Nice guitar, but its conception(and price) is closer to Studio line than to MM. Did you notice big Norlin headstock? I bet they use spare necks(maple) that were produced for now discontinued 70's Tribute line(with minibuckers). I would prefer 70's Tribute LP Studio with newly designed alnico mini humbuckers to this one.
Those gains tones were awful lol. On the whole I'm not impressed by the aesthetics or sounds. Kind of meh coupled with a fatty 50s neck too. Would be interested to see how it plays though
finboy wrote:Is it just me or are the pole pieces flat like a fender?
Yes,That is what is interesting about this guitar.They are "P-90S" pickups. They were the for-runner to the P-90. these didn't have adjustable screws and were originally made for lap steel guitars.Gibson put them in the ES-125 from 1946 to 1950. They were replaced by the modern P-90s with adjustable pole pieces around 1950 They later became known as "ES-125 pickups" by some collectors who liked them because they have a brighter tone than the latter P-90s.
But to add on a positive note, the good news about that tall-sitting stop piece is that a Bigsby B3 and bridge of choice would be easier than ever to fit if needed.
If I had money to blow I'd consider going with TEH BALCK and a TOM, and maybe even consider mini-hums.
However on a group shot headstock looks like regular Les Paul, not Norlin. I like 50's profile ad maple, my left hand cramps when I play thin necks.
Gibson had problems selling Melody Makers recent years. Nowadays when you can buy decent Indonesian or Chinese guitar for $300 nobody wants to pay $400-500 for single pickup Gibson that is not Les Paul at all(it's vitally important for some people). Maybe single coil equipped Melody Makers would have been more popular in Europe, where indie rock bands are quiet popular, but they usually cost there around $600 new. So Gibson decided to attract consumers with a new conception of Les Paul for "very poor man", while Studio is just for "poor man"
That 120th inlay is so goofy, glad you like it though.
paul_ wrote:When are homeland security gonna get on this "2-piece King Size Snickers" horseshit that showed up a couple years ago? I've started dropping one of them on the floor of my car every time.