Oh holy shit it's the ad guitar!! I remember the ad, and the shop having spent ten years in memphis (where I picked up the guitar at age 15) oh wow I DID NOT however know about their homebrew bursts. wow
I seem to remember sending away for some kind of Strings N Things brochure or catalog back in the mid-1970s. (They advertised a lot in Guitar Player magazine, which I read religiously in my teen years.) If it wasn’t an actual brochure, it must have been a large, multi-page ad in the magazine. I remember that they ran down mini-humbuckers and black plastic trim, favoring full-size humbuckers and cream-colored pick-guards and pickup rings. I think Strings N Things not only influenced the reissue craze but was instrumental in Gibson’s creation of a Custom Shop.
Hey Charlie when you mentioned when you were looking up the strings and things and you advertisements from the past and you mentioned they had a firebird there I was so curious as to what that firebird was? Being blind even if I went to the side I wouldn't be able to tell what it is. But I listen to you all the time I'm subscribe before quite a while and you describe things really well that it you know I get a lot of information that that you talk stop you describe things that well that in my mind I can visualize it all and I get a lot of enjoyment out of that! Anyway if it's ever possible and you could tell us a little more about that firebird I'd be really thrilled! I'm a firebird nut not going to say anymore sincerely yours, Bob the flying bedroom guitars out of public comment
I am 66. I have lived in Memphis. My entire life. The 2 guys in the ads were the owners of Strings and Things, Chris Lovell and Charlie Lawing. The man that was probably responsible for this double neck 12 guitar is Master luthier named Tom Keckler. "TK" was the the chief guitar tech for S&T. He has built the original S&T guitars in the 1970's.made custom guitars for the stars and ran a shop. In the 19080's he worked Shecter Guitar Research as a consultant, He later ran a shop in Memphis named St. Blues. I think Tom is now retired. Hell of a great tech/ luthier and nice guy. There is great video of TK on the NAM website. He made my $40 ebay Tele knock off 12 string turn from sow's ear to silk! Thanks TK. Love your show Trogly!
That is RAD! I had an EDS-1275 that i L-O-V-E-D!! It was a walnut, John McLaughlin color. I ran into some hard times about 10 years ago and had to sell her...I miss her more than any guitar I've ever sold. She's in the Czech Republic, and I have a standing offer to visit her. So, I got that going for me. We all have that "one that got away."
I know they did work for Ace Frehley,way back,maybe he had something to do with the star inlay,I'm pretty sure they made him a double cut L.P,at some point,and they were making the St Blues guitars as far back as early 80's, maybe before.
And THAT, sir, is how I know you're from Memphis! My first job was at Strings n things when they moved over to Madison. That was either 99' or 2000. Anyways, cheers bro!
@@jcrosslin8 I was there the night of the fire on Cooper St. (70's). Carried two loads of guitars they were pulling from a burning building in my station wagon to Ardent Studio for safe keeping. There were a couple of other guys moving them to the studio as well. Many guitars were saved that night I'm sure but the loss of vintage guitar cannot be estimated by me and that store was full of them. Some even managed to dig a couple of guitars from the rubble of the fire the next day.
Man if you think the ads are strange, you should hear some of the stories about the Lovells. They are fairly crazy. My Mom went to school with Chris, the founder of strings n things, and my guitar teacher when I was young did also, and was in a band with him. They did some seriously weird shit.
Nice find, but that is not the golden era of Strings and Things by far. Those are pure imports. It's the early '80's that were the Clapton era Strings and Things, custom assembled in Memphis. They have number plates and more beauty.
@@steveregnier7317 Lol it took me a minute to figure out what you're saying, but now I see the picture of the store in the video. That said, I can't tell you how many roast beef sandwiches have been destroyed after a trip over to Strings n things. The 90's were better. Terrorists suck. Does anyone really like Drake? And for God's sake could we go back to releasing and consuming full length albums?! -End rant.
The original was on Union, then they moved to the old wonder bread factory on Madison. It's now minglewood Hall and strings n things is no more, but Danvers lives on, and the roast beef is still fantastic.
I lived in Memphis from 2004-2008. And I actually bought a white 70’s style Gibson Flying V reissue from Strings & Things. I loved that store and would go like once a week.
That was after they moved from the store showed in this video to the old wonder bread factory on Madison, now the minglewood Hall. It's one of the oldest buildings in the city and perhaps the coolest.
I remember seeing their ads in Guitar Player magazine. Definitely a very cool guitar and guitar history. I'd rock it if I could afford it. I'm not too crazy about that Les Paul, but nice job on the mods nonetheless.
I own the '59 LP S&T guitar featured at 6:29. Its stunning in person and an amazing piece of history. One of the few that has been documented and confirmed as authentic with documentation and by Chris himself. He is a great guy.
When I was real young kid I used to live up the street from strings & things when they were in midtown Memphis they always had a window full of cool guitars
I have an original Strings and Things guitar. It’s a Les Paul body with Telecaster pickups. It’s a very early serial number. Honey burst with binding. These Are now produced by St. Blues
Not sure if it’s the North Star but Gibson’s uk shop did a run of Les Paul guitars with a star on the head and as markers, like on some acoustics, to cash in on the 80s country boom.
My friend had a Gibson North Star that he bought from Bob Fisher's Music Town shop in Memphis in 1981 I kept it for months because he couldn't tell his wife he bought it I went to music store with him when he bought it he paid $350 for it used it was a kind of a maroon wine color but a brighter red he died about 4 years later and I tried to buy it from his widow but she wouldn't sell I wish I knew where she was now I have tried to find a pic on line but you are the first person that I have ever heard talk about the North star. But yes it was real and had the star on head stock and said North Star on truss rod cover we were told that it was made for the Canadian market and I knew at the time it was special just could not afford the $350 at the time.
A very cool Les Paul Studio, all those mods turned out OK. One has to be careful with modifying guitars, from experience I can state that what seemed like a really good idea 20 years ago doesn't seem so good now. Regrets is what people usually end up with. When contemplating customization it is difficult to know if your future self with that your past self. Mostly because your future self is a lot smarter and wiser! Look before you leap, stop and ask yourself if you will eventually thank yourself for what you've done.
Thanks to the hardest working man on UA-cam! Great post as usual. Love that green LP. I think it has a real Gretsch vibe. I would love to see a set of TV Jones pickups installed in that beauty!
I own this guitar's sister. I know the person who used to own the double-neck. He tried to get mine for years. Mine is a '54 with 1960 PAFs (I put them in myself). Anyhow, I know more info specifically about this instrument you're showcasing if you're curious.
I know the guy who helped build that guitar…Chris Lovell. He is one of the former owners of Strings an’ Things. He does all of my guitar and bass work. I showed him the video and he said that the guitar is a combination of two LP juniors. He said that he would be willing to talk to you and give you all the specifics of how it was made. Let me know if you are interested and I will hook you up with his contact information. Strings N’ Things was the go to guitar shop in Memphis for a long time. Great piece of history.
He still works on your guitars?! Damn. He's gotta be seventy now. Anyway, it really was an historic store in many ways. It's a pity his sons ruined it.
The last frame before you sign out with "take care" was a sunburst super 400? Now that's the best electric guitar that Gibson ever made! The second one was an 'A' style mandolin, A0, A1, A2, etc... The acoustic guitar is a Martin. The rest of well made electrics are not Gibsons, but high marks go out to how hard you try to promote them!
If that bottom pickup selector was in the pickguard like on the EDS-1275 (either where it is now by the knobs, or up by the horn) this would look better… Cutting out a circle in the pickguard just to use a poker chip seems really silly.
There's something about green guitars with gold hardware. That wasn't my green of choice, but it speaks to the power of the green and gold color scheme.
A critical difference in this model versus the ones that Gibson is known for manufacturing with the 2 necks is that this one has 22 frets instead of just 20. I always felt as if they made a mistake in knocking the last 2 off of models like this
I said the Gold Top Trad.12 should come in a dbl.neck, I joked 'cause i had seen this. Rock And Roll Vintage in Chicago had it. Like this way more than an EDS. Don't have $8k though. Ü
I never liked double neck guitars to begin with. They're bulky, cumbersome, and clumsy, not to mention ridiculous, but a double neck Les Paul? Holy backbrace, Batman, call the chiropractor!
Working stringsandthings I can tell you that car that is for sale is not a car that is in the ad. I know who owns that guitar. There were several of these guitars. There was one that you see in the ad I want to buy my friend. Then three people saw this guitar in the ad which was just supposed to be funny guitar made for the ad. But three orders for this guitar came in where people wanted the guitar that they saw in this ad
Looks like a female rear end 😍. Having both guitars “on” at the same time is good if you want the synthetic sounds of the guitar not being used at the moment. I do it all the time on my EDS-1275, you can get cool ethereal sounds.
You can check it out for yourself here: 🔴reverb.com/item/41744373?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly
Would you rock this piece, or not?
Unlike other Gibson doublenecks, this one has a butt...
one of those obvious things that you check to see if someone else saw it first lol
yup
agreed...heart-shape my ass.
It can only be called a butt if it has a crack.
Wow, Member Berries for days! I totally remember seeing that ad in the pages of Guitar Player magazine back in the day. Cool deep history dive.
Awesome. I respect your authorita’!
Oh holy shit it's the ad guitar!! I remember the ad, and the shop having spent ten years in memphis (where I picked up the guitar at age 15) oh wow I DID NOT however know about their homebrew bursts. wow
I seem to remember sending away for some kind of Strings N Things brochure or catalog back in the mid-1970s. (They advertised a lot in Guitar Player magazine, which I read religiously in my teen years.) If it wasn’t an actual brochure, it must have been a large, multi-page ad in the magazine. I remember that they ran down mini-humbuckers and black plastic trim, favoring full-size humbuckers and cream-colored pick-guards and pickup rings. I think Strings N Things not only influenced the reissue craze but was instrumental in Gibson’s creation of a Custom Shop.
Hey Charlie when you mentioned when you were looking up the strings and things and you advertisements from the past and you mentioned they had a firebird there I was so curious as to what that firebird was? Being blind even if I went to the side I wouldn't be able to tell what it is. But I listen to you all the time I'm subscribe before quite a while and you describe things really well that it you know I get a lot of information that that you talk stop you describe things that well that in my mind I can visualize it all and I get a lot of enjoyment out of that! Anyway if it's ever possible and you could tell us a little more about that firebird I'd be really thrilled! I'm a firebird nut not going to say anymore sincerely yours, Bob the flying bedroom guitars out of public comment
I'm not sure of the model...but,its a two pick up firebird if that helps?
I have a St. Blues Eliminator model from Strings and Things. The guitars that came from that store are some hidden gems.
The guitar in the Strings and Things ad has P90's on the 6 string side of it. I don't see any mention of the P90's in the reverb listing.
Good eye! Maybe changed somewhere along the line?
Listing said pups' were changed when he got it. He did the 12 bridge, orig. incl.
Seems to me that one of the early Everly Bros models had star inlays on the fingerboard and another star on the headstock -
That firebird in the ad looks like its got one neck pickup.
I am 66. I have lived in Memphis. My entire life. The 2 guys in the ads were the owners of Strings and Things, Chris Lovell and Charlie Lawing. The man that was probably responsible for this double neck 12 guitar is Master luthier named Tom Keckler. "TK" was the the chief guitar tech for S&T. He has built the original S&T guitars in the 1970's.made custom guitars for the stars and ran a shop. In the 19080's he worked Shecter Guitar Research as a consultant, He later ran a shop in Memphis named St. Blues. I think Tom is now retired. Hell of a great tech/ luthier and nice guy. There is great video of TK on the NAM website. He made my $40 ebay Tele knock off 12 string turn from sow's ear to silk! Thanks TK. Love your show Trogly!
What do you know about the Maffers?
Or rather, ask Mr Lovell about the Maffers.
TK is still working out of his home now check out his facebook page.
I’ll gladly pay someone $30 to change the strings on my 12 string while I browse at the gear at GC
That is RAD! I had an EDS-1275 that i L-O-V-E-D!! It was a walnut, John McLaughlin color. I ran into some hard times about 10 years ago and had to sell her...I miss her more than any guitar I've ever sold. She's in the Czech Republic, and I have a standing offer to visit her. So, I got that going for me.
We all have that "one that got away."
I know they did work for Ace Frehley,way back,maybe he had something to do with the star inlay,I'm pretty sure they made him a double cut L.P,at some point,and they were making the St Blues guitars as far back as early 80's, maybe before.
I was there when Dave Flexor sold Wayne Swinny of Saliva a 59' reissue burst. I had no idea they were special to Strings n' things.
I remember seeing this ad new in Guitar Player lol! Looks like the original 6-string pickups were P-90s..
T.K. used to do all my guitar work before I learned how to take care of things myself.
And THAT, sir, is how I know you're from Memphis! My first job was at Strings n things when they moved over to Madison. That was either 99' or 2000. Anyways, cheers bro!
@@jcrosslin8 I was there the night of the fire on Cooper St. (70's). Carried two loads of guitars they were pulling from a burning building in my station wagon to Ardent Studio for safe keeping. There were a couple of other guys moving them to the studio as well. Many guitars were saved that night I'm sure but the loss of vintage guitar cannot be estimated by me and that store was full of them. Some even managed to dig a couple of guitars from the rubble of the fire the next day.
I knew I wasn't crazy and had actually seen a double neck LP in a magazine!
Your commitment to this channel is extremely impressive. Great work!
Been seeing a lot of double neck material in your videos lately, can I be hopeful and lucky enough to see a double neck demo soon?👀
Man if you think the ads are strange, you should hear some of the stories about the Lovells. They are fairly crazy. My Mom went to school with Chris, the founder of strings n things, and my guitar teacher when I was young did also, and was in a band with him. They did some seriously weird shit.
Would love to hear those stories, lol!
This was like watching an episode of Columbo, cool. History is everything.
Thanks
Another great video. But as others have noted, that wasn’t a “heart” shape….. thanks for your videos!
Nice find, but that is not the golden era of Strings and Things by far. Those are pure imports. It's the early '80's that were the Clapton era Strings and Things, custom assembled in Memphis. They have number plates and more beauty.
Strings & things Union avenue Memphis Tennessee my hometown
Bro, and after you'd leave you'd have to hit up Danver's! I bet you know Flexor and Kevin Williams and them.
That’s “Musical Strings N Things” in the video lol… a completely different store
@@steveregnier7317 Lol it took me a minute to figure out what you're saying, but now I see the picture of the store in the video. That said, I can't tell you how many roast beef sandwiches have been destroyed after a trip over to Strings n things. The 90's were better. Terrorists suck. Does anyone really like Drake? And for God's sake could we go back to releasing and consuming full length albums?!
-End rant.
The original was on Union, then they moved to the old wonder bread factory on Madison. It's now minglewood Hall and strings n things is no more, but Danvers lives on, and the roast beef is still fantastic.
I lived in Memphis from 2004-2008. And I actually bought a white 70’s style Gibson Flying V reissue from Strings & Things. I loved that store and would go like once a week.
That was after they moved from the store showed in this video to the old wonder bread factory on Madison, now the minglewood Hall. It's one of the oldest buildings in the city and perhaps the coolest.
I think they cut two bodies together rather than making the body from scratch, hence the doofy back cover and the toggle on the upper bout.
I remember seeing their ads in Guitar Player magazine. Definitely a very cool guitar and guitar history. I'd rock it if I could afford it.
I'm not too crazy about that Les Paul, but nice job on the mods nonetheless.
I own the '59 LP S&T guitar featured at 6:29. Its stunning in person and an amazing piece of history. One of the few that has been documented and confirmed as authentic with documentation and by Chris himself. He is a great guy.
I am researching these guitars and would love any info on the S&T LP that you have. Hoping to purchase one in the future!!
Thanks for the shout out brother! If you have any questions please just ask.
Thank you for all the hard work you put into your channel.
Request: You should document the Grace Potter Flying V. What a cool guitar.
When I was real young kid I used to live up the street from strings & things when they were in midtown Memphis they always had a window full of cool guitars
I have an original Strings and Things guitar. It’s a Les Paul body with Telecaster pickups. It’s a very early serial number. Honey burst with binding. These Are now produced by St. Blues
Looks like a Hagström tailpiece to me.
I had the same thought! Looks like a tailpiece from a 71-73-ish era Hagström Swede.
Not sure if it’s the North Star but Gibson’s uk shop did a run of Les Paul guitars with a star on the head and as markers, like on some acoustics, to cash in on the 80s country boom.
If I was completely naked advertising an instrument I would need a Double Bass !
It looks like the picture in the add , the 6 string part of this guitar had black pup covers.
My friend had a Gibson North Star that he bought from Bob Fisher's Music Town shop in Memphis in 1981 I kept it for months because he couldn't tell his wife he bought it I went to music store with him when he bought it he paid $350 for it used it was a kind of a maroon wine color but a brighter red he died about 4 years later and I tried to buy it from his widow but she wouldn't sell I wish I knew where she was now I have tried to find a pic on line but you are the first person that I have ever heard talk about the North star. But yes it was real and had the star on head stock and said North Star on truss rod cover we were told that it was made for the Canadian market and I knew at the time it was special just could not afford the $350 at the time.
That black and white doubleneck is not pickguard-less. The pickguard is there but painted over to match(you can see the screws)
A very cool Les Paul Studio, all those mods turned out OK.
One has to be careful with modifying guitars, from experience I can state that what seemed like a really good idea 20 years ago doesn't seem so good now.
Regrets is what people usually end up with.
When contemplating customization it is difficult to know if your future self with that your past self. Mostly because your future self is a lot smarter and wiser!
Look before you leap, stop and ask yourself if you will eventually thank yourself for what you've done.
That green LP looks gorgeous.
Allen Woody's Les Paul Double Necks from the custom shop both had no pick guards
Alan Woody had gear like that? Sure it wasn't Warren Haynes?
@@ericbgordon1575 2 double neck les pauls, both with a bass neck, one has a mandolin neck
Thank you @@iancpowell.
"... rather restring a 12 string than a Floyd Rose", yep!
Tailpiece looks like it's from a 60s Hagstrom 12 string.
It is
I have two early 70's hagstrom 12 string electrics
I like the pickup config on the double neck better in the strings n things ad. P90s on the bottom one is a nicer fit
I would call that a "butt shape" not a heart shape.
Ha - that's what I initially called it too, but changed my wording
Dram - Yea....but when you call it a "butt" shape, then start talking about the cavities....it takes on a whole new meaning.
This: ❤️ is kind of more butt shaped than actual human heart shaped.
Thanks to the hardest working man on UA-cam! Great post as usual. Love that green LP. I think it has a real Gretsch vibe. I would love to see a set of TV Jones pickups installed in that beauty!
I own this guitar's sister. I know the person who used to own the double-neck. He tried to get mine for years. Mine is a '54 with 1960 PAFs (I put them in myself). Anyhow, I know more info specifically about this instrument you're showcasing if you're curious.
Weren't there gibson acoustics that had a star on the headstock?
I know the guy who helped build that guitar…Chris Lovell. He is one of the former owners of Strings an’ Things. He does all of my guitar and bass work. I showed him the video and he said that the guitar is a combination of two LP juniors. He said that he would be willing to talk to you and give you all the specifics of how it was made. Let me know if you are interested and I will hook you up with his contact information. Strings N’ Things was the go to guitar shop in Memphis for a long time. Great piece of history.
He still works on your guitars?! Damn. He's gotta be seventy now. Anyway, it really was an historic store in many ways. It's a pity his sons ruined it.
I've restrung a Floyd but never a 12, but I'd take the 12 in a heartbeat.
The last frame before you sign out with "take care" was a sunburst super 400? Now that's the best electric guitar that Gibson ever made! The second one was an 'A' style mandolin, A0, A1, A2, etc... The acoustic guitar is a Martin. The rest of well made electrics are not Gibsons, but high marks go out to how hard you try to promote them!
I believe that Michael Bruce of the original Alice Cooper Group had a Les Paul with star inlays.
If that bottom pickup selector was in the pickguard like on the EDS-1275 (either where it is now by the knobs, or up by the horn) this would look better… Cutting out a circle in the pickguard just to use a poker chip seems really silly.
I used to shop at Strings and Things and and saw that guitar. Always wonder what happened to it.
There's something about green guitars with gold hardware. That wasn't my green of choice, but it speaks to the power of the green and gold color scheme.
Did you see the Epiphone Uptown Kat ES Hollowbody in Emerald Green Metallic? It takes Green and Gold to a whole other level.
I own a bunch of Strings&Things Custom/St. Blues guitars. They're the best!
I remember these ads .always thought that looked like a carvin double neck
A critical difference in this model versus the ones that Gibson is known for manufacturing with the 2 necks is that this one has 22 frets instead of just 20. I always felt as if they made a mistake in knocking the last 2 off of models like this
Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!
Oah ya
No!
When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
🍪
@@rondobondo6600 🍪
Weighing in at 22 lbs. 12oz. ladies and gentlemen, I give you the "Les Paul" double neck.
That's so cool!
I gotta say though I absolutely hate the tailpiece lol
I said the Gold Top Trad.12 should come in a dbl.neck, I joked 'cause i had seen this. Rock And Roll Vintage in Chicago had it. Like this way more than an EDS. Don't have $8k though. Ü
Didn't they make the valley art guitars too?
You called the bottom of the conjoined guitars “heart shaped”. In keeping with their advertising style, I would refer to it as “butt shaped”
The ad is too hot for youtube video but OK for thumbnails :D
I love this channel so much!!
The guitar pictured in the magazine had a pair of p 90's.
that was not a gibson cavity on the back 8:20
That is an amazing instrument. Too many strings for me, but I like it. That is a strange headstock.
Thats real cool, i'd rock it!🤟
MY GRANDFATHER OWNED STRINGS N THINGS OMG
The bottom half is definitely not a Melody Maker. The controls are routed from the back.
I never liked double neck guitars to begin with. They're bulky, cumbersome, and clumsy, not to mention ridiculous, but a double neck Les Paul? Holy backbrace, Batman, call the chiropractor!
What a cool guitar!
Working stringsandthings I can tell you that car that is for sale is not a car that is in the ad. I know who owns that guitar. There were several of these guitars. There was one that you see in the ad I want to buy my friend. Then three people saw this guitar in the ad which was just supposed to be funny guitar made for the ad. But three orders for this guitar came in where people wanted the guitar that they saw in this ad
Looks like a female rear end 😍.
Having both guitars “on” at the same time is good if you want the synthetic sounds of the guitar not being used at the moment. I do it all the time on my EDS-1275, you can get cool ethereal sounds.
That green les Paul looks like gretsch Annie. Very cool.
That last guitar looks like if you could only paint a guitar with the Gameboy's color pallet.
I’m certain it’s actually two Les Paul Jr’s.
Hey, that’s not Strings n Things building…. That’s Musical Strings n Things in Chatham Ontario… my home town!! Lol OOPS!!!
Better than a 1275 to me !
That Pokémon reference 😂
HART SHAPED?????
Looks more like a plumbers crack!!!
The back on the modified studio lp was nice; I didn’t like the front tho.
I remember that Ad.
I would definitely rock that.
What if the north star rumour started at gibson and the guitar got discontinued and sent to them and everyone is wondering where they went
What? Yeah I used to wonder about this too! Matter of fact I told someone about this guitar and they laughed at me!
Wow I've never been this early
🍪
@@hkguitar1984 Mmmmm... Tasty Cookie
Chocolate chip!
That is super cool!!
0:39
I saw something else...
Anyone else see the Johnny cash, Elvis looking face in the guys knee in the strings and things ad lol weird.
My Gibson double neck is a pain in the azz to restring!✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵🎶
Heart Shape ❌
Butt Shape ✅
Fat bottom guitars make the rockin world go huh?! LOL
2:38 Machamp
I want it. Now. Gimmie gimmie.
Greetings and well wishes from Utah man!
I'm POd I want that but no $$ to buy it now ....cestlavie
#11 Again!