New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

[TattooedCarrot]

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Kalamazoo/Specs.aspx

They are limited to 300 in the US and 300 internationally. They ship Nov 5th and I impulsively pre-ordered one, but am having second thoughts, particularly about the short scale. I got it less than sticker price too.

Thoughts?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

****in' sweet. Would you mind telling me the retail price? I'm guessing about $1,750.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

$1499 MAP, I got mine $1425 out the door. I hear more than half the pre-orders are spoken for already and they haven't even released them yet.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

Not bad if they're well made. Thanks.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

I want to like a Byrdland SO bad but it just can't happen...

I wanted one for years and years as I am a big Ted fan and about 7 or 8 years ago I found one...a 1962 in burst...beautiful guitar and as soon as I picked it up I knew the love affair was doomed!

It sounded great but 23.5 inch scale is just too short for me...24 inch scale planks like Mustangs and Jaguars are too short but if I have to I can play them but going below the 24 just doesn't work for me at all.

Best of luck to you...I saw the press release when they made the announcement and got excited until I remembered playing the Byrdland and as soon as I remembered that I talked myself out of it.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Kalamazoo/Specs.aspx

They are limited to 300 in the US and 300 internationally. They ship Nov 5th and I impulsively pre-ordered one, but am having second thoughts, particularly about the short scale. I got it less than sticker price too.

Thoughts?

MMMmm, why only 600 world wide ?

 

[Ez74]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

I'd probably hold onto it for a while then after everyone raves about them flip it or trade it for something you really want( for the moment). I picked up 1 of the discontinued midtowns from last year and flipped it for a decent profit 6 months later

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

The super short scale is the coolest thing about them to me. I love short scale instruments!

 

[Aceman]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

Poor mAn's Byrdland? Um, no.

But - it is a pretty sweet design IMO, and for $1400; Hey, GIBSON: YOU GOT THIS ONE RIGHT!!!!!!

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

I canceled my order, couldn't sit with such a short scale having never played one before.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

lame

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

What about this guitar makes it not a poor man's byrdland, Ace?

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

What about this guitar makes it not a poor man's byrdland, Ace?

. . . yup, i wanna know too !

 

[Aceman]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

When I think Byrdland, I think Florentine:

And 23.5" scale isn't Byrdlandish IMO either.

I realize they do come rounded, but most I have seen are sharp horned. Then again, I may not have seen that many.

But like I said - I think it is a cool guitar at the right price! Also not something Gibson is known for...

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

When I think Byrdland, I think Florentine:

I realize they do come rounded, but most I have seen are sharp horned. Then again, I may not have seen that many.

But like I said - I think it is a cool guitar at the right price! Also not something Gibson is known for...

Ain't that the truth !

 

[ex-250]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

It looks fantastic but yeah the short scale blew it for me.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

And 23.5" scale isn't Byrdlandish IMO either.

Actually that is the Byrdland scale. And I agree the cutaway version looks (and works) better than the rounded version.

 

[phil_104]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

The visual presentation of the guitar is a homerun in my book. I might be interested if I didn't already have a 339. At this point though, it just seems redundant.

Nice guitar though.

 

[Wattage]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

I'm with TGWIF I wanted a Byrdie so bad at one point in my life. When I graduated college I had the chance to get one. They weren't absurd pricewise for a player. Spent the day on 48th St and played 7-8 of them, I was so bummed I just couldn't jibe with them.

I do love them though, gorgeous guitars an they make some incredible sounds indeed.

Not so fond of these Midtowns but I have a couple of friends who I am sure will bite.

 

[voggin]

Re: New Gibson Midtown Kalamazoo - Poor man's Byrdland

Oh, I wish I had the money! That is such a great price (the real price, not the one on the Gibson site). that would be such a versatile guitar.

Actually, the whole midtown lineup has been a success, I think. Good guitars at good prices. Creative use of materials and building techniques, without being over the top radical.

Hard to believe the same company that makes this made the Firebird X (Sorry, Gibson, it's going to be a few more years before you live that one down.)