8415-23

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Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

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All those who own or would like to own one of these wonderful instruments are invited to join.

119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: Couchie (owner)

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From Ks_5-picker on 1/29/2011 8:13:17 AM

My ball bearing was a wreck when I got it.Somebody had thrown the flange and resonator away,drilled 21 holes through the side and put I-bolts on to hold the head on! I guess they just had to go for the Seeger look. ;-(

Anyway,Bill Sullivan rebuilt the rim,the original tone ring was intact,and I had Leo Posch build an RB3 replica neck out of mahogany.It also has a Jimmy Cox mahogany resonator.I guess I technically made a 4 out of it.

I recently found a flathead ring on ebay that had been machined for a ball bearing pot.I put it in with the bearings intact.I've always wondered what a flathead ball bearing would sound like,and this one sounds really good. The guy who sold me the ring contacted me last night and wants it back. I told him he'd have to make me an offer I couldn't refuse. ;-)

2 Comments
tofte32 says: 1/31/2011 6:25:24 AM I have 8415- 1 and I have come across a few out of the same bin I think yours is the highest number . 23 is is a lot out of the same bin. Mine was also in a very sorry state but a great sounding instrument now it has a 5 string neck so that I can play it.
	Ks_5-picker says: 2/27/2011 10:05:58 PM My flathead ball bearing is sounding better all the time.It's really settling in now.Sure is heavier than the original ring setup,though. I suppose the springs weigh a pound by themselves and the ring is 3 lbs.
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