Gibson Guitar Reviews

The Gibson Acoustic LC-1 Cascade Rosewood Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Antique Natural) is a fantastic addition into the Gibson line of acoustic guitars.  The official specs from Gibson are below:

Gibson Acoustic LC-1 Cascade Rosewood Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
Solid Sitka spruce top
Solid Indian rosewood back and sides
Rosewood fretboard
Fishman Prefix Plus transducer system
Vintage gold tuners
Handmade in Montana
Scalloped advanced 00 bracing
Dovetail neck joint
Abalone rosette
Gibson Acoustic LC-1 Cascade Rosewood Acoustic-Electric Guitar Includes:
hardshell case

Live eBay Results:

In my opinion, Gibson wanted the LC-1 Cascade Acoustic Electric to compete with some popular alternatives out there, namely Ovation acoustic electric’s wild success in this area.  Let’s face it, the key to the Ovation guitar’s success it most likely do to it’s great sound but more importantly the comfortable shape that has gone acoustic the grain in terms of what is possible with an acoustic/electric guitar.  The LC-1 has a more comfortable feel than previous Gibson acoustics, sounds pretty amazing, (even when recorded) and looks impressive as well.  I love the sound of the Fishman Prefix Plus tranducer system- warm, rich, and accurate.  Retailing for just over $1500 bucks, the LC-1 does not disappoint. 

The Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic guitar has become an almost legendary model of acoustic these days.  Basically, people know that Gibson basically invented the electric guitar but may not know that they are quite capable of building an amazing sounding and feeling acoustic instrument.  Retailing for roughly $2500 bucks, this guitar is a work of art, in my opinion.  Full classic binding around the edges, trapezoidal inlays, and a unique pickguard makes this acoustic stand out. 

But how does it play, feel, and sound?  Amazingly smooth, lush, and sweet.  See below for the official specs from Gibson…..

Live eBay results:

Gibson Acoustic Icon 60’s Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar Features:
Body: Solid Honduran Mahogany back and sides
Top: Solid AAA grade Sitka Spruce
Binding: 6 ply top, 4 ply back, and bound fingerboard
Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood
Nut: Bone, 1.725
Frets: 20
Inlays: Unique Gibson Block style, Mother of Pearl, also Mother of Pearl Gibson logo and crown on headstock.
Bridge: Indian Rosewood, period correct adjustable saddle.
Machine Heads: Gold Gotoh, with Vintage style Gibson Green Key tuner buttons
Pickguard: Custom molded from original 60 s Hummingbird pickguard mold.
Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer, with custom colors
Included: Custom Form-Fit hardshell case, signed Certificate of Authenticity

Frets: 20
Gibson Acoustic Icon 60’s Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar Includes:
hardshell case

The history of this guitar is nothing new.  It was created back in the 1960’s as a guitar to accompany the human singing voice without overpowering it.  This guitar clearly plays well and I often can record my singing and playing demos without much work adjusting levels.  The action is incredible and I often find doing jazz runs and solos are as fast and smooth as electric guitars.  This guitar model should probably appeal to collectors as well, with it’s short run and high quality build, you are looking at a good investment here.  Gibson acoustics retain their value quite well over time. 

Gibson is not traditionally known for it’s rack mount gear but I must say, the TGE-05 Echoplex Digital Pro Plus with footswitch creates some convincing and powerful digital recording, sampling, and digital delay.  Retailing for $599, this rack device is certainly on par with other higher end delay and echo racks on the marketplace. 

The most powerful feature of the Echoplex is the incredible sampling power, which lets you go forward and create multiple landscapes of rich audio, even on the fly.  I use this device to create multi track live audi tracks ala Howie Day.  Pretty cool stuff.  You will have plenty of room for recording your tracks with 198 seconds of memory!  Next time you are at your local music store, check out the Gibson TGE-05 Echoplex Digital Pro.

Official Specs:

Gibson TGE-05 Echoplex Digital Pro Plus and TGE-04 Footswitch Features:
16-bit realtime digital loops
Layer up to 9 loops simultaneously
Playback and record simultaneously
198 seconds of loop/delay time
Tap tempo input
CD quality recording
Overdubbing with progressive undos available
All functions accessible in real time with optional EFC-7 footpedal
MIDI compatible
Live reverse play function

The Gibson Custom Shop ES-339 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with 30/60 neck has just been released by Gibson and I was lucky enough to get an early glimpse of this mean bastard.  First of all, the semi-hollow Gibson ES line has been perhaps the second best known guitar that Gibson produces, next to the Les Paul of course.  Retailing for just under $2000 dollars, the ES-339 is certainly not cheap. 

The guitar feels amazing in the hands and has tons of nice touches which will definately appeal to collectors, jazz, and blues players alike.  See specs below and my full review after the jump:

Gibson Custom Shop ES-339 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar with 30/60 Neck Features:
Body Type: ES-339
Body Wood: Maple/poplar/maple laminate
Top wood:Maple/poplar/maple laminate
Scale Length: 24-3/4″
Neck Joint: Set-in
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Slender Players Profile - ’60s slim-neck plus .030″ front-to-back
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 22
Nut Width: 1-11/16″
Fretboard Radius: 12″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickup Bridge: ‘57 Classic Humbucker
Pickup Neck: ‘57 Classic Humbucker
Controls: Volume / Volume / Tone / Tone
Tuners: Kluson
Hardware color: Nickel
Pickup selector: 3-way
Finish: Lacquer