Gibson Songwriter Deluxe

I bought this Guitar from Haworths at Kiama Downes NSW Aust.

Retalis for $4200.

I liked the appearance and the fact that I was buying what I thought was a top brand.
It was ordered and I felt obligated to buy it when it came.

I found the neck to be not conducive to extended playing in my case half an hour. This caused severe pain in my left wrist and thumb.

The clear finish was patchy.

I think the guitar was solid and probably well put together.

I had this guitar for six months and was not playing it due to the discomfort I experienced.
When I asked the original seller to trade it back he was very reluctant and eventually agreed to do so only as a trade on another Gibson (subject to me playing it) for a substantial cost above the original price of the Guitar.
So as not to burden him with another Gibson he could not sell. I went to Jacksons Rare Guitars at Annandale NSW. Their offer was less than half the retail price even though they are supposed to be supporters of the Gibson Brand. Gibson have a very questionable resale value.
I ultimately traded the guitar for a Martin.

People should be aware of the Guitar sellers in Australia. They are to me equivalent of the OLD STYLE used car sales man.
Buyer beware is quite relevent in this business.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar from Haworths Guitars located at Kiama Downs NSW. They have a fantastic attitude to doing business either in person or online. I have purchased several guitars from them over the past couple of years and have finally settled on the Gibson Songwriter Deluxe a Gibson ES-137 and a Maton EST65C Deluxe.
Purchased in late November 2003. This is the best sounding dreadnaught I have played except for a Gibson Dove which I compared it to. The Taylor 710 was well made and easy to play but was lacking in the treble area when strummed hard. The Martin D28 did not have the tone of this Guitar. It cost $4100 retail, but this shop will negotiate and trade on decent second hand guitars.

I like the asthetics, the solid spruce top, solid indian rosewood back and sides and the beautiful tone even on a new guitar built July 2002.
It is as described on the Gibson website.

The gloss finish has some orange peel across the back but, doesn't effect anything other than the appearance when looking critically. It took me a few days to get use to the neck and I had the action adjusted and added Elixir strings which I like but don't think they add much to the tone. I will try D'addario EXP EJ16 next. They are 12 to 53 and may be more of a phosphor bronze than the Elixir's. It is getting better with each session.

This guitar has similar x-bracing as the Advanced Jumbo's Gibson make. It has a square shoulder body like the Dove and Humingbird but a more pronounced waist. It si described on the website as a small body jumbo. It appears to be very strong anfd not heavy as described by some reviewers. Quality seems fist class aprt from the gloss paint finish as previously mentioned. It comes with a Fishman transducer, which performs very well through my Fender Deluxe 90 amp.

This is a very well made Gibson guitar which has that "Gibson Sound". It came with the action too hiugh but was easily adjusted by Phil Haworth of Haworth Guitars. It is easy to play fingerstyle as well as withy a pick/thumbpick. I am only just learning to use my fingers and this guitar is very versatile. I can play jazz chords and improvisation as easily as any other type of music. I would give this guitar a 5 except for the gloss finish and the high action from purchase.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Made in USA
Top: Solid Spruce
Back, Sides: Solid Rosewood
Fillet table edge 3-ply
Neck: Mahogany with an ideal profile neither too broad nor too narrow
Fingerboard: ebony + cue pearlescent
Handle body junction: 15th fret
Bridge: Ebony
Equipped with a piezo sensor to connect with a single volume under the rose, but simple ffective!
Really beautiful glossy finish
Delivered by TKL case stamped GIBSON ACOUSTIC
I put 9 because perfection does not exist ....

UTILIZATION

The songwriter is a really unique guitar!
the handle is very nice, the action is perfect for me ...
the full chord playing very well defined, play in arpeggios and even drop.
short it is suitable for all styles!

SOUNDS

It's perfect!!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week and I find nothing wrong with that.
Previously I played on a Takamine TAN 15 C (very good guitar electro, but the sound is very distinctive).
before I decide I tried several models: Taylor DN 4
Tacoma DR 28
Taylor DN 8 (very good guitar!)
But his Gibson acoustic is amazing!
The price is expensive, but I think this guitar is the guitar of a lifetime!