Gibson Challenger III

[westtexasred]

I got a 1984 Gibson Challenger III today.

[Richard]

I honestly can't decide how I feel about these. I love the look of the front of the body, but from the neck plate on up the neck they look Matsumoku as fuck(which isn't necessarily a bad thing- just unfamiliar for a Gibson). That said, I won't pass judgement until I've played one.

[westtexasred]

I think it is pretty cool.Solid guitar and the pickups sound great.

[Doug]

Wow, nice find. Never even heard of the Challenger. Sort of a LPSpecial with a Strat pickups array. And a nice case...OHSC?

So how do you like it?

Cheers,

[cur]

Wow look at that neck. So chunky. Look how thick the heel is in it. It is as thick as the body.

Cool. I have never seen one of these before.

[westtexasred]

Thanks! Here is a video review from youtube. If you skip ahead to 6:00 you can hear what it sounds like.

[youtube][/youtube]

[westtexasred]

This guitar was one of Gibson's "American Series" Notice the headstock shape. I think it was meant as a challenge to the imports.

"You don't copy us...we copy you....copying us"







In contrast the earlier SONEX series used the traditional "open book" headstock



Here is a q 1983 "American Series" brochure

[westtexasred]

I found this photos of the electronics of a Challenger III that looked the same as mine.

[oldcanuck]

Is it just me, or does someone else think the Corvus looked like a big heavy duty bottle opener ????

[damienblair17]

Is it just me, or does someone else think the Corvus looked like a big heavy duty bottle opener ????

I said the same thing in an older thread. I don't want the guitar, but I do want the giant beer it would open.

[westtexasred]

I found a Gibson 1984 pricesheet. Both the Corvus III and the Challenger III are listed in the American Series section so I think the story that the Challenger III was made out of left over Corvus parts is just a myth.