Mick’s found an incredibly special old guitar… but can he manage to leave it alone and NOT mod it?

Welcome to the show. Yeah yeah yeah… I know, another show about my gear. Dan does want to do some stuff on his board and guitars but he’s been a bit snowed under as 2024 kicked off and hasn’t quite got there yet. So it’s me again!
Anyway.
Hopefully this show will function as more than just a rather spawny, ‘Oooh, look at my new guitar!’ video, and instead shed some light on one of Gibson’s less-loved features of the 20th century: the Stereo Varitone electronics package that dates all the way back to 1959 as the ES-345 and 355 hit the market (although officially launched the previous year).
So what is it, what does it do, and will I keep it un-modded?
Let’s find out…

Enjoy the episode!

I also just want to say a very special thank you to Adrian Thorpe (Thorpy), Dan Coggins and Rob Francis, without whom this guitar would not be in my possession. I am eternally grateful because I feel like I’ll be playing this one as long as I keep playing!

Oh, and please visit That Pedal Shop https://www.thatpedalshop.com/

Pedals & Stuff used in this show

• ThorpyFX Warthog
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/2WoMXMS
Australia: https://bit.ly/2WRo1fY
USA: https://bit.ly/3qWCTK7

• Kinglsey Juggler
http://kingsleyamplifiers.com/product...

• Caroline Guitar Company Megabyte
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/3SejodY
Australia: https://bit.ly/41Sjlb4

• Jam Pedals Harmonious Monk MkII
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/41lFPzE
Australia: https://bit.ly/414fg2h
USA: https://bit.ly/421cyKA

• Universal Audio Evermore
UK & Europe: https://bit.ly/4aPitbg
Australia: https://bit.ly/3TYdq26
USA: https://bit.ly/4aPitbg

Interesting bits & go-to sections
0:00 Intro playing
2:00 Why are we making this video?
2:40 Origins of the Gibson ES-345
5:45 Stereo & out of phase?
9:55 Separate pickups, separate amp channels
11:40 Mid position in and out of phase
13:25 Varitone demo
16:20 Interaction of the volume controls
22:14 And with a bit of Thorpy Warthog
23:10 ES-345 and ES-335 Comparison 1
26:00 Leave it stereo, or make mono?
27:46 ES-345 and ES-335 Comparison 2
33:00 Closing thoughts and tones
38:25 Upcoming from Dan…

Guitars in today’s show
1965 Gibson ES-345 Stereo
Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 - Mick’s video here:    • Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 – Mick's V...  

Amps in today’s show
Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature 100/50 & 112 cab with EVM12L speaker
Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb with stock speaker
UK & Europe; https://bit.ly/2G9OnFJ
USA: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQe62z

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UK & Europe: Andertons Music http://bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire http://bit.ly/2mWmJQf