow pickup Melody Makers have a very focused sound. It lacks the punch of P-90s as you said, but the low output means they take pedals extremely well. Great guitars.
@MatthewScottMusic._ that's a bot everyone watch out.
The "Mojo" off that guitar is off the hook. Can't imagine how many times it's been played and the stories it could tell. I owned a 52' SG Junior with a single P-90 and sold it. It's one of those stories that I could kick myself in the ass ever day for. I must have been out of my mind.
That’s one cool funky old guitar … it’s been loved half to death. Can’t wait to see what you do to resuscitate it
"I Found this Vintage Gibson in HORRIFIC Condition!" I immediately think...YES!! then awe... Love this style of video and you pausing these guitars in time.
Hey Matthew! I think it's so wild how all of these "well loved" guitars somehow find their way to you so you can breath new life into them. You must have some very good connections and friends looking out for you. Thank you for taking the time to show us all of these cool guitars and amps since you obviously have a life other than YT. Wish you all the best and thanks again.
Matthew you not only good in restoring guitar but you're guitar playing is superb as well
Man I could watch you noodle around on that guitar all day. Sounds great.
I own a 59 Melody Maker as well. I changed the pickup to a vintage telecaster pickup as it had lost its magnetic field and was quite weak.
I’ve been playing mine as my main axe for 40 yrs. My fretboard was scalloped as well so I put an ebony fretboard and stainless steel frets on her. They are absolutely known as one of the best necks ever. I later put a double cream vintage humbucker in the middle position and she sings.
Thanks for sharing this episode.
Amazing that the pickup was so articulate in this one. I wonder if it was owned by a roadie or sound guy.
Those backstage cloth stickers have an amazing story of their own as well.
Looking forward to the restoration. It was common to strip these and finish them in nitrocellulose to show off the gorgeous British Honduras mahogany.
Can’t wait to see her all dressed up.
Didn’t look hard to play….will be fun to watch it get back on the road!
It sounds pretty darn good. Look forward to the refret vid
She sounds sweet in your hands. Congratulations on a great find! ☮️
I like the way it sounds now!
I really appreciate this type of video. So down to earth and interesting. Thanks, Matthew!
Somebody loved and played that old girl to the bone ... Makes the resurrection even sweeter.
Man... Matthew, damn!.. Just have to say,as a guitarist myself. So freakin tastefull playing, not just in this video, But always..one of ny fav guitar tones in your finger tips master M...Top notch!