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Log on and register for a chance to win one of two HystericParts prize packages from Area59. Each is a $1,000 value!
Ace Iwasaki’s Journey back to 1959
Ever since 1999, Ace Iwasaki has created vintage replica parts, pieces of art infusing life into Les Pauls, like talismans for both Gibson and Historic Collection. Born and made in Japan, these little gems stunned first the Germans, then the Americans, and the whole world.
Countless and endless updates still keep them getting better and better. Many fans say their Historic Collection looks like a vintage with Ace’s parts on. Many guitarists are enthusiastic about the improved sound of their Historic Collection.
In fact, the fantastic quality of Historic Collection itself deserves these praises, Ace’s parts being mere servants of their owner for an unrestrained dress-up. And now, turning back the clock to 1959, a wonderful time where “passion” was the key word, and using traditional techniques and materials, Ace has created The HystericParts.
He just cannot wait to see whose guitar will wear them first
HystericParts prize packages
T-Bar59 aged 1 piece
The breakthrough for reproducing the aluminum tailpiece of the ’50s happened when we discovered 3 in-process or unprocessed parts among Kalamazoo plant leftover parts. Just out of the mold, with flashes, and unplated, these pieces gave us enough insight to deduce the work process of the time.
T-BarWA aged 1 piece
In 1954, two years after the release of Les Paul Standard, a major improvement occurred to the tailpiece. A shift from structurally complex trapeze to cast aluminum brings it closer to perfection. Due to its simple and solid structure, it fully transmits string vibration to the body, generating a driving sound, and became an instant success. ABR-1 had yet to be developed at the time, and it was named “Wraparound”, as the strings made a half round wrapping around the tailpiece, starting from the neck side.
To reproduce this model, THP used the time-consuming technique of drilling the strings holes after the molding, just like the way it was done in the ’50s. The holes supporting the strings’ pole ends are located on the neck side, contrary to the regular T-Bar. As for the hexagon head set screws for pitch adjustment, THP went as far as to import from USA screws of same size and same looks as the originals.
RAPP-COVER 2 pieces
Vintage PAF cover has got this gentle look that only careful hand work can achieve. Drawing, pressing, meticulously cut edges, loosely finished pole piece hole, buffing, plating for a deep shine. To replicate this gentleness, THP’s RAPP-Cover (Real Accurate and Perfect Plating) is produced exclusively by specialized staff throughout complex processes, from material processing to finishing.
For example, after pressing, each piece is hand-buffed, to recreate the unique drooling and shape. True to vintage, no layer of copper is to be found on the base, an important feature for the finishing process. As for plating, every single detail has been studied and analyzed, to replicate the same shine and texture. RAPP-Cover’s well balanced and true design, realized by meticulous analysis of each manufacturing step by our craftsmen, radiates beauty and harmony.
Checking, modifying and adjusting by hand, after each process, over and over…. The result is so attractive, just because we don’t rely solely on high precision machines.
HYHATT-KNOB 1 set
Control knobs had been the breakthrough to Ace’s fame as a pioneer of vintage replica parts. Hyhat-Knob, short for Hysteric Top Hat Knob, is a tribute to Gibson’s molding technique of the ’50s.
Replicating such details as side skirt, edge, knurls, and numbers was made possible by “mastercam”, newly introduced 3D software. Only an impeccably designed mold, down to the weld line, can produce perfect knobs.
HYSTERRING69 1 set
Uneven legs, flash, drooling, warp, hardness and color. These features found on now discontinued legendary pick-up ring “M-69″ reflect the fuzziness of ’50s molding technology.
Because modern molding tends to be too accurate, special fine tuning was made to padding, thinning (to prevent warping), undercut (for easier ejecting of molded parts), weld line (to avoid product cracking), and gate (injection point) setting in order to simulate the looseness of the old times. This product is not just a copy, it is the synthesis of manufacturing process analysis and molding experts’ craftsmanship.
State-of-the-art technology and passion were poured into producing this calculated looseness and ‘worn-out’ looks.
Plastic pellets used as material also reproduce color, hardness and mass of the original.
Then, a blending expert added some fine tuning, so subtle modern instruments cannot measure. Be it the black-light reactive color (light green in natural light), the filler color smudge, or the warp by RAP technique (shrinking by Ripening Ageing Process), Hystering69 is true to the vintage, right down to 1/100 gram.
RPG59 1 piece
Resin sheets have specific properties, hardness and distortion tolerance according to their raw material, and bring significant variations to the appearance and touch of the cut-out products.
The more seen from afar, the clearer are the features of the vintage Les Paul pickguard; their expression is unique to the static-free acetylcellulose, and neither conventional machined PVC nor molded plastic can achieve the same effect.
Made from this specially replicated material, RPG59 is a pickguard with a 50′s flair, expected to improve with all-over roll marks and more patina over the years of use.
This material is a true replica, custom-made by a celluloid manufacturer, with the average before-shrinking thickness that had been precisely measured by stacking 20 dead stock sheets from the 50′s, owned by THP.
In addition, its price range is suitable for a bulk product, considering the fact that this is one of Gibson’s most efficiently manufactured cut-out plastic parts of the time.
Its appeal lies in the texture of natural material at your fingertips, the deep shine, the emotional attachment generated by use and warp, the fade-proneness. Every single RPG59 is cut out and crafted with utmost care at Ace Iwasaki’s factory.
For more information on Area59 guitar parts go to www.Area59.jp/en/.
*ELIGIBILITY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
Prizes are not transferable or assignable and they are not redeemable for cash. All winners outside the continental United States are responsible for shipping costs. All winners are responsible for the payment of any and all taxes and/or licenses and/or other related local, State, Federal fees that may apply to such winnings. Taxes on prizes are solely the responsibility of the winners. Vintage Guitar magazine reserves the right to replace the advertised prize(s) with a prize of equal or greater value if the advertised prize(s) is/are no longer available.
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