Gmp Pawn Shop Deluxe

I recently purchased this GMP Pawnshop Deluxe on E-bay. There is actualy already a review on this same guitar (This actual guitar, not a similar model) on Harmony Central, but I thought I'd give you my take on it. I'm not sure of the year, but GMP told me it was one of the first Pawnshop Deluxes they made. It's got 22 frets with an AMAZING 5-A flame maple top (3/4"!!!), Mahogany back and neck, ebony board, and super-figured abalone dot and diamond inlays (the logo is abalony as well). Even the side markers are abalone (they look like LED lights when the light hits them!). The body is chambered (not hollow body) and sounds loud and clear without plugging in the guitar. It's got 2 Seymore Duncan 59' pups (not the Custom/Custom at the bridge like most stock GMP's) which sound great and 2 volume and 2 tone knobs with a 3-way switch (just like Les Paul) for you to tweek. The finish is one of the sickest orange bursts I've ever seen. Think cherry sunburst but the middle is deep orange (not yellow like on a standard burst), and the same flame maple and paint job are on the headstock as well. Hardware is top-notch with a Tonepros Tune-a-matic bridge (a la Les Paul), and Sperzel locking tuners (great for quick string changes at gigs!) along with Schaller strap-lock buttons. The neck is nice and chunky with a very fast feel. The radius is differen than a Les Paul and I think it actually makes me play better (there is more snap to the strings and since I tune down to Eb the low strings don't rattle like on a standard radius neck). I was told that the fretboard is carved so it's flat towards the headstock and curves a little as it gets closer to the body. I really can feel the difference and it plays like a dream guitar!). This particular GMP did not come with the factory case, so I can't comment on that. I give it a 9 for features only cause I think that in this day and age most guitars should have coil taps and possibly a piezo pick-up for acoustic sounds, but that's more of a wishlist item than anything else.

Ok, here's what really counts...SOUND. Let me start off by saying that I have owned many top quality guitars and have recorded and played live with all of them. These include an 81' Ibanez Artist solidbody (with EMG's), a 93' Les Paul Standard (still in my arsenal and I will NEVER sell it!), an 89' Les Paul Custom, an 03' Gibson Explorer (76' Reissue), one of the first Ernie Ball Eddie Van Halen models (I still miss it even though it was tiny!) along with numerous non-collector type guitars (Kramer Baretta, Fender Bullet...etc.). So anyway, my point was that when I compare sound on this GMP, I am comparing to all of those guitars plus all of the sweet axes my buddy's have let me play over the years, and the result is simple, this IS the best sounding guitar I have ever played...period. The chambered body makes the notes ring out even with the heaviest gain settings (I play through a Marshall TSL-100 and I crank the gain to like 7 regularly), clean this thing sounds like what I hoped my Les Paul sounded like before I heard this one! It is truley amazing and has made me re-think all of my prejudices toward non-Kalamazoo/Memphis guitars.

Because I am not the first owner of this guitar I can't speak to the set-up as it came from the factory. However, I always have my axes set up by Tom at Guitar Center in Hallendale, Florida, and since I got it back from him, it plays like buttah! Seriously, this neck feels amazing, like a really precision instrument. The action is low with zero buzz and all hardware is solid. The un-covered Duncans do move a little when I shake the guitar, but i've been playing covered pick-ups so long now, that I don't remember if this is normal, my guitar tech said it was so i don't worry about it. the finish is superb and the carve on the body is really sweet. The binding is even sculpted around the lower cutaway (horn). Over-all you can tell, rather easily, that this is a top quality guitar. The only issue is a little clear-coat hairline cracking on the binding right at the nut and on the side of the fretborad at some of the fret lines. just for reference my Les Paul Standard has cracks in the binding along the side of the fretboard at all the fret lines, so I don't consider this to be a problem. The flamed maple top is ridiculous! The flames look better than any Class 5 or PRS 10 Top I have ever seen! And if you move the guitar in the light, the flames move like crazy, really deep and beautiful! The only thing i don't like is the gold hardware, but that's just my taste and it does not take away from the quality of this instrument. It gets an 8 for this category cause of the clear coat cracks, but they are so small that I should probably...ahh what the hell, it gets a 9 on this one!

I think this guitar should be really reliable, I've only played it at 2 gigs so far, and it performed perfectly. The sound is even a little too clear and nice, the Les Paul has a bit more dirt in the sound which can be good if you like it like I do, but that's why I bought the GMP, cause I wanted a nice contrast to the Paul. Any way, it feels real solid, the hardware and pick-ups are all name brand and proven to be reliable, the finish seems first rate (GMP is known for their quality paint and have you seen those flake jobs they do?!?), and other than not wanting to sweat too much on this beauty, I would play it without a back-up any time (especially with the Sperzel locking tuners that make string changes a snap).

Haven't had any issues, but Joey O. at GMP did answer all my questions and he went out of his way to be nice and provide as much info as possible. Those guys rock!

I've been playing for almost 20 years now (DAMMIT I'M OLD!) and have played many guitars (see list above) and I honestly have to say that this is probaly the best sounding and quality made guitar i have ever owned. Before I got this Pawnshop Deluxe I was strictly a Gibson man (in fact my dream was to have like 10 Les Pauls!), but now I know there is more to tone and feel than a history and a name can provide. The guys at GMP (former Charvel dudes I think) are really producing some of the best American custom-order guitars available and I am now in the process of saving up for a truley custom Roxie SS for my collection. If you'd like to see this GMP in action, check out my band's website at www.sweetbone.com, I will have some new pics and MP3's available on there soon. Also, you can check out the GMP site at www.gmpguitars.com I know it sounds like I'm trying to sell these guitars myself, but just check the other reviews out there, everybody that has played on of these seems to feel the same way. Good luck and as always, keep it Tasty!

Got this used.
Basic single cut design like a Les Paul
Incredible orange burst with an even better has to be AAAAA Maple carved top.
Chambered Mahogany body.
Seymour Duncan 59s neck and brige
Mahogany neck with the black LP style finish. Nice abalone inlays
Tune-O-Matic stoptail and bridge.
Sperzel locking tuners
Graphite Nut I think
This is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever owned!
If you want to see it. http://home.comcast.net/~pkrchung/GMP.htm
I used to have one in Blue, this one is nicer and better.
I am going to give it a 10 because it has all the features it needs!
Although a coil tap would've been interesting to have.

My first GMP Pawnshop Deluxe had a super distortion and a custom in it.
This one has two 59s and they are better, they make for a totally amazing combo. Very good focused sound, nicer highs, great "crunch". Better I think then my Les Paul Custom Shop Class 5 (which is no slouch!)
I run this through a Holland Brentwood (2x12 Celestions 32 watts of clean) And boy it can sing and roar. Playing this guitar sometimes just gives me the chills awesome!
The chambered body also makes for nicer sustain and sound (like my Class 5 I think I have gotten partial to Chambered)

I got this used, but as far as I can tell everything totally perfect.
One thing I like better on this one vs. my previous Pawnshop Deluxe is that when I push the strings down, my pitch doesn't immediately change! The top is also super super nice, perfect!
I love the action on this guitar as well as the way they cut the neck. Flat towards the headstock rounded towards the body, very nice.
Also the guitar is nice and "light" compared to a regular LP

So far it looks like this guitar will last but time will tell.

Never had to deal with them.

Well this is my second Pawnshop Deluxe, I sold the first one I had and regretted it big time. So I got a second one and this one is even better!
It plays easy and it sounds ... out of this world. I'd put it up against any Les Paul guitar any time. And I have since I own a Class 5 and an Elegant both amazing guitars.
I've played a ton of guitar from Brian Moore, Ernie Ball, Fender, to PRS, GMW, Gibson and ultra awesome custom stuff like Langcaster and Zachary this GMP is top of the class!
I'd definately buy another were it to be stolen ... but I rather not think about that.
A bottom line is that GMP guitars right now are incredibly value for your money, they are very affordable and play and sound like guitars that go for $1000s of dollars more. Still reading this? Go get a Pawnshop Deluxe!

US made, 22 frets, carved maple top, 2 volume and tone, Gibson 3 way, 2 humbucking pickups, Duncan passive, mahogany neck and body, high gloss quilted top, Les Paul style body, tune-o-matic with stop bar, Sperzel tuners, thin neck, jumbo frets, ebony fretboard, 25 1/2 scale, case included.

It's a great rock and roll guitar-cleans up nice. Should be great for metal. I use an assortment of vintage Fender amps. Right now my main gigging amp is a Twin Reverb. For a humbucking guitar the Gmp can get stratty by rolling off the volume. I really enjoy the Fender stylings in a Les Paul type guitar.

The setup was tight with low action. I raised it along with the bridge pickup. The top is properly bookmatched and the bridge is properly routed. The finish has some checking in the binding. The last few frets and the nut seem to be the only areas. The fretwork is very good.

It's solid and should continue to withstand live playing. The hardware is Tone pros so it should last. Hopefully the finish won't be a problem. Everything left seems solid.

At first I never got an answer to a question I sent them. I assumed they were typical like most venders and didn't care. I eventually got ahold of one of the employees direct email address from someone praising Gmp customer service on a message board. I couldn't believe this since I got no response so I gave it another shot. Low and behold I got a helpful and friendly response from Phil the very same day! I've been in touch a couple of times since then and he's always a great help.

I have played for 20 years and own a strat and a Les Paul. I was planning to buy a PRS but I couldn't find one that was exciting. I like that the Gmp is original. If it was stolen or lost I'd look for another one. I love that it shares features of my strat and Les Paul.

Arched maple top mahogany body and neck. The top on this guitar is simply gorgeous. The color is a crossbreed of a cherry burst Les Paul custom and a heritage cherry burst Les Paul standard. I'd rate the top a 5A but I don't think GMP grades there tops. Anywhoo the neck is fat and has an ebony fretboard with dots and twin diamond inlays in the 12th fret. It came with Sperzel tuners and Tone Pros stop bar. Someone changed the original pickups to EMG actives but I put in a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck. I don't like active pickups and it sounds 100% better now with the Duncans.

It sounds like a strat with humbuckers but warmer. It has a 25 1/2" neck scale and cleans up nice through my Fender twin. I really don't use distortion like most of the reviewers so I can't comment on the heavy stuff.

There is a flaw worth mentioning that appears to be in the finish. It looks like the finish is lifting off at the nut. I would chalk this up to it being used when I bought it but I noticed another review with the same problem. Otherwise everything is superior to most guitars I own.

I don't play very hard or jump around much but I would feel confident if I did. It's a very solid axe. There is some concern about the finish by the nut.

Despite the minor finish checking by the nut I have no complaints. This guitar is just to killer to let something like that have me bash it. I traded my custom shop strat for it with no regrets. I would highly recommend the GMP to anyone looking in the market for something original.

I'm not 100% sure the model I have is a Pawnshop deluxe I am sure it rocks. Based on whats written on Gmp's website it's either a deluxe or standard. Its a carved top with a better than average quilted top in a green-blue shinny finish. The body is mohagony and a little smaller than a Les Paul. It has a ebony neck with dots and 2 small diamonds on the 12th fret. It has binding on the body and the neck and is 22 medium to jumbo frets. It is a tumomatic bridge like a Gibson. The neck pickup has a Seymour Duncan logo written ('59). The bridge pickup doesn't say anything but it's a Seymour Duncan custom (I removed the pickup and checked). The tuners are Sperzel brand. It came in a expensive G&G brand case. The latches are kind of cheap for a case this expensive.

The music I play is modern metal. I do alot of drop d tuning and the longer neck scale helps alot for drop tuning. My last guitar a Gibson Les paul classic would get flubby when I downtuned because it was shorter. Even when I changed the pickups it still sounded messy. I have a Peavey 5150 II amp when I play live. I also have a Line 6 duoverb in the garage. My next amp will be either a Engel or Soldano hot rod. The pawnshop isn't bright or dark. It is full sounding like a Les Paul. The pickups sound phenomanal at high volume and not to noisey at all. This is by far my favorite ax. I decided to review it because of all the compliments I got a gig this weekend.

The quilted top is nicer than the Les Paul classic I used to have-not as nice as my pals Paul Reed Smith 10 top but nice. I didn't care how it looked as much as the sound and the feel of the neck. I got lucky becuase it looks great to.

Its already withstanded 3 gigs and had no problems. When I bought it he said the 3 way switch was changed because it wore out. I can depend on it. I have to I don't have anything else I would go on stage with. The last gig I played without a backup. Unless I break a string I'm not worried.

I started playing guitar in 1998 when I switched from bass. All my friends said I was better then the guitarists I had so I switched. I don't have any other good guitars. My backup is a Agile les Paul copy. I sold the real one to get the money for the Pawnshop. After the new year I plan to order another Gmp. I have an eye on there elite or a flying V (I always wanted one of them). I compared it to my Les Paul Classic before I bought it and it is so much better in many ways (see up top). I would like to share that this guitar is awsome. I don't think they have been in business long so my advice is get one before they start to get more popular and go up in price.