Midtown Custom

[paruwi]

Gibson Midtown Custom EB, electric guitar, flat bound maple top with f-holes and multi-ply, top binding, chambered mahogany back, mahogany neck, 60s Slim Taper, acrylic split diamond headstock inlay, black richlite fretboard, acrylic block inlay, pickups: Gibson Burstbucker 1/ Gibson Burstbucker 2, controls: 2x volume/ 2x tone, three-way switch, chrome tune-o-matic bridge, keystone tuners, color ebony, incl. Gibson hardshell case

GIBSON MIDTOWN CUSTOM EB - Thomann UK Cyberstore

comes in 'AN' 'HCS' and 'VSB' too

Search Results - Page 1 - Thomann UK Cyberstore

Anybody have pics ?

GAS is coming up.....

[LouieTM]

These are the only pics I could find, apparently taken in the factory:




Here's the link: Gibson Midtown Custom ( Gitaar - Elektrische-Gitaar - Gibson-Epiphone ) bij Tonika Music Webshop

[LouieTM]

BTW, does anyone know what "black Richlite fretboard" is?

[Bubbletonic]

Originally Posted by LouieTM

BTW, does anyone know what "black Richlite fretboard" is?

A google search showed that richlite is a matieral normally used for kitchen counter tops. Is the custom using it for a fretboard material in place of the ebony that gibson doesn't have?

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by LouieTM

These are the only pics I could find, apparently taken in the factory:




Here's the link: Gibson Midtown Custom ( Gitaar - Elektrische-Gitaar - Gibson-Epiphone ) bij Tonika Music Webshop

Thanks Louie,

now this looks fine....

Originally Posted by LouieTM

BTW, does anyone know what "black Richlite fretboard" is?

It is kind of 'Ebonol'

Richlite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[LouieTM]

Yeah, that vintage sunburst looks really good.

Well, ebonol/richlite wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me, if I were in the market for a Midtown. Good luck with the purchase, can't wait for your NGD thread!

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by LouieTM

Yeah, that vintage sunburst looks really good.

Well, ebonol/richlite wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me, if I were in the market for a Midtown. Good luck with the purchase, can't wait for your NGD thread!

I have to take a close look at them, when thomann have 'em in stock

I prefer the 'Ebony' color....

The price really is fantastic !

[The Refugee]

That is damned beautiful...

[Gibsonist]

These are great! I assume they're made in the Custom Shop rather than Gibson USA?

Now I want one in a vintage sunburst finish to complement my Midtown Standard with Bigsby!

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by Gibsonist

These are great! I assume they're made in the Custom Shop rather than Gibson USA?

Now I want one in a vintage sunburst finish to complement my Midtown Standard with Bigsby!

I think you can see some Firebird X in one of the pics...

so my guess is yep Custom shop

[Bubbletonic]

Originally Posted by paruwi

I think you can see some Firebird X in one of the pics...

so my guess is yep Custom shop

The Firebird X isn't custom shop, it's Gibson USA for whatever that's worth. This guitar won't be made in the custom shop, not for that price anyway, that would make it cheaper than a custom shop junior.

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by Bubbletonic

The Firebird X isn't custom shop, it's Gibson USA for whatever that's worth. This guitar won't be made in the custom shop, not for that price anyway, that would make it cheaper than a custom shop junior.

you're right,

just saw the Midtown Std is 'Gibson USA' and the Firebird X too.

[The Refugee]

I'm fine with it being the regular shop.

Still darned sexy.

[Luckynumber3]

Gibson Limited Run Midtown Standard Electric Guitar: Shop Guitars & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend They had this standard version for a few months but always on preorder- such a beautiful guitar! Might have gone for one of these if it was out when I got my trad pro.

As for that Richlite stuff, im suprised that they are using it and that nobody else has posted anythign about Gibsons using Richlite, I saw something about martin using them but this would be out baked maple imo.

[Gibsonist]

Originally Posted by Luckynumber3

Gibson Limited Run Midtown Standard Electric Guitar: Shop Guitars & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend They had this standard version for a few months but always on preorder- such a beautiful guitar! Might have gone for one of these if it was out when I got my trad pro.

As for that Richlite stuff, im suprised that they are using it and that nobody else has posted anythign about Gibsons using Richlite, I saw something about martin using them but this would be out baked maple imo.

I own one of those in red, got it from one of the first runs they did. I love it to death!

I hope to make it to the MLP meet at the Philly Guitar Show in November. If I can, I'll be sure to bring it.

Of course, all are welcome to play it!

[b3john]

I would jump on a Midtown in ebony with discrete volume/tone knobs, bound custom headstock and no Bigsby in a heartbeat. Fixes all the things I didn't care for in the Midtown Standard. YMMV.

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by b3john

I would jump on a Midtown in ebony with discrete volume/tone knobs, bound custom headstock and no Bigsby in a heartbeat. Fixes all the things I didn't care for in the Midtown Standard. YMMV.

Could be exactly my post....

[b3john]

Do we know yet if these will have a rear access panel, like the ES-333 or Lucille? And I'm assuming from LouieTM's pics that it'll have a Nashville bridge?

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by b3john

Do we know yet if these will have a rear access panel, like the ES-333 or Lucille? And I'm assuming from LouieTM's pics that it'll have a Nashville bridge?

I think it has a rear cavity, should be bigger than on the Standard, 'cause of the 2 vol / 2 tone knobs....

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by LouieTM

BTW, does anyone know what "black Richlite fretboard" is?

Here's more information about Richlite...

This is Matt from EcoSupply, we serve as a distributor for Richlite. The product is a thermal set, not a thermal plastic like Corian or other solid surface type products. If you heat it up it doesn't become more "plastic"; you can't heat form it. It's more resistant to thermal degradation and Class A fire rated. Since it's heat resistant, perhaps the highest volume application is commerical food service. The product is NSF approved for food service and you'll see a version of it in Waffle House and Whole Food if you take a close look at the food prep counter. It's been tested eight ways to Sunday regarding any off-gassing and the phenolic resin should be completely cross-linked and cured post production.

It is a laminated paper, the paper saturated with the phenolic resin. Richlite isn't as brittle as typical HPL. It machines beautifully and maintains the warm feel of wood. It will even burnish and wear in a similar fashion to wood. Consistency and yeild is an advantage, resistance to water, and it is still very dense, but the material is expensive. Richlite is a really versitle sheet good and it's wound up in many unusual applications outside the traditional food service, work surfaces, skate parks, furniture, exterior cladding, and kitchen countertop markets. I have to say that the fret boards are my favorite application. I'm an eco-nut so Ebony and Rosewood in my mind = not cool.

As to how it sounds; that is up to you. I have been told it tests well via computer and "ear", but there must be a million factors given all the models and types of construction. I'm just glad that you all are not my usual customer base since I thought countertop fabricators were a picky bunch. It seem like you guys bring a lot more attention to detail to the table and mix in a serious amount of love and obcession.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the product or want a kitchen counter. You could even clad your house in what is quite similar to a fretboard!

We have a pretty detailed fabrication guide and spec sheet available for download on the Richlite portion of our site.

http://www.ecosupply...s_richlite.html

However, I have never dared to ask about the glue Martin or Gibson uses, their specific techniques or other secret sauce items.

-Matt

Midtown Custom - Gibson Guitar Board

[LouieTM]

Today I played an ebony Midtown Custom in a shop for about an hour.
First off, it felt well built and properly set up. Ok, the binding could have been finished better, some nibs were a bit rough, but otherwise it felt up there with any other Gibson USA guitar.
The white binding was not an issue on the ebony guitar, but I'm curious how it looks like on the others.
The Richlite board looks and feels a lot like ebony. The regular Gibson headstock shape and diamond inlay do look better than the corresponding ones on the Midtown Standard.
Since the body construction is more like a big, chambered LP with F-holes instead of semi-hollow like an ES-335, there is less "woodiness" in the tone compared to the 335, however it sounds much closer to that than to an LP. The Burstbuckers sound great in it both clean and dirty, with the usual slight muddiness of a semi-hollow. Luckily there's rear access to the control cavity, so mods are as easy to do as on an LP.
Overall I think Gibson has a winner in the Midtown Custom, especially for the money, since it costs half the price of a LP Standard or the cheapest ES-335.
Considering the white binding, black board and chrome hardware, personally I'd go with the ebony as my favourite, over the natural, vintage sunburst or cherry sunburst finishes.

[budg]

Originally Posted by LouieTM

Today I played an ebony Midtown Custom in a shop for about an hour.
First off, it felt well built and properly set up. Ok, the binding could have been finished better, some nibs were a bit rough, but otherwise it felt up there with any other Gibson USA guitar.
The white binding was not an issue on the ebony guitar, but I'm curious how it looks like on the others.
The Richlite board looks and feels a lot like ebony. The regular Gibson headstock shape and diamond inlay do look better than the corresponding ones on the Midtown Standard.
Since the body construction is more like a big, chambered LP with F-holes instead of semi-hollow like an ES-335, there is less "woodiness" in the tone compared to the 335, however it sounds much closer to that than to an LP. The Burstbuckers sound great in it both clean and dirty, with the usual slight muddiness of a semi-hollow. Luckily there's rear access to the control cavity, so mods are as easy to do as on an LP.
Overall I think Gibson has a winner in the Midtown Custom, especially for the money, since it costs half the price of a LP Standard or the cheapest ES-335.
Considering the white binding, black board and chrome hardware, personally I'd go with the ebony as my favourite, over the natural, vintage sunburst or cherry sunburst finishes.

I just picked up a VS one today.Went at GC to look "look" at some semi hollows.Found a red 335 used one that I was trying out.Spied this midtown guitar on the wall and decided to give it a try.I was ready to be unimpressed , but was blown away by the guitar . Played it clean thru a drri and realised it was guing home .I will put up pics as soon as I quit playing it.The neck is so nice on this and it plays like butter.Slightly heavier than a 335 , but way lighter than my les paul.This one is a keeper for sure.Was built only 3 weeks ago too.

[b3john]

Can you guys who've played them confirm the Midtown Customs have the slim '60s neck?

thx

[LouieTM]

You're right about the neck, budg. Gibson calls it a "60's slim taper", but the one I tried felt very much like an R9.
And the weight issue is true as well, and it confirms my thinking that it's not a semi-hollow, rather more a chambered body.
Can't wait to see pics of your VS, happy NGD!

[budg]

I must confess, I am a terrible picture taker , but when I have a chance I will take better ones, but for now here are a few.This is indeed a chambered body with a solid maple top which is flat.I just cant say enough about the neck on this thing .It doesnt feel like a slim taper 60s, somewhere in between a 50s and 60s is my opinion.The tone has more snap to it than a 335 , but middy in a good way none the less.Beautiful binding too.

[neozecat]

Can't wait to test it in France. Will pick one ebony or VSB.

[b3john]

Still none locally (not even the standards). Do these have any "dish" to the tops, or are they flat?

[leftyguitarman]

Originally Posted by b3john

Still none locally (not even the standards). Do these have any "dish" to the tops, or are they flat?

They're flat.

[Gibsonist]

My Midtown Standard has the slimmest 60's Slim Taper neck I've ever felt before. It's the one thing I don't like about it!

It IS heavy, though (which I love,) so if weight is an issue you folks, perhaps reconsider. I'm loving the Vintage Sunburst Custom that budg posted. They're really some excellent guitars! I hope Gibson continues to make them!

[icantbuyafender]

these things are sex-o-licious