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ChanMan

By ChanMan
in The Gibson Lounge

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ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
Posted

So the wife and I head out to Guitar Center yesterday to check out this American Mahogany Special Strat that only they carry. I have been looking at it for months... and in fact, it was in the running when I decided to get my LP. But, here is the deal... It had been selling for $999 at GC.com and MF as late as Friday. Yesterday morning, it is listed on both sites for $1199. Well... we'll see if they even have one at all when we get there. So, sure enough, hanging up on the very top row is this Strat. They had to go get the "stairway to heaven" to get it down. So I plug it into a Blues Jr., hit the neck pup and play. Wow... even with the half dozen or so other guitarists playing, this thing sings out. I rest my pinkie on the pick guard and can feel the vibrations as I play. Just amazing tone off this guitar. And sure enough, the tag says $1199. Crap. It's not really a question of the extra money... but I like to feel I am getting a deal.

 

Enter Tony. Understand, there are LOTS of other folks playing/shopping for guitars... and frankly I am not dressed all that well, but he comes up to me and asks if I am trying out the amp or the guitar... and would I like to step into the private room so I could hear better. All those folks, and I get to go into "the room". Tony plugs me into an old Fender blackface Twin Reverb. Of course, this was a shrewd sales tactic, as they sounded like they were made for eachother. BEAUTIFUL tone. I dialed in several tones and could get a range from country twang to an awesome warm bluesy tone. Well ok then... I'm sold. I ask Tony "If I was gonna buy this guitar today, what could I get it for?"

Naturally, he responds that the new policy is low price matching, so the sticker would be the best he could do. I explained to him about having watched this guitar for months.... and the price hike THAT day. Well... he tried to make it right in several ways, but I told him it was a dang shame I wasn't gonna be able to get that guitar then. He basically ended up coming back and telling me the Manager was gone to lunch, he and his colleagues had decided that my story was good enough for them, and they would honor the $999 price. No, I am not kidding. I met with Dave, the manager, before I left, and he told me it was fine with him, too, as long as I was happy....

 

+100 Guitar Center, Tony and Dave for doing the right thing!

 

 

 

The Guitar:

 

Mahogany body and a thin neck... not as thin as my '60s neck, but thinner than the V neck on my Elite. The volume knob has the S1 switch which REALLY adds warmth to the tone. The action is not as low as the Les Paul, but not bad at all for off the wall. Tone? Close your eyes and imagine that Clapton Strat sound.... heck... close your eyes and imagine darn near ANY Strat sound... it is incredible. The whammy bar hasn't pulled out of tune so far, but I haven't really been dive bombing either. I LOVE the locking tremolo system.... lets you tune normally... no hex nuts or "fine tuning". OK... that's it for now... here is the porn :

 

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ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
  • Author
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damn she's sexy.does it have an s1 switch on it

 

It does, in fact. REALLY makes a difference, too! Best Strat Ever.

 

 

Still doesn't replace my Les Paul, but makes an excellent #2.

deepblue

deepblue

Posted
Posted

Chanman...

 

Shes gorgeous! I have never played a Mahogany Stratocaster. Now you have me curious to check one out.

I can only see the first picture. The rest wont get any bigger, ill try again later.

 

Well done my friend.

T50

T50

Posted
Posted

I have the same guitar... Got it from the GC on Sunset, LA.

I changed the pickups (SD Jazz & JB) and the pickguard.

I was very surprised how it plays and feels in my hands.

Very comfortable.

 

This guitar reminds of my the song "Mind Bender" by Stillwater.

"...My Daddy was a GIBSON, My Mama was a Fender...."

Mahogany body, 2 humbuckers, black headstock, rosewood fretboard...

in a Fender shaped body.

 

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saturn

saturn

Posted
Posted

You know, it's funny because I looked at and considered buying a mahogony Strat when I ended up getting my LP Studio Plus. I really liked the Strat and it was considerably less money than a LP, but in my mind I knew I would kick myself forever if I didn't go with the Gibson LP.

 

Now you have the best of both worlds. Congratz.

ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
  • Author
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Thanks folks!

 

Deepblue-

 

Go play one... hit the neck pup and dial in a nice blues tone... then hit the S1... I think you'll love it, too O:)

 

T50

 

SWEET!!! I'll bet that DOES sound great! Would love to A/B them :) (or A/B/C with an LP)

 

HeadCase-

 

I actually like the headstock to match the guitar, I thought it was a feature O:).

 

 

Saturn-

 

That was pretty much the same reason I went with a Les Paul... I'd always wanted one and knew I'd always regret it if I didn't get it when I had the chance. I was right, too hehehehe...

Tim Plains

Tim Plains

Posted
Posted

Chan, that's a really nice Strat...wow! Deluxe HSS, right?

I only want one Strat and considered a HSS.

I thought about it and want my one and only Strat to be more of a traditional Strat.

Three single coils, no S1.

Congrats!

 

I can only see the first picture. The rest wont get any bigger' date=' ill try again later.[/quote']

Happens to all of us, just click the refresh button.

ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Chan' date=' that's a really nice Strat...wow! Deluxe HSS, right?

I only want one Strat and considered a HSS.

I thought about it and want my one and only Strat to be more of a traditional Strat.

Three single coils, no S1.

Congrats![/quote']

 

 

Thanks man! I can see where you would want a regular Strat if you were going to only own one.

But honestly, If I could only own one, I think it would be this one.... it's that nice.

Thundergod

Thundergod

Posted
Posted

Roller nut eh? ... you are gonna have a great time with that trem and that nut man...

 

Congratulations!!!

 

 

This place has come a long way guys... (posting fender pics and threads are allowed now... )

Thundergod

Thundergod

Posted
Posted

+100 Guitar Center' date=' Tony and Dave for doing the right thing![/quote']

 

 

Of course you realize that, by posting this, they will get their asses kicked badly by other GC personel for taking good care of a customer and making the rest of them look bad?

 

:)

Wolff

Wolff

Posted
Posted

Congrats on the new addition to the family. Both Strats pictured here are quite beautiful. I've always wondered what a Strat with the mahogany body and HH or HSS sounded like. Stunning looker, that's for sure.

ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

This place has come a long way guys... (posting fender pics and threads are allowed now... )

 

Thanks man, and I agree. Further, I say we owe it to Mike@Gibson. Clueful administration, attention to the needs of our group and no heavy handedness. I seriously don't visit other gear forums anymore.... thanks to Mike, all my needs are answered here! =D>=D>=D>=D>

 

 

 

Thanks Taylor Player! You'd love the sound, too. It is an excellent blues axe! So far, blues and a little country is all I have played (but note: the first song I wrote on it was country!)

 

 

Dave....

 

it IS the same couch... we just ship it back and forth for pictures O:)

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