Gibson releases a new model. Theodore

[Chistopher]

I have to say that this guitar is soooo ugly that it hurts my head to look at it.
Yes, of course that is my opinion. But even if you look at it objectively (not considering esthetics at all), from a functional perspective, that guitar just doesn't make it.

Sounds pretty close to what everyone said when they saw the first couple of Telecasters. It's got more than reasonable upper fret access, knobs and switches roughly where I like them, looks like it balances pretty well (except for the strap position). I'm not saying it's for everyone, but I could see a $500 epi version being reasonably successful.

 

[Securb]

Based on the neck profile, tailpiece, and pickups, I would imagine it plays and sounds like an SG. As freaky looking as it is, I would imagine that guitar is a fun axe to play. Once these things sit on the store shelves for a while, someone is going to get a hell of a guitar when they drop the price and blow them out.

 

[GuitarStv]

Sounds pretty close to what everyone said when they saw the first couple of Telecasters.

Yeah . . . and telecasters still suck.

 

[misterwhizzy]

A tulip is a flower. It doesn't even have tonewood. I don't even think Alnico 8 pickups could save this monstrosity.

 

[Securb]

It is hideous.

.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Based on the neck profile, tailpiece, and pickups, I would imagine it plays and sounds like an SG. As freaky looking as it is, I would imagine that guitar is a fun axe to play. Once these things sit on the store shelves for a while, someone is going to get a hell of a guitar when they drop the price and blow them out.

I'm not sure if it would sound like an SG. Eyeballing it, it looks like the pickups are placed in the same position as LP Specials are relative to the bridge and the edge of the neck. Part of the reason why SG's sound the way they do is their pickups are also shifted closer to the bridge than on a Les Paul.

 

[jeremy]

if it had a normal 3x3 headstock, i wouldnt mind it that much. though i would prefer 2v, 2t per usual gibson setup

 

[Aceman]

So. Much. FAIL.

You really have to admire the unbelievable mass-stupidity it takes to do this, then redo it even worse.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

if it had a normal 3x3 headstock, i wouldnt mind it that much. though i would prefer 2v, 2t per usual gibson setup

Yeah, with the regular Les Paul/SG Standard headstock, I think it would look better. I wouldn't buy one since it's definitely not my type of guitar, but I honestly don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be.

 

[JOLLY]

Woodchip all three.

And then burn the chips.

 

[trevorus]

I love it!!! I want one. Seriously, not a joke. Wouldn’t pay Gibson inflated prices, but I do want one.

 

[ErikH]

An explorer, sg and moderne had a 3-some. WTF is that?

 

[Securb]

From what I read, Gibson re-released it to piss off PRS. PRS sued Gibson when they released the first batch, claiming Ted McCarty was affiliated with PRS now, and Gibson releasing the Theodore would confuse consumers. People claim Gibson went into the vaults and dug out the most ridiculous idea Ted had and put his name on it to poke the bear. They released the reverse V as a joke, so why not this? Gibson won the lawsuit, people, actually like the design so Gibson is refining and once again releasing the guitar to rub a bit more salt in PRS' legal wounds.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I'm curious to see what the Simon and Alvin models look like...

 

[Securb]

I'm curious to see what the Simon and Alvin models look like...

.

 

['59]

I'll admit the design has grown on me since I saw this thread the first time it made the rounds.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, with the regular Les Paul/SG Standard headstock, I think it would look better. I wouldn't buy one since it's definitely not my type of guitar, but I honestly don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be.

I can't imagine a headstock design that would improve the overall look.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I think a different headstock, like a Gibson, would slightly improve the overall appearance AND function, but the body is soooo ugly that even the most gorgeous headstock won't ultimately help it.

 

[beaubrummels]

I think it needs a version of the Flying V headstock so the strings pull straight from tail to tuner.

 

[jeremy]

id actually prefer something in between the v and the normal lp/sg headstock