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Another Gibson thread (sorry) Raw Power
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:04 pm
by Bacchus
I don't like Gibsons but I've seen these at a local shop and thought they looked cool. Especially like the different un-Gibsoney colours they're offered in. I think a maple board on a Les Paul looks really ugly normally but there's something about these I like. Anyway, I'd not seen them mentioned here so thought I'd throw them up for the sake of completion.
The New Raw Power Guitars From Gibson USA
What’s in a name? When it comes to Gibson’s Raw Power Series, exactly what it declares: two of the world’s most iconic electric guitar designs, stripped of superfluous frills and ready to roar. Inspired by the popular but short-lived Raw Power Les Paul of 2000-2001, the newly revitalized series of 2009 includes both the Les Paul Studio Raw Power and SG Raw Power, both in the dressed-down styling and meaty performance package that so many players loved in the original release, but with notable added features to update the theme.
Down to Business
The new Raw Power guitars follow the no-nonsense ethos of Gibson’s popular Studio series, and their down-to-business looks are packed with performance features that the hard-gigging modern musician will appreciate. These are grab’n’go workhorse guitars for tone-conscious rock and blues artists, and they wear their attitude on their sleeves. Both the Les Paul Studio Raw Power and SG Raw Power feature unbound solid maple bodies, with a traditional carved top on the former. This sturdy tonewood offers a clear, well-defined sonic response, as well as looking great with minimal cosmetic treatment. Their solid mahogany necks are topped with unbound maple fretboards, which are dressed with simple dot position markers, and graced with a traditional trapezoid marker at the 12th fret.
Simple, Yet Sizzling
None of this simplicity means that the Raw Power guitars suffer cosmetically, however, and just like the original Raw Power Les Paul — and the Les Paul Studio — these instruments are destined to be admired for their visual purity as well as for their power and tone. A Natural Satin finish denotes the cornerstone of the series (with smoky acrylic pickguard to enhance the natural elements in these guitars’ tops), but both models are also available in a range of finish options, including Satin Gold, Satin Yellow, Satin White, Satin Blue/Platinum, Satin Trans Ebony, Satin Aquamarine, and Gloss Platinum. Furthermore, the Les Paul Studio Raw Power is available in either chrome or gold-plated hardware.
Ready to Rock
The advanced electronics on the 2009 Raw Power models speak volumes about their intentions. A pair of 57 Classic humbucking pickups offer a broad appeal for a wide range of playing styles. One of Gibson’s most popular pickups of all time, the 57 Classics employ Alnico II magnets, vintage enamel coated wire, nickel-plated pole pieces, nickel slugs, maple spacers and vintage-style, two-conductor, braided wiring, just like the legendary PAFs that they are based on. In a variation from the majority of original PAFs, however, the ’57 Classics’ coils are wax potted to combat microphony and feedback squeal at high volumes so, while vintage voiced, they are also suited to high-gain playing.
Solid to the Core
The Raw Power Series carries a hardware complement that cuts straight to the core of its intentions. The legendary Gibson Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece pairing aid tuning stability and enhance sustain, while green-key Grover Kluson-style tuners add subtle vintage elegance to their superior performance. A Corian nut helps to ensure excellent resonance and sustain, as well as hitch-free performance. Both guitars feature glued-in necks and are built to Gibson’s traditional 24 3/4" scale length, with a neck width of 1 11/16" at the nut. All Raw Power Series guitars come equipped with a Gibson gig bag, so they’re ready to hit the road and roll.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:10 pm
by dezb1
The colours are nice but the necks are hideous...
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:13 pm
by Freddy V-C
I'd make sweet musical love to that green SG.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:21 pm
by rps-10
The Black LP or the bare SG for me please.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:05 pm
by Boab
I like the Greens. Would never get a green guitar though. Certainly not a darkish green.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:24 pm
by damienblair17
I thought these were an April Fools joke last year or something? Guess not if you found one in a store.
The white SG is kinda cool, but eh...
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:31 pm
by timhulio
I really like the natural SG with the tinted see-through pickguard.
Shame about this one having such a terrible join:
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:34 pm
by Ankhanu
timhulio wrote:I really like the natural SG with the tinted see-through pickguard.
Shame about this one having such a terrible join:
I was wondering from the pic of all of them lined up if the guard was tranparent! That's pretty cool.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:41 pm
by Gabriel
timhulio wrote:I really like the natural SG with the tinted see-through pickguard.
Shame about this one having such a terrible join:
this is the only one I like, kind of has a vibe of being made out of a coffee table which makes it quite cool.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:09 pm
by rps-10
£500 ~ £699 .. nothing I can afford and I doubt they would be that popular with Gibson purisits so there won't be many about secondhand. Guess the odd freak ebay auction may produce one every now and then.
Edit >. take that back, few on ebay, none the right colour option though
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:15 pm
by Freddy V-C
I'll certainly keep an eye out for one of the SGs. I wonder if they'll be closer in quality to Standard or Studio models. I really liked the SG Standard I played, but the LP Studio I played was awful. Played worse than the Encore Strat copy I bought for £30.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:53 pm
by SGJarrod
Freddy V-C wrote:I'll certainly keep an eye out for one of the SGs. I wonder if they'll be closer in quality to Standard or Studio models. I really liked the SG Standard I played, but the LP Studio I played was awful. Played worse than the Encore Strat copy I bought for £30.
I would guess closest to the Studio...... it is a stripped down guitar even thou the price does not dictate that for an SG.... You would be much wiser to pic up a SG Standard for nearly the same price....
I have actually never seen one of these in person... I do not think many sold.... I feel finding one used in person would be almost impossible.... maybe the Bay but then u have no idea how it plays.....
I prefer the Yellow but would never get one, I hate Maple fret boards and well if I wanted an awesome all maple axe I would go for the G & L Jerry Cantrell Sig.....
One of the things that makes a SG awesome in my opinion is the Mahogany, warm and mid-rangey....
Edit: I just realized I 2nded alot of what RPS said and even proved one of his points..lol
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:46 am
by Dave
Paul - Is this a cunning reverse April fool? I thought these WERE an april fool last year then everyone is like 'oh yah they're expensive on ebay' I'm like "YOU GUYS! You're running with BP's joke like pros! Bravo!". Then I gave in and looked online
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:02 am
by paul_
SGJarrod wrote:Freddy V-C wrote:I wonder if they'll be closer in quality to Standard or Studio models. I really liked the SG Standard I played, but the LP Studio I played was awful. Played worse than the Encore Strat copy I bought for £30.
I would guess closest to the Studio...
Me too 'cause it says Studio on the truss cover. The SG is a Classic.
The original Raw Power was sweet cause it looked Mick Ronson
Re: Another Gibson thread (sorry) Raw Power
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:55 am
by James
BacchusPaul wrote:Anyway, I'd not seen them mentioned here so thought I'd throw them up for the sake of completion.
You can dooz it if youse tries hards enough
www link
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:16 am
by Richard
Those fretboards are awful. If they were rosewood or ebony instead of maple or had black inlays they'd be much better. Also, why do the natural and blue Les Pauls have that shit gold hardware?
A few of these colors are cool. I like the ugly ass green, the silver/blue burst, and the blue on the LP.
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:37 am
by Mike
I didn't realise Gibson could make uglier guitars, but life has it's ways of surprising you.
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:39 pm
by Fran
timhulio wrote:I really like the natural SG with the tinted see-through pickguard.
Shame about this one having such a terrible join:
One of Gordon Smiths downfalls. Some of the grain matches on theirs are shocking even under stain.
Sorry Paul but these Gibsons are awful. I jest a lot about hating Gibson, i dont, but these suck. Makes you wonder what is going on at Gibbo and Fender these days with some of the shit they are turning out, the same old designs rehashed for the umpteenth time is becoming hilarious.
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:10 pm
by James
Fran wrote:One of Gordon Smiths downfalls. Some of the grain matches on theirs are shocking even under stain.
I would say that's especially under the stain. It actually seems to change the value of them on ebay. Badly matched ones tend to go for less than ones where you don't notice it.
As an example, there's this one that went for £190 (plus £25 postage if you can't pick up, but still cheap) and a lot of that I imagine is due to the terrible wood matching.
ebay link
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:32 am
by Mages
paul_ wrote:SGJarrod wrote:Freddy V-C wrote:I wonder if they'll be closer in quality to Standard or Studio models. I really liked the SG Standard I played, but the LP Studio I played was awful. Played worse than the Encore Strat copy I bought for £30.
I would guess closest to the Studio...
Me too 'cause it says Studio on the truss cover. The SG is a Classic.
The original Raw Power was sweet cause it looked Mick Ronson
that is a cool guitar.