Ornetts GM5S

I just had to be the first to add this interesting new medium to high end Japanese luthiers to Harmony Centrals database. Their motto is "Delicate Yet Strong" Huh? Anyway...The GM5S is a clone of a '54 Gibson Goldtop with 2 P-90 pickups. I saw it on ebay having never ever heard of Ornetts before but the guitar spoke to me. It sports a solid 1 piece African Mahogany back, maple top, solid Mahogany neck, Wilkinson wrap bridge, and a lacquer (ie. nitrocelluose) finish. The head stock is NOT an open book Gibson style, it has an off center indent and "Ornetts" in raised metal letters.

The pickups are Ornetts own I believe, they call them P-99 alnicos. The neck pickup has a nice, potent, mid-range growl to it and the inbetween setting has a wonderful, useful scooped out rhythm sound. The neck on its own...Well, a bit too soft and buttery for my tastes but I have to admit that I've just spent a week with it and am still in the discovery stage.

I'm using 10s on this one and so far I haven't had to adjust a thing which is RARE. The finish is amazing, no flaws whatsoever.

These guitars go for ~$1000 new in Japan, they are not exported. The seller on ebay didn't sell it in the auction but when I enquired about it afterwards he offered it to me for $600 shipped ($480 + $120), $50 below his lowest ebay price. I was taking a huge chance buying it but, like I said, the pictures sold me on it. Here was a guitar that just reeked quality. Now that I have it I have no regrets. I've played for many years and have probably bought and sold 60+ guitar on ebay over the last 4-5 years. I was looking for a p-90 guitar and I've always loved goldtops. For the money this guitar is an amazing value. This one will go in my permenant collection and I'll continue to check ebay for any other Ornetts.