Gibson Memphis

[JeffB]

These guys seem to have it going on compared to the Nashville plant.

I checked out some of the new ES studios and a satin 335 and they were much nicer build and quality of tone compared to similar priced SGs and Les Pauls. The Es studios had some.slight orange peel right under the fretboard binding, but otherwise were fantastic. Fretwork, nuts, finish,.fretboard binding, setups, stratghtness of necks side to side,.neck angles, .etc. they were untouched, right out of the box. I was comparing them to the les paul studios around the same price @ $1400, a new SG standard and les paul standard.

The ES335 studio,.while I understand not for everyone, was a seriosuly good heavy rock/metal axe. BIG tone and resonance. I was comparing it to my epiphone 335 pro which is a pretty stellar example of an epiphone, and even with no F holes the studio was louder fuller, warmer, clearer, and more airy (prolly due to the trapeze).i handled a 339 studio, and it was the same thing. much better guitar than the sg/les paul studio. All of them were setup well, its just the memphis guitars were better quality in every way.

Kudos to Gibby Memphis!

And BOO! Now I want one of those 335 studios.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Gibson Memphis

I'm not positive, but aren't the Nashville ES's only Historic models, meaning super high prices? That means the normal priced ones are Memphis made.

I don't know, but I love the Memphis made guitars.....when I can even tell where they were made. My ES-335 is a 2007 Memphis model, and it's in the top 3 of my favorite guitars I've ever owned. Unplugged, it's tone is resonant, loud, and naturally beautiful sounding.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gibson Memphis

Joe my understanding is the same. The "production" semis and full hollows are Memphis including some reissues like the 50th anniversary 335 block of this year. Standard and satin dots, 339s, studios.

Then the custom shop in Nashville does..well the custom shop versions...reissues, as well as things like the 356, custom shop dot 335, 175 RI, etc.

Strange thing is the Studios came with Custom Shop certs. Anything out of Memphis does now. They apparently want to be seen in the same prestigous light (or maybe want to make sure they are not lumped together with Nashville production).

It is also my understanding that Memphis does all white guitars solid body or otherwise as they have the best environment for painting white, ,and they also do all doubleneck SGs.