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REVIEWS
So solid screws:
the Gotoh tailpiece
is a sturdy chunk
of hardware
Added bonus: both GSG
humbuckers can be
Bound over: the Deluxe coil-split as standard
Semi Solid’s Cream
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qĈƇÝńńĭû Ĉā Ƽōĭžĩ KEY FEATURES
PRICE From £1,299 (£1,699 as reviewed)
inc hard case
DESCRIPTION 6-string semi-solid single-cutaway
Golden ratio: our electric guitar, made in UK
review model has BUILD Chambered mahogany body with maple top,
smooth and reliable set mahogany neck, 12” radius rosewood fingerboard
Gotoh 510 tuners
with 22 medium-jumbo frets and brass nut
HARDWARE Gotoh 21:1 ratio tuners, 510FB bridge
and stoptail
ELECTRICS 2x GSG humbuckers, master volume with
pull-out coil-split for neck pickup, master tone with
pull-out coil-split for bridge pickup, three-way switch
SCALE LENGTH 24.6”/625mm
NECK WIDTH 42.9mm at nut, 52.0mm at 12th fret
NECK DEPTH 20.9mm at first fret, 22.3mm at 12th fret
STRING SPACING 36mm at nut, 52.5mm at bridge
WEIGHT 3.2kg/7.1lb
FINISH Natural mahogany with Metallic Red top
(see website for full range)
LEFT-HANDERS Yes, no extra charge
CONTACT gordonsmithguitars.com
Set your amp’s preamp gain at just the right
point and this will lift you from clear and
twinkly to fat and punchy as effectively as
any boost pedal.
Since Gibson pulled the plug on its
Midtown range, there haven’t been many
flat-topped semis around, but the GS
Deluxe Semi Solid makes us wonder why.
In all three positions, the emphasis is on In the middle position with both pickups For some players, it’ll be a perfectly viable
a strong and focused midrange, making this split, it’s as if you’re playing an underpowered alternative to either a Les Paul or an ES-335,
a fine guitar for old-school riffs and power Strat. But bring one humbucker back into and the classy coil-split tones make it more
chords. Clean, it’s not quite so much fun the mix and you’ll trade in some of that flexible than both. Who needs Nashville
– those ceramic pickups are by no means phasiness for a breezy rhythm tone that’s when you’ve got Higham Ferrers?
hot but they’re not exactly intimate either. fuller and smoother but no less sweet.
Luckily, it’s easy to take things down a few On their own, both single-coil sounds are A cracking little rock and blues guitar
notches by pulling up on one (or both) of eminently usable, thinning out the lower 9/10 that’s more versatile than it looks
the controls to go into single-coil mode. mids and dialling up the Fender-style cluck.
We’re thankful for those independent coil- You could begin a blues solo on the neck LIKE THIS? TRY THESE…
splits because two of the best sounds here pickup in single-coil mode then whack it PRS S2 Vela Semi-Hollow £1,599, Eastman SB59 £1,599,
are available when only one split is engaged. to the bridge ’bucker when things get spicy. Gibson Les Paul Tribute £999
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