Melody Maker Review

With a period-correct pickguard housing a special design singlecoil pickup, a vintage-style wraparound tailpiece, rounded neck profile, and slim, light body, the Melody Maker is an unbelievable value for players of all ages, styles, and skill levels.

Features:	7.4
Sound:	9
Action:	7.2
Reliability:	8.8
Impression:	8.6
Overall rating:	8.2
Users rating:	7.4
Comments:	74

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 17, 2008

Price paid: $ 449.99

Purchased from: Guitar center

Features: As far as features go the MM is nothing fancy. It was made in the USA, with 22 frets and a Mahogany neck. The finish looks like crap. I don't know what they call it but as far as I'm concerned it should be called crap. It features a cheap wraparound tailpiece. I chose the dual pickup version so mine has one volume knob and two tone knobs (one for each pickup), but if you get the single pickup version then it has one volume and one tone. Like I said earlier I have the two pickup version which I don't think they make anymore, so mine came with two single coil pickups. It didn't come with any real accessories, but it did come with a bright Orange box that could serve as a case if you wanted it to. // 5

Sound: For the most part I play punk, metal, grunge and stuff like that. But this guitar can produce pretty much any sound you want to make with it. My uncle comes down to visit sometimes and he plays country on it. My only complaint with the sound is that if you turn the volume up all the way with the tone up all the way and you turn on some gain, then you get a really horrible buzz sound. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: the action is a little high, and when I first got it the bridge pickup was almost touching the strings, but that was an easy fix. The pickup selector on mine clicks really loud when you move it but I don't move it much, and regular melody makers don't have pickup selectors, so it's not really that big of a deal. // 4

Reliability & Durability: Even though this guitar is light and seems pretty flimsy, it is actually pretty tough. The strap buttons are small as hell and it's almost impossible to keep a strap on there without putting a little electrical tape on it to keep the strap on, but it's very dependable, and yes I would definitely use it at a gig without a backup. Even though the finish is extremely ugly, it is on there and it ain't never coming off. However if the finish did come off from playing it, it really wouldn't look any worse. But other than that this is a really reliable guitar. // 9

Impression: Like I said earlier I mostly play punk, grunge and metal. This guitar is excellent for punk and grunge, because on the rare occasion there is a solo it is simple and short. It isn't the best for metal if you want to play lead though. It's hard to multiple hammer ons past the 15th fret which is used in most metal solos, and tapping is nearly impossible past the 12th fret. It is really good for metal rhythm. I would suggest this guitar to anyone who is just beginning guitar or who doesn't plan on doing any shredding. It's an excellent rythm guitar and it's in just about anyones budget. // 8

overall: 9.4

Reviewed by: JosephFelice, on may 08, 2008

Price paid: $ 299

Purchased from: Musicians Friend

Features: The Ebony black in satin nitrocellulose is solid and looks good with gloss black dual pick ups and pick guard. It has black top hats and white button tuners with white pearl Dot inlays. USA made in Tennessee in Nashville, so you can't go wrong there. Let's face it American made Gibsons are always going up in value. // 9

Sound: The '59 neck profile is a rock but easy for small hands. It is set like all custom Gibson's and having a mahogany body and neck it delivers incredible sustain. The pick ups are crunchier then Fender singles but not as bright. I like the darker brown sound these singles produce, suited well for a singer/songwriter or rhythm player. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The rosewood finger board was nice and flat and pearl Dot inlays looked really good on the black on black look this guitar has. Black finish, called ebony by Gibson, has got a satin sheen I personally like a lot. The frets were medium jumbo, and were nicely polished. I thought the silk screened Gibson logo could have been done better. // 10

Reliability & Durability: You can rely on this thing for sure; it reminds me a lot of a Telecaster with the 3-switch pickup selector, tone and volume controls. Much lighter weight and yet still solid, totally gig worthy. Reliability & Durability are it's rock solid. The finish is the only thing that may make this a 9 if it is on a sunburst or white faded finish. // 9

Impression: For the money right now this thing can't be beat. I play blues, funk, classic rock, alternative and Indie stuff, and this guitar is suited pretty much for all of that. I love this thing so much; I just bought another one online. I bet this guitar will get played more by it's owners then many of their guitars worth thousands as it’s so comfortable. Anyone without cash that wants Gibson American quality should get one. If you would never look at an inexpensive guitar and yet have expensive guitars you never play, you'll love this guitar. Because you'll play this thing to death and not worry about it and then find yourself secretly thinking it’s the most fun thing to play, even though you would never admit it to your friends. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 31, 2008

Price paid: $ 695.4

Purchased from: eBay!

Features: Made in '07 in Nashville Tennessee, it's a 22 fret beast with an uncarved mahogany top and a Vintage sunburst finish. Mine is the two pickup model (because I wanted more versatility) and the guitar comes with a huge '59 neck. Didn't get any stuff with it, just the box and a setup certificate from Gibson. It all works pretty well and is quite a nice looker. // 8

Sound: I play indie/rock and this guitar suits it very well. I used to use a '52 Telecaster but I found it was unable to play thick crunchy riffs all that well. The single-coils in this seem to do it and they don't feedback much at all on stage (unless you stand right next to your amp). Much noisier than the Telecaster (and the humbucker in my custom Telecaster) so I guess it's pretty powerful. Lots of sustain. Really versatile, but I wouldn't use it for metal or anything too high-gain. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Because it only has a wraparound bridge the guitar is impossible to intonate and lowering the action is awkward. It came out of the box playing OK but I lowered the action a bit. It seems to be in pretty good shape (I've been gigging and rehearsing with it for about 6 months) but the finish chips away quite easily, mine has a few major dings from minor abuse. Nothing has broken on it and everything works as it should. // 7

Reliability & Durability: The guitar easily withstands Live playing, even with a Sex Pistols style "smash instruments about a bit" at the end of the set. Never had any problems with it at all. The strap buttons are tiny so straplocks are pretty essential but apart from that it's solid and I play without a backup. // 10

Impression: The guitar plays really well (after you adjust to playing with the bigger neck) and because it has quite a flat fretboard it's good for lead and riffs. It's better than my '52 Telecaster and I prefer to it to my other guitars. If it was stolen I would consider buying another one but the neck might put me off. I would probably go for a Fender Jaguar because it looks more versatile. // 9

overall: 8

Reviewed by: YYZX, on march 31, 2008

Price paid: $ 349.6

Purchased from: eBay

Features: This is the single pickup edition made in the USA, I have no idea when this guitar was made but I'm assuming that it was between '04 and '06. It has 22 medium frets with a rosewood fingerboard and a '59 Rounded neck and Dot inlays. It has a Les Paul solid flat-top which Is made from mahogany and finished in satin Gibson sunburst, the neck is also mahogany. It has a Gibson raparound tailpiece with passive electronics. It has 1 volume and one tone to control a single "vintage style" pickup which is very similar to a P-90 but with increased highs (great for rock, punk or anything with distorsion). It Has Gibson Deluxe tuners like the ones you find on a SG Special. It comes in a Vintage-look box with no accessories at all. // 7

Sound: Its Suits my music style perfectly (rock, blues, alternative ect.) because of it's specialy designed Vintage style pickup. I Usually use it through my Orange Crush 30R or my Peavey studio pro 112, it sounds great through both amps but when I want heavy distorsion. The hum is incredibly loud, it feeds back if you get close to the amp too. It has a nice bright sound but it's can still be full and rich if you want. I would recomend this guitar to anybody who wants to play rock, indie, blues, alternative, punk or maybe even some jazz. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: I'm not sure if the guitar came with the factory set-up or not because I bought it second hand, though it most-likely is because the guitar came mint and was probably an unwanted gift or something. Anyway the setup is great to play, there is some slight fret buzzing but I'm sure it can be fixed. As for the pickups, they were set up perfect for me, nice and high for lots of trebble. There aren't realy any factory falts apart from the tone knob being abit wobbley. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I have not gigged this guitar but I'm pretty confident that it would be alright on stage, although I would need to get some strap-locks (just like on any guitar). The hardware seems pretty solid (afterall, this guitar has genuine Gibson hardware). You can't realy talk 'quality finish' on a satin finished instrument, but I prefer the satin anyway because it's easy to repair and if I get sick of the colour I can just strip it back and paint it whatever colour I want! I think I could depend on it on stage, it is very reliable and it isnt as bad as everyone says it is, it's almost Gibson USA quility. // 8

Impression: I play rock, blues alternative, it's great. I have been playing for 2 years, now and I also own a Parker nitefly mojo. Before buying this guitar I wish I had straplocks and a 90 degree jack for my lead. If it were stolen or lost I would not buy it again, I would probably get a Hagstrom Ultra Swede, I think they are much better value and they play better too. I love the Light weight body of the Gibson and the sunburst finish. I hate the headstock as it is slimmer than other Gibson models and in my opinion I don't like it very much. My favourite feature is the awesome Vintage style pickup, it has a great tone. I wish it had a Tune-o-Matic bridge, that would complete this guitar. Overall it's a great guitar, not as good as other Gibsons but it's better than an Epiphone, it's a great first Gibson. // 8

overall: 8

Reviewed by: MarcoGE, on november 29, 2007

Price paid: $ 422.1

Purchased from: Woodbrass.com

Features: Gibson Melody Maker Dual Pickup vintage sunburst, made in 2007 in Nashville, TN, USA. It has a '59 Rounded neck (pretty fat), 22 frets, rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays. The body and the neck wood is mahogany. I have the Satin Vintage Sunburst finish. It comes with a wrap-around tailpiece, a volume knob and a tone knob, a toggle switch. It has Gibson Deluxe tuners. Mine has two single coil vintage style pickups. There are no acceossories at all, just the guitar in a nice box. // 8

Sound: I play rock, indie and alternative, and it's really fine. It's almost the same guitar as Carl Barat (Libertines/Dirty Pretty Things) and you can get that crunchy tone. I'm using it with an Orange Crush 30R amp and a Behringer UD100 Distorsion unit. It's a typical Gibson sound due to the mahogany body, but the single coil Vintage stle pickup give to this guitar a great tone, a bit cleaner. The guitar can produce lots of sounds and there's a big difference between the neck and the bridge pickup, so you can get a big range of sounds. I love the distorded sound, Gibson guitars are really good with a bit of distorsion. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: For this price, it's hard to make better, but let's say that that Gibson "Made In USA" quality's not the same as you can see on more expensive guitars. The Vintage sunburst finish is not excellent, I don't think it's handmade like other guitars. The rest is okay. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I think it will withstand Live playing because there are artists playing on these actually. I said Carl Barat because he's one of my favourites, but I've seen others. The hardware and the strap buttons seem solid. I can depend on it and I would use it on a gig without backup. It's a Gibson, after all. The finish doesn't seem good enough to last, it seems thin and easy to wear off with one year of hard playing. // 8

Impression: I play rock, indie and alternative, and it's really fine. I've been playing for some moths now and I'm using it with an Orange Crush 30R amp and a Behringer UD100 Distorsion unit. If it were stolen/lost, I'd not buy the same, I like to change. I'd probably get another Gibson but I'd look for a higher quality. I chose this because Gibson is known for their crunchy tone and a legendary quality. At first I hesitated within a Mexico Strat or this, but I finally chose Gibson. // 8

Comments

[kt_guitarist]

i think this is one of the uglyest guitars gibson makes

[fretsonfire74]

gorgeous!

[led,rainsong]

i dont like it very much
i think id rather get an epiphone at around the same price
although i'd have to try them out
this guitar seems like it is just a cheap guitar that gibson made because they had to

[kiskilla]

i didnt like too much... i prefer ancien gibsons

[Les Gibson]

Looks to much like a les paul ripoff - and yeah it is pretty ugly

[NirvanaNo.1]

i don't like it. i'd rather buy an esp for that price.

[NorfIrIon]

led,rainsong wrote:

i dont like it very much
i think id rather get an epiphone at around the same price
although i'd have to try them out
this guitar seems like it is just a cheap guitar that gibson made because they had to

I didn't know, as a kajillion dollar company, that they had to do anything.
I appreciate the fact that they're giving people with fewer opportunities (aka moneys) to use their products, and I believe it's a nice gesture from some people who could just as easily make a whole new line of $20,000 guitars, and they would sell, too.

[Mistaa Man]

I don't like it... Not to mention it really is ugly.

[Mistaa Man]

Oh yeah and wrap arounds tail pieces annoy the hell out of me trying to get the string in there it sucks >.

[CapnKickass]

nice amp dude, I got the 15R Crush. The guitar looks like something for country players or whatever...

[jamayor]

Hey Marco, try playing to butterflies.
Maybe you'll get signed to Chrysalis !

[kill 'em pretty]

you like The libertines, you play indie, and you play through an orange amp. Even if you found this guitar in a skip youd like how it sounds, the majority of libertines-esque bands' guitar tone sucks major ass

[jubeikibagami]

Looks crappy to me but i would need to play it before making final judgment.

[Ferrarone]

Les Gibson wrote:

Looks to much like a les paul ripoff - and yeah it is pretty ugly

it is a gibson les paul with one pickup?

[manutd4lyf]

its not that bad - its just the dodgy scratchplate

[forwhomthebells]

kt_guitarist wrote:

i think this is one of the uglyest guitars gibson makes

Yes.

[jo3myster]

i would just buy an epiphone or the faded gibson sg because epiphone is not better than gibson but they are better than this one and this is 1 uggly lookin guitar

[Acid_(b)Rain]

How could You choose this piece of **** over a mexico Strat!?!

[Krusader187]

i had the opportunity to play one of these and what an opportunity it was! never buy one of these

[zakkhalen13]

its extremely versital and light it also is beautiful and cheap

[blaze2thekings]

id take an epiphone black beauty over this anyday

[emi_becker]

this is a piece of cr@p...OMG

[BmanSKSKyee]

its deffinatly not that good of a poetic or soloish guitar. deffinatly a punkish faster guitar

[Corey Cather]

I used to play one of the original 1959 Gibson Melody Maker's in the early 60's. This guitar was designed and marketed as a student model. I remember it had a cool vibe and a great sound and playability for the money...and it still does! My single coil sunburst model (like the original) plays great and sounds just like I remember. I have as much fun playing this guitar now as I did then...maybe more!

As soon as I got this one home, I changed the strings and lowered the wrap around bridge to improve action and playability. The unbound neck is chunky and fast and feels great. The solid little single coil pickup produces some nice tones that can be used in a lot of styles. Overall, the workmanship seems good...although they barely sprayed enough black paint on to cover the wood on my sunburst model. I leave this guitar out on a stand, and noticed after 2 months that the finish was worn off at the contact points. I was able to repair that with a fine brush and some satin black paint.

I own several guitars...vintage Tele's and Strat's and a couple other very expensive Gibsons, among others, but this one stays out on a stand so I can play it anytime I want.

The Melody Maker is a very cool little axe true to the 1959 original. I have no problem taking this guitar to a gig and playing the hell out of it. It sounds great and I love the funky old-school vide.

This guitar rocks!!!

[cukd7x-a2-]

the melody maker in gh2 is much cooler...

[rand0mher0742]

id would have taken the strat

[Entendu]

I have a 1962 Melody Maker that I got from my grandpa. Whoever said that the wrap around bridge is hard to get a string in it must have never changed strings on one of these because I'm like 13 and I had no problem.

[knotslip]

manutd4lyf wrote:

its not that bad - its just the dodgy scratchplate

hahahonestly who gives a rats ass bout the scratch plate.its the sound or watever that matters

[Korzack]

To be fair, considering ya can gert an SG feded special for a very similar price to this, I wouldn't recommend this. The earlier version of this with the dog-ear P-90 was a bit more worthwhile for sound, but looked damn weird - and this ain't much better. Still, I'll keep my reservations till I get hold of one, but I'm not cinved by this at all, & I'll stick with my SG thank you kindly

[MarcoGE]

I think SGs are much, much uglier than MMs.

[tenaciousjp]

the f*cking uglyest guitar from gibson

[I_Pwn]

I've got one of the older ones, and love it to death. This is kinda lame though, with the pick-guard, and now they're making dual pick-up MM's. Screw that.

[Nailgun]

http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2003/apr15a.html
Yes The Gibson Melody Maker is a Les Paul..
My MM duel pickup will be here next week!

[WishfulShredder]

these are 1000$ f----ing dollars australian 1100 for the two pickup version! and thats the Cheapest one...

[corson456]

i love this guitar i have the one with the white finish, and its beautiful. it only cost me $350

[Nailgun]

After playing it for a bit all I can say is " It is very easy to play, play for hours at a time. With my Blues custom amp its BB or ZZ any time I want.. The duel P's are like night and day, a must have with the MM..
Bottom line its well worth the $$$ and don't folks talk you out of playing it, just try it out.

[YYZX]

WishfulShredder wrote:

these are 1000$ f----ing dollars australian 1100 for the two pickup version! and thats the Cheapest one...

They're $1798 australian for the single pickup one

[nrlsky]

Notice how all the people knocking the guitar are 14 year olds who have never played it... All the people that like it tend to be have experience and actually played it. I assure you, for the price range, this is the best deal by far. I paid $350 for a brand new dual pick up model. The guitar is amazing. I like it much more than the Epiphone Les Paul standard. It has a great tone, sustain, craftsmanship,and versatility. Not to mention, American made guitars hold their value very well. Used Epiphones are significantly cheaper than their MSRP, but almost all Gibsons are close to their MSRP or in many cases much more!

[hidoodwazzup]

You guys have no idea what you're talking about. In fact you probably don't even play guitar. Take MY advice this guitar is great for everything. you guys reviewing it are like 13 year olds with squiers or epiphones. THIS GUITAR ROCKS. JOHN MAYER USED THE SAME GUITAR (THE WHITE DUAL PICKUP VERSION) TO RECORD CONTINUUM IT SOUNDS GREAT!

[speedofthepuma]

ok you dueshbags that say you would rather have a epiphone, no there is basicly no epiphone that matches up to this, you may think that the epiphone is cheaper and the same version of a gibson, but it isnt, ive played extensivley on a sg and les paul, and the sound of the epiphone is cheap, gibson is always the victor

[BlisteringDDj]

forwhomthebells wrote:

kt_guitarist wrote:

i think this is one of the uglyest guitars gibson makes


Yes.

I think it looks nice, but since it's the cheapest Gibson you can get, I'm unsure about the quality...

[davasei]

It's ugly, i would rather buy a epiphone, maybe the ultra II, i love that guitar, but this not.
It's the uglyest guitar gibson 's made

[Ali-b912]

YYZX wrote:

WishfulShredder wrote:

these are 1000$ f----ing dollars australian 1100 for the two pickup version! and thats the Cheapest one... They're $1798 australian for the single pickup one

depends where you are. for me they are $800 for the single and the dual apparently doesnt exist.

[601210]

The guitar seems great.
That pickguard? My god, no.

[SOADriff]

im sure it could be great. looks like s--t though

[Lukeydoodly]

ewww.

[AdamOnDrums]

cukd7x-a2- wrote:

the melody maker in gh2 is much cooler...

Well buy it in the game, and then realize, that GH sucks?

But i think people should watch out for what they're typping (or how the hell its spelled :]) because, yes this is an ugly guitar, but if you never tryed, how do you know it sucks? Think people think

[AlexAvarice]

Horrible guitars like this are built and bought because there is a market for fools who will buy it just to have the Gibson logo on it. Honestly, with that money, you could get a much efficient, stylish, and versatile guitar and still have money left over. Oh, and before all of you send me messages of how I'm wrong, just know that I've played on FOUR of them with various amps, and they ere all trash!

[Floydian45]

tenaciousjp wrote:

the f*cking uglyest guitar from gibson

Ever hear of the Gibson reverse V? That, my friend is the "f*cking uglyest guitar from gibson" imo. The melody maker doesn't look ALL that bad.

[Entendu]

I have a 1960 double cut model Melody Maker. Not a Reissue. It's pretty sweet.

[mrbiscuits315]

Entendu wrote:

I have a 1960 double cut model Melody Maker. Not a Reissue. It's pretty sweet.

Ive got a 1959. Ownt. Not original pickup gaurd though.

[ds5540]

for that price it cant be a very good quality. probably just some cheap pickups and one layer of paint or somethin

[saintjimmy924]

i have a white single pickup model from 07....i love it!
it is an amazing sounding and very versatile guitar for the price
it is basically a stripped down les paul with one pickup(or two) and without the glossy finish!

[Quoteman]

Acid_(b)Rain wrote:

How could You choose this piece of **** over a mexico Strat!?!

Because Mexican Stratocasters and Gibson Melody Makers are such similar guitars...

[stratdud39]

looks ok, but a mexican strat wud b a way better decision,
and people usually buy gibsons for those humbucker full tone sounds, and this is a bit different

[whosamerica]

looks like an lp junior without a p-90

[ExDeath]

heh heh i look at all the people who bought it from someplace beside musicansfriedn and payed more than 3. lol u silly gooses

[pig god 121]

without the dodgy scratch bord it would look good

[cajun_prince]

it looks like slash sign.. do you agree??

[goldenslumbers]

i agree that its the ugliest guitar gibson has made.....the pick guard just looks horrible on the guitar

Checked.

[MP93]

MarcoGE wrote:

I think SGs are much, much uglier than MMs.

Because you are ****ing idiot!!!

[|\puto_rodas/|]

For the style it is, I pretty much like the finish...
well its just taste U know,
but Yeah Id say that the finish can be seen as a not-versatile finish, because I think some guitars have the looks to suit all musical styles, but this one would work pretty bad as a heavier style...

...oppinions!
Rock On |m|

[AC/DCchris]

kt_guitarist wrote:

i think this is one of the uglyest guitars gibson makes

i looks so bad

[bird hill road]

you people who are comparing the mm and epiphones are obviously not very experienced guitarplayers. the mm is a single-coil pu guitar - how can you compare them with humbucker pu guitars? the only similarity is the shape (lp-style).

[warrenguitar]

Not the greatest color scheme (quite depressing really) but really cool in terms of a quality guitar!

[dez_bone]

if its good enough for slash its good enough for me. check out the velvet revolver cover of psycho killer (live) on you tube to see slash and his melody maker in action.

[Mrtomtwo]

i played a '65 double cut melody maker yesterday and god did it sound sweet, i dont know why people knock this guitar so much. from my POV it's a beautiful guitar. maybe not so much like the LP supremes and such but it's kinda cool because its small and you dont think the sound will blow your mind when you pick it up, but play it and it will prove you wrong. and comparing this thing to a Strat is like comparing chalk with cheese. I own a reverse strat and an SG standard and almost anyone can tell the difference in their sounds. not because of the quality but because of the timbre of them. the melody maker is a great guitar for £300 and i dont think that buying an Epi and then saying hmm i've gone off this lets get an ibanez or something will do much to help your bank balance. A melody maker will last a long time but i suppose its like marmite really. you either love it or you hate it

[hollowbody_335]

Im thinking about getting one of these, i have a epiphone 335 that looks great and i think that this also looks great. To me it looks great for the price and from the comments being left i can see that its people who are too botherd about how they look in the mirror with the guitar rather than how they sound that are running this guitar down. I just wish one of my local guitar shops had them in stock for me to try out.

[dez_bone]

I got mine today and it’s the ‘mutts nuts,’ matt black perfectly setup took it out of the box tuned it and it put a massive smile on my face. To me it sounds like a cross between a Les Paul jnr and a SG. I do have a liking for good quality but basic guitars: I have a Fender Highway 1 tele (none of your Ibanez Jems for me). Basic plank (if you can call mahogany basic), good machine heads and an excellent sounding pickup what more do you need (except talent that is).

[saintjimmy924]

dez_bone wrote:

if its good enough for slash its good enough for me. check out the velvet revolver cover of psycho killer (live) on you tube to see slash and his melody maker in action.

he put a humbucker in it though

[joker441]

Hey I just found this site and it looks pretty good. Is anyone interested in an original 1959 Melody Maker 3/4 scale with the orginal case? This was my fathers and times have gotten to me and I need to sell. You can email at [e-mail]
Thanks
Joker441

[MM14]

saintjimmy924 wrote:

dez_bone wrote:

if its good enough for slash its good enough for me. check out the velvet revolver cover of psycho killer (live) on you tube to see slash and his melody maker in action.

he put a humbucker in it though

There is a dual pick up version
(i wonder if there will ever be a review for that version?)

[MM14]

whoops there is soz