Anyone tried the new Gibson Midtown 'Baked Maple' ?

Dingwall · Jan 16, 2012

I was in London on Saturday and saw the new Gibson Midtown guitars. One store owner was raving about them, saying that the prices are so low that he reckons it's Gibson showing two fingers at the authorities for the whole rosewood sourcing issue they had last year! Who can say.

They cost around £1000 which is very cheap for what it is and I quite like the Bigsby. It comes standard with 57 pickups. The fretboard is made from 'baked maple' which looks like rosewood but feels like ebony!

I have been allowed a circa £1000 guitar for my 40th next month and could this be an option.......

Another option of course is the new 'Baked Maple' Les Paul (Classic Custom) which is also only £1399 but appears to be the business.......(long vid but reasonably thorough)

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Anyone have any steer on either?

Reinhard · Jan 16, 2012

I doubt any have made it to this side of the ocean yet. From what I read the Midtown is great value for money. That orange one almost has a Gretsch vibe going on.
Some of the preview photos showed very light coloured fretboards, but from the shots I have seen of actual guitars, it almost looked like ebony. There has been a lot of talk regarding the baked maple boards on the Les Paul Forum. This may be some good reading:

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177679

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178329

ZarK · Jan 23, 2012

The baked maple fretboards look similar to rosewood with regards to colour but closer to ebony with regards to grain and doesn't feel like either to me. It's maple after all, so it feels harder than rosewood to the touch. The two examples I've played where definitely medium-dark brown and not black in colour. Significantly darker than the official Gibson pics, however. I did enjoy the feel, tone and sustain of the Gibson I recently sold which had a baked maple fretboard... These fretboards also have a distinct 'baked' aroma to them. (At least the ones I've had my hands on.) Haven't played the models under discussion, unfortunately...