All user reviews for the Gibson Marauder

The Marauder was a mid 70's attempt by Gibson to compete with the cheap Japanese copies which were flooding the west at that time. Although it was never particularly cheap (around £300 in the UK, which was quite a wedge in those days) they were considerably cheaper than a Les Paul.
Mine is the original '75 production with the natural finish (there was also a wine-red finish available), maple or alder body and rosewood fingerboard. It also sports the original three-way pick-up selector switch (much better than those horrible chicken headed pots on the later models).
As befits a 40-year-old veteran the finish is not perfect and there are a few dings in the bodywork, but they always say you should never refinish a vintage guitar as it ruins the value and they don't affect the sound.
It has the original Bill Lawrence pick-ups. The neck is a standard double-coil humbucker. The bridge is not, as many people think, a single coil but is actually a specially designed double-blade humbucker.
The action has never been altered since I got it and has always been low and fast. It's a dream to play and it weighs a lot less than a Les Paul.
Sound wise I've played it through Marshall and Fender amps and always been happy with the sound. I don't play heavy rock or metal but I find it perfect for blues (especially swamp blues), country (using the bridge pick-up gives a fair imitation of a Tele) and rock and roll.
All in all I'd recommend this guitar to anyone who wants the Gibson name without the Gibson price tag.

Built aus US since 1975, mine is 1975.
Bridge / tailpiece Gibson.
The screwed maple neck and rosewood key, + is close to that of a Flying V (see my photos). Very pleasant and confortable.22 frets, scale 24.75.
The body (flat Les Paul) is in Alder (very unusual for Gibson).
This is another feature Bill Lawrence is responsible for two installs microphones. A double handle and a rack rail.
The traditional Gibson swtich 3 positions: round, easel, or both.
Volume and tone.



USE

Handle very pleasant.
Ergonomics of an LP LP lightest but when even ....
Access to acute way as a LP.
Sound (nothing more subjective) I like it: it is a compromise between LP far away a strat and a telecaster far but the result = versatility.

SONORITS

I bassist in a band and whenever I can, I plug the Marauder on my Fender Custom Vibroverb 1964 original. You your jealous, right?
Rock, blues etc ... but happiness ..
From clean to crunch without Pb.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I bought it in 1977 it is already 33 years. She did not flinch and I think the violin is well stabilized, lol.
The report quality price, I do not know what to say, except that if I had one day sale (you never know) I would suggest the probably more expensive than the "Argus" announced.
Its price would be about 800.
In all cases, it is therefore no longer staying at Gibson I achterais an LP but which one? ....
See the pictures.

Built aus US since 1975, mine is 1975.
Bridge / tailpiece Gibson.
The screwed maple neck and rosewood key, + is close to that of a Flying V (see my photos). Very pleasant and confortable.22 frets, scale 24.75.
The body (flat Les Paul) is in Alder (very unusual for Gibson).
This is another feature Bill Lawrence is responsible for two installs microphones. A double handle and a rack rail.
The traditional Gibson swtich 3 positions: round, easel, or both.
Volume and tone.



USE

Handle very pleasant.
Ergonomics of an LP LP lightest but when even ....
Access to acute way as a LP.
Sound (nothing more subjective) I like it: it is a compromise between LP far away a strat and a telecaster far but the result = versatility.

SONORITS

I bassist in a band and whenever I can, I plug the Marauder on my Fender Custom Vibroverb 1964 original. You your jealous, right?
Rock, blues etc ... but happiness ..
From clean to crunch without Pb.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I bought it in 1977 it is already 33 years. She did not flinch and I think the violin is well stabilized, lol.
The report quality price, I do not know what to say, except that if I had one day sale (you never know) I would suggest the probably more expensive than the "Argus" announced.
Its price would be about 800.
In all cases, it is therefore no longer staying at Gibson I achterais an LP but which one? ....
See the pictures.

American made electric guitar. Flat Les Paul kind of body (natural mahogany, three pieces), bolt-on maple neck (three pieces), maple fretboard, arrow-like headstock (as with the Flying V), black. Two pickups: neck-pu is a humbucker, bridge-pu has the size of a single-coil (slanted position, like the bridge-pu of a tele- or stratocaster), but could be a humbucker also. The pu's are embedded in transparant epoxy, I like that. It is a Bill Lawrence design. One volume control and one tone control. In between these controls is a blend control (introduced in this year of production), instead of a toggle switch. Harmonica -bridge (made in Germany), stop tail.

UTILIZATION

It is kind of heavy, but I don't mind about that. Balance is alright, as well as the action and the fretwork. Good enough for me.

SOUNDS

I use a Fender Hotrod Theluxe and a Fender Princeton Reverb. A Ibanez Tubescreamer for overdrive. The Marauder has a very clear sound, kinda like a Telecaster but not the same, less harsh. The blend control is really inventive, don't understand you can find it only on these guitars. The combinated pickups sound sweet, distinctive, full and solid enough for country and rock. The overdriven sound rocks at the bridge and howls at the neck.

OVERALL OPINION

The Gibson Marauder sounds like no other guitar. Maybe they are a little too light for heavy metal (the pu's would squeel), but for all other styles it would do the job in its own distinctive manner. The looks might be a little cheap (a lot of plastics), but I don't mind about that. With a 1975 Gibson Deluxe and a 1967 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville it is one of my favorite electrics. You can still find them around 500-700 dollars (400-600 euro's), and that is good price for a vintage Gibson. I would buy one myself again, but with another wood-combination for a change, if I can find one.

this is my first electric guitar bought new on a whim (around 2500F if I remember correctly) because at the time a LES PAUL worth a small fortune and I really did not have the means. ..
U.S. manufacturing, but is quite messy archives gibson, despite the serial number engraved behind the head I could find neither the date nor the exact location of manufacture.
BILL LAWRENCE pickups, 3-position selector unfortunately misplaced, fixed bridge tune-o-matic handle screwed ... (A quirk in gibson)
I have changed the mechanical since 1975 and recently still, the rest is original, she aged naturally, it is full of bread, but it sounds just as good and strong!

UTILIZATION

quite worn frets on the neck very end, this is not a guitar for schredd cut, but rather a device that goes to the essential and although it seems to be made for a register pop, blues, rock, it m 'comes to use in a fusion style in which it is defending very well.
I like versatile!

SOUNDS

surprisingly, here sounds good everywhere, clear, crunch, there is little evidence that big slobbery ditto that does not suit him too in my opinion (but that is not my style either).
this is what I said: versatile ...

OVERALL OPINION

the quality / price ratio in 1975 was already good, since with vintage fashion is even better. if you dégotez one and you're a fan of Gibson guitars, this is an opportunity to consider because it should not be many on the market, the lack of success of this model at the time quickly led to the brand to stop production (4 or 5 years at most I think).

Made in Kalamazoo to Nashville or 74 or 75 (but it seems that the marauders are output only from 75).
Bought a nice Afien.
Aesthetically, the wood is varnished so little, the guitar brand immediately breads, this is also what gives charm ... Do not expect to find a marauder in mint condition
The original neck pickup was replaced with a Seymour Duncan splittable. A priori it is a JB, but that of the bridge position ...
Dial side, there was a mini switch (on / off) which makes only splittait seymour ...
So I rewired everything (changed the knobs, etc.) with a true 3 way switch praying that the bridge pickup works and the mini switch installed near the knobs ... And there magic! It works!

UTILIZATION

Then use level, it's super easy to get
The handle is nice, although it does not slip as much as before, the varnish was well worn ...
I was told that the handle was a little late. As possible. I am not an expert handle. I also play on LP, Tele, Strat, I adapt quite well.
Weight level, this is a lightweight, well away from the LP ... Close to a TV.
Otherwise good overall balance.
No usability issue. Just switch which can not remain in the bridge position when playing seated.

SOUNDS

Then level sounds, frankly, by testing it before buying (rinsed strings, neck pickup only, stained body, ...) I thought that here would be great as a small guitar, there was a way to do something ...
But after connecting the single microphone stand (which is more like a mini humbucker for me) and changed the strings well there it was good slap!

I play in a register rather rock stoner, blues, garage ... So a register where the crunch and distortion are important ... That said I also play in the clear anyway

Its clear:
=> Channel: split or not. There are sounds of neck pickup with serious enough to present a guitar so light. One can play jazz. The sound is clear. Great for rhythm.
=> Bridge: You lose volume, but it is gaining momentum. Sour? I will not say that. For me, a bit like a mini humbucker on TV. They pummeled the ropes for much here and so it sounds.

Sounds crunch / distortion:
There is just great. From the outset we will not kick over distortion, despite the handle type Flying V, but basically crunch, it is very good. Alive, although organic. It may take several gain stages, it does not feedback for nothing.
Spend a good crunch on the simple to the big rhythm on the handle, it is simply enjoyable!

It remains a relatively high volume difference between the volume of the neck pickup (humbucker in) and simple. That's especially clear. In saturated, it fades. In retrospect, it's quite nice, because in a useful piece to add some fat. splittant especially in the neck, I find myself with the same volume levels ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few days now. I know how a notice promptly after a purchase is to say "wow, that's great, I'm so happy! My guitar is too great!" but I did get some guitars under the legs so I began to know what I'm looking for ... (Nb: I made the account ... close to 25 guitars, including Gibson's, Fender among others ... many sold to keep only the best!)

With the Marauder, unjustly recognized model, Gibson came out of the box giving us a light guitar, with sounds less fleshy than their LP but keeping their potential to release the deer!
Far from an LP, far from a strat also, the Marauder has a unique personality. It's not a guitar for improving your technique, it is a scratch just waiting to get to the point, there it will not disappoint.
We like it or not, personal => "wow, that's great, I'm so happy! My guitar is too great!"
She will surely spare guitar on stage after my Tokai (made in Korea ... a massacre)
If you find one not too expensive, you can indulge yourself

This was my first electric guitar back in 1980. I paid around $300 for it. I was 16 years old. That was a lot for me, as I was in high school. I had a summer job that got me $200 and my mother gave me the rest. I bought it at Villa Piano in Santurce city, Puerto Rico. I got into the store. There were so many guitars beautiful guitars in there, and suddenly, my eyes catched this beauty. I asked to plug it in and played a few notes. It sounded different than a Les Paul, way different, but I decided to buy it on the spot. I knew what to spect from the other best know guitars, but this one sparked my curiousity.

First, the looks. It is a classy looking guitar. It is made of Mahogany body and a maple neck. At first, it resembles an LP, but closer examination reveal the obvious differences; The Pick ups are plexiglass enclosed, both of them. I like the sound of this guitar. It talks Country, it talks blues, but it also talks hard rock. Even if it only has 3 switch positions, the three cover the range of this guitar. It is easy to set up, stays in tune and easy to work on stage. This guitar likes finger picking. The sound is full and lush. The pick up outputs are relativelly low when compared to other guitars, but it give it more sustain by the lighter magnetic field

This guitar is heavy. When I was younger, the weight always left me a sore neck. But, in a way, it helped me in getting stronger!

This guitar is solid. It can kill a bear with one blow

This guitar has a sound of its own. If you think it is a Les Paul, well, it is not!! Maybe this is why some people don't like it. Once you get to know it, you will love it to death. I do, for more than 20 years, it is still my main guitar.

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

I bought this guitar off a shelf in a music store simply because I was curious enough to plug it in. It was just sitting there in the middle of this store full of fenders, and a bunch of low-end guitars. So, when I plugged it in, I knew I'd found the perfect blues guitar. I talked the dealer from $460 to $420, and took it home.

Probably the best thing about this guitar is how unique it is. You will never find a guitar quite like this. It has the Gibson name, so that means value, but the problem is; almost everybody mistakes it for a Les Paul. This is not a Les Paul, it is a Marauder. If I were to use one word to describe the LP, I would use hot. Whereas the one word for the Marauder would be cool. When you try to play metal, you might get some resistence, but if you're a good player, you can master any style of music on this. Mine has a wine red finish, Gibson deluxe tuners, and Lawrence pickups, and they all came that way from the factory. The unique feel of a humbucker at the neck and a single coil at the bridge is wonderous. I get dark dirty rhythms and wailing screaming leads. And when you put them together, you're in blues city. Just try playing some chops in this mode and you'll agree.

Anything on this guitar that I wouldn't like and therefore would change, would take away from the uniqueness that I love. Sure I could put in Seymour Duncan pickups, but then it would sound just like all the other guitars out there that do. This guitar has a very wide, fat bridge that is spaced farther from the stopbar than usual. I could put in a tune-o-matic, but the big bridge has a fat sound, and the spacing helps me bend the open strings. (Pushing on them between the bridge and bar.) Actually the only thing I don't like about this guitar are the controls. I like having two volume and two tone for two pickups (makes sense, doesn't it?) but this guitar has one of each. Also, there is a slight wiring problem, (on my individual instrument), if I turn the volume below 7, I get no sound. But this is at no fault to the guitar.

Have you ever dropped a $2000 guitar? I haven 't. Wonder what profanity you'd scream out if you did? That is probably because you would damage it. I sleep tight with my Marauder, because it is indestructible. If I drop it on a concrete floor (hypothetically), it would get a ding, and throw it out of tune. They best thing about this guitar is it's so solid. It's quality... it's great for the fact that these instruments never costed more than $500. But there are some problems. Like a maple (vs. mahogany) neck, a bolted on (vs. set in) neck, and the controls which I've mentioned. But I'd still rate it above any Fender that was made in Mexico. This is a U.S. guitar, no less.

The most important thing about this guitar (if you should ever come across it) is to respect it. It will be a very old instrument (late twenties maybe?), and not super versatile like say, a stratocaster. But you wouldn't play an ES (electric spanish) like an explorer, and you wouldn't play an SG like a telecaster. So don't play this like a Les Paul. Get used to the feel of your instrument, and don't force it to do what you want. And if you play any blues, all I have to say to you is- Get Carried AWAY!

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

I acquired this guitar looking a bit sorry for its condition but a steal at 250 pounds at Sound World in Sunderland. At first i thought it was pretty scruffy but then a friend of mine refinished it in lovely Wine Red and fitted a new gibson super humbucking pickup to it and now it rocks and looks the part too.

I like the looks, the sounds that are available, the bargain the guitar is on the whole (there are alot worser guitars for more money then i paid for it) the worn maple neck (rare for a gibson) and the fact that it is a genuine Gibson

It only has 22 frets, is les paul shaped which means it looks good but access isnt easy to the higher frets. The new pickup can squeal like a piggy if the distortion is turned up too much. The feel of the guitar is sometimes very nice but other times can feel a bit unpleasant to play

It's well finished for a 'cheap' gibson, obviously its been refinished but the guy did a marvallous job- very very tidy. The frets are nicely worn in and make the guitar look like a funky les paul. Its the perfect 'giggers' guitar, the one that you can rely on to stay together even when its being chucked around on stage.

If you ever get the lucky chance to acquire a Marauder make sure if you're paying 400 upwards that the finish is perfect. The total cost of refinish and pickup and setup on mine made it come to about 350 which is still cheaper then others in worser condition and I love playing it, its got a grungy raunchy sound especially with 10" gauge strings on. Its a steal, who needs an Epiphone les paul copy when these are around?

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

The Gibson Marauder was part of the attempt to capture a bit of a different market in the ever changing seventies. This guitar owes more to the school of Fullerton than anything in Kalamazoo and that really shows in its construction. It's made of alder and has a BOLT ON maple neck with rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. The body shape is single cutaway a-la a Les Paul, and the headstock is reminiscent of a Flying V. The bridge is a typical tune-o-matic and stopbar setup. The pickups are interesting and one of the cool points about this guitar. They're designed by famed pickup guru Bill Lawrence and consist of a humbucker in the neck and a rail single coil in the bridge (a-la a Fender Telecaster Custom). The controls are a volume and tone, and the pickup switching is controlled by a blend knob that allows you to have as much or as little of each pickup as you'd like. Very cool! Built in the good ol' US of A...

UTILIZATION

Ergonomics and this instrument do not mix. Firstly, this instrument is HEAVY. It even puts the CBS era Fenders to shame or some of the really heavy Les Pauls. It is an easy 11-12 pounds and is not fun to hold for long periods of time, especially standing up. The shape of the guitar is nice enough - the body has subtle contouring here and there to add arm relief to the user and the upper fret access isn't bad either for being a bolt on single cut guitar.

Getting a good sound out of this guitar is reasonable enough. Unfortunately it's not the most resonant guitar so the tones unplugged really don't do much for my ears. The pickups offer a nice range of tones though and you can use this ax for a fair few styles with clean or drive pretty easily.

SOUNDS

The guitar is most similar to a Tele Custom electronically and thus when I plugged it in I was expecting that sort of vibe. The neck humbucker has a nice bassy quality that is a cross between a Tele and an SG - very wooly and thick, but with a certain power to it that works especially well on overdriven sounds for chord work. The bridge pickup is a nice medium output rail style single coil and sounds a lot like a Fender would. It's a little bit bright on the clean sounds for my liking, but the drive tones cut through quite well for rock styles. It's a nice change of pace from the thicker Les Paul and SG tones that you hear from Gibbys. What's really cool about this guitar is blending the pickups to get some tones that fall outside the normal spectrum which is great for funk or blues - tones that are nice and spanky yet clear.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think this is an interesting guitar from Gibson. Sure, it's a boat anchor, but it looks and sounds pretty unique and offers something different in a world of more of the same. They run about $700 used which is a decent enough deal for a vintage USA made Gibson and if you see one, it's definitely worth trying just for the fun of it. It works well for what it is and offers a nice Gibson meets Fender approach.

Made in the United States between 1976 and 1978.
22 frets, two pickups, one double and one single "tilted" so stratocaster.
A volume control and a tone control but only a slider type 335 BB King to move from one micro to another. Thin enough that setting, if only one developed a few visual and auditory memory, can be interesting sounds when paired with a multi-effects and an amp.
The handle is screwed.

UTILIZATION

The neck is thin enough for Gibson, what I particularly appreciate. The general shape of the guitar (Les Paul shape) promotes access to hassle-free treble. He lets himself be easily walk and allows a fast game and nervous or some smoothness in the tactile approach.
This guitar is fine body, pretty light and well balanced. Not tiring.
Manufacturing seems very strong test of time.

SOUNDS

This guitar may be oriented more towards the blues-rock, blues and rock but I have to try to resolve it with some joy, to obtain a more clear sound deep jazz. I think it is much more versatile than a Les Paul. A form of syncretism between big sound interesting musical Les Paul and Stratocaster and Telecaster attacks shiny Fender.
It lacks the small grain "phase out", no doubt.
I use it all sounds very large for saturated the Green Day sound as deep (overdrive and clean sounds) type U2, Pink Floyd and Chris Isaak.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for ten years. Initially, I was looking for a Les Paul (even dream of). Family budget choices and opportunity led me to this guitar is very underestimated in my opinion, may be devalued because of the field exit Gibsonian Orthodox, and cruelly ignored. I've played before on a stratocaster that I regret and which I also remake the acquisition. But this is unparalleled, rich, still promises, never disappointing.
The quality / price was excellent for me, and I would do this choice without hesitation.

Aus U.S. built in 1975, mine is 1975.
Bridge / tailpiece Gibson.
Bolt-on neck, maple and rosewood key is + similar to that of a Flying V (see my pictures). Very nice and confortable.22 freight, 24.75 scale.
The body (Les Paul flat) is in Alder (very unusual for Gibson).
Another feature: It was Bill Lawrence who is behind the two microphones installed. A double neck and a rail bridge.
The swtich traditional Gibson 3-position: neck, bridge or two.
Volume and tone.

Channel

UTILIZATION

very pleasant.
Ergonomics of a lighter than a LP LP but still ....
Access to acute way as LP.
Sound (nothing more subjective) I like it: it is a compromise between an LP by far, a layer of distance and a telecaster but by far the result = versatility.

SOUNDS

I'm bassist in a band and whenever I can, I plug the Marauder on my Fender Custom Vibroverb 1964 original. You're jealous, right?
Rock, blues etc. ... but happiness ..
From clean to crunch without Pb

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it in 1977 it's been 33 years. She did not flinch and I think the violin is well stabilized, lol.
The value for money, I do not know what to say except that if I had one day to sell it (you never know) I would suggest probably more expensive than the "Argus" announced.
Its price is about 800 €.
In all cases, it is therefore more staying at home I would buy a Gibson LP but where ?....
See photos on my gear.