Deacon Blue Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Hi Gang, I was thinking of purchasing a Gibson Midtown Custom and was wondering if anybody out there has one and what your opinion was on this guitar. The price seems good but I don't know much about it to make a decision. Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Don't own one...Yet! But, I have played a couple (Cherry Burst, and Vintage Burst) at my dealers, and they're nice guitars! Cross (in tone) between a Les Paul and ES-335...though not as "resonant," as the 335, obviously, since it's carved out, and not laminated, in construction, as well as smaller bodied. Still, it's has a great tone, and sustain, all it's own. The fingerboard felt (to me) like Ebony, though with a bit more "sheen," to it. Resembled a Ebony board, that had years of playing, on it, yet new...if THAT makes any sense, at all? But, like with any guitar you're thinking about buying, go "test drive" it first...see if it's really what you want. To expand on the tone, a bit...it seemed to me, to be snappier, or possibly "edgier" is a better word(?), than a similar ES-335, a bit "airier," than a Les Paul, but not nearly as "round" or open sounding, as the 335. So, depending on what YOU like, it may or may not be "the one?!" Cheers, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I also played those 2 burst at my local GC and I was not impressed. I was disappointed with the look and feel of both. The tone was average at best. Now maybe I was expecting more but not worth $1300 to me anyway. The Classic custom on the other had was a thing of beauty to look at and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Blue Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I also played those 2 burst at my local GC and I was not impressed. I was disappointed with the look and feel of both. The tone was average at best. Now maybe I was expecting more but not worth $1300 to me anyway. The Classic custom on the other had was a thing of beauty to look at and play. Yeah, if one expects a more ES-335/355 tone, you'll be disappointed. It's definitely more toward a slightly rounder Les Paul tone...IMHO. So, if you have a good/great Les Paul, to begin with, there's not a lot of need, for the Midtown, unless you just love the looks, and feel, anyway. However, "I" FWIW liked it, for what it is. I played it/them, through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, and an Orange Dual Terror... Both of those amps, love almost any guitar! LOL CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcangel6 Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Hi Gang, I was thinking of purchasing a Gibson Midtown Custom and was wondering if anybody out there has one and what your opinion was on this guitar. The price seems good but I don't know much about it to make a decision. Thanks for the help. Hi, I own one in Vintage Sunburst and love the guitar. I've posted my thoughts on this guitar elsewhere in the forum. I would definitely purchase this guitar again. Try one and decide for yourself. Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlife15 Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 +1 on the Midtown. I have one in Heritage cherry and the looks are really nice but more importantly, plays real well. smooth as butter and a nice rounded tone. can most certainly do 335 runs as well as les paul runs yet has its own voice. well made, not as heavy as a 335 and smooth frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sok66 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Hate to ask a dumb question, but oher than the cutaway shape, how does it differ from a 339? Rather cool looking, reminds me of the Fender Esprit/Robben Fords of the early 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcangel6 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Hate to ask a dumb question, but oher than the cutaway shape, how does it differ from a 339? Rather cool looking, reminds me of the Fender Esprit/Robben Fords of the early 90s. Hi, The top is flat, not arched and the body construction is similar to the Carvin SH series guitar. I believe it is larger than the 339. Of course, the fingerboard on the Midtown is Richlite. Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budglo Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 One of my favorite things about the guitar is the ease of access of the uper frets.Much better than the 339 I have tried out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmsn Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Hate to ask a dumb question, but oher than the cutaway shape, how does it differ from a 339? Rather cool looking, reminds me of the Fender Esprit/Robben Fords of the early 90s. The Midtown has a flat top (Gibson calls it carved), but it's not arched. The maple cap appears to be about a half inch thick - it's solid, not laminate. The body is 'tonally carved' from a solid piece of mahogany. Also, the lower bout of the body is 15" across - wider than a 339, but narrower than a 335-style. The wings are a little more pointed than either of the aforementioned - very much like an Ibanez AS73. The guitar sounds quite good and resonant, in my opinion (Midtown Custom). Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sok66 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Thanks for the update, I hadn't heard bout this one. Ok, so what is "Richlite"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcangel6 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Thanks for the update, I hadn't heard bout this one. Ok, so what is "Richlite"? Check out All about Richlite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougg330 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I saw 3 Midtowns at the GC in Boston yesterday. No time to play one, but they sure looked great. I was puzzled by the Standard coming with a Bigsby, but not the Deluxe - which just has fancier trim. And the price point is great - c. $1400 and change. They also had an Epi 339 Ultra. Again, no time to try it - but it looked sweet. I think I might like to try an Epi 339 without the nano etc and compare it to the Midtown. Two similar shapes, but very different guitars. Hmmm. Maybe next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincentw Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Great guitar. Better price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadaPic Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Great guitar. Better price. I've had mine (Cherryburst) for almost a week now and I couldn't agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincentw Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hi Vincent, what is the 'official' advice from Gibson for the richlite-fretboard to clean or maintain ? Thanks Richlite does not require lemon oil or fretboard conditioner. When changing strings, if the board deserves a cleaning, then apply a little bit of warm water to a soft cotton cloth and gently wipe down the fingerboard. Be sure to wipe the board dry of course as standing moisture is not recommended. That should do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelseapaul Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 For what its worth I own two Midtowns, one 'Burst Custom and one Pelham Blue P90. IMHO they both look and sound great, play well and, for the money, represent great value - would highly recommend. I also own a 335 and an LP and can't say that I notice much difference between the Richlite of the Custom compared to the Rosewood on the others. I heard somewhere they were going to discontinue these models. I suspect that like the short lived production of the 333 (which for a spell was outselling the expensive 335 til it was discontinued) Gibson might do the same with these models. Anyone out there know if thats true? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Hayden Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 For what its worth I own two Midtowns, one 'Burst Custom and one Pelham Blue P90. IMHO they both look and sound great, play well and, for the money, represent great value - would highly recommend. I also own a 335 and an LP and can't say that I notice much difference between the Richlite of the Custom compared to the Rosewood on the others. I heard somewhere they were going to discontinue these models. I suspect that like the short lived production of the 333 (which for a spell was outselling the expensive 335 til it was discontinued) Gibson might do the same with these models. Anyone out there know if thats true? Cheers I own a midtown and they did stop making them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smabc01 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 I think they are pretty cool. I go into detail about how I think gibson should introduce an affordable semi-hollow guitar here: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/106159-gibson-new-product-suggestiondiscussion/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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