Love the guitar, was given to me after my grand father passed away. Only really started playing it lately. Wondering if anyone has any information on it based on the looks or serial number?
I believe it was purchased mid 80s but unsure if it was new at the time of purchase.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iLEoQQ5ZMxef7NFa6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VGi67t6abNYCW3ch6
My Grandfather's GB28
Re: My Grandfather's GB28
Lovely!
The GB-28 is a copy of the Gibson J-200 Super Jumbo.
Yours is a MIJ (Made in Japan) model. Estimated to be from the mid to late 70s; but that's all just an educated guess. (The serial number system tells us nothing, as all info on it has been lost to time).
This model came in both the sunburst you have, and also a natural (blonde-ish) finish. I have the same model as you, and I love it.
The GB-28 is a copy of the Gibson J-200 Super Jumbo.
Yours is a MIJ (Made in Japan) model. Estimated to be from the mid to late 70s; but that's all just an educated guess. (The serial number system tells us nothing, as all info on it has been lost to time).
This model came in both the sunburst you have, and also a natural (blonde-ish) finish. I have the same model as you, and I love it.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)-
TheCodFather
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
It is a really nice guitar. I've had bunch of people pick it up and play it and say it plays just as nice or even better then some much more expensive guitars.
I had a little work done on it like the action adjusted and a bone saddle installed which also greatly improved it.
Guitar spent most its life playing gospel hymns in church by my grand father.
I had a little work done on it like the action adjusted and a bone saddle installed which also greatly improved it.
Guitar spent most its life playing gospel hymns in church by my grand father.
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Barry
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
Oh that's sweet!
An MIJ Jumbo has been on my elDegas bucket list along with a Hummingbird since, forever!
Good move replacing the saddle with bone. Plastic is OK but it doesn't have the sustain and tonal range of a bone or even a Tusk saddle, and the boost in volume doesn't hurt either!
An MIJ Jumbo has been on my elDegas bucket list along with a Hummingbird since, forever!
Good move replacing the saddle with bone. Plastic is OK but it doesn't have the sustain and tonal range of a bone or even a Tusk saddle, and the boost in volume doesn't hurt either!
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
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Barry
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
I meant to ask in my last post, what kind of pickup is that clipped to the sound hole?
That's a poor location for an acoustic pickup IMHO and it doesn't appear to be well mounted.
It should be installed in the opening for better sound and protection. I also would be wary of scratching the guitar finish if it gets hit by your pick and it moves.
One final comment: I would strongly recommend removing that pick holder. The adhesive on the back can cause damage to the guitar finish, or at the very least, it will create a "shadow" when you eventually take it off. (And doesn't look too good either
)
That's a poor location for an acoustic pickup IMHO and it doesn't appear to be well mounted.
It should be installed in the opening for better sound and protection. I also would be wary of scratching the guitar finish if it gets hit by your pick and it moves.
One final comment: I would strongly recommend removing that pick holder. The adhesive on the back can cause damage to the guitar finish, or at the very least, it will create a "shadow" when you eventually take it off. (And doesn't look too good either
)"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
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TheCodFather
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
The pickup is a barcus berry hi tek 2522 pickup. Its been on the guitar 20+ years now at this time. It is actually installed in its intended location. Just a kind of strange old piece. The finish is actually little scuffed up behind it. It mounts but a pressure clip, kinda like how a paper clip works. Just slides on over the edge of the sound hole. Kinda impossible to mount in the sound hole the way it was designed. Its mounted the way it was advertised back in the 80s LOL 
**EDIT** There is also some two way tape installed behind it that stops it from moving around. From my research it is a very expensive pickup.
https://reverb.com/ca/item/53836314-bar ... r-or-dobro
That's the same pickup there.
I did remove the pick holder few days ago. No marks left behind from it and no glue left behind surprisingly.
**EDIT** There is also some two way tape installed behind it that stops it from moving around. From my research it is a very expensive pickup.
https://reverb.com/ca/item/53836314-bar ... r-or-dobro
That's the same pickup there.
I did remove the pick holder few days ago. No marks left behind from it and no glue left behind surprisingly.
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Barry
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
Yikes! Pricey little bugger!
I can't speak to the electronics but I have a major beef with the mounting design.
Just doesn't make much sense to potentially scuff up the soundboard that way.
It looks like they couldn't make up their mind whether it should be a magnetic sound hole pickup or a surface mount transducer type.
Looks like it might be the latter?? It's new one on me.
I can't speak to the electronics but I have a major beef with the mounting design.
Just doesn't make much sense to potentially scuff up the soundboard that way.
It looks like they couldn't make up their mind whether it should be a magnetic sound hole pickup or a surface mount transducer type.
Looks like it might be the latter?? It's new one on me.
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
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TheCodFather
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
Ya I agree. It don't look the best but sounds amazing.
It's also one of those things, my grandfather had it installed years ago, I couldn't bring my self to removing it. Its kind of part of the guitar to me now.
Being a replica guitar, its not a high dollar piece but to me its a priceless guitar especially in the setup and condition my grandfather left it in and anyone who picks it up talks about how nice it is and how well it sounds.
It's also one of those things, my grandfather had it installed years ago, I couldn't bring my self to removing it. Its kind of part of the guitar to me now.
Being a replica guitar, its not a high dollar piece but to me its a priceless guitar especially in the setup and condition my grandfather left it in and anyone who picks it up talks about how nice it is and how well it sounds.
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Barry
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Re: My Grandfather's GB28
I get it.
I'm a sentimental ole' fart and attribute perhaps too much emotion to inanimate objects once belonging to a loved one.
Your grandfather looked after his guitar very well, so good on him!
As for the dollar value, sure, it doesn't say "Gibson" on the head stock but the quality is there, and that's all that matters. Those who know el Degas MIJ construction know they are outstanding instruments.
I'm a sentimental ole' fart and attribute perhaps too much emotion to inanimate objects once belonging to a loved one.
Your grandfather looked after his guitar very well, so good on him!
As for the dollar value, sure, it doesn't say "Gibson" on the head stock but the quality is there, and that's all that matters. Those who know el Degas MIJ construction know they are outstanding instruments.
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
M U S I C : http://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/