G&L walls - Leo-era content!

As my G&L collection grew, there was a tipping point a year or two back when I realized it was easier to track down good deals on Leo-era rarebirds than it was to find space in the house for them. My wife pointed out that there was enough space in our unfinished basement for a music room. She made it clear that I was not going to attempt the project on my own, so the hunt for a contractor began. After much searching, we found a good one and the work began back in May. We expected a 3-4 week job, but it ended up running 3-4 months (which was not entirely the contractors' fault). Anyway, I installed the floor, trim and guitar hangers and started moving gear down at the beginning of October. Photos have taken a while, as I just haven't been able to get any I've been happy with under the room's lighting. After a request for more Leo-era porn was posted in another thread this morning, I decided to go ahead with the best ones I have.

So without any further delays, here is the main wall's current lineup:









Here's a side wall that fits three guitars and a synth table:





Here are some stands and my go-to amps:





Last but not least, here was my solution for case storage:



It took me a while to decide on the wall arrangements. I have already changed the side wall, and will get a new photo of it tonight. I've also added another multi-guitar stand to put a few more instruments within reach. The main wall was going to be a shrine to Leo-era basses, and still might be. I just need to build a table to go behind the couch and move it away from the wall first, so that I don't knock my head into instruments when I sit down. I toyed with a couple of themes meanwhile. Who will be first to figure out the one I went with?

Ken

love the basement colors, Ken. your G&L collection is impressive! lots of 80's wood/wires.
also love the old ampeg. we had one of those with a 12 inch spkr in the 70's.
remember to come up to the kitchen for a meal from time to time!

Beautiful set up Ken and fantastic collection. Not sure about some, they seem to be missing two strings!

I may use yer case storage idea, very efficient.

looks great Ken , fabulous collection

Thanks John and Sam!

To say the Ampeg is a keeper would be an understatement. It was my all-time Holy Grail amp, which I had no realistic expectation of ever trying (much less owning). Last year I happened to stumble across it in a local shop, just when I had decided to trade a John Jorgenson Sig ASAT that I had never bonded with. It worked out to almost an even trade. The Ampeg is a B-15N. The serial number in the cabinet dates it to 1963. The serial plate on the head is gone, but the features are definitely from the early '60s.

Here are couple of more pictures. One is the SB-2 and SB-1 on the end of the main wall, which I didn't have a pic of when I started this thread. The other is the current line-up on the side wall. It should be an easier theme for the Leo-era fans to name!





Ken

Ken, this is exactly what I wish we saw more of on this forum. Vintage, gratuitous g&l photography! The user galleries on GbL are disappointing knowing what some of the members have locked away under their beds.

Thank you, thank you. Really beautiful and impressive collection.

My favorites are on the side wall and in the stand case- looks to be a couple of el toros? Those look amazing. We'd love to see a close up if you got one.

Really nice job, inspiring

I think it's a neck-based theme .So many options though eh? date,hardware,body,finish...
It looks good.
I think we need more SB-1 porn , me likey .

Some spots/table lamps would make for some nice mood lighting.
Congrats on getting to the phase where you get to sit on the couch with
all that goodness surrounding you...much more fun than wallboard .

elwood

(boy that gibson EB looks tiny)

Man you guy's are hogging all the good guitars. What gives?

y2kc

What a collection of early G&L's. I like your arrangement and I can see potential for expansion as it grows. The old Ampeg is really cool. Old school Sunburst was really popular in the early days but you have a nice assortment of colors. Very nice Ken! -- Darwin

Ken, this is exactly what I wish we saw more of on this forum. Vintage, gratuitous g&l photography! The user galleries on GbL are disappointing knowing what some of the members have locked away under their beds.

Thank you, thank you. Really beautiful and impressive collection.

Thanks! I used to post threads for each guitar or bass on its birthday, but I've been pretty slack about that lately. I think there may be a couple of October birthdays I could still get pics in time for.

My favorites are on the side wall and in the stand case- looks to be a couple of el toros? Those look amazing. We'd love to see a close up if you got one.

The blue one is an El Toro, and the white one is an Interceptor Bass. I posted a thread on the El Toro a while back, but the only pics I have of the Interceptor were taken by previous owners.

Ken

Really nice job, inspiring

I think it's a neck-based theme .So many options though eh? date,hardware,body,finish...
It looks good.
I think we need more SB-1 porn , me likey .

Some spots/table lamps would make for some nice mood lighting.
Congrats on getting to the phase where you get to sit on the couch with
all that goodness surrounding you...much more fun than wallboard .

elwood

(boy that gibson EB looks tiny)

You're close on the theme. It's actually paddle headstocks. The first three from the left side were built prior to the "hook" showing up on the G-200 and S-500. The rest are SC or SB models, which retained the paddle headstock into the late '80s or early '90s.

All of my SB-1 pics are grainy shots under indoor lighting. I will try to get some outside when my work schedule and the weather permit. The maple body has some flame that only pops under bright lights.

I still need to build end tables to match the synth table, and do plan to put lamps on them. My next gear purchase will probably be a good switch box, since I find myself running A/B tests constantly now that so many instruments are within reach.

The Gibson feels tiny. It's a '69 EB-0 that I stumbled across last December. Somebody had it consigned for a quick sale, at a price I couldn't pass up. It's a very fun bass to play.

Ken

Man you guy's are hogging all the good guitars. What gives?

y2kc

What a collection of early G&L's. I like your arrangement and I can see potential for expansion as it grows. The old Ampeg is really cool. Old school Sunburst was really popular in the early days but you have a nice assortment of colors. Very nice Ken! -- Darwin

Thanks guys!

Ken

I'd say you did an awesome job of choosing an excellent wife, as it was her suggestion!

Oh Ken … What can I say? Gorgeous layout (or is it outlay ) of old-time G&Ls!!

- Jos

I will also say that you have a fine collection of pre BBe G&L's. I always think I should make an effort to buy a Leo era , then I am seduced by the shiny new G&L's. Thanks for posting the pics, well done.

Great room, Ken. I'm guessing that as a basement its pretty well soundproofed from the neighbours?

That is some serious porn you are slinging Ken. Super, super cool!! Very nice collection and display.

Thanks to all for the comments!

Jamie, The basement is not soundproofed, but the room is about halfway below grade and all of the outside walls are poured concrete. The acoustic tile ceiling has a drywall ceiling above it, so I don't get complaints from upstairs when I'm getting loud.

Ken

Did you pick the color to the wall to highlight the guitars like the SC's.

Or did it just turn out beautiful by accident?

Great room, Ken. I'm guessing that as a basement its pretty well soundproofed from the neighbours?

Also, what is your home's street address?

Also, what is your home's street address?

I'm pretty sure it's 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. ...just hop the fence and walk in