Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Ted 'N' Leo on April 03, 2009, 09:53:51 PM

Title: New Gibsons
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on April 03, 2009, 09:53:51 PM
The 'Raw Power' SG and Les Paul, both all Maple bodies, maple fingerboards, except the Les Paul with has a mahogany neck.

http://frankfurt-messe-2009.musicradar.com/guitars/gibson-launches-raw-power-series-les-pauls-and-sgs/

Not sure i like the colours myself, a bit too bland.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 03, 2009, 10:33:19 PM
I agree they look bland, but I think the problem is the maple boards - from a distance they all look like normal Gibsons with the fingerboards masked off for spraying.  Black inlays might help, but then they'd look like Gordon-Smiths or something.

I don't think an all-maple SG or LP appeals to me anyway.  :?

I do like the Joan Jett Melody Maker, were it not for the skinny neck.  But I'd mod the hell out of it and turn it into a Joan Jett-meets-Pat Travers Melody Maker! 

(http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainment/music/blog/jett.jpg)

Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: shaman on April 04, 2009, 02:47:23 AM
man, maple boards..thats what a tele is for!!! 8)
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: il˙ti on April 04, 2009, 02:52:30 AM
*facepalm*

I hate Gibson.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: FernandoDuarte on April 04, 2009, 05:07:34 AM
I hate Gibson.

They're always on the workshop: "How to cr@p one of the biggest potentials of the world" :lol:
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Zaned on April 04, 2009, 06:57:56 AM
The funny thing is, when Les Paul first designed the guitar we know and love today, he wanted it to have an all-maple body! BUT, they thought it would be too heavy so they chose a maple cap on a mahogany body.

No chambering then, like they do now. An all-maple, SOLID Les Paul..I would like to know how much a typical example weighs..

The guitar is interesting however  8) I want to try one, when my local dealer gets them. I doubt I'll buy it though at least now..I have a nice LP on my purchase list, but I have that more traditional LP tone in mind for that guitar.

-Zaned
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: MrBump on April 04, 2009, 08:07:06 AM
I just can't get my head around a maple fingerboard on an LP/SG - it just doesn't look right.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: indysmith on April 04, 2009, 09:57:15 AM
Always wanted a maple neck Les Paul/SG, but a maple body too!? no thanks
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Will on April 04, 2009, 10:04:06 AM
:lol: dot markers, but trapezoid 12th.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: badgermark on April 04, 2009, 10:56:18 AM
Full range fellas, nice colours, but the neck does look cr@ppy.
(http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages2009/raw-power_SG-lineup.jpg)

(http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages2009/raw-power_LP-lineup.jpg)
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: sgmypod on April 04, 2009, 11:05:33 AM
like the green SG
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 04, 2009, 11:28:30 AM
like the green SG

It looks similar to my Army Green SG-X, but this is called "Satin Olive Green".  I still think the only finish which looks OK is Natural, but even then it should have black inlays (including two dots at the 12th, Will  :wink: ).

As always with Gibson, there are some weird specs - the scratchplate on the Natural is semi-transparent so you can see inside the body (why?) and the necks are 3 piece, with a separate fingerboard - structurally sound no doubt, but I can only imagine how ugly that'll look.

One good thing though - the pickups are '57 Classics, no doubt to soften the brightness of all that maple.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: sgmypod on April 04, 2009, 11:29:55 AM
yeah not sure about maplebody and neck
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 04, 2009, 11:36:42 AM
Still, they've got some nice new Limited Run models:

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_sg-autumn-burst.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_sg-ocean-blue-burst.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_lp-florentine.jpg)


But oh dear, dropped the ball again  :( :

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_eye-guitar.jpg)
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: sgmypod on April 04, 2009, 11:43:40 AM
weirdly like the red one....and the bigsby LP not sure on flame sg
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Ian Price on April 04, 2009, 12:03:08 PM
The red Gibson is, in my opinion, a complete abomination. Just what were they thinking of! I do like the Bigsby LP though.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: shobet on April 04, 2009, 12:03:17 PM
I'm sure they've made maple necked/fretboard Les Pauls before. I could swear I've seen older LPs with a maple fretboard, but I can't for the life of me remember where.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 04, 2009, 12:08:53 PM
There was the camo Zakk LP of course.  Can't think of any older ones, but the L6-S had a similar look:

(http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/graphics/L6S-1974.jpg)
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Fourth Feline on April 04, 2009, 12:13:17 PM
Still, they've got some nice new Limited Run models:

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_sg-autumn-burst.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_sg-ocean-blue-burst.jpg)
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_lp-florentine.jpg)


But oh dear, dropped the ball again  :( :

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/lrs_eye-guitar.jpg)

The nearest one I like aesthetically , is the Blue limited run S.G.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on April 04, 2009, 12:20:18 PM
That Bigsby LP is very nice! I love how the cutaway is kind of like the big hollowbodies.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Ratrod on April 04, 2009, 12:30:00 PM
Y'all seen this already?

(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/9/4/5/579945.jpg)

The idea of a Korina Les Paul with a forked headstock isn't even such a bad idea IMO.

But then the designer lit his crack pipe and thought it was a good idea  to add a middle pickup, that hideous switch and rediculous knob layout.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Fourth Feline on April 04, 2009, 12:40:36 PM
oops ! double post.  :oops:

Moderator please delete.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on April 04, 2009, 12:42:05 PM
Y'all seen this already?

(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/9/4/5/579945.jpg)

The idea of a Korina Les Paul with a forked headstock isn't even such a bad idea IMO.

But then the designer lit his crack pipe and thought it was a good idea  to add a middle pickup, that hideous switch and rediculous knob layout.


Agreed, gtrid of all the silky things and it would be very nice.

I reckon if they took away the middle pickup, the silly switch and the odd pot layout, that would be a very nice guitar.

At least ( between that offering and the red / white abomination ) - I now know who stole my medication ...  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Fourth Feline on April 04, 2009, 12:46:20 PM
Moderator please delete.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 04, 2009, 12:55:04 PM
Y'all seen this already?

(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/9/4/5/579945.jpg)

The idea of a Korina Les Paul with a forked headstock isn't even such a bad idea IMO.

But then the designer lit his crack pipe and thought it was a good idea  to add a middle pickup, that hideous switch and rediculous knob layout.


Yeah, it's like they're paying "tribute" to the original Explorer/Futura... but in a Les Paul. 

But as you say, the basic idea's not so bad.  Even the knob layout would be OK if they got rid of the 4th one near the tailpiece.  I'd quite like a korina LP Junior with two humbuckers, decked out in the '58 V colour scheme.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Will on April 04, 2009, 01:02:07 PM
I'm sure they've made maple necked/fretboard Les Pauls before. I could swear I've seen older LPs with a maple fretboard, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

Yeah, for a couple of years in the late 70s they didn't use ebony fretboards on the LPC models. 77-78 I think it was. And this was the middle of Norlin time, so maple necks still.
I think Zakk's started life as a Black '77 LP custom before he got creative.

I should also add that I have an epi ZW camo, and there is nothing wrong with maple neck and fingerboard. I ordered through GAK, and got a lucky one, its suprisingly resonant and acoustically clear and focussed. Compares favourably to others in the Epi range.

However, MDV has worked on one of the same model, and he wasn't so pleased I believe.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: shobet on April 04, 2009, 06:28:22 PM
I think the customs between 78 - 83 had 3 piece maple necks from what recollections I have. I think you can break concrete with them they're that strong!
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: MDV on April 04, 2009, 06:36:51 PM
I'm sure they've made maple necked/fretboard Les Pauls before. I could swear I've seen older LPs with a maple fretboard, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

Yeah, for a couple of years in the late 70s they didn't use ebony fretboards on the LPC models. 77-78 I think it was. And this was the middle of Norlin time, so maple necks still.
I think Zakk's started life as a Black '77 LP custom before he got creative.

I should also add that I have an epi ZW camo, and there is nothing wrong with maple neck and fingerboard. I ordered through GAK, and got a lucky one, its suprisingly resonant and acoustically clear and focussed. Compares favourably to others in the Epi range.

However, MDV has worked on one of the same model, and he wasn't so pleased I believe.

Sonically the guitars fine - I prefer its extra cut to a normal les paul

It was that the neck was set incorrectly, so that 22nd fret was 0.5mm higher than 12th fret.

After that was corrected it was a perfectly good guitar. Not my thing, but I can see how one could like it.

Accordingly I warn people to look out for the build quality, dont order them (or any epi or gibson) blind, but they can be great, if you find a well built one.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: dheim on April 09, 2009, 08:55:47 AM
maple fingerboards look and feel horrible, in my opinion...
the deanized les paul is a shining example of gibson random design, i think they've got an old commodore vic16 or a blind monkey to complete the process... the red SG i will comment in another thread...
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: blue on April 09, 2009, 11:51:11 AM
as seems to be the case with a lot of these odd gibsons, i like the maple raw power guitars.  i really like maple fretboards, although i agree that they always looked odd on les pauls.  a couple of the colours on these look good though.  the blue and natural on both models, and the yellow/gold les paul get my vote.

as to all maple guitars, my patrick eggle LA+ is entirely maple, and it's a great guitar, sounds good, doesn't have the brittle tone you might expect.  i find maple gives a snap and attack to the front of a note that rosewood and mahogany don't have, but after that it's capable of a rich and full tone.  perhaps not the weight and throb of a mahogany guitar (sound wise), it's a different tone.

doesn't Ben have a maple board Agile single-cut?  it looked good, and drew positive comments from many here.  is it just because these are gibsons?
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: dheim on April 09, 2009, 12:00:16 PM
is it just because these are gibsons?

no. at least not for me... i love gibsons actually! i just don't like maple fretboards, even if the natural and green bodied models look quite good... both LP and SG.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: sgmypod on April 09, 2009, 12:05:31 PM
One of my fave's can't remember number was a flat bodied LP shape with what reminded me of an old cable(redifusion) turn switch
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: Philly Q on April 09, 2009, 01:01:02 PM
doesn't Ben have a maple board Agile single-cut?  it looked good, and drew positive comments from many here.  is it just because these are gibsons?

no. at least not for me... i love gibsons actually!

+1 

Ben's Agile has black inlays and black hardware, so it almost looks like a "negative" of a Les Paul, I think that works well.  But white pearloid inlays on maple just don't!

I don't really like a black headstock on a maple neck either, but a natural headstock in a Gibson shape might look even worse.
Title: Re: New Gibsons
Post by: maverickf1jockey on April 09, 2009, 02:58:49 PM
I really do like the natural and gold SGs