Price: $1200
Condition: 9 / 10
Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL6wIhzI84k
Gibson Customs comes with ebony fretboard, hence the brighter and tighter sound in the video, the Standards like the Orville, the fretboard is made of rosewood giving that warmer and woodier sound.
Remarks: Anyone who is familiar with Japanese guitars knows that Orville is one of the better and faithful Gibson replicas out there. Orvilles are contracted by Gibson to make their guitars back in the day. Very well built.
If you always wanted a classic Les Paul sound but think that Gibson are overpriced, this is a very good alternative. It also has the Gibson open-book headstock, logo font and split-diamond inlay aesthetic.
Or a Japanese vintage guitar collector, this will be a nice addition.
This piece has an inked stamped serial number, meaning it is from the highly sought-after FujiGen factory, which has better quality control over the Terada factory, their serial numbers are printed on a sticker and usually falls off.
All FujiGen Orvilles have the long tenon neck joint for that added sustain, which other Gibson replicas like the regular Epiphone doesn't have. And not all the Terada made Orvilles has that long tenon joint.
From the serial number, this guitar is made in 1997. And the condition is very very good, have never came across an Orville looking this good. Only light surface scratches and buckle rash on the back of the guitar. And the gold hardware is hardly tarnished. Fret life is also very good.
The neck has a 60's profile, but I feel it is slightly heftier, which I like a lot. Definitely much bigger than the regular Epiphones. A chunkier neck adds a lot to the sustain for that signature Les Paul sound in my opinion.
I've compared it with an Orville by Gibson, I thought the built were similar. Just that the pickups are by Gibson, but pickups are just preference.
- Upgraded with gold Schaller strap locks.
- Previous owner mentioned that the nut is upgraded to bone, but I cannot confirm this.
- Setup by KayCee for a comfortable action and playability.
- Restrung with Elixir Nanoweb 10s.
- Comes with a Warwick Rockbag.
From my knowledge, everything else is stock, good for all the purists/ collectors out there.
Having a hard time letting this go, but I want to fund for something else.
Viewing can be arranged.
If interested, please text me at 9424 5662.
Able to deal at Jurong East MRT.
Thanks for looking.