Trying to source a 61RI w/Maestro....

[skelt101]

Wow! Great SG and what is that amp?!

Thanks tolm! The Vox is actually a custom one-off that I put together. Some specs:
JMJ-30 Chassis
Custom Swanson Cabinet
Weber and Scumback Alnico Speakers
NCM Logo

I think the Tweedy SG is pretty sharp too!

 

[Relic61]

Does the Maestro share the same fate as most vibrolas and allows for your guitar to de-tune easier?

If you have the nut set up with graphitall or some other friction inhibitor & nothing weird is going on with the bridge & find the Vibrola has one of the best return to pitch rates of all of Gibson factory bridges (sans a licensed Floyd with lock downs).

A note of interest is that the older version Lyre Vibrola used a stronger made spring steel than the new stuff being made today so, the old version simply works that much better but, they are also pricey compared to a newer one.

And like mentioned, a nice roller bridge lets those strings move freely across it and will not grab a string or prevent it from returning to pitch. Watch some old Frank Martino vids if ya care to. He used the older Lyre Vibrolas &, he really laid into them but, they stayed in tune for him way back 'in the day'. I think that says a lot. I am more than happy with my 69 SG with the long Lyre Vibrola as it will reliably stay in tune for a whole set of my often aggressively played Rock N Roll with no problems. Ya just cant ask for better than that brother.

Here's a blingy close up of my 68 Long Lyre Vibrola

Dont let the embossed Gibson pickups covers fool ya. Its a 69. I actually just bought some Japanese made vibrola arms with the same handles but with a sharper angle for more travel to try on this. I just couldnt bring myself to bend an old original to see what would happen.

 

[GTSG]

Am I missing something here?

what market? no one is selling their 61RI w/ Maestro, the OP has been struggling to find one.

The 2000-2001 61RI/maestro has just lost some of its resale value, but the entire used market isn't going to collapse because they released 1 new model. And sometimes what Gibson does works in favor of the used market.

Gibson hasn't made an SG w/Maestro in their USA line for a long time, and they are trying to fill a demand for those who want an SG w/Maestro but can't afford to buy a Custom Shop Reissue.

Before they introduced the SG Original, if you wanted a maestro, your only option was to get a Historic SG, not everyone is able to afford a Custom Shop guitar. They introduced the SG Original to fill the demand for the people that can't get a Custom Shop SG.

Sounds like music to me.