Product: Gibson DSM Songmaker
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
09/04/2008
at
11:21pm
by
Knoxguitar
Features
:
6
2008 Gibson DSM Songmaker - Gloss Finish
Body Style: Dreadnought
Top Species: Solid Spruce
Back and Sides: Solid Mahogany
Body Binding: White
Neck
Species: Solid Mahogany
Scale: 25.5
Profile: D
Fingerboard
Species: Ebony
Binding: Rosewood
Inlay: Abalone Dot
Nut Width: 1.75 Tusq
Bridge: Ebony with white binding
Pins: White
Tuners: Chrome Gibson
Pickguard: Tortoise Shell
Case: Gibson Hardshell
The overall shape of the guitar is somewhere between a J-45 and a Hummingbird. I'm not sure if I would call it square shouldered or round shouldered.
Sound
:
8
I play mostly country and blues with a few different bands in Knoxville, Tennessee. I usually play a Martin OO-17, but I wanted a spruce top, mahogany dreadnought that had a bit more volume and presence. I initially was going to purchase a new Hummingbird Modern Classic, but opted to spend a bit less (a lot less, in fact).
The DSM's sound is very balanced between bass & treble, less boomy than rosewood bodies. The DSM compares very favorably with mahogany bodied guitars costing a lot more.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
No Opinion
The neck is very Les Paul-like. Low action and easy playing on the upper frets. The overall fit and finish rival guitars costing a lot more. The quality of the workmanship is evident.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
The DSM seems rugged enough for consistent live playing. It's kept quite good tuning in the short time I've owned it.
Customer Support
:
7
I called Gibson Montana to make sure of the proper string gauges (12-52). Got right through, no problems.
Overall Rating
:
9
I think Gibson has a winner with this guitar. For less than $1,000, I believe it's an excellent value. I decided I didn't want to spend over $2,500 for a new Hummingbird, so apart from the obvious aesthetic qualities of the Hummingbird, the DSM stacks up very well indeed. In fact it reminds me a lot of my old Taylor 710, in terms of playability and quality of fit and finish. The DSM is made in Newfoundland by Gibson Canada, which is the former Garrison Guitar company, a company with an excellent former reputation.
