Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: richard on January 13, 2013, 09:11:23 PM
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Don't seem to hear much about GS these days. I nearly bought one a few years back and can't remember why I decided against it. Anyone have one or used to have one ?
http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/products/category.php?id=1 (http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/products/category.php?id=1)
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I've owned a couple, and still have one somewhere under the bed.... I'm going to be lazy and copy what I said on another recent thread:
My impression is that with Gordon-Smith it's pretty much a case of order, wait and hope you get a good 'un. There don't seem to be many in shops, except second-hand. I haven't owned or played that many, but I've always thought they're either a bit over-rated or a bit over-priced.
The big selling point has always been that they're simple, workmanlike guitars at a reasonable price, but they're not really that cheap (IMO) when you consider it's a UK brand so there are none of the usual import costs. OK, on one hand they're very cheap for a handmade guitar, but quality-wise they're light years away from some of the custom guitars we've all seen on this forum.
I don't think a £450 Gordon-Smith GS-1 is significantly better than a new £450 Gibson Melody Maker, to be honest, but the Gibson gets slagged off for shoddy workmanship whereas the Gordon-Smith is seen as having some kind of rustic charm.
(To be fair I haven't tried any recently, but they don't look any different)
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I have a Graduate 60 that I custom ordered about 5 or 6 (possibly longer) years ago.
Anything in particular you want to know? :)
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I've really liked the ones i've tried, but i've also heard enough QC concerns from people I trust that I'd want to try the one I was thinking of buying.
I'm not sure if I'm repeating myself (like philly) or not... I know a thread came up about them recently but I can't remember if i posted or just thought that and didn't bother. :lol: I believe I've posted something similar in the past, though.
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One thing I do remember - even though the GS pickups look like they were built in someone's kitchen, they sounded much better than the DiMarzios I replaced them with.
That's partly due to clueless decisions on my part (many years ago!), but they obviously do know what they're doing.
However..... I don't want to sound like I'm totally anti Gordon-Smith, but even though I like simple, straightforward guitars there's a lack of finesse about GS instruments which I've always found..... frustrating? Depressing? I can't think of the right word.
Take something like their SG models. Basic, no bling, does what it says on the tin... OK, fine. But then look what (say) Feline or PR Guitars do with the same concept. There's so much more precision and craftsmanship involved, there's almost no comparison. Yes, of course a GS comes at a much lower price, and as they say on their site "we like to make guitars not furniture, our products are like the Zippo lighter, there’s nothing to go wrong, so they don't". I just get the feeling that they see themselves as tool-makers, no one there actually loves guitars. And maybe that's fine, but it's not really for me.
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I've played a couple of Gordon Smiths (but I have to add it was 15 years ago) and my experiences match Philly Q's : they look and feel cobbled together. The hardware and nut in particular struck me as being very low budget. Not a brand I'd ever consider myself.
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I have a Gordon Smith V.
It does feel a little rustic/cobbled together. There are some features I do like though and it sounds pretty good. In the £450 range, I would consider them an option but I certainly would want to try the guitar I was buying in the flesh.
One shop on Denmark Street stocks them. I believe Music Ground, but can't recall exactly.
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However..... I don't want to sound like I'm totally anti Gordon-Smith, but even though I like simple, straightforward guitars there's a lack of finesse about GS instruments which I've always found..... frustrating? Depressing? I can't think of the right word.
I know what you mean and I can't think of the right word either :lol: This is way too strong, admittedly, but almost like "contempt for the customer's finer feelings", or something like that? Like almost if you walked into a cafe and they flung you a plate of food with no thought towards its presentation.
There's definitely a fine line between "stripped down and ready to rock" and "cobbled together", though. And the opposite, one person's high-end guitar with high-end cosmetic appointments is another's "way too ostentatious"... it is pretty subjective. I'm never sure which way i go on that... on the one hand i can see the appeal of something that looks nondescript but which kicks ass, on the other i like pretty guitars too :lol:
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If you'd ever seen the Gordon Smith workshop you'd understand why they come across as 'Rustic and cobbled together' :lol:
Alot of the equipment he uses to make the guitars is largely hand made. From what I remember he had a device fashioned out of a toilet seat (it looked like it anyway!) that he used to press the carved cap down on the Graduate/LP style models. He did an interview with a magazine a while ago where he spoke about his home made building equipment; I'll try and find it if I can as it was quite a good read.
John does all the guitar building and finishing, a guy called Chris (when I went) was doing the electronics and pickups and Johns wife did the accounts and email correspondence.
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I've played a couple in shops, never owned one.
I thought they played well and sounded good (as far as I could tell from plugging into unfamiliar amplification.)
The wood part of the guitars felt well put together, but the hardware, especially the bridges seemed as though they were a bit flimsy and made from low quality metal.
I think if you're ordering one you can get them made with other brands of hardware, eg Gotoh, Tonepros etc, but that obviously would add to the cost.
I wasn't impressed by some of their burst finishes - though the actual quality of the finish was fine, the bursts themselves don't seem to be done that well, with too abrupt a transition between colours rather than a gradual blending.
Still I've always rather liked the look of the Gypsy semi-solid models and have often thought about ordering one.
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However..... I don't want to sound like I'm totally anti Gordon-Smith, but even though I like simple, straightforward guitars there's a lack of finesse about GS instruments which I've always found..... frustrating? Depressing? I can't think of the right word.
I know what you mean and I can't think of the right word either :lol: This is way too strong, admittedly, but almost like "contempt for the customer's finer feelings", or something like that? Like almost if you walked into a cafe and they flung you a plate of food with no thought towards its presentation.
Yeah, that's about it!
I remember reading articles describing the workshop and the W. Heath Robinson equipment they use, like Brow mentioned. John Smith always seems to come across as a bit surly and not particularly interested in what customers want. For example they asked about neck shapes and he said they vary a bit because of the nature of the machinery, but they flat out wouldn't offer a choice of neck shapes, despite building on such a small scale.
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had a graduate slimline I liked sound, finish was a bit thin. balance very arse heavy . have played a few bit hit and miss
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I agree that the fit and finish could be better, and as already said the hardware is not the best. However I have always been a big fan of the Gibson SG and in all the years I've been playing I've never found MY SG until I got a cheap used GS. Looks rough as a bears arse, the fret board looks like it was never sanded, the hardware wouldn't look out of place on a starter kit guitar and those mini pots are just strange! The good things are that it's made from good tone woods, 1 piece body, set neck, the board is about 6mm thick and is very dark rosewood of some description. I changed the stock pick ups and gave it a quick tune up and I'm not joking when I say this is a fantastic guitar. It balances perfectly (I have noticed this guitar is about 30mm shorter than a Gibbo from headstock to end of body) and sounds absolutely awesome.... out of all my guitars it is easily my favourite sounding and it plays extremely well. I'm that impressed I'm going to get it a pro make over in the spring to give it the looks it deserves!
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If you'd ever seen the Gordon Smith workshop you'd understand why they come across as 'Rustic and cobbled together' :lol:
Alot of the equipment he uses to make the guitars is largely hand made. From what I remember he had a device fashioned out of a toilet seat (it looked like it anyway!) that he used to press the carved cap down on the Graduate/LP style models. He did an interview with a magazine a while ago where he spoke about his home made building equipment; I'll try and find it if I can as it was quite a good read.
LOL
I think i remember that article too. No clue when or where it was, though, and i have way too many old guitar mags to start searching :lol:
Yeah, that's about it!
I remember reading articles describing the workshop and the W. Heath Robinson equipment they use, like Brow mentioned. John Smith always seems to come across as a bit surly and not particularly interested in what customers want. For example they asked about neck shapes and he said they vary a bit because of the nature of the machinery, but they flat out wouldn't offer a choice of neck shapes, despite building on such a small scale.
haha wow :lol:
I will reiterate, though, just in case this sounds like i'm being overly or unfairly critical- I did like the ones I tried.
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I think i remember that article too. No clue when or where it was, though, and i have way too many old guitar mags to start searching :lol:
I think it was in a fairly early issue of The Guitar Magazine (aka Guitar & Bass), but Guitarist have probably done something similar at some point.
I won't be searching it out either! :lol:
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I think it must have been in something else as well... I've only got guitar and bass since it's been called guitar and bass. the other possibility is that I only dreamt i read it (which is definitely possible :lol: )...
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Well, they do tend to repeat themselves a bit, of course. Guitarist is coming up to 30 years, G&B has been going 20+ years, I'm sure they've had multiple features on the same subjects in all that time! :lol:
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:lol: yeah even in the length of time I've been reading them they were starting to repeat themselves. so much so that i cancelled my subscriptions (that wasn't the only reason, i was also running out of space :lol: )
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:lol: yeah even in the length of time I've been reading them they were starting to repeat themselves. so much so that i cancelled my subscriptions (that wasn't the only reason, i was also running out of space :lol: )
Tell me about it! I know the feeling. :oops: :lol:
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:lol:
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I think I'd read the interview I referred to on the internet. I had a search for it last night but couldn't find anything.
I've had TGM, now Guitar and Bass, for years now and can only recall Gordon Smith being mentioned a few times so I don't think it was in there. Unless it was before I started getting it ofcourse :lol:
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ah i hate that, where you can't remember where you saw something :lol:
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Going back to the quality of the guitars themselves, I would at some point like to try a couple of their upmarket models.
It would be interesting to see if the timber selection, finishing and general attention to detail is better at the higher price point.
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It's not, in my experience.
I've got to be honest, I wouldn't buy a Gordon Smith given the quality of other guitars for similar or less money e.g. Japanese/Korean LPs, Chinese Squiers etc.
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I've got to be honest, I wouldn't buy a Gordon Smith given the quality of other guitars for similar or less money e.g. Japanese/Korean LPs, Chinese Squiers etc.
In the GS1, GS2 etc price range, I'd be going for the cheapie Gibson SG/V/Explorer shaped Melody Maker models.
OK, they're crude and basic and they have baked maple fretboards, but they have the G-word on the headstock and I bet they have some genuine Gibson mojo too.
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Yep, me too Philly.
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OK, they're crude and basic and they have baked maple fretboards, but they have the G-word on the headstock and I bet they have some genuine Gibson mojo too.
I love a good Gibson, I have a couple and owned a couple more. But I've come across several recent Gibsons that could only be considered overpriced firewood :?
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OK, they're crude and basic and they have baked maple fretboards, but they have the G-word on the headstock and I bet they have some genuine Gibson mojo too.
I love a good Gibson, I have a couple and owned a couple more. But I've come across several recent Gibsons that could only be considered overpriced firewood :?
Yeah, you could be right! :lol:
I must admit I haven't played any production Gibsons recently, so I'm going on past experience. All my recent Gibson acquisitions have been Custom Shop ones (from the low end of the CS price scale, I should say!), and I don't see myself going back.
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I've played a couple of Les Pauls recently in shops when trying out amps and pedals, and despite all the Gibson-hate that has been going on on forums, they were actually very good. (I'm not talking about the Custom Shop ones, just the low(ish) priced Studios.
Also tried the Epiphone 339 and thought that was pretty good too.
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I had one for a while, a GS2, wish I hadn't sold it actually. I got a thicker body which was an option but TBH the stadard thinner ones were better. They do feel a bit cobbled together, sort of like a very good home built guitar rather than a luthiers masterpiece. They have the wierd looking brass nut and an odd piece of plastic between the neck pickup and the fretboard.
That said, when Sounds Great used to stock them they were often some of the the most resonant guitars in the shop, even more so than some of the top shelf stuff. They are hit and miss but if you get a good one it might be all you need. The comparison to the cheaper Gibsons is a good one, both have questionable finishing and aesthetic issues but they both occationally seem to have a mojo that some far more expensive expensive guitars do not.
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A bit of a dead thread but I had to add my 2p
I had a GS2 and it was a fine guitar. I hated the nut but it sounded excellent. Excellent but I agree, not a precious instrument. Just a tool.
Recently I got this Graf and it's superb at any price, let alone what t cost me....
It plays extremely well and feels way more solid than the GS did (not that the GS was an issue as it felt as solid as my 62 SG shaped LP JR that I had for a while)
It's got a proper nut and the sound it puts out on the bridge makes it my favourite for now. Sublime. I have and have had plenty of quality guitars and it stands up to them no issue. I think a good older Gordon Smith is a bargain but like any guitar, best to try it out first.
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That's a cool-looking guitar, I like the maple neck and binding.
By coincidence, revisiting this thread after nearly a year, I've just sold my old GS1 which I'd had for over 20 years.
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^ that's very nice :D
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That is a gorgeous guitar. Equal parts class and zero nonsense. Great stuff!
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Thanks guys! I agree, it's very nice!
The good thing about the GS series is that you can always find them for not too much if the urge hits you again!
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I first bought a second hand Gordon SMith GS1 about 25 years ago, it was a 1980 manufactured guitar and was a bit beat up but one thing in it's favour was the sustain of the wood. It would last for ever. I was unhappy with the sharp edges on the guitar as most of my playing is seated and it cut the hell out of me so I stripped it down and 'Womanised' it, giving it nice soft curve edges.
I opted to install a Kent Armstrong HRE-1 PU, after talking with the man himself, in place of the stock GS PU of which I had no qualms with but I love the edge that the KA's have. I held onto this for years while also acquiring a top of the range GS Geminii that was out of this world. I sold the GS1 to a mate at a later date and regretted it as soon as I did so.
The Geminii was just incredible with tone and sustain and the wine stained bookmatched flamed maple was perfect. Unhappily, divorce forced the sale of this.
A little bit later I got the chance to obtain a maple clad Honeyburst GS Classic T and although I have never been a fan of fender shaped things it took a while to like this but after a pro set up it grew on me and gave twangier twangs that a telecaster.
Along came a GS1 12 string at a price that would have been stupid to refuse and it ended up in my guitar stack. This again got a Kent Armstrong HRE-1 fitted to it and sounds just right.
The latest is that I have just bought back my original GS1 from the mate I sold it to at a slightly inflated price but well worth it. It is going to get a respray from me as it has been gigged hard but is still in prime condition.
So, as far as GS quality goes - the GS1s are base level guitars and made to work for years and they do. The higher end guitars such as the Geminii and the Classic T are just that, high end. Excellent build quality, great wood choices and excellent finishes. You would not get a geminii the likes of that I owned for anything less than 1,750 when the originals marketed around 600.
All in all, I would have a Gordon Smith before anything else but then I'm not biased, just lucky with the ones that I have owned
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That's a sweet guitar for sure.
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My original GS1 Just came home yesterday!
This is serial number 00383. It actually dates to July 1980 making it a venerable 33+ year old gem.
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/Case_zpsa30fa6ac.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/Case_zpsa30fa6ac.jpg.html)
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/Opened_zpsa091f992.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/Opened_zpsa091f992.jpg.html)
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/SexyCurves_zps03fe92d0.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/SexyCurves_zps03fe92d0.jpg.html)
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/Nevermindtehqualityfeelthewood_zps03ca9228.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/Nevermindtehqualityfeelthewood_zps03ca9228.jpg.html)
My sadly missed Geminii that I sold when broke and regretted ever since.
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/Twangy%20things/Gemini04a.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/Twangy%20things/Gemini04a.jpg.html)
My Classic T.
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/ClassicT02.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/ClassicT02.jpg.html)
The rest including my GS1 !2 stringer.
(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/Albannach_Cuileag/collection.jpg) (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/Albannach_Cuileag/media/collection.jpg.html)
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I like what you've done with the GS1, the Gemini looks really nice too.
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I've thought about getting an explorer made by Gordon Smith but never been entirely convinced that I'd be happy with the product. I've seen a few of their second hand SGs in shops that have looked very rough and ready and I haven't been tempted to even try them. I'm quite into natural, rustic looking guitars but...somehow they just looked really cheap and slapdash. Like they were made from someone's kitchen table in the shed. I have a Gibson SG special faded brown that I've BKd up that I really love (maan).
A mate used to play a GS2 ( I think ), years ago, that his dad had made for him in matte black. It was actually a pretty nice guitar to play from what I remember. I jammed on it a few times.
I think that now, if I get an explorer made, I'll go to Feline, as I've heard nothing but good things about their guitars. And you can pay in installments. And I feel they would be very helpful and knowledgeable.