Product: Gibson Nick Lucas
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
11/25/2006
at
07:20pm
by
Rick
Features
:
9
This is a recreation of the original 1928 model so it has the mahogany back and sides, not maple like the later ones (which by the way were sold at a considerably lesser price - surprising in that one usually thinks of maple as being more expensive). Has the 14 frets to the body, gorgeous Gibson sunburst, the classic Nick Lucas inlays, and a 24 3/4" scale. The Gibson logo on the peghead is the old fashioned script style in lower case letters. The body is very deep for the small body style used on this model - one of it's many unique features.
Sound
:
10
I bought this used so it is well broken in. The small deep body, and particularly the mahogany body instead of maple really sets this instrument apart. It has a fantastic blues tone, it's very gibson, and fingerpicks great. I am a big fan of the shorter scale - it really makes playing easier in that the reaches are less and the strings have less tension. What surprised me about this tone, however, is that when I go to alternative tunings and styles - such as Celtic, it sounds fantastic - still maintains the gibson character but with that open resonant quality you get with the open tunings. Way more versatile than I thought - but again, the mahogany makes a huge difference. To bad they didn't make more of these.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
As I said, mine was used, so I can't speak to factory setup. It is currently set up with very low action - incredibly playable. The woods are very nice, the sunburst is incredible and I just love the overall aesthetics of this instrument - It is a real classic and looks it.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This guitar appears to me made very well and I believe that it will hold up well if cared for. It is quite light, however, and needs to be treated with respect. It really reminds me of some of the very old vintage gibsons I've played. The laquer finish looks very cool with age. The finish checking that results with laquer is present and frankly, I like it - it just adds to the character.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
No repairs attempted or needed.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing about 35 years. I own a taylor 712, and american standard telecaster, and Eastman 905ce archtop. If this were lost I'd look long and hard to find another, but really, they seem to be very rare with the Mahogany body. The maple ones turn up once in a while and Gibson will build them at times - but I'd much rather have the mahogany. If you like a gibson sound, appreciate a smaller body size, and want an incredible blues guitar that does a lot more very well, you can't go wrong here.
