Epiphone Elitist Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

[Ray Bohlken]

[*]Chuck, I think my 87 custom shop Gent had a maple center block. It weighed a ton. I know Gibson once tried balsa wood there, but don't know if they applied that on the Gents.
A Buddy of mine once had an ELITIST Byrdland that I admired. It sounded great and was easy to play. Always wanted a Byrdland and now more than ever because of the short scale. With my arthritis, that would be a real help. I'll probably forego that purchase. Take care, Chuck.
Ray

[guitarchuck]

Ray, yes the 80's Gibson Country Gents had the maple center block. I believe it was the early 90's when they changed to what they marketed as " chromyte", a combination of balsa wood and mahogany for the center block of the Country Gentleman. I believe it was Chet's request for something lighter because he said those early country gents put a knot in his shoulder.

[Ray Bohlken]

Chuck, I meant to ask about the neck pickup in your Elitist Gent. I loved the 492R pickup is my Gent and my Tennessean. I used the neck pickup on a lot of standards on my Tennessean. Does the Elitist Gent get that sound? I don't think I thought to check that out when I was playing that one in the store. Have you had a chance to see if it is a similar sound?
Ray

[guitarchuck]

Ray,
I took the pickups out when I changed the strings to see what they were. The neck pickup says: Epiphone U.S.A. 52SR. The bridge pickup says Epiphone U.S.A. 50ST. I wish that I still had a Gibson CG to compare them side by side. It would also be nice to know the specs of the pickups. I would say that the neck pickup probably sounds similar to the Gibson CG 492R, but probably not exactly the same. Someday I'll get me another Gibson I hope! My all time favorite electric guitar is my Orange Gretsch G6122-1959 Hall of Fame Country Gentleman. It's the best electric guitar that I've ever owned.

[Ray Bohlken]

I found an old Chetboard discussion of this pickup in a search of Gibson 492R pickup.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=287

Don't know if this link is useful. I sure envy you about that HALL OF FAME guitar. Glad you're enjoying it, Chuck.
Ray