ShortScale.org

I got a 1984 Gibson Challenger III today.

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.

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

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,

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.

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

[youtube][/youtube]

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

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

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

oldcanuck wrote: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.

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.