mihcmac

I have examined the electronics very closely and found the main difference between them being a different type of rotary switch, which has a slightly different IC connected to it. The other components, caps pots 3-way switch, are Identical with the same values but Asian made. The Gibson 3-way is smoother while the Epi switch clicks. The hum cancelling dummy coil is very similar and wired in the same way. The line noise (60 cycle) is less on my Epi particularly when I punch in my over drives. The sound is similar but the Gibson (Blues 90 with fixed poles) is a little brighter and the Epi (P-90 Pro with adjustable poles) is louder. Take into consideration that I am comparing a 20 year old Gibson to a new Epiphone and the differences are minute. If I had to give up one them it would be a very difficult decision, I want to play both of them. These statements are not absolute and are based on my personal preferences, once the Epi is setup correctly it is a viable option. The quality on the build of the Gibson BluesHawk is definitely higher, if the Epiphone Blueshawk went through a signature or custom shop it might help. The main weakness being the cheap Epiphone Deluxe tuners, once they are replaced it makes a world of difference in the guitar. :)

For me, the Epiphone Blueshawk is a viable replacement or even possibly an upgrade to the Gibson BluesHawk.. back to the Epiphone Blueshawk post.

The Gibson Chainsaw Case for a Les Paul is the best fitting case I have found so far for the BluesHawk. If you can see my attached image, the inside of the case lower and mid bouts are connected which fits the BluesHawk perfectly, without following the Les Paul contour.. Gibson seemed to call it the Protector or Protector Plus, but it looks like a chainsaw case so that's what most people call it... Gibson has not made this case for several years, so the only ones you can find are used, but its a very tough case and my BuesHawks love it.. If anyone knows of another hardshell case that actually fits the Hawk, BluesHawk, NightHawk or even the Little Lucille. Please leave a response here..

Gibson BluesHawks and Epiphone Blueshawks.. About a year ago I bought a blue sapphire Epiphone Blueshawk. I was looking for a Gibson, but they were ranging in price from 700 to 1500 plus shipping.. Anyway I finally found a black 97 G-BH about a month ago with a hardcase and free shipping.. I have been really enjoying playing it and comparing it to my E-Bh. I love playing both of them and have great difficulty deciding which one to play, they sound great. The E-Bh is not an exact copy of the G-BH but very close. The E-Bh is a little heavier with a slightly wider neck with binding. I have both guitars pickups setup for max volume (as close as possible to the strings) the E-Bh (P-90 Pro with adjustable poles) is a bit louder but the G-BH (Blues 90 with fixed poles) is a little brighter. The E-Bh bridge plate is slightly thicker and wider. The E-Bh 3-way switch clicks when in position and has kind of dead spots in between, the G-BH 3-way switch is much smoother. The VariTone switch feels and reacts about the same. The hum cancelling seems to work a little Better on the E-Bh. The volume and tone pots look almost identical. The Epiphone Deluxe Tuners wore out after about 6 months, I replaced them with Grover 135N's that are very similar but with nut bushings. They should have installed the Wilkinson tuners like on the other high end Epi's.. The Gibson Deluxe Tuners are very solid on the G-BH. The E-Bh string nut was defective, the string slots high end next to the headstock not the finger board causing the plain strings to buzz. Replaced.. I have both the recomended Gibson and Epiphone SG hardshell cases, the Epiphone SG hardshell case fits very loose, the Gibson Deluxe SG hardshell case fits both much better. .... I also have a Gibson Chainsaw Case for a Les Paul, which fits both BluesHawks perfectly. I am not so much a blues player as I mostly play metal.. These P-90's absolutely scream through a 1/2 stack.. Definite ear damage with a full stack. Even my Deluxe with a Celestion would do a lot of carnage if it wasn't aimed at my ankles. I have several guitars all with P-90's, the sound they get is like a really nasty Strat. I prefer the double cut configuration.. But, having to work a little harder for the high notes on a BluesHawk/Blueshawk is not a problem, balanced out by the tonal expansion and the lower noise aided by the hum canceling dummy coil. I really love playing my BluesHawk's and I could not part with either one..