Gibson Marauder Electric Guitar For Sale (2023 Update)

When I first opened the box what I saw was a work of art, I only hoped it was as great as it looked. I pushed the power button on the G-Foece Tuners and the G string light up red, I picked the G and all ways in tune. I checked it with my Petersen Strobe Tuner, and yes it was spot on. I plugged into a Vox AC30 HW, the notes that came out of the speakers seem to bloom with harmonics I've never heard before. The fit and finish looked like someone went through the Les Paul with a fine tooth comb, I figured the Les Paul being a 2016 would need a set of fresh strings. The instruction for the G-Force Tuners states to do one string at a time, so the G-Force would not need to be recalibrate. So I set up the windup wind down menu on the G-Force unwound the low E. The rewind confused me a bit, usually i cut the string about 1 1/2 past the next tuner, not so with the G-Force only cut the string to the next tuner inline, too much string will cause the G-Force to lock up due to too many winds on the post. When you get to the G-B-E Strings 1 1/2 will work better so the Strings don't slip on the post and cause tuning issues. The 490R & 498T pickups really surprised me. The 490R is very articulate not muddy in any way, if fact I use it more that I've ever used a neck pickup…the middle position is great for Lead or Rhythm, I've heard Jimmy Page uses this position a lot now I understand why. The 498T is very hot 13.7 ohms as opposed to the 7.6 ohms neck. Even though the ohms are far apart they work well together. I set my Neck volume about 6 for a nice clean rhythm sound and the bridge I set at 8-9 so when I want that little more bark it's there. So to sum it all up this Les Paul is all I need to get the tones I need. This is my Desert island Guitar.Huncy Sound Studio

I just bought a nice Candy Apple Deluxe Fender Strat a while back to upgrade to a REAL guitar, so a Les Paul was next on my list of guitars to get…someday down the road. Went to GC and traded in my bass to upgrade to a new one. On the wall I saw this deep cobalt blue Les Paul for under 2K. After 2 weeks I could not resist, said YOLO and ordered it online for store pickup. A wonderful instrument and offers a much different sound in contrast with the Strat, no regrets. I often just stare at it because it is a work of art, looks so nice next to my new strat and bass 🙂Anthony

While I still feel that the lower-end Epiphone Les Paul's (I had a Special II as my first electric) are great for the money, I decided to move up to my first actual Gibson Les Paul. The weight relief is what immediately caught my attention and I find this guitar a lot more comfortable to play. I'm also blown away by how much sustain it has over my previous Epiphone not to mention the overall finish and the ability to split the humbuckers. I went for the Cherry Burst but it wasn't easy to choose as the Midnight in Manhattan (blue) looked just as beautiful.Lloyd

Now that I'm in my 60's, jumping around on the stage with a 10lb Les Paul is no longer an option. I'd never even consider an SG, but it was so lightweigh I thought I'd give it a try. OMG why did I wait so long? This thing is a Rock 'n Roll time machine! Besides being incredibly lightweight and resonant, it sound amazing. And due to the double cut and neck joint construction, it's soo easy to play all the way to the 22nd fret. The wide slim taper neck is incredibly fast… and its light weight means no neck dive. I should have picked one of these up years ago!Steve

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.Pd

If you're buying and enjoying an SG you're probably aware it's a unique and quirky instrument. The body is very light despite being all mahogany and it does suffer the classic neck dive and tuning stability issues common with Gibson guitars. But these are aspects of the guitar more than negatives in my opinion. It's a classic shape. It's very light weight and plays easily. If you don't like the Les Paul because of its chunky neck and thick neck pocket you may be pleasantly surprised by the thinner neck and upper fret access of the SG! It tends to be a darker sounding guitar with it's all mahogany body and neck with rosewood board and classic nickel fret wire. But I'm nit picking here. You only need listen to Angus Young's classic tones to hear how this guitar can cut thru a mix with the right amp. The medium jumbo frets and shorter scale length are great for easy bends. With volume and tone controls for each pickup you get a lot of control over the sound of the guitar. If tuning stability is an issue try pencil graphite or Nut Sauce to lube the well cut (usually well cut) nut. Gibson is unfortunately known for let's say less than perfect fit and finish on their instruments. You will probably see imperfections in the paint job and finish if you look closely enough. That's just par for the course with Gibson. But I'm a Gibson fan. They make instruments that don't sound like anything else and the SG is one of those iconic rock and roll machines! I highly recommend it!Donnie

Overall: I live in a large city and it is still impossible to find a Gibson 335 that plays and sounds great, has no issues or questionable history and comes with a price tag lower than a new one to justify the gamble. As a result, I decided to pull the trigger on a new one and went for the figured, not so much for the flame but for the lower weight and select wood, knowing both my back would thank me and that the guitar would probably be a bit more open and resonant. Block inlays are certainly nice and that may have helped sway my decision too. The 335 arrived with an impeccable setup, right out of the box from the factory. In my 35 years of playing, I’ve never had this happen. I’ve heard of it happening but never to me. I always have to tweak the truss rod to straighten the neck a bit, adjust the bridge action, widen the nut slots and intimate the guitar. Every time. The only adjustment I’ve had to make is lower the pickups a bit for balance, that’s it! Plays like an absolute dream. Here is why you want this guitar rather than a used one—. the neck. None of that weird pencil thin 335 necks from the past or those horrible and slow baseball bat necks… this is perfect. I don’t know what Gibson is doing in Nashville now, but they are making these guitars better than they ever have. Having always been a fan of Classic ‘57 pickups, I read about these T Type pickups being bright. It is true that they are bright, however it works so well in this guitar. Roll back the tone knobs for the mellower and darker sounds, especially when in the neck position for a classic straight-ahead jazz sound, or rolled back in the bridge to fatten up rhythms…but the thing is, roll the tone up for that beautiful bite and thunk in single line solos. I have had bright guitars in the past and there is nothing you can do for them. No matter the pickups or amp, it remains bright and pingy. This is not a bright guitar and has such a beautifully balanced and mellow acoustic voice, the pickups suit it well and I will not replace them. Is it an insane amount of money? Yes. It is. In 10 years when I have blown through $4K many times over and have nothing to show for it, will I still have this 335? Yes. I will. It’s an investment and zZounds makes it possible for someone like me to have something nice. This is an absolutely breathtaking guitar. In playability, sound, and appearance—Gibson is on top of their game these days and I think the future will look back at this era as their new golden age.Michael

Upon opening the case, the case was hard to open, like it didn't fit top cover to bottom cover. The guitar smells of cheap carnauba wax (if you wax your own car you know there are great waxes that smell good) this is not the great smell of the past Gibson guitars I have purchased in the past. There was a light haze to the guitar like the wax was dried but not wiped off completely. The was not common of years pasts Gibson's. Its a very light weight guitar. Nice to hold and even sitting with it to play does not dig into the underarm like a thick acoustic does over time. The ice tea version does look great front to back. I can't tell if it's AAA but its very nice. The head stock look s like it wasn't cut symmetrically compared to the other side or sanded to much. The neck is nice and thick and wider top to bottom which I like for fitting all my fingers on the 1-5 frets for chords. Their is a lot of fret buzz on the G string throughout the range of the neck, It looks like the G string is higher than all the other strings in an attempt to reduce the buzz. I thought these were machine prepped ?? I can most likely (hopefully)make some adjustments for this. The frets feel thinner than my Les Paul's. Not sure if I like this but I can get used to it. The sound on a clean channel is great. I really like the sound. The volume knobs have no volume from 0 – almost 2, they don't change the volume a lot from 3-7, from 8-10 is almost all the volume change. I have never had this experience before. The tone knobs actually lowers the volume from 1-3 which I thought is also strange. I have no experience with a ES model so maybe this is normal. If it is, then I am not sure I would have purchased. I don't regret the purchase but I was expecting perfection for this price.Just Me

I love 335 but played several that I found meh. Preferred the Heritage H-535 I bought to most Gibbies I tried. Until I played that one at my local GC store. Was immediately captivated with the tone. Went back several times, and took the plunge despite the sticker shock. At home, in my amp it sounded even better than in the shop. Absolutely wonderful guitar, that feels and sounds as good and sometimes even better than vintage 60s 335 I tried or owned. I am in love! But what a price tag…Gibson CS is becoming unattainable fast.Stéphane

I had a great experience with Musiciansfriend. I called my gear advisor, Scott, and he went the extra mile to answer all of my questions over about a two week period. My guitar weighs just under 10 pounds. The set up was superb with a low action and near perfect intonation. Phenomenal sound. Just amazing. Each string rings out clear and balanced. This is my first Gibson. I am a Fender player ('69 Jaguar, '97 Strat) so I was afraid I wouldn't like the warm tones of the humbuckers (nearly went with P90 because of this), but I can't compliment this guitar enough. It's a legend for a reason. The only bad thing is the case. It's obvious that Gibson doesn't take as much care in quality control for their cases. Pea sized bubble on the exterior and lining already coming unglued. However, musiciansfriend is working to right this for me.Jonathan

Overall: Ordered my 60's Les Paul in Unburst on Thursday February 10th. I paid for overnight shipping cause I couldn't wait & zZounds didn't disappoint. Guitar arrived on Friday the 11th before noon!!! Thank you zZounds. Now onto the review……amazing guitar. The figured top is beautiful. zZounds lets you pick the Les Paul you want by serial number & the top looks even better in person, I couldn't be happier. The fit & finish is excellent. Setup is perfect out of the box, plays like a dream. Sustain for days & the '61 Burstbucker R & T pickups just scream!!! Gibson's quality control is on point now!!! Just a beautiful guitar.James

Wow, does this guitar growl. These pickups are so hot, I was startled when I turned up the amp. On clean, every note in a chord is articulated brilliantly. And the sustain is strikingly long and full. I thought the fit and finish was exceptional, and appreciate the quality considering the price. It makes my other guitars feel like I'm riding a bike with a flat tire. It's just not a fair comparison. I am afraid I will have to upgrade my entire fleet now – it has spoiled me. I am more gratified with the purchase than I anticipated.Howard

A few points to mention, the neck is 1.687 wide, the tail piece is aluminum, the pickups are alnicoII @8+ electrical reading, the case is TKL all leather made in Canada, the straps are locking, the neck is less than C but more than D ( perfect for me). no pick guard and no pickup covers, matching hardware those are the differences from the other Standard Models. I have been playing since 14 and I'm now 50+ (OUCH!)I can testify that the playability and feel of the fretboard on this model is the best I have ever played. The quality of the construction is better than a $5000 and up Japanese models LP's. The sound of the pick ups are are extremely pleasing and ADDICTIVE! My ears do not tire. I can honestly tell you that the sound is and upgrade from the LP Classic models for sure! The color of this November Burst model on the GC site picture IS NOT THE COLOR you must check it out in person to see if you like. I do is FREEKING gorgeous! Folks the bottom line is that GIBSON is an American icon and the reason they are expensive is because all things are made outside of the USA if things where made here they would be cheaper and better. The closing of the Memphis Factory is a SHAME to the leaders and citizens of the state of Tennessee they should have not let that happen SUPPORT USA PEOPLE! it ROCKS!John

Overall: About 34 years ago, I saw the coolest guy I'd ever seen play a guitar playing an awesome guitar in the awesomest band I'd ever heard. This is the guy that made me want to play the guitar and the guy I imagined I was when I got my first guitar and posed with it in front of the mirror. I've been a huge fan of both GNR and Slash most of my life and decided it was time to get the guitar that inspired me to start playing.The guitar is gorgeous! The pictures are great but it's so much more beautiful in person! I just sat looking at it in awe for half an hour before I took it out of the case! The tone is right on. I wasn't expecting anything less. The pickups are super hot and responsive.It plays like a dream! Right out of the case it was perfect!The case candy is added bonus! I've never owned a Gibson and they definitely won me over as a future customer with it.So, if you love Slash, love sexy Les Pauls, or just love beautiful works of art, I would recommend this guitar!Michael

A follow up from my previous review. Sorry for the USA rant, but here is more of what I think of this guitar. I'm just a joe blow musician but if you play in stadiums with four 4×12 cabs and two 100w amps running at full blast then the " Burstbuckers" aren't going to cut it, you're going to have to swap the pickups to Seymor Duncan Slash ,those will do the job perfectly and it will be your dream guitar. But if you just do venues and social gigs and practice on your own then this is a fine guitar This model will have the least QC issues. I just wanted a good QC Gibson USA L that spoke to me with standard Gibson LP pickups and no pick guard, this is the one no big deal. I have a gut feeling that Gibson USA will not exist in 5 years from now. Gibson will Take the International Company Parent Epiphone and call It Gibson. Maybe a good thing? time will tell. Enjoy your guitars everyone chao!John

Now that I'm in my 60's, jumping around on the stage with a 10lb Les Paul is no longer an option. I'd never even consider an SG, but it was so lightweigh I thought I'd give it a try. OMG why did I wait so long? This thing is a Rock 'n Roll time machine! Besides being incredibly lightweight and resonant, it sound amazing. And due to the double cut and neck joint construction, it's soo easy to play all the way to the 22nd fret. The wide slim taper neck is incredibly fast… and its light weight means no neck dive. I should have picked one of these up years ago!Steve

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.Pd

Having good gear is important. I've always wanted a high end guitar inspired Angus young. The Gibson SG-61 stop tail is my flagship guitar. I also have Fender acoustic and a generic electric guitars, but Gibson is my PRECIOUS I've already knocked many things off the walls . Yeah, got some powerful amps too. Best earthquake I've ever made. Better deal than many sellers by $1,000 to $800. A good buy.erngar_95

Now that I'm in my 60's, jumping around on the stage with a 10lb Les Paul is no longer an option. I'd never even consider an SG, but it was so lightweigh I thought I'd give it a try. OMG why did I wait so long? This thing is a Rock 'n Roll time machine! Besides being incredibly lightweight and resonant, it sound amazing. And due to the double cut and neck joint construction, it's soo easy to play all the way to the 22nd fret. The wide slim taper neck is incredibly fast… and its light weight means no neck dive. I should have picked one of these up years ago!Steve

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.Pd

If you're buying and enjoying an SG you're probably aware it's a unique and quirky instrument. The body is very light despite being all mahogany and it does suffer the classic neck dive and tuning stability issues common with Gibson guitars. But these are aspects of the guitar more than negatives in my opinion. It's a classic shape. It's very light weight and plays easily. If you don't like the Les Paul because of its chunky neck and thick neck pocket you may be pleasantly surprised by the thinner neck and upper fret access of the SG! It tends to be a darker sounding guitar with it's all mahogany body and neck with rosewood board and classic nickel fret wire. But I'm nit picking here. You only need listen to Angus Young's classic tones to hear how this guitar can cut thru a mix with the right amp. The medium jumbo frets and shorter scale length are great for easy bends. With volume and tone controls for each pickup you get a lot of control over the sound of the guitar. If tuning stability is an issue try pencil graphite or Nut Sauce to lube the well cut (usually well cut) nut. Gibson is unfortunately known for let's say less than perfect fit and finish on their instruments. You will probably see imperfections in the paint job and finish if you look closely enough. That's just par for the course with Gibson. But I'm a Gibson fan. They make instruments that don't sound like anything else and the SG is one of those iconic rock and roll machines! I highly recommend it!Donnie

I have always wanted a 335, but did not like the larger size. I saw this 339 and stepped up and bought it home. Had to wait 6 weeks, but was it ever worth it. This is the best guitar I have ever played or been around. Cannot make my mind up if it plays better than it looks, or if it looks better then it sounds. It came set up really well, intonation and all. All I had to do was tune it and go. Cannot find one flaw in the paint, assembly or anything wrong at all. It rings so true, holds a note and there is a major difference when selecting either pickup or both, and the tone and volume controls lets you have an infinite setting control on tone and volume. Set the bridge to really ring out and the neck one a little muddy and together it is killer, but can flip the switch and brighten a solo up good. An absolute joy to play. Just strike your favorite chord and let it ring…beautiful fun. I was worried about the neck thickness, but it is a non issue. Easy to chord, simple to fret in any way you please. I cannot express just how happy I am with this guitar. Michael at musicians friend was a great help in every way getting it here.Keith

Very comfortable to hold and play, with a slightly chunky neck which is my preference. Combines the best aspects of 335s and Les Pauls. It's also heavier than I thought it would be (again for me a good thing, I don't like feather-light guitars) I was expecting SG weights and annoying neck dive. As suggested already it seems to sound somewhere between a full-sized 335 type and a solid body, which again isn't much of a surprise. Seems to have more twang than my LP which is good for my taste, which is more soul and funk. The finish is also perfect, though slightly different to the one advertised at the time of purchase. The neck fades into a natural varnish rather than the all-black paint. Also the sides are solid natural varnish rather than the fading between black and natural effect.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Looks great, sounds great, plays great. One of the nicest gig bags I've ever seen. Came out of the box at the store set up and tuned! Fit and finish were perfect and the wine red just pops under stage lighting…unlike the one that was on display…and this is why I don't buy guitars online! Got it home, changed the strings to the gauge I prefer, lowered the string height a smidge, and checked the intonation which was spot on. Took it to a pro jam out in the valley where it got lots of compliments from the other players for it's sound and looks…it's as nice a Les Paul as I've ever played. If you get one like mine you won't regret it! But go to the GC and pick yours out and save yourself some possible grief. You won't regret that either!Stephen

I bought my first Les Paul in 1974. I was a little concerened about the new "lightend and improved" version but it turned out to be great. Pickups are better. Feels great, plays great and all around great guitar at a good price. Required minimal set up to play really good. I liked it so much, I bought another one 3 weeks later. I love my Strats but right out of the box, they require a lot of work to make them play and stay in tune. Got my first Strat in 72. If I was a kid (I'm in my 60's), I would choose this Les Paul Studio first. Because it is easier to set up and play right out of the box. I love my Strats, but this is a really good guitar.Stephen C

Still a novice player, but decided that I had stuck with it long enough to justify spending a bit more than I had spent on my used Squier Strat. After reading a ton of reviews and watching a bunch of YouTube videos, I chose the LP Studio in Smokehouse Burst. Wow! What an incredible difference. I find it easier to play with a wider fretboard and the sound is just amazing. I'm not sure if I just got a good one or if Gibson has stepped up their QA game as mine does not display the defects described by other reviews here. I have not found any cosmetic or fit/finish flaws. The color also closely resembles the photos with just a slightly darker shade on the burst. It is an absolutely gorgeous instrument and I couldn't be more satisfied with it. I know that Gibson switched over to the soft case rather than the hard one to save costs, but quite frankly, I don't see that they could have saved too much. The soft case is very high quality and with the exception of shipping or air travel, I feel that my guitar is well protected when put away. Although, I doubt that I'll ever be traveling to perform in this lifetime. Thanks Gibson. Great job on a beautiful instrument.ArmchairAstro

Picked up a 2019, same exact model about a month ago. Quality and build is superb, the carved top has even more flame than I expected. I wanted an "understated" look, and it's perfect. Flame changes with light. The nitro finish is buffed like new, unlike the VOS models, and the natural dye on the back and neck is rich and deep. Instrument is plek'd, action and intonation are flawless. The CustomBucker pickups are all the rage, you can only get them on a new instrument, and are supposed to be the best PAF repro so far. I'm still trying to decide if I like them, my ears say that the 60s have more natural midrange than 59s, but I can eq it out on my amps. They also seem to be unpotted. I'm really inspired by the sound and feel of the '60 LP, the looks and quality are just icing.Ron

Now that I'm in my 60's, jumping around on the stage with a 10lb Les Paul is no longer an option. I'd never even consider an SG, but it was so lightweigh I thought I'd give it a try. OMG why did I wait so long? This thing is a Rock 'n Roll time machine! Besides being incredibly lightweight and resonant, it sound amazing. And due to the double cut and neck joint construction, it's soo easy to play all the way to the 22nd fret. The wide slim taper neck is incredibly fast… and its light weight means no neck dive. I should have picked one of these up years ago!Steve

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.Pd

If you're buying and enjoying an SG you're probably aware it's a unique and quirky instrument. The body is very light despite being all mahogany and it does suffer the classic neck dive and tuning stability issues common with Gibson guitars. But these are aspects of the guitar more than negatives in my opinion. It's a classic shape. It's very light weight and plays easily. If you don't like the Les Paul because of its chunky neck and thick neck pocket you may be pleasantly surprised by the thinner neck and upper fret access of the SG! It tends to be a darker sounding guitar with it's all mahogany body and neck with rosewood board and classic nickel fret wire. But I'm nit picking here. You only need listen to Angus Young's classic tones to hear how this guitar can cut thru a mix with the right amp. The medium jumbo frets and shorter scale length are great for easy bends. With volume and tone controls for each pickup you get a lot of control over the sound of the guitar. If tuning stability is an issue try pencil graphite or Nut Sauce to lube the well cut (usually well cut) nut. Gibson is unfortunately known for let's say less than perfect fit and finish on their instruments. You will probably see imperfections in the paint job and finish if you look closely enough. That's just par for the course with Gibson. But I'm a Gibson fan. They make instruments that don't sound like anything else and the SG is one of those iconic rock and roll machines! I highly recommend it!Donnie

I had a great experience with Musiciansfriend. I called my gear advisor, Scott, and he went the extra mile to answer all of my questions over about a two week period. My guitar weighs just under 10 pounds. The set up was superb with a low action and near perfect intonation. Phenomenal sound. Just amazing. Each string rings out clear and balanced. This is my first Gibson. I am a Fender player ('69 Jaguar, '97 Strat) so I was afraid I wouldn't like the warm tones of the humbuckers (nearly went with P90 because of this), but I can't compliment this guitar enough. It's a legend for a reason. The only bad thing is the case. It's obvious that Gibson doesn't take as much care in quality control for their cases. Pea sized bubble on the exterior and lining already coming unglued. However, musiciansfriend is working to right this for me.Jonathan

Overall: Ordered my 60's Les Paul in Unburst on Thursday February 10th. I paid for overnight shipping cause I couldn't wait & zZounds didn't disappoint. Guitar arrived on Friday the 11th before noon!!! Thank you zZounds. Now onto the review……amazing guitar. The figured top is beautiful. zZounds lets you pick the Les Paul you want by serial number & the top looks even better in person, I couldn't be happier. The fit & finish is excellent. Setup is perfect out of the box, plays like a dream. Sustain for days & the '61 Burstbucker R & T pickups just scream!!! Gibson's quality control is on point now!!! Just a beautiful guitar.James

Wow, does this guitar growl. These pickups are so hot, I was startled when I turned up the amp. On clean, every note in a chord is articulated brilliantly. And the sustain is strikingly long and full. I thought the fit and finish was exceptional, and appreciate the quality considering the price. It makes my other guitars feel like I'm riding a bike with a flat tire. It's just not a fair comparison. I am afraid I will have to upgrade my entire fleet now – it has spoiled me. I am more gratified with the purchase than I anticipated.Howard

Now that I'm in my 60's, jumping around on the stage with a 10lb Les Paul is no longer an option. I'd never even consider an SG, but it was so lightweigh I thought I'd give it a try. OMG why did I wait so long? This thing is a Rock 'n Roll time machine! Besides being incredibly lightweight and resonant, it sound amazing. And due to the double cut and neck joint construction, it's soo easy to play all the way to the 22nd fret. The wide slim taper neck is incredibly fast… and its light weight means no neck dive. I should have picked one of these up years ago!Steve

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.Pd

If you're buying and enjoying an SG you're probably aware it's a unique and quirky instrument. The body is very light despite being all mahogany and it does suffer the classic neck dive and tuning stability issues common with Gibson guitars. But these are aspects of the guitar more than negatives in my opinion. It's a classic shape. It's very light weight and plays easily. If you don't like the Les Paul because of its chunky neck and thick neck pocket you may be pleasantly surprised by the thinner neck and upper fret access of the SG! It tends to be a darker sounding guitar with it's all mahogany body and neck with rosewood board and classic nickel fret wire. But I'm nit picking here. You only need listen to Angus Young's classic tones to hear how this guitar can cut thru a mix with the right amp. The medium jumbo frets and shorter scale length are great for easy bends. With volume and tone controls for each pickup you get a lot of control over the sound of the guitar. If tuning stability is an issue try pencil graphite or Nut Sauce to lube the well cut (usually well cut) nut. Gibson is unfortunately known for let's say less than perfect fit and finish on their instruments. You will probably see imperfections in the paint job and finish if you look closely enough. That's just par for the course with Gibson. But I'm a Gibson fan. They make instruments that don't sound like anything else and the SG is one of those iconic rock and roll machines! I highly recommend it!Donnie

P90 purity. An absolutely iconic sound that can spirit you back to the 50s on normal gain – and melt faces through hi gain channel. Set neck sustain and the lower string tension of the Gibson scale make it a dream to play. It also looks amazing, the mirror-like ebony finish is a joy to behold.Richard F.

Purchased a 2020 LP Junior in ebony from AMS. Arrived with chipped and bubbling paint at the neck joint. Can't believe any respectable quality control engineer would allow this out of the factory. Having purchased a 2019 Les Paul Special last year through AMS, I thought Gibson had turned the corner! And although AMS has a great return policy, I can't purchase another until the guitar has been inspected and credited to my account. So 5-7 days before I can reorder! Total Disappointment! Looks like my Gibson buying days at AMS are over. Never had a problem with my Fenders!EJ Maynard

Overall: I live in a large city and it is still impossible to find a Gibson 335 that plays and sounds great, has no issues or questionable history and comes with a price tag lower than a new one to justify the gamble. As a result, I decided to pull the trigger on a new one and went for the figured, not so much for the flame but for the lower weight and select wood, knowing both my back would thank me and that the guitar would probably be a bit more open and resonant. Block inlays are certainly nice and that may have helped sway my decision too. The 335 arrived with an impeccable setup, right out of the box from the factory. In my 35 years of playing, I’ve never had this happen. I’ve heard of it happening but never to me. I always have to tweak the truss rod to straighten the neck a bit, adjust the bridge action, widen the nut slots and intimate the guitar. Every time. The only adjustment I’ve had to make is lower the pickups a bit for balance, that’s it! Plays like an absolute dream. Here is why you want this guitar rather than a used one—. the neck. None of that weird pencil thin 335 necks from the past or those horrible and slow baseball bat necks… this is perfect. I don’t know what Gibson is doing in Nashville now, but they are making these guitars better than they ever have. Having always been a fan of Classic ‘57 pickups, I read about these T Type pickups being bright. It is true that they are bright, however it works so well in this guitar. Roll back the tone knobs for the mellower and darker sounds, especially when in the neck position for a classic straight-ahead jazz sound, or rolled back in the bridge to fatten up rhythms…but the thing is, roll the tone up for that beautiful bite and thunk in single line solos. I have had bright guitars in the past and there is nothing you can do for them. No matter the pickups or amp, it remains bright and pingy. This is not a bright guitar and has such a beautifully balanced and mellow acoustic voice, the pickups suit it well and I will not replace them. Is it an insane amount of money? Yes. It is. In 10 years when I have blown through $4K many times over and have nothing to show for it, will I still have this 335? Yes. I will. It’s an investment and zZounds makes it possible for someone like me to have something nice. This is an absolutely breathtaking guitar. In playability, sound, and appearance—Gibson is on top of their game these days and I think the future will look back at this era as their new golden age.Michael

Upon opening the case, the case was hard to open, like it didn't fit top cover to bottom cover. The guitar smells of cheap carnauba wax (if you wax your own car you know there are great waxes that smell good) this is not the great smell of the past Gibson guitars I have purchased in the past. There was a light haze to the guitar like the wax was dried but not wiped off completely. The was not common of years pasts Gibson's. Its a very light weight guitar. Nice to hold and even sitting with it to play does not dig into the underarm like a thick acoustic does over time. The ice tea version does look great front to back. I can't tell if it's AAA but its very nice. The head stock look s like it wasn't cut symmetrically compared to the other side or sanded to much. The neck is nice and thick and wider top to bottom which I like for fitting all my fingers on the 1-5 frets for chords. Their is a lot of fret buzz on the G string throughout the range of the neck, It looks like the G string is higher than all the other strings in an attempt to reduce the buzz. I thought these were machine prepped ?? I can most likely (hopefully)make some adjustments for this. The frets feel thinner than my Les Paul's. Not sure if I like this but I can get used to it. The sound on a clean channel is great. I really like the sound. The volume knobs have no volume from 0 – almost 2, they don't change the volume a lot from 3-7, from 8-10 is almost all the volume change. I have never had this experience before. The tone knobs actually lowers the volume from 1-3 which I thought is also strange. I have no experience with a ES model so maybe this is normal. If it is, then I am not sure I would have purchased. I don't regret the purchase but I was expecting perfection for this price.Just Me

I love 335 but played several that I found meh. Preferred the Heritage H-535 I bought to most Gibbies I tried. Until I played that one at my local GC store. Was immediately captivated with the tone. Went back several times, and took the plunge despite the sticker shock. At home, in my amp it sounded even better than in the shop. Absolutely wonderful guitar, that feels and sounds as good and sometimes even better than vintage 60s 335 I tried or owned. I am in love! But what a price tag…Gibson CS is becoming unattainable fast.Stéphane

Picked up a 2019, same exact model about a month ago. Quality and build is superb, the carved top has even more flame than I expected. I wanted an "understated" look, and it's perfect. Flame changes with light. The nitro finish is buffed like new, unlike the VOS models, and the natural dye on the back and neck is rich and deep. Instrument is plek'd, action and intonation are flawless. The CustomBucker pickups are all the rage, you can only get them on a new instrument, and are supposed to be the best PAF repro so far. I'm still trying to decide if I like them, my ears say that the 60s have more natural midrange than 59s, but I can eq it out on my amps. They also seem to be unpotted. I'm really inspired by the sound and feel of the '60 LP, the looks and quality are just icing.Ron

Overall: I live in a large city and it is still impossible to find a Gibson 335 that plays and sounds great, has no issues or questionable history and comes with a price tag lower than a new one to justify the gamble. As a result, I decided to pull the trigger on a new one and went for the figured, not so much for the flame but for the lower weight and select wood, knowing both my back would thank me and that the guitar would probably be a bit more open and resonant. Block inlays are certainly nice and that may have helped sway my decision too. The 335 arrived with an impeccable setup, right out of the box from the factory. In my 35 years of playing, I’ve never had this happen. I’ve heard of it happening but never to me. I always have to tweak the truss rod to straighten the neck a bit, adjust the bridge action, widen the nut slots and intimate the guitar. Every time. The only adjustment I’ve had to make is lower the pickups a bit for balance, that’s it! Plays like an absolute dream. Here is why you want this guitar rather than a used one—. the neck. None of that weird pencil thin 335 necks from the past or those horrible and slow baseball bat necks… this is perfect. I don’t know what Gibson is doing in Nashville now, but they are making these guitars better than they ever have. Having always been a fan of Classic ‘57 pickups, I read about these T Type pickups being bright. It is true that they are bright, however it works so well in this guitar. Roll back the tone knobs for the mellower and darker sounds, especially when in the neck position for a classic straight-ahead jazz sound, or rolled back in the bridge to fatten up rhythms…but the thing is, roll the tone up for that beautiful bite and thunk in single line solos. I have had bright guitars in the past and there is nothing you can do for them. No matter the pickups or amp, it remains bright and pingy. This is not a bright guitar and has such a beautifully balanced and mellow acoustic voice, the pickups suit it well and I will not replace them. Is it an insane amount of money? Yes. It is. In 10 years when I have blown through $4K many times over and have nothing to show for it, will I still have this 335? Yes. I will. It’s an investment and zZounds makes it possible for someone like me to have something nice. This is an absolutely breathtaking guitar. In playability, sound, and appearance—Gibson is on top of their game these days and I think the future will look back at this era as their new golden age.Michael

Upon opening the case, the case was hard to open, like it didn't fit top cover to bottom cover. The guitar smells of cheap carnauba wax (if you wax your own car you know there are great waxes that smell good) this is not the great smell of the past Gibson guitars I have purchased in the past. There was a light haze to the guitar like the wax was dried but not wiped off completely. The was not common of years pasts Gibson's. Its a very light weight guitar. Nice to hold and even sitting with it to play does not dig into the underarm like a thick acoustic does over time. The ice tea version does look great front to back. I can't tell if it's AAA but its very nice. The head stock look s like it wasn't cut symmetrically compared to the other side or sanded to much. The neck is nice and thick and wider top to bottom which I like for fitting all my fingers on the 1-5 frets for chords. Their is a lot of fret buzz on the G string throughout the range of the neck, It looks like the G string is higher than all the other strings in an attempt to reduce the buzz. I thought these were machine prepped ?? I can most likely (hopefully)make some adjustments for this. The frets feel thinner than my Les Paul's. Not sure if I like this but I can get used to it. The sound on a clean channel is great. I really like the sound. The volume knobs have no volume from 0 – almost 2, they don't change the volume a lot from 3-7, from 8-10 is almost all the volume change. I have never had this experience before. The tone knobs actually lowers the volume from 1-3 which I thought is also strange. I have no experience with a ES model so maybe this is normal. If it is, then I am not sure I would have purchased. I don't regret the purchase but I was expecting perfection for this price.Just Me

I love 335 but played several that I found meh. Preferred the Heritage H-535 I bought to most Gibbies I tried. Until I played that one at my local GC store. Was immediately captivated with the tone. Went back several times, and took the plunge despite the sticker shock. At home, in my amp it sounded even better than in the shop. Absolutely wonderful guitar, that feels and sounds as good and sometimes even better than vintage 60s 335 I tried or owned. I am in love! But what a price tag…Gibson CS is becoming unattainable fast.Stéphane

I use it just for my own enjoyment and growth as a guitarist and musician. I've wanted a top-flight guitar for awhile now. The neck is easily playable, even for a guy like me with relatively small hands. It played well for me right out of the box. It is pricy, but then, you get what you pay for. I would highly recommend.Tony in Vegas

Guitar shipped UPS. Unboxed it that same day. Was in perfect condition. Gibson hardcase with red velvet interior box candy included a cheap strap, a universal truss rod adjustment tool, literature and a picture of the guitar at the factory. I plugged it in and after a few amp adjustments on the low gain clean side with reverb and delay began to play. The strings are new 10s, it came tuned down for shipping, I tuned it up and played a few licks. The action is low and does not buzz, truss rod is perfect, annotation perfect, finish perfect. The sound is incredibly clear jangly and tasty unlike any of my other guitars. The T type pickups are unbelievably good. I haven't really tried putting heavy gain on it but I did notice the more gain the more effective the tone knobs become. But even clean the tone and volume adjustments are noticeable more than most guitars. Overall I am very happy with the purchase, I believe I will choose this guitar over every other guitar in my collection. I have played every guitar I can get my hands on and the ES 335 with the T type pickups blows every other guitar away. There is no better guitar on the market. Thank you Gibson for this instrument and thank you Guitar Center for your wonderful customer service.Steve

My Gibson SG Maestro came via FedEx yesterday and was very well packaged by double box. The fit and finish are first class as expected. It had a very good setup right out of the box. It plays and sounds excellent as expected. No problems that a few reviewers claim but maybe they are just Nay Sayers. I have a Gretsch White Falcon and this Gibson has great tone and playability as does the Gretsch. American Musical Supply is great to work with and I would not hesitate to purchase more gear. I may consider putting one of my own Compton Bridges on it but right now I see no issue with the stock bridge it came with. I had one of the original Gibson SG guitars back in the 60's and played a lot of gigs with it. I had given it to my Son and decided to get another one.Pop's

I'm completely happy with my purchase of a Gibson 61 SG with Maestro Vibrola. The guitar arrived quickly with no issues other than a rosewood fretboard that, like on so many new Gibsons was a bit too light and grainy feeling. This was easily resolved by doing what I've done on most of my instruments with either rosewood or Laurel fretboards, I darkened it using black leather shoe dye, then finished with lemon oil. The result is a fretboard that looks and feels like vintage, dark brown Brazilian rosewood. Onto the more important things to look for. Out of the box, frets were nicely dressed and crowned, and intonation was spot on. No need to raise or lower the action. The slim neck is very fast and suits my taste. The Maestro Vibrola took a bit of tweaking and adding graphite to stay reasonably in tune, but truth be told I bought this model mainly for the vintage aesthetic. The Burstbucker pickups sound great, and the craftsmanship overall was flawless. I purchased the last one in stock which happened to be pictured on the website so there were no surprises. A beautiful grain, tight and even. I'm a happy purchaser.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.