GIBSON MIDTOWN CUSTOM VSB, why is it so cheap?

[Andrew W]

I think it's really interesting to try alternative materials. If it sounds good, feels good and looks OK then I have no problem with it. I'm impressed at them for giving it a shot.

[Telerocker]

I must admit I quite like it and the price is interesting this way.

[WezV]

go to the martin website and see how much you have to spend before you get anything other than black richlite fretboards and bridges, seems to be around the $2300 mark at the moment.   When it was introduced it was only the below $1000 x-series, but now its a proven material, gives consistent results and is more plentiful than any alternative they seem to be pushing it up the range.  they even sometimes call it 'FSC® Certified Black Richlite'  which i guess means even the paper its made from is sustainably sourced

but martin have been happily incorporating alternative materials and construction for a good few years now without too much fuss from anyone .  i think there HPL back and sides feel quite plasticy and the multi lam necks look like they come from ikea. But the tone of a martin still comes mostly from the solid spruce top. This makes even the cheapest ones nice sounding players  instruments, if not quite the more refined appearance and tone of an all solid wood  handmade acoustic

[Philly Q]

I don't particularly like the look of the guitar, but I take Wez's point about "Richlite" probably being more consistent than timber*.  I think I'd prefer it to the "baked maple" Gibson are using on other new models.


(* although as a typical luddite guitar enthusiast, I'd be reluctant to actually choose it over rosewood or ebony!)

[FredD]

Yeh, and as an old luddite guitar player....
It aint f**king WOOD !!!! :x

[Ian Price]

Kind of reminds me of a guitar a few years back that used no wood at all. Can't recall what make it was although the model being reviewed was green, had a double cut away body and a strange looking fret board.

[PhilKing]

Evidently Gibson aren't shipping any of the traditional guitars at the moment because of a lack of Rosewood & Ebony for the fingerboards.

[Elliot]

Weren't the original Steinbergers made of something similar? - they had a great tone.

[HTH AMPS]

I played one of those new SG juniors Gibson are doing at the minute with the baked maple boards and was really impressed by the tone and feel - the notes really snap and jump out at you.

They're doing them on a range of LP Customs too for £1399 and they look great (well, the one I saw today was anyway).  People are always complaining about the price of Gibsons and these guitars are priced pretty reasonably.

[gwEm]

Weren't the original Steinbergers made of something similar? - they had a great tone.

yes, they had phelonic fretboards. really nice feel.

[Philly Q]

They're doing them on a range of LP Customs too for £1399 and they look great (well, the one I saw today was anyway).  People are always complaining about the price of Gibsons and these guitars are priced pretty reasonably.

I'm sure they're good (I've been in a Gibson-positive mood recently), but I can't quite get over the sight of a Custom with a lighter-coloured fretboard - it has to be ebony, or at least something which looks like it!

[gwEm]

They're doing them on a range of LP Customs too for £1399 and they look great (well, the one I saw today was anyway).  People are always complaining about the price of Gibsons and these guitars are priced pretty reasonably.

I'm sure they're good (I've been in a Gibson-positive mood recently), but I can't quite get over the sight of a Custom with a lighter-coloured fretboard - it has to be ebony, or at least something which looks like it!

I tried a Flying V Melody maker with the burnt maple board and decided I liked the material. However:

* Agree it has to be black in colour for an LP custom
* The melody maker had an annoying lip between the edge of the neck and the start of the fingerboard - why?!

[Philly Q]

* The melody maker had an annoying lip between the edge of the neck and the start of the fingerboard - why?!

You mean the "ridge" you get along the line where the maple fretboard meets the (painted) mahogany part of the neck?

[gwEm]

* The melody maker had an annoying lip between the edge of the neck and the start of the fingerboard - why?!

You mean the "ridge" you get along the line where the maple fretboard meets the (painted) mahogany part of the neck?

yes, that is exactly what i mean

[Philly Q]

* The melody maker had an annoying lip between the edge of the neck and the start of the fingerboard - why?!

You mean the "ridge" you get along the line where the maple fretboard meets the (painted) mahogany part of the neck?

yes, that is exactly what i mean

Nearly all the Gibsons I've ever owned (even Custom Shop ones) suffer from that phenomenon.

It's where they scr@pe the coloured paint off the binding (or edge of the fretboard) before applying clear coats over the top.  I've never understood why you find it on Gibsons but rarely on other brands....

Haven't you got that issue on your other Gibson Vs?