Gibson Nighthawk Standard 3 user reviews ( 7/10) - 8 user reviews

• 12/01/11

  yoTrakkz's review "Could be better"

  Characteristics

  This Gibson Nighhawk Standard 3 guitar is an American made guitar The guitar has a tremolo bridge and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. The guitar has two humbucker pickups, a volume and tone knob, and a three way selector switch which is located far behind the bridge. The guitar has 24 frets.

  Utilization

  This guitar plays really well, as do most guitars by Gibson. It's a heavier guitar, not quite as heavy as a Les Paul but more weight than a Strat. The guitar feels and plays really well and isn't too difficult to move around. The guitar that I played was in great shape, stable, good action, and overall a comfortable instrument. Honestly though, I don't know if it's quite as comfortable as some nicer Gibsons, which in my opinion, feel better than almost any electric guitar out there.

  Sounds

  This guitar, for some reason, doesn't seem real to me. By that I mean, I don't think that this is the actual guitar that Santana plays. I think that he endorsed this product purely for monetary reasons. Gibson sells these for far cheaper than some of their other models, guitars which, in my opinion, are far superior. The tone just isn't there on this one, the other Gibson give you far better sustain overall, and they ring with a great middle range that really cuts through.

  Overall Opinion

  This guitar, unlike most Gibson, isn't too expensive. I can't say I wouldn't recommend it to other people, especially since most of my peers wouldn't be able to buy a nicer Gibson without some serious saving. However, I realized a long time ago that it would be worth it to eventually just buy a nicer one, it will pay off more in the long run., I doubt I'd be so disappointed with it, which is why I'm giving it an overall high score. But it feels to me like Gibson is putting out lesser instruments to increase their sales, and using Santana's name as a marketing ploy more than a sign of the instrument's quality.
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• 08/15/11

  tjon901's review "Unique sounding Gibson"

  Characteristics

  When the Nighthawk came out Gibson was trying to break out of their normal rut. They were looking to give their loyal customers a guitar with a unique feel and tone. This is what they did with the Nighthawk. It looks familiar but the sounds and feel of it are pretty different. They took the classic Les Paul. They widened the body but the body is still smaller overall and opened up the cutaway. They extended the neck scale to 25.5 inches. The neck is mahogany with 22 frets. They also designed 3 new pickups for the guitar. They put a high output slanted humbucker in the bridge. They put a Gibson mini humbucker in the neck and a specially designed high output single coil in the middle. With coil tapping, as many as 10 different combinations were available. There is a large Fender style bridge with string through stringing. It has a 5 way blade pickup selector and the tone control is a push pull that can split the bridge pickup. There were other versions of the nighthawk with different pickup configurations but this was the most popular.

  Utilization

  This guitar feels a bit different than a normal Les Paul. You may not notice by looking at it but the guitar has a 25.5 inch scale. Which means there is more room to play on the fretboard and the strings have more tension. You may or may not like this. More obvious is the larger cutaway that allows better fret access on the upper frets. The bridge is more of a fender style with individual saddles. It has a string through design which offers great sustain. It also will not fall off when you change strings. The neck is pretty beefy with a comfortable D shape

  Sounds

  This guitar has a crisper sound than a normal Les Paul due to a number of things. The bridge is more directly mounted to the body which transfers more resonance through the guitar. This combined with the string through design gives more instant attack. The longer scale on the neck gives more tension in the strings and that also increases the crispness of the attack. This combined with the 3 different pickups provides many tones. The mini humbucker is very smooth in the neck. Almost like an old PAF. At some positions it gives out a very Telecasterish sound. This may be because of the slanted bridge pickup putting out more treble frequencies and the extra tension. The single coil is great to mix in with the other pickups because it will add extra clarity and ring ontop of the thick humbucker sound. A major disadvantage to the slanted humbucker in the bridge is that it would be very hard to replace if you didnt like the tone or it was damaged.

  Overall Opinion

  This guitar kind of got mired in the back when it first came out. Now with Gibson doing reissues of everything not from the Norlin era it could come back and be popular. It is one of the more versatile sounding traditional guitars that Gibson has ever put out. If you see one at a guitar store or something used you should check it out. You will be surprised at the myriad of tones you can get with this guitar.
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• 11/08/07

  totoff666's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  3 micro switch 5 position with more push / pull tone button (ie 10 mic positions!)
  
  22 round boxes

  Utilization

  Difficult to set the handle (I had the nerves of some luthier) it and end in the width of the frets and epai with a varnish that sticks to your hands after a minute of use.
  
  Large number of microphone position (10 is a lot)

  Sounds

  Micro middle surplus especially when not affect the push / pull. By the microphone against acute neck pickup and its means. The micro acute lack of energy and the neck pickup is squarely down the volume on the guitar (too bad because the sound could be well clear sound).
  
  No problem of feedback (well if you want to play with, of course).
  
  The sustain is ok but not great.

  Overall Opinion

  I played with it for 10 years. I sold this year and I have not lost much since I had paid 7650 Fr (~ € 1,166) in January 1997 and I sold € 850 in April 2007.
  
  
  
  Much more of this guitar is its micro environment which is really nice for any style of music.
  
  
  
  The value price is right for this kind of guitar.
  
  
  
  I regret not having tried more guitar at the time because in the end I never was really satisfied. Today I have a Fender Stratocaster Vintage 57 'with a microphone tone zone and I saw it!
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• 07/18/07

  lionelsax's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  It's a Gibson, so it is manufactured in the United States, finally, it is not built, I bought 28 October 1996.
  
  Telecaster bridge type (yes I know it's weird).
  
  One volume, one tone (it contains a push-pull).
  
  Three microphone, two single side by side, but it's a double inclined.
  
  A simple microphone in the middle.
  
  A kind of P90 neck pickup.
  
  Channel fine enough, Gibson type.
  
  5-way switch 10 then multiplied by 2 positions.

  Utilization

  Everything is nice, of course you get a good sound, I use very few off-stage sounds, it's a shame, they are obtained with the push-pull.
  
  Very good ergonomics, guitar quite nervous at times, even aggressive, but it stands.
  
  Access to treble is great, 22 frets.

  Sounds

  I love all the sounds above that produced by the species of P90 (position medium without push-pull).
  
  The microphone in the middle is simply fantastic, the middle position with push-pull.
  
  All positions off-stage are reminiscent of the stratocaster but with less character, no doubt.
  
  Many possibilities.
  
  I currently play on a Line6 Spider 112.
  
  I play mostly blues, why it is excellent, jazz, also thanks to the excellent P90.
  
  A little rock, sometimes it almost simulates an acoustic guitar without putting a single effect.

  Overall Opinion

  The price / quality ratio is exceptional, I find it better than a Les Paul, it has both the quality of a SG and guitars that do not exist.
  
  It ages well, I pampered my sweat was modeled, it is beautiful, the golden hardware turns a little, it adds charm, she is 11 years.
  
  This is a great love story.
  
  I tried the Les Paul, the SG, the tele, strata, of course I love all these guitars, but what do you, she is my wife.
  
  With the experience now I would choose an electric guitar further because it is too good, it draws the eye. Though not, it's darling.
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• 03/25/05

  BluesBiker's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Made in America.
  
  One piece mahogany body, flat table in Saddle flame very beautiful), Set Mahogany neck, 22 frets button.
  
  Pickups: mini humbucking "Special M series" in grave, simple NSX in the middle humbucking M Series fever.
  
  5-way switch, volume and Tone push-pull splitter to the microphones.
  
  I see what to ask for more ..

  Utilization

  It's not a guitar mtal ... For everything else, it is the foot.
  
  Handle fairly large and very enjoyable.
  
  More than a Les Paul ... lgre foot.
  
  One branch ... and happiness.

  Sounds

  This guitar is capable of doing very well (almost) has a real personality tout.Elle and respects the game of guitariste.Mais completely tamed and mrite.Il it takes time ...
  
  Sounds clear desire on the velvety serious slap on the simple.
  
  Crunches are a real treat, with a stamp indniable blues-rock.
  
  Excellent saturation and varied from soft to hard, with the mellow a bit dirty expensive brand.
  
  Its natural place in blues and big rock.
  
  Probably very comfortable as in some forms of jazz, but I am not specialist in.
  
  The split allows more microphones all rhythmic funk and associates.

  Overall Opinion

  Bought new 10 years ago ... Love at first sight.
  
  Less than a Les Paul's era.
  
  I love his versatility tural (10 sounds) and strong personality.
  
  It is discovering every day, even after 10 years.
  
  I understand that Gibson has stopped production, it would have made the shadow his big sisters!
  
  A great choice in this style, really ..
  
  But count me out for resale ...
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• 10/15/03

  nany's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The more I play it the more I rgale.

  Utilization

  If the handle silent just a little bit wider s'aurai t must

  Sounds

  Ideal of all kinds

  Overall Opinion

  I understand why Gibson stopped the sale of this model ....!!!!? "Plenty of shade to other models" harm to those who do have never had in their hands.
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• 08/22/03

  larrivoire's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  I bought it in Paris in 2001 to 840 Euros.
  
  This is a guitar Made in America rather small & cute. (Color Sunburst)
  
  Above all: it is light.
  
  It happened to me 3 hours to play back smoothly LIVE!
  
  The mahogany dominant, but I'm not an expert.
  
  The case is a Gibson (pink inside!)
  
  
  
  I play rock, blues & a little bit of jazz
  
  I have a Peavey Prowler tube amp & a Digitech rack GSP21 Pro
  
  Microphones allow sound full of a variety (SG, Lespaul, Stratos).

  Utilization

  The handle is very nice.
  
  Access is very easy in the treble.
  
  The guitar is light (especially compared to lespaul)
  
  The three microphones can be very rich full sound & beautiful

  Sounds

  To Rock or Blues style, I recommend it highly enough.
  
  As good as the lens (it is close to the Start) in his big fat saturated or Crunchy.
  
  A purchase with eyes closed (except default)

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 2 years.
  
  The pros:
  
  The weight (or rather the lightness)
  
  The variety of sounds
  
  The handle very easily
  
  The -:
  
  Perhaps the mechanical (you can always change)
  
  
  
  I also have a Hohner Steinberger style Batton has a sound that is not the soul of Gibson.
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• 11/11/02

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  United States.
  
  22 frets mdium. good intonation.
  
  3 microphones (2 original)
  
  A double mini gibson type Explorer
  
  A simple
  
  A double inclined.
  
  Fixed bridge with strings through body. Rglages height and length of the strings.
  
  Al rather fine round between Les Paul and SG.

  Utilization

  Handle thin enough and fast enough. Holds well in hand. Good comfort. Large enough.
  
  Radius means.
  
  Access in acute plutt good (for 22 cases). Talon almost nonexistent.
  
  The alignment of the strings on my instrument through which Entran occasionally outputs in the high E string when playing fast or trs made bends. Trs nothing serious though. The strings are mounted trs prs of the handle which is why this inconvnient which can be seen in action with a little higher and larger strings.
  
  The ergonomics of the instrument is good with a dfonce stomach but not the forearm. The instrument is against trslger despite a pice mahogany body. It PSE almost half a Les Paul and a little more than a SG.
  
  Slecteur five position and split button Tone.

  Sounds

  The electron is the main quality of this instrument.
  
  Thanks to the magic switch and you get 10 real Plit combinations quite radically Different. The major micro (mini hambucker) is really fantastic, a dribble and it's full of warmth, while Gibson is in the micro. Really excellent.
  
  The TRS is simple and powerful associated with a given micro serious sounds good for the country trs. Associated with acute micro can easily go to funk fawn stratocaster. The microphone is an acute one monument saturax, keeping a sharp and incredible heat (I have another team from scratch DIMARZIO DUNCAN and high-end and are infrieurs in heat). As it is also clear sounds at all good. You can have a guitar with this NIGHTHAWK! All styles are available to him. Incredible, but true.

  Overall Opinion

  I bought here four years in 1998.
  
  Even when it has a default: the simple micro (optional on the standard version) tends to leave his dfonce and screws rotate endlessly. This inconvnient empch me one day to finish a concert because the microphone back and runs into the ropes! I refix later but I'm not sr it fits properly.
  
  Otherwise it is an instrument full of niaque, gnial for blues, country, jazz, Funk, Rock the big (not as hard as 22 boxes ...), and although lightweight, Esth gniale policy (mine is exactly like the photo vintage red sunburst), tui hard GIBSON trs good (indoor pink silk !!!). I had a Les Paul before I sold it as too heavy and too exclusive, it sounds close to a strat trs on some rglages.
  
  In addition it is of OCCAZ around 5000 FF trs what remains reasonable given the quality.
  
  With the exprience I will take the same finish can be CUSTOM with a FLOYD
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