That's an Epiphone Olympic,,, it's basically a Gibson melodymaker just slightly different body shape (shorter horn you were talking about,,) it's really a great guitar an the Epiphone are actually rarer just not as sought after
Looks like a Kalamazoo-made Kutie! NICE! I'd leave those tuners if you can; they are classic. I had a mid-60s Olympic and it was a fun guitar. You may be able to use the serial number on the back of the headstock and date this exactly.
That's a 1965 Gibson Melody Maker. You can run that serial number that's on the back of the headstock. The pick guard is not original and, as you surmised, the lower point on the body has been hacked up considerably. 1964-66 Melody Makers had the "Mickey Mouse Ears" cutaways, and, starting in 67 the went with the "Devil Horns" cutaways like SG. Not a tremendously valuable instrument, but a really great guitar for what they were. Mahogony body, set neck, rosewood fretboard, what's not to love? Nice find.
Epiphone Olympic 1965- heel cut and headstock are correct as well as the horns. Pretty much a Melody Maker with slight differences. Lots of them had the Gibson Vibrola.
My money is on a '66 Epiphone Olympic guitar. Headstock shape and the horns, especially the lower horn is Epi. Also, They came with a tortoise pickguard. Thinking it is all adding up to a '66 Epi.
Aside from the mods and hacking, with the things I'm seeing from here, pretty confident its legit. Looks like a good 'relic/restomod' punk project. Assuming the neck is healthy get the frets and setup happening, replace what needs replacing and keep the character you want.
I think given the state of this instrument it's a good candidate for a restomod and a refinish. Since it's already been hacked at obviously I wouldn't feel too bad about replacing the tuners and bridge and making it functional. If you didn't like the sound of the pickup maybe you could have it rewound or stick a good P90 in there. But whenever you get this thing working at it's full potential, please play it through your little Gretsch amp, that seems like such a perfect combination for an affordable 60's practice rig, like what someone might have used back in the day. Look forward to whatever you do with this guitar :)
The body looks like the mid to late '60s Melody Maker had but not the headstock. Mine didn't have a nail for a strap button either. I wish I could find the one I had. It had a humbucker added and maybe a p-90(I don't remember). It did have the vibrola. The finish was severely checkered so I sanded it down, put a natural finish on it, had two new pots added with a new pickguard. Then in a weak moment I sold it in Austin, Tx in 1976 for $185. I had trouble with tuning but I think it was self-induced by putting too light strings on it. I didn't know much about guitars back then. Would have to tune it either standing up, or sitting down. Retune required if I changed positions. Weak neck.
Looks like an Epiphone Olympic.
I think you’re right! I just looked up the Olympic and it has all of the features that this has. Thanks!
I think epi Olympics has 6 inline tuners like a strat, not 3x3 like a Les Paul.
Earlier ones had 3x3.
That's an Epiphone Olympic,,, it's basically a Gibson melodymaker just slightly different body shape (shorter horn you were talking about,,) it's really a great guitar an the Epiphone are actually rarer just not as sought after
Psyched to watch what you do with this, whatever it may be!
Definately an Epiphone Olympic from the earliest solidbody years in Kalamazoo. Where as pre Gibson ownership they had Olympic Archtop Guits
wonderful thank you for sharing, update when you get a chance please
Looks like a Kalamazoo-made Kutie! NICE! I'd leave those tuners if you can; they are classic. I had a mid-60s Olympic and it was a fun guitar. You may be able to use the serial number on the back of the headstock and date this exactly.
Just another vote for a nice refinish! Excited to see how this one looks and sounds once you get it fixed up a bit.
That's a 1965 Gibson Melody Maker. You can run that serial number that's on the back of the headstock. The pick guard is not original and, as you surmised, the lower point on the body has been hacked up considerably. 1964-66 Melody Makers had the "Mickey Mouse Ears" cutaways, and, starting in 67 the went with the "Devil Horns" cutaways like SG. Not a tremendously valuable instrument, but a really great guitar for what they were. Mahogony body, set neck, rosewood fretboard, what's not to love? Nice find.
Epiphone Olympic 1965- heel cut and headstock are correct as well as the horns. Pretty much a Melody Maker with slight differences. Lots of them had the Gibson Vibrola.
My money is on a '66 Epiphone Olympic guitar. Headstock shape and the horns, especially the lower horn is Epi. Also, They came with a tortoise pickguard. Thinking it is all adding up to a '66 Epi.
Any update?
They did offer that guitar in a color called Pacific Blue.
Aside from the mods and hacking, with the things I'm seeing from here, pretty confident its legit. Looks like a good 'relic/restomod' punk project. Assuming the neck is healthy get the frets and setup happening, replace what needs replacing and keep the character you want.
I think given the state of this instrument it's a good candidate for a restomod and a refinish. Since it's already been hacked at obviously I wouldn't feel too bad about replacing the tuners and bridge and making it functional. If you didn't like the sound of the pickup maybe you could have it rewound or stick a good P90 in there. But whenever you get this thing working at it's full potential, please play it through your little Gretsch amp, that seems like such a perfect combination for an affordable 60's practice rig, like what someone might have used back in the day. Look forward to whatever you do with this guitar :)
The body looks like the mid to late '60s Melody Maker had but not the headstock. Mine didn't have a nail for a strap button either. I wish I could find the one I had. It had a humbucker added and maybe a p-90(I don't remember). It did have the vibrola. The finish was severely checkered so I sanded it down, put a natural finish on it, had two new pots added with a new pickguard. Then in a weak moment I sold it in Austin, Tx in 1976 for $185. I had trouble with tuning but I think it was self-induced by putting too light strings on it. I didn't know much about guitars back then. Would have to tune it either standing up, or sitting down. Retune required if I changed positions. Weak neck.
Inline tuners if I remember correctly.
I thought the nail strap button was a really nice touch! 😆 I look forward to seeing the restoration!
DEFINATELY a real Gibson melody maker that somebody sanded to make it look like they wanted.
Yes it's made by Gibson in Kalamazoo epiphone . It's their of the melody maker. I forget what's it's called.
It looks like a interesting project
Maybe a late 60's or early 70's Japanese Gibson M.M. copy?
..sounds Good
So somebody bought a Gibson and modified it to look like an Ep? I once bought a Porche and made it look just like a Datsun.
Great video! Whatever happened with this?? Did you get it working?
Thanks! It's working now. In the video I uploaded after this one I installed a new pickup in it.
Epiphone Olympic Special. Horn is correct. Head is correct. Pickguard is far from horn and correct.
Tortoise gaurd was an option.
Any updates on this one?
SWEET FIND EPIC ASS CHEEK HEADSTOCK LOL
Are the gloves from Columbia winery?
Would love to see a deserving refinish!
Looks like a mid range Japanese copy. Matsumoto. Those wires are not Gibson factory.
Yes.
Why are you working with ski gloves?
When the ambient temperature is cold I like to wear gloves to keep my hands warm.
I do too…
😳 'promo sm'
no