epi nighthawk: good on paper, sounds nice but is ugly bugly

George · Post by **George** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:39 am

25.5" scale
D profile
12" radius
Flat top with thin body and a tummy contour

Pickups are good too: real angled bridge humbucker, and mini neck humbucker, both with coil splits. I feel if the neck was P90 it would be perfect.

all videos sound solid

BUT JUST LOOK AT THIS AESTHETIC

The main thing I take issue with is the egregiously dated 90s uncool modern Mediterranean jazz stylings of the flamed top and squashed and exaggerated shape that will never catch on again. There's just something about this guitar that says "the lighthouse family" or "simply red" that makes it repulsive.

If somebody transplanted this config onto a cool 60s airline, guyatone or hagstrom shape with a nice pickguard it would be perfect.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:42 am

MINGERS

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:02 am

My friend Jon, who was about the best guitarist I've ever known, gifted musician all-round, ace fella etc. worked all summer in a shit job to be able to afford one of these when they first came out. He was taken in by the looks-like-a-Gibson-but-it's-all-the-Fenders-too schtick.

It was terrible. Instantly christened The Shitehawk.

Jon then became a drummer.

(Happy coda - he now plays guitar again - a CV tele custom).

George · Post by **George** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:17 am

these epiphones reissues have been getting very good reviews, however

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:59 am

I've owned some cracking Epis - particuarly a Sheraton. I really can't jive with those aesthetics though. It's wonky and uneven AND too 'PRS' ..... Wonky + quirky + workmanlike = charm. Wonky + Blues Lawyer = Minger

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:49 pm

the "something Carlos Santana would go for" body doesn't go with the trad headstock shape. Rotten.