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moosers
Published on 07/23/10 at 20:24
The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is an electric guitar that was first made in the early 1980's and ran in production until the mid 80's. The guitar isn't actually a Les Paul, but does have the same body style and is clearly somewhat inspired by the Les Paul. The guitar has 22 frets and two humbucker pick ups, which are the same pick ups that will be found in Les Paul guitars that were made around the same time. I don't know what this guitar is made out of or what country it was made in.
UTILIZATION
The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is a pretty easy guitar to play, with a nice round neck that is easy to get a grip on. The model of the Sonex 180 Deluxe that we have at the studio where I work is tuned in a unique open D tuning, so it's got a really thick gauge of strings on it. This definitely gives it a different feel than it would normally have, so it's hard for me to comment too much on the original feel of the 180. Beyond the neck and feel of the guitar, it's got a three way pick up selector switch and tone and volume knobs for each of the two pick ups. This guitar is also pretty heavy!
SOUNDS
The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is overall pretty cool sounding, but definitely don't expect the super milky tone you'd get with a Les Paul. It does have a pretty thick sound, which translates well for playing both lead and rhythm parts. As I mentioned earlier, the Sonex 180 Deluxe that I'm familiar with is kept in an open D tuning, so the style that I play on it isn't much like what I'd do on a standard tuned guitar. While it's possible to get a few different tones with the two pick ups, it definitely isn't the most versatile electric guitar out there. I've used the Sonex 180 Deluxe primarily with a Fender Super Reverb for recording in a professional studio.
OVERALL OPINION
At the time the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe came out, it was a poor man's Les Paul, but for those who know about these guitars, it's considered a gem. I wouldn't choose this guitar over a Les Paul, but it's definitely a nice color to add to the mix in a studio setting. There doesn't seem to be too many of these out there, so I don't really know what the going rate would be for a used one. If you do stumble across one in your travels, it's definitely worth taking the time to check it out.
UTILIZATION
The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is a pretty easy guitar to play, with a nice round neck that is easy to get a grip on. The model of the Sonex 180 Deluxe that we have at the studio where I work is tuned in a unique open D tuning, so it's got a really thick gauge of strings on it. This definitely gives it a different feel than it would normally have, so it's hard for me to comment too much on the original feel of the 180. Beyond the neck and feel of the guitar, it's got a three way pick up selector switch and tone and volume knobs for each of the two pick ups. This guitar is also pretty heavy!
SOUNDS
The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is overall pretty cool sounding, but definitely don't expect the super milky tone you'd get with a Les Paul. It does have a pretty thick sound, which translates well for playing both lead and rhythm parts. As I mentioned earlier, the Sonex 180 Deluxe that I'm familiar with is kept in an open D tuning, so the style that I play on it isn't much like what I'd do on a standard tuned guitar. While it's possible to get a few different tones with the two pick ups, it definitely isn't the most versatile electric guitar out there. I've used the Sonex 180 Deluxe primarily with a Fender Super Reverb for recording in a professional studio.
OVERALL OPINION
At the time the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe came out, it was a poor man's Les Paul, but for those who know about these guitars, it's considered a gem. I wouldn't choose this guitar over a Les Paul, but it's definitely a nice color to add to the mix in a studio setting. There doesn't seem to be too many of these out there, so I don't really know what the going rate would be for a used one. If you do stumble across one in your travels, it's definitely worth taking the time to check it out.