Gibson Nighthawk Standard

This is an American Gibson Nighthawk. I think they released this newly developed modell around 1994 (maybe a bit earlier). The idea was to craft a new type of guitar that differed from the classic LesPaul and SG Shapes. The guitar is quite small and very light. The neck and playability feels quite like a LesPaul.
They designed some new pickups for this modell - one small Humbucker at the neck and a diagonally placed Humbucker at the bridge postition. There is another version with a Single Coil in the middle (P90 or standard) - at the time my budget did not allow for it.
I bought this guitar at Elderly Instruments in the US.

UTILIZATION

The neck feels great! That has always been the big plus point of Gibsons and this one is no exception. I also like how light it is and the small body makes it very comfortable to play. Maybe it doesn't have the same bottom end as a LesPaul but it can still deliever long sustain and can definately stand its own.
The sound is very dynamic - this is good...and bad at times. When I play leads or single lines this makes the guitar sing very nicely. When I play rhythm and sing along it becomes harder to handle (I am used to a Stratocaster).

SOUNDS

As I said I love the sound it makes. I usually use the front pickup as I like the warmth on this position. It also complements my Fender Twin '71 quite nicely and gets a fat lead tone with my Tube Screamer and Bluesdriver turned on (maybe some delay added...).
It does not 'crunch' as nicely as a good LesPaul would but the single notes really sing.

OVERALL OPINION

I own this guitar now for 14 years and it has had its ups and downs. First I had to replace the tuners as they didn't really take a lot of beating. So I installed Schaller Locking Tuners. After about seven years the neck started warping in the middle - which is the worst place. I had a luthier take out the frets and file down the neck (having to replace the Abalone inlays) in order to get it straight again. I hope this will be it for the future as this couldn't really be done a second time. He actually showed me another Gibson where the Truss Rod was inserted so close to the neck that while filing down he actually broke through!
So beware!
I really don't like the company. They have been making crappy guitars for years now and keep feeding on the few things they have done right. But then they make instruments that are a joy to play at the same time...it's complicated

Made in Mongolia
24 frets

USE

- Is the handle enjoyable?
not
- The access to acute (desti- nations most recently freight) is it easy?
not
- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
not
- Gets it easy to sound good ...?
Yes

SONORITS

- Appropriate your style of music?
Yes
- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play?
marshall, cry-baby
- What kind of sound you get and with what rglages ("crystalline", "bold", ....)?

fat
- What are you sonorits prfrez, you dtestez?
RAS

NOTICE GLOBAL

- How long have you use it?
10 years
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+: Micro treble Rotary position
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
not
- How do you report qualitprix?
too expensive
- With the exprience, you do again this choice ...?
not

Made in USA in 1996

Fixed bridge, a kind of easel stratovolcano or telecster

Channel 60 '+ see fine and pleasant

22 fret, 2 microphones: 1 mini humbucker in neck and a humbucker in the bridge ... M series since changed by a Seymour Duncan JB slant

1 volume, one tone, no push-pull

USE

Handle very pleasant and purpose; a small 60 '! with a binding around, I love

The guitar weighs 3 times nothing is the pupil of a carefree arms

Good ergonomics, easy access to acute given the small size of the corp and Chanfrain as on the adapted Ltd bidou

Good neck pickup sounds good round and warm clean sound! Acute original microphone sounds very clear stratovolcano but distortion is barely enough if like me you are a hardos that sticks the harmonic Wylde everywhere. I have since changed the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan jb slant .... In France the same brand of commercial conaisse do not! slant means inclined (like the original), but available in German and us websites

SONORITS

Since I change my microphone confessed to have seen day and night. With JB harmonic finally come out and this mic is full of punch! perfect for hardcore, thrash and blues. I play with my hard rock group STEEL RANGERS.

The clean sounds are also friendly to the neck pickup of origin and jb! I love playing ballads!

I play directly with the distortion of my head Mesa single correct or Engl my thunder! with no need for distortion pedals con!

In short bridge pickups with original has manquai potato and crachouillie

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for 1 month. It very beautiful violin and mine is well preserved for a skyscraper in 1996.

I tried the 30 enes guitars! I know what I want! I have small fingers and I love therefore Gibson for me the handle 50 '! I had a gibson les paul classic but this one is still + + lightweight and easy to play.

Good value for money, it is the top of the new r-conditions.

I pay 800 secondhand now I see around 1000 !! even that price is not theft. + In the gold finish is super

You know all thanks Pm. and the standard form available on Gibson http://img92.exs.cx/img92/236/fichenighthawk.jpg
Let the side a bit unusual, even a hybrid of 90s:
- Fender neck pace, or almost
- Bridge string through-and micro bridge has tilted the Telecaster
- Full mahogany (small) table in maple and two (excellent) humbuckers, Gibson Signature

My copy dates from 1995 and I note that he has aged pretty well.

UTILIZATION

Three kg max for a full mahogany, your shoulders and spine say thank you every day.
Action comfortable, yet not so low as other types (LP, tele) despite a double set personal / luthier.
Access to acute comparable to a TV, a little easier than on an LP in the cutout and heel less pronounced.
Only the mechanics are a bit lagging behind, providing a service just okay. Is the effect of age or not I can not say.

Overall, mechanical aside, this is a real treat in terms of use.

SOUNDS

Two humbuckers, 5-position (3 splitted), two knobs and progressive use on the race provide a wide range of sounds, or very broad.
Furthermore these microphones (M Series) are quite surprising, both in terms of rendering that dynamic.
The positions are widely used and splitted do not sound like a caricature of simple microphones, on the contrary.
Remarkably enough, the Nighthawk is quite capable of outputting sounds good slap. The instrument is comfortable on the funk and even country music, the lot or other unsuitable Gibs, adding an even split.
Personally I have a soft spot for the mini HB positions for a more round and warm and the two splitted pickups (my copy out of phase) for a real funky sound.

To summarize I would say the Nighthawk offers a nice range of sound quality.

OVERALL OPINION

Discovered during a recording session I could not do otherwise than to acquire a copy, so the instrument is engaging and practical.
Especially in the studio or it is formidable because of its versatility and the presence of his catch.
I switched completely miss when it was released in the 90s. Here is a youthful corrected with flying colors!
Although the instrument has its own little character, fan telecaster before the eternal, I can not help but see the Nighthawk as a "super tele" an unfashionable strats of mahogany with humbuckers that big loved in the 90's.

To conclude I would say that this is a great tool, as well as practical side his side. It is also a pure creation of the 90's which led, as a lot of models "original" brands from the time a real flop business.
At the current rating (~ 650E), the quality / price is nearly unbeatable for the little that is well preserved copy ...