Gibson Midtown Custom... Oooh, me likey

[Fuchsaudio]

Understood, but speaking quality, not differences in features or design. :cool:
There was one Grohl on the wall (didn't touch nor play it) that looked overall just cleaner and higher quality appearance.

[neozecat]

The DG-335 is not the same in terms of quality, it's a custom shop limited edition !

[b3john]

The DG-335 is not the same in terms of quality, it's a custom shop limited edition !
Exactly.

Depending on condition and price that DG-335 hanging on the wall could be a great find.

[neozecat]

The rare ones that show on ebay sell ~12 000 USD.

[Papajuice]

Just to stir the pot talked to a friend yesterday and saw pictures of his trip to Gibson last week. Guess what they are coming out with, a Dave Grohl Midtown custom. I wish I had his picture but it's not suppose to be out yet. It was a Midtown with diamond holes and a firebird headstock in Pelham Blue and it was cool looking.

[jamdogg]

Features
Body: Chambered mahogany
Top: Flat, bound maple with f-holes and multi-ply top binding
Neck: Genuine mahogany
Profile '60s Slim Taper™ with
acrylic split diamond headstock inlay
Fingerboard: Black richlite with acrylic block inlays
Bridge: Tune-o-matic
Pickups: Gibson Burstbucker 1/ Burstbucker 2
Tuners: Keystone
Controls: 2 Vol/ 2 Tone; three-way switch
Case: Gibson Hardshell

i guess "richlite" is good enough.

Apparently good enough for Martin.

[pir8matt]

Just to stir the pot talked to a friend yesterday at GC and saw pictures of his trip to Gibson last week. Guess what they are coming out with, a Dave Grohl Midtown custom. I wish I had his picture but it's not suppose to be out yet. It was a Midtown with diamond holes and a firebird headstock in Pelham Blue and it was cool looking.

Wow, that sounds interesting!

[neozecat]

Is there someone who got news about the forthcoming Dave Grohl Midtown Custom ?

[Papajuice]

Is there someone who got news about the forthcoming Dave Grohl Midtown Custom ?

I saw a picture and talked to a friend about it. It was a Pelham Blue with diamond holes and a firebird neck. They want let the picture out because it is in the prototype stage right now. Have been told by the end of the year, personally can't wait it was cool looking.

[soybean]

It's slightly neck-heavy, but I was using a slippery nylon strap…Did anyone else find it neck-heavy? That drives me crazy.

[neozecat]

Not at all for me.

[hollowhero]

any news on the dave grohl one?

[neozecat]

Ask Papajuice :dude

[Papajuice]

any news on the dave grohl one?

I was told top secret wasn't suppose to see the picture and out by the end of the year.

[MrMagician]

I've played one of these and the flat top got on my nerves. Also, the edge of the body is really sharp.

That and, the insides of the F-holes were not sanded :puh

[mac7ry]

I have a black one and LOVE it. Its my big full fat sound guitar. As for neck heaviness...its a little heavy. Not so heavy that its a negative for me...it just makes it feel good and solid in my hands. I find the size and shape of the body very comfortable. I don't have any trouble out of the sustain from the fretboard material.

I would say that this guitar is a fantastic value for the price! My guitars are the Midtown and a '72 Fender Tele Deluxe RI. The Midtown is the smooth big full fat sound one and the Tele is the hotter, rockin one. Both have original pickups in them. The Midtown has the Burstbucker 1 and 2 and the Tele has the Fender Humbuckers. I love em both!

[neozecat]

I saw a picture and talked to a friend about it. It was a Pelham Blue with diamond holes and a firebird neck. They want let the picture out because it is in the prototype stage right now. Have been told by the end of the year, personally can't wait it was cool looking.

Is it the New Midtown Std P90 in pelham blue that you saw ?

http://www.keymusic.com/gfx_productcode/XL/132168/Gibson-Midtown-Standard-P90-Pelham-Blue.jpg

http://www.keymusic.com/gfx_productcode/XL/132166/2/Gibson-Midtown-Standard-P90-Fireburst.jpg

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Standard-P-90.aspx

[Martin82]

And the fingerboard is rosewood, not rich lite. Hmmm.

[josuwa]

Want! :D

[crzyfngers]

i like this one..
http://www2.gibson.com/Images/Products/ElectricGuitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Standard-P-90/DSDCPPBCH1-Finish-Shot-jpg.aspx?KeepThis=true&
where is my 339 with p90s??? they make one with mini-humbuckers
http://www.ginomusica.it/images/news/images_med/Gibson-Custom-ES390.jpg

[hollowhero]

Anything in pelham blue is hot in my book :eeks

[b3john]

And the fingerboard is rosewood, not rich lite. Hmmm.
Richlite is a replacement for ebony, not rosewood.

[pir8matt]

Anything in pelham blue is hot in my book :eeks

Usually I'd agree, but that headstock shape doesn't do it for me.

[neozecat]

You can easily replace P90 with mini humbucker.
All you need is bracket or mounting ring.

[Ivan Durak]

I thought Torrefied = Baked. Are you saying they are different?

Torrified just smells better.

Nice looking guitar.

[Fuchsaudio]

I looked a black one over at GC. Was so unimpressed by the fit,finish, and weight, I didn't bother plugging in....I wanted to like it.. :(

[Martin82]

Richlite is a replacement for ebony, not rosewood.

What's your point? The specs say rosewood. I was pointing out that it is different from the Midtown Custom, which has a rich lite board.

[b3john]

What's your point? The specs say rosewood. I was pointing out that it is different from the Midtown Custom, which has a rich lite board.
My point was that Standards get rosewood fretboards (layered, in this case).

Richlite is a replacement for ebony, which generally only shows up on Customs.

[Old Tele man]

Was able to play a Gibson Midtown Special yesterday afternoon at Rainbow Guitars (Tucson, AZ) and it reminded me more of a LP than an ES, only lighter (?) in weight.

There were three on floor display, a natural finish, a black finish, and a very nice looking cherry burst. I immediately grapped the natural finish model, hoping that it was *the* ES-345TDN replacement that I've been searching for--but, alas--it wasn't. The neck was simply too "club-like" for me...even more so than my ES-135LE. The fretboard "looked" like dark rosewood, more than ebony, and played fine to me.

The pickups were "nice" but nothing exceptional, roughly equalent in tone/timbre to those on my ES-135LE. But, then again, I was playing through a 'store' amp and not through my amp (SR w/JBLs), because, afterall, tone is mostly "...in (coming out of) the 'amp'..." after it's been coaxed out of the 'fingers' (wink,wink).

Overall, the workmanship was decent, slightly better than my 2002 ES-135LE, with no 'glaring' defects other than slightly "rough" edging around the ƒ-holes; but, overall, I've seen better quality in Fenders, etc..

FWIW, my quick 2¢ summary:

• LOOKS....: 10 (that cherry-burst is killer!)
• PRICE....: 8-9 ($1499 street)
• NECK.....: 7 (too club-like for me)
• FRETBOARD: 9 (easy to play)
• ACTION...: 7-8 (seemed too high, but played well)
• FRETS....: 8-9 (decently finished)
• BODY.....: 8 (front binding only, rough "ƒ-hole" edges)
• WEIGHT...: 8 (less than LP or ES-135LE)
• PICKUPS..: 7 (decent, but not exceptional)
• TIMBRE...: 8 (nice range, deep-to-bright)

[neozecat]

What do you mean for the neck by club-like ?

[Old Tele man]

What do you mean for the neck by club-like ?
...the neck felt more like a w-i-d-e / t-h-i-c-k "U-shape" neck rather than either a "C" or "V" shape (I know, those are Fender desciptors, but...).

...sorta like a 2" × 4" plank with rounded corners, and not like either my Tele or ES-135LE.

[neozecat]

Ok

In Gibson terms, I'll say myself the neck is something between a 50's and a 60's

[daa2202]

The neck on the Midtown Custom is the 60s slim-taper. A little too thin for my taste, and that's why I moved the Midtown along...but it's quite a nice guitar overall otherwise, and a really good bargain IMO if you like 60s necks.

[MrMagician]

Is it the New Midtown Std P90 in pelham blue that you saw ?

http://www.keymusic.com/gfx_productcode/XL/132168/Gibson-Midtown-Standard-P90-Pelham-Blue.jpg
That headstock looks anorexic.

[airportbar]

The new P-90 Midtowns are starting to show up. I like it (rosewood board and reasonable price). Hopefully the QC doesn't kill a good thing.

http://wildwoodguitars.com/products/116720333.php?CategoryID=10&n=0

[stratzrus]

The neck on the Midtown Custom is the 60s slim-taper. I really wish that every neck they called a 60s slim taper actually was one.

My 335 and Les Paul Classic both have actual 60s slim taper necks and they are almost identical. My Les Paul Junior Special Plus is supposed to have a slim taper neck according to the specs but it clearly is not.

Any neck that a player called "club-like" is probably not a 60's slim taper neck no matter what they are calling it. Knowing Gibson, maybe some are and some are not, or maybe none are. Who knows? :dunno

[AudioEcstasy]

I'm also a HUGE fan of the Midtowns. I love 335s and the Midtown is an awesome cousin! :cool:

[EdMan57]

I'm rather liking my vintage sunburst Midtown Custom.Unlike previous models,mine has a 2-piece maple top that matches pretty well.I find the Burstbucker 1 & 2 pickups to be warmer and just plain sweeter than the Burstbucker Pro pickups that I've heard on other Gibsons.


Ed

[neozecat]

Just to stir the pot talked to a friend yesterday and saw pictures of his trip to Gibson last week. Guess what they are coming out with, a Dave Grohl Midtown custom. I wish I had his picture but it's not suppose to be out yet. It was a Midtown with diamond holes and a firebird headstock in Pelham Blue and it was cool looking.

Something like that ?

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/293/541/DV016_Jpg_Large_517385.025_wine_red_V.jpg

[Papajuice]

Yea but Phelam Blue
Something like that ?

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/293/541/DV016_Jpg_Large_517385.025_wine_red_V.jpg

[airportbar]

So a Gibson Vegas Standard then.

[hollowhero]

Something like that ?

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/293/541/DV016_Jpg_Large_517385.025_wine_red_V.jpg
I don't know how to feel about this

[jads57]

I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Papajuice]

I do to

[neozecat]

Yea but Phelam Blue

So it's a Gibson Vegas Standard in PB and not a Midtown

[b3john]

Something like that ?

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/293/541/DV016_Jpg_Large_517385.025_wine_red_V.jpg

I'd love one of those with four knobs and an ebony finish!

[neozecat]

It did already exist. It was the DG-335 in ebony :

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MyxIIkxbqI/TZ3Hl6DNiqI/AAAAAAAAAIo/nN0-mWB-xXc/s1600/2_2.jpg

Not exactly the same range of price

[Lublin]

I'd love a Midtown Custom in Pelham.

[pir8matt]

So it's a Gibson Vegas Standard in PB and not a Midtown

The midtowns are flat tops with a solid center block, I think. Weren't the Vegas' archtops?

Similar in looks, but not in execution, I think.

[neozecat]

No centerbloc at all in the Midtown Custom !

[pir8matt]

No centerbloc at all in the Midtown Custom !

"but built with the chambered solid-wood construction (rather than a laminated top and back with solid center block)"

I stand corrected!

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Custom.aspx

[dspellman]

No centerbloc at all in the Midtown Custom !

No *separate* center block. It's all part of the carving of the bottom chunk. This is a semihollow guitar with similar construction:

http://www.musiikkisilfverberg.fi/shop/images/sh550-inside_0811_418.jpgThe CNC carving of the interior leaves a support system for bridge and tailpiece as well as a center spine to help prevent the guitar from "folding" (as the original Gibson 330's did) under string tension. This particular interior is from the Carvin SH550 series.

[Rotten]

What is the fingerboard like?

[neozecat]

Sweet

[b3john]

It did already exist. It was the DG-335 in ebony :

Not exactly the same range of price

Yeah, unfortunately I missed out on the limited release (and they go for just stupid money these days on fleabay, etc.) :mad:

[theroan]

How are the richlite boards working out? I was afraid and ended with an ES-333. But I was curious.

[GearFlipper]

Nope, the Vegas and Midtown were/are identical in construction. Just a different body shape.

The midtowns are flat tops with a solid center block, I think. Weren't the Vegas' archtops?

Similar in looks, but not in execution, I think.

[Robert1950]

It says semi hollow, chambered with f-holes.

Here are the specs - http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Custom/Specs.aspx

[neozecat]

Before :
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2765/beforeca.jpg

After :
http://imageshack.us/a/img13/5048/aftermj.jpg

[HoboMan]

The customs are $999 at Sam Ash:
http://www.samash.com/p/Gibson_Midtown%20Custom%20Electric%20Guitar%20with %20Hardshell%20Case_1759041

[iowa]

The customs are $999 at Sam Ash:
http://www.samash.com/p/Gibson_Midtown%20Custom%20Electric%20Guitar%20with %20Hardshell%20Case_1759041

Looks like $999 is for Ebony only.
Pretty good deal.

[73171]

Before :
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2765/beforeca.jpg

After :
http://imageshack.us/a/img13/5048/aftermj.jpg



:dude:dude:dude

[pir8matt]

The customs are $999 at Sam Ash:
http://www.samash.com/p/Gibson_Midtown%20Custom%20Electric%20Guitar%20with %20Hardshell%20Case_1759041

Agh..that's tempting.

[thornie]

Hmm.. Something about the body shape looks "off" to me. I can't explain it but looks slightly altered from the 339/359 shape. It's been bothering me since these were announced.

[AParrotLooksAt4O]

Before :
http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2765/beforeca.jpg

After :
http://imageshack.us/a/img13/5048/aftermj.jpg

Damn you...that is EXACLY what I want to do with one of those if I ever get one. Thanks for the gas... :beer

[pir8matt]

Hmm.. Something about the body shape looks "off" to me. I can't explain it but looks slightly altered from the 339/359 shape. It's been bothering me since these were announced.

Well, its a flat top for one thing. That might have something to do with it.

I played one awhile back and liked it a lot. Might have to go back for a second look.

[pharmacybear]

I think they're cool in photos, but when you see one in real life it's very awkward looking. Like someone ran it over with a steamroller so it's flat.

[thornie]

Well, its a flat top for one thing. That might have something to do with it.

I played one awhile back and liked it a lot. Might have to go back for a second look.

I think they're cool in photos, but when you see one in real life it's very awkward looking. Like someone ran it over with a steamroller so it's flat.

Yeah, that must be it. The flatness is what IMO makes it look wonky.

[Dale]

It reminds me (appearance) of the the Blueshawk I used to own.

[neozecat]

No, it's bigger

[Old Tele man]

...it reminds me of the old Harmony, hollow-slab, guitars that Sears and Monkey-Wards and Spiegels sold back in the 1960's (I had an Airline model).

[ambientfixation]

I'm thinking about getting one of these, but can't ever find one to play.

[pir8matt]

I'm thinking about getting one of these, but can't ever find one to play.

My local Sam Ash has one and both my local guitar centers have them. They're around.

Call some stores in your area until you find one. I'd be willing to bet there's one in stock somewhere.

[treeofpain]

They are on the Gibson blowout list, so I'm guessing they are being discontinued to make room for new models. They never seemed to catch on (like their predecessor, the Vegas and Vegas High Roller). Cool guitars in search of a market...

[B-Nads]

Having never spent much time with hollowbodies, the flat-top on the MT doesn't bother me in the least. I played one a few times, and I liked it a lot. Tonally, it seems to sit between the LP and the 335, which I find really cool for my uses/needs. I'm strongly considering one, but will probably wait til I get back down in the States to buy - the prices up here are ridiculous on these.

[DavidE]

I had one delivered yesterday. Didn't get to plug it in last night, but seems like a nice guitar. Even the richlite fingerboard isn't a turnoff. At some point, I'll compare it to my custom shop 335. I did pick up one of the "blowout" Tribute 70's Firebirds from Sam Ash. Looked nice from a short distance, but it felt like cheap POS guitar. Tuners are too close together (I did have to work them in to stop them from sticking), but the one thing I couldn't live with is that the baked maple fingerboard was not as wide as the neck, so there was a ridge on each side where the neck stuck out further than the fingerboard.

[treeofpain]

I like the richlite fretboard - it looks and feels pretty much like ebony.

I have owned 335s and 339s, and I would say thie Modtown Custom sounds more like a Les Paul than my 339s I owned, even though the body size appears to be the same. The reason is probably a combination of the Burstbucker pickups vs 57 Classics and the hollowed mahogany body vs laminate construction.

The flat top doesn't bother me at all. It does have a full gloss finish, whereas the earlier Vegas models (also flat tops) had gloss on the top of the body only - the back, sides, and neck were satin finished.

[LCramer]

The rumors are true... The Midtown Custom is being discontinued. Somebody posted some time back that "better get one of these before Gibson realizes what an incredible deal they are and yanks them" Well looks like Gibson figured this out. Or it may be they got tired of all the "much ado about nothing" concerning the Richlite fret board. Either way Gibson is pulling them. My advice search one of the remaining ones out and grab it! I ordered a black one, then a couple days later got an email that said it was on back-order... then a day later one that said my order was canceled due to availability, so I called and found they had some of my second choice, the Vintage sunburst in stock so I ordered it! Three days later I had it. What a beautiful Guitar fit finish is awesome and considering that after whining about the mix up they gave me an additional 10% so I was able to buy it for 998.00. It's by far the best guitar purchase I've made.

One thing I will mention, the actual set up on the guitar was absolutely awful! Even if they were discontinuing them Gibson should be ashamed to let a product out of its doors this poorly set up. But, about an hour or so in the hands of a guitar wizard friend of mine and I had the guitar that I thought/hoped I would. Not only a beauty to look at but to play as well. I played it at an area Blues Jam a few days later and plugged into my humble little Fender blues Junior, I can honestly say that I've found my playing and tone solution that I've looked for for years.

It’s really too bad that Gibson, for whatever reason, is pulling the plug on the Midtown custom – It really is a top tier instrument at a price the weekend worrier can afford and justify – that sort of thing doesn't come along very often. Grab one while you still can!