Gibson Midtown Custom/Standard
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Yep - I play one - and I love her neck
To me it feels similar to my Epi Lucille neck, which is a '60s slim taper' type
Nice I like the Ebony with this model. Lot of guitar for the $$. I'm going to see/play one here. I hear the richlite is a dream to play, smooth bending and easy to work with on a re-fret.
dbb
Well-Known Member
Pretty cool looking...looks like it would go from blues to rock to fusion to jazz with no problem.
PeteR
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Thanks,
they've been on sale for 1000 USD some days ago,
Gibson Midtown Custom Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case | Sam Ash Music 1-800-4-SAMASH
Hurry up, if you want one, I've heard they soon will be discontinued...
PeteR
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We have had some threads about the Midtowns...over at MLP
Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
New Model: Gibson Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
The wait is over......NGD Gibson Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
The let's see your midtown thread - My Les Paul Forums
Actually the Midtown gets the most playing time from the herd
Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
New Model: Gibson Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
The wait is over......NGD Gibson Midtown Custom - My Les Paul Forums
The let's see your midtown thread - My Les Paul Forums
Actually the Midtown gets the most playing time from the herd
Right whatever floor models are left before 2013 they're blowiing out for $999. I guess trying not to hurt on-line sales. Thats almost Gibsons wholesale cost. Some web sights are high still for $1300-$1499. Probably drop also.
That why I'm interested in playing it.
I have a ton of **** to trade in too. Nice fiddles. I'll have to read through the links. Solid wood it should sound good with a little air and those BBs. .
I think the Midtown is one of the coolest news from Gibson in years.
It’s hard to be innovative when the market is so conservative, but this time I think they got it right. The Midtown is a bit smaller than a 335 and fills a niche. It’s also very affordable considering craftsmanship and finish. Even though its chambered, the flat top construction is different from the 335 design. It’s much easier to build the Midtown and that’s why they can keep the price low.
The fretboard is not solid wood, but a composite called Richlite (a dense material made from partially recycled paper and phenolic resin). Rosewood has become too expensive.
I see the Midtown as a modern semi-hollow design, build according to the preconditions of the current market economics, taking into account sustainable environmental principles. Well done, Gibson.
It’s hard to be innovative when the market is so conservative, but this time I think they got it right. The Midtown is a bit smaller than a 335 and fills a niche. It’s also very affordable considering craftsmanship and finish. Even though its chambered, the flat top construction is different from the 335 design. It’s much easier to build the Midtown and that’s why they can keep the price low.
The fretboard is not solid wood, but a composite called Richlite (a dense material made from partially recycled paper and phenolic resin). Rosewood has become too expensive.
I see the Midtown as a modern semi-hollow design, build according to the preconditions of the current market economics, taking into account sustainable environmental principles. Well done, Gibson.
PeteR
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I think the Midtown is one of the coolest news from Gibson in years.
It’s hard to be innovative when the market is so conservative, but this time I think they got it right. The Midtown is a bit smaller than a 335 and fills a niche. It’s also very affordable considering craftsmanship and finish. Even though its chambered, the flat top construction is different from the 335 design. It’s much easier to build the Midtown and that’s why they can keep the price low.
The fretboard is not solid wood, but a composite called Richlite (a dense material made from partially recycled paper and phenolic resin). Rosewood has become too expensive.
I see the Midtown as a modern semi-hollow design, build according to the preconditions of the current market economics, taking into account sustainable environmental principles. Well done, Gibson.
I see the 356/359 more in line with the Midtown than the 339/335. I played Gibson ES series prior. Heres what I mean. Smaller body, solid woods, no-laminated woods, this one is hollow. I don't believe the Midtown has a sustain block the length of the body either. Arch, Carved Top being the difference with above and the 356/359 opposed to a flat top.
I'll have to take a good look at the inside of the Midtown. This idea Gibson has played with for almost 15 years now. BB-Kings-signature and the LP-DC was there first experiment than the 135 with no F-Holes, course the weight relieved LPs also came as a result etc.
In fact if you remove the plate from a DC-LP, you will see a hollow design, not a semi hollow in that both sides the air has access to circulate as opposed to chambers which in effect is what a semi hollow is and does.
(I picked up the Midtown, photos to come.)
I agree with the above about Gibson and the Green movement in that its no doubt affected the thinking of harvesting woods, Nitro finish etc etc. The fretboard on the Gibson is nothing new, its new to Gibson, its been used on bass guitars and Martins fretboards for a long time. Ovation and Hagstrom come to mind also. My concern was how hard is it to work with on a fretboard, and apparently the claim is its easier to work with in that it won't splinter as Rosewood thus cleaner work, which if need be equates to more fret jobs.
I also find it amusing in the comments about plastic inlays. Gibson has used plastic inlays for a very long time. All production line Gibsons have plastic inlays.
I'll have to take a good look at the inside of the Midtown. This idea Gibson has played with for almost 15 years now. BB-Kings-signature and the LP-DC was there first experiment than the 135 with no F-Holes, course the weight relieved LPs also came as a result etc.
In fact if you remove the plate from a DC-LP, you will see a hollow design, not a semi hollow in that both sides the air has access to circulate as opposed to chambers which in effect is what a semi hollow is and does.
(I picked up the Midtown, photos to come.)
I agree with the above about Gibson and the Green movement in that its no doubt affected the thinking of harvesting woods, Nitro finish etc etc. The fretboard on the Gibson is nothing new, its new to Gibson, its been used on bass guitars and Martins fretboards for a long time. Ovation and Hagstrom come to mind also. My concern was how hard is it to work with on a fretboard, and apparently the claim is its easier to work with in that it won't splinter as Rosewood thus cleaner work, which if need be equates to more fret jobs.
I also find it amusing in the comments about plastic inlays. Gibson has used plastic inlays for a very long time. All production line Gibsons have plastic inlays.
The neck is almost identicle to the 60 profile on the 335s. Maybe a little larger. Guitar projects well plugged or unplugged, action, sting-path/frets all great. The BB 1+2 I like anyway and they sound great in the axe.
Only issue is see is whoever did the multi binding left a scrape of white before the guitar was shot which you really have to look for and is not a concern. I didn't photo it. Otherwise no issue at all. Weight is 8-lbs even.
The burst tops I'm not crazy about, since from all the photos I've seen they used 3-piece tops which I can't see with Ebony and prefer not to see.
Love the tonal range its versitile, cuts through great though not as good as the Hamer. I may switch the Seths into the Midtown, and use the BBs with the all-maple ebony. Then again I may just rock em and say f-it also. Needs air outside the case, smells strong of Nitro.
Peace
Congrats
Welcome to the Midtown Club
I just want to know how your in Germany and buying Gibsons cheaper than us. OH....
I forgot OBAMA!!!!!
Keep on Rocking bro.
PeteR
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I just want to know how your in Germany and buying Gibsons cheaper than us. OH....
Keep on Rocking bro.
Don't blame Obama.........
I paid 1090 Euro last Dec, now they are 1200 Euro
We usually pay the USD price - just in Euro, thats ~ +30%
Suchergebnisse - Seite 1
Gibsons over here start at 600 Euro - for a LP Junior or SG special faded....
SG Special 70s is 750 Euro.....
SG Standard or LP Studio 2012 is 1110 Euro
Spent a little time tweaking the pups poles/height after touching up the action/intonation. The BBs after some adjusting are a nice set of pup's, the 1+2. I notice the BBs are similar to the Seths in that you really have play with the heights and poles. more so then on the 57s and Alnico Vs it seems. I usually just go with radius on the poles and Gibsons height. Maybe its me the BBs and Seths seem to require a bit more attention.
I stand corrected the Midtown does have a solid mahogany center block same as a 335 full length. The tones had me think otherwiose till I looked. Great middle position with this set-up for funk, R+B etc...different reminds me of single coils at moments The neck is the usual Gibson bucker tone. The bridge I played with the most for 3-pup balance and neck to bridge balance, also trying to keep the too sharp bridge tones down without sacrificing the neck tone. Versitile guitar that does a lot of things well. I imagine the jazz guy might prefer something else. yet its usuable there too no doubt.
The QC is well done after a close look. Usually on binding and some poor QC'd Gibsons if you run your finger over the binding on the side where it meets the body, there is where you'll feel a lip or how well its finished, or if its inconsistant around the guitar. So time to finish this right was definately applied.
I think there doing a great job at Gibson now compared to Memphis a few years back.
The Midtown is well finished after really going over it. Comfortable to play and I find myself engaged with it passing time.
The feel of the board takes a few moments getting use to. Not with the tone, sustain or bends just has a quick feel to it you notice on slides.
Here's a couple more photos, my upgrade a White Tip.
All in all I'm happy, pretty impressive. I have to hear a set of these BBs in a SG. I know they have a model out with coil tapping, I'd like to hear them with the all mahogany, rosewood SG set-up.
Cool Gibson I'm loving it.
I stand corrected the Midtown does have a solid mahogany center block same as a 335 full length. The tones had me think otherwiose till I looked. Great middle position with this set-up for funk, R+B etc...different reminds me of single coils at moments The neck is the usual Gibson bucker tone. The bridge I played with the most for 3-pup balance and neck to bridge balance, also trying to keep the too sharp bridge tones down without sacrificing the neck tone. Versitile guitar that does a lot of things well. I imagine the jazz guy might prefer something else. yet its usuable there too no doubt.
The QC is well done after a close look. Usually on binding and some poor QC'd Gibsons if you run your finger over the binding on the side where it meets the body, there is where you'll feel a lip or how well its finished, or if its inconsistant around the guitar. So time to finish this right was definately applied.
I think there doing a great job at Gibson now compared to Memphis a few years back.
The Midtown is well finished after really going over it. Comfortable to play and I find myself engaged with it passing time.
The feel of the board takes a few moments getting use to. Not with the tone, sustain or bends just has a quick feel to it you notice on slides.
Here's a couple more photos, my upgrade a White Tip.
All in all I'm happy, pretty impressive. I have to hear a set of these BBs in a SG. I know they have a model out with coil tapping, I'd like to hear them with the all mahogany, rosewood SG set-up.
Cool Gibson I'm loving it.
Ah I see how it goes. Or the S+H from here on ebay hurts used buys? Germany always had great machinists, manufactiuring. wood finish. Whats coming out from your side of the pond that everyones talking about?
chilipeppermaniac
Well-Known Member
I just put $300 down on a Sunburst Midtown Classic. It is beautiful, but I am still not 100% sure I am thrilled with the Richlite fretboard. Had I known it had that, I might have waited and saved up for a 335 instead. Anyway, my wallet will be considerably lighter soon and I can post pics once I take possession. I hope it all works out or I might just sell it if I am not happy with it.
