sgt_steiner
Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 145
Hello my fellow Gibson lovers -- Now that Henry at Gibson has fired the incredible team of Rick Gembar, Pat Foley and Edwin Wilson, it appears the "Second Golden Age of Gibson" has come to an abrupt close.
The guitars they crafted and managed to push through between 2014 and 2017 will become harder to find moving forward as Henry is a known vintage spec/historically accurate hater who plans on rolling back these advances and going cheaper. Moving forward, rumors are that Henry's considering making the vintage/Historic-type reissues a "Custom Build" only purchase -- essentially a Gibson rip-off of Paul Reed Smith's Private Stock program. Of course, this will allow him to charge more, as a 30% uptick is expected in Custom Build prices.
None of this is confirmed as official yet -- so please don't bother flaming the bejesus out of me and beheading the messenger -- but if it does happen, it will all become public by NAMM next year.
(You can read more about Henry cleaning house at Gibson on lespaulforum.)
Which brings me to this outstanding Rusty Anderson Pilot Run ES-335, signed, hand-selected woods, etc. and one of only twenty-five made.
Already owning a Warren Haynes 335 (which is my favorite newer Gibson production model ever) and believing the 2014-2017 Memphis builds will remain better quality than the next wave of whatever the old man cooks up, I boldly stepped forward to grab the WH's sister guitar -- the Rusty Anderson 335.
Reviews everywhere are pretty much 100% positive about these gems, and I talked to a bunch of RA owners via PM to get their takes as well. I got nothing but the green-light from ALL of them. And when she arrived, everything they shared with me was more than confirmed. This is as fine a newer Gibson as I've ever played.
The build quality is absurdly good, amazing really. Played acoustically, the instrument resonates like the best of semi-hollows, and the finish and craftsmanship are literally eye-popping. The neck is a legit vintage '59 profile -- not some behemoth R9-style baseball-bat abomination. How do I know? I own a vintage '59 345 and side by side they are uncannily similar. I heard that Rusty insisted on this profile for his signature run, and I thank God he did. I don't even LIKE bigger necks, but I find this one both workable and comfortable.
The MHS pickups are good, if not completely mind-blowing. But as gripes go, that's a pretty high-class problem to have. There are so many fantastic winders these days, that finding the perfect fit for this guitar is almost half the fun. Currently considering Ron Ellis LRP's or a set of Rolph '59's, either of which I expect to put this beauty way over the top.
Hey, end of the day, I may turn out to be very wrong, but I firmly believe the 2014-2017 Gibson Memphis stuff will begin going up in price after the 2018's and beyond come out. Hell, it may take five years, but the word will get out (it always does) and these wonderful "Second Golden Age" guitars will become increasingly sought-after -- especially if Henry goes for a Custom Build program.
Know the crazy thing? The Warren Haynes and Rusty Anderson's are ridiculously underpriced in today's glacial market. For somewhere between $3K and $3500 you can grab a fantastic model of either one.
Anyway, you heard it here first
If you're on the fence about one of the these guitars, seriously consider pulling the trigger. I've played four of them and currently own two and I'm not sure I've enjoyed any new guitar purchase more. Truly outstanding guitars from a fantastic -- if far too short -- Memphis run.
BIG SHOUT OUT to my buddy Tokyo Nick (Nikku) for making this happen. Cheers my friend!
The guitars they crafted and managed to push through between 2014 and 2017 will become harder to find moving forward as Henry is a known vintage spec/historically accurate hater who plans on rolling back these advances and going cheaper. Moving forward, rumors are that Henry's considering making the vintage/Historic-type reissues a "Custom Build" only purchase -- essentially a Gibson rip-off of Paul Reed Smith's Private Stock program. Of course, this will allow him to charge more, as a 30% uptick is expected in Custom Build prices.
None of this is confirmed as official yet -- so please don't bother flaming the bejesus out of me and beheading the messenger -- but if it does happen, it will all become public by NAMM next year.
(You can read more about Henry cleaning house at Gibson on lespaulforum.)
Which brings me to this outstanding Rusty Anderson Pilot Run ES-335, signed, hand-selected woods, etc. and one of only twenty-five made.
Already owning a Warren Haynes 335 (which is my favorite newer Gibson production model ever) and believing the 2014-2017 Memphis builds will remain better quality than the next wave of whatever the old man cooks up, I boldly stepped forward to grab the WH's sister guitar -- the Rusty Anderson 335.
Reviews everywhere are pretty much 100% positive about these gems, and I talked to a bunch of RA owners via PM to get their takes as well. I got nothing but the green-light from ALL of them. And when she arrived, everything they shared with me was more than confirmed. This is as fine a newer Gibson as I've ever played.
The build quality is absurdly good, amazing really. Played acoustically, the instrument resonates like the best of semi-hollows, and the finish and craftsmanship are literally eye-popping. The neck is a legit vintage '59 profile -- not some behemoth R9-style baseball-bat abomination. How do I know? I own a vintage '59 345 and side by side they are uncannily similar. I heard that Rusty insisted on this profile for his signature run, and I thank God he did. I don't even LIKE bigger necks, but I find this one both workable and comfortable.
The MHS pickups are good, if not completely mind-blowing. But as gripes go, that's a pretty high-class problem to have. There are so many fantastic winders these days, that finding the perfect fit for this guitar is almost half the fun. Currently considering Ron Ellis LRP's or a set of Rolph '59's, either of which I expect to put this beauty way over the top.
Hey, end of the day, I may turn out to be very wrong, but I firmly believe the 2014-2017 Gibson Memphis stuff will begin going up in price after the 2018's and beyond come out. Hell, it may take five years, but the word will get out (it always does) and these wonderful "Second Golden Age" guitars will become increasingly sought-after -- especially if Henry goes for a Custom Build program.
Know the crazy thing? The Warren Haynes and Rusty Anderson's are ridiculously underpriced in today's glacial market. For somewhere between $3K and $3500 you can grab a fantastic model of either one.
Anyway, you heard it here first
If you're on the fence about one of the these guitars, seriously consider pulling the trigger. I've played four of them and currently own two and I'm not sure I've enjoyed any new guitar purchase more. Truly outstanding guitars from a fantastic -- if far too short -- Memphis run.BIG SHOUT OUT to my buddy Tokyo Nick (Nikku) for making this happen. Cheers my friend!
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