Customer Reviews

Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar (Vintage Sunburst)

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I bought this guitar based on tone. I'm just learning the guitar as part of the obligatory "mid-life crisis" and bypassed much prettier and often cheaper guitars because it just sounds so right. It is paired with a Epiphone Valve Standard amp (minus effects) and without a single pedal, absolutely nails the late '70s Johnny Thunders/Ramones sound. The "perfect punk guitar" is probably considered to be a Les Paul Special with it's thin body and hot pickups; well this guitar has an even thinner body and hotter pickup! And half the price. If that's not punk, what is? So simple it's primitive with it's single, single coil pickup, one volume and one tone knob.

Finish is appropriately rough and just begs for stickers or "custom" paint. Also much easier to play than my friend's "Strat-o-copy". The thing is also very light which should be helpful for live shows. Another consideration is that the thin mahogany body is so live, it's very playable without an amp! It does just fine for late night solo practice or songwriting unplugged, as the sound is good enough to hear how you are doing, unlike heavier instruments.

I'm the kind of guy that can't leave anything alone. I've already modified the amp quite a bit to try to get rid of the static and hum, with partial success (should have saved up for a Vox AC15). But on this guitar, I don't dare even to change string gauge for fear of losing that tone. Don't worry about the single pickup, the tone control is very effective, and I'd hate to rout out that thin body right at the neck for a second PU. The Joan Jett version is available and has two humbuckers, but is a very different sounding guitar.

The down sides are, it's so thin that it's a little awkward to play sitting down. On the other hand, it might be the most comfortable guitar to play standing, ever! Don't buy it as a low-cost way to get the classic Gibson sound. It sounds nothing like a Les Paul Standard or SG! And although I don't play metal, I don't think this would be the right instrument for that. It might be my amp, but solo notes high on the fretboard are piercing, in a bad way. To take the edge off them requires the tone to be backed off so far everything else sounds muddy. It might pass for country, it can do a pretty good Telecaster impersonation. It would also be great for 60's British invasion/garage sounds, and ideal for grunge.

All-in-all the Melody Maker is working out to be perfect for the purpose I bought it for. When/if I get better and start doing solos, maybe I'll look into a Hamer Studio or Gibson Les Paul as a second guitar. But the Melody Maker stays!