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Average Price: $425

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue is a harmonious blend of classic design and modern innovation, offering musicians an instrument that has stood the test of time and gained respect over the years. Originally introduced in 1993, the Nighthawk was a bold departure from traditional Gibson styles. Fast forward to today, and it has become a beloved choice for guitarists who crave versatility and unique aesthetics.

This reissue captures the essence of the original with its SlimTaper D-shaped neck, offering comfort and speed for all playing styles. The Nighthawk's tonal versatility is unmatched, thanks to its distinct trio of pickups: two 4-wire humbuckers and a fiery NSX single-coil. Whether you're into blues, rock, or jazz, this guitar's wide tonal palette will inspire your creativity. The String-Thru Body bridge design ensures extended sustain, making every note resonate with clarity and precision.

The Nighthawk also boasts a stunning mahogany body topped with a AAA flame maple veneer, delivering both visual appeal and rich, resonant sound. With its 25-1/2" scale length and 22 medium-jumbo frets, players can enjoy a familiar yet distinct playing experience. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue is ready to make its mark.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body with AAA flame maple veneer top
  • SlimTaper D-shaped mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl "Crown" inlays
  • 25-1/2" scale length
  • 22 medium-jumbo frets
  • Slant NHT humbucker (bridge), NSX single-coil (middle), NHR mini-humbucker (neck)
  • 5-way slider switch with push/pull coil tapping
  • Nighthawk fully-adjustable bridge with String-Thru Body design
  • Grover 14:1 ratio tuners
  • Nickel hardware and body/fingerboard binding

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Nighthawk Custom Reissue
Finish Fireburst, Honeyburst, Trans Amber, Trans Black
Year 2010 - 2013
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Brown, Yellow
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Epiphone Nighthawk
Model Sub-Family Epiphone Nighthawk Custom
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Flamed

FAQs

What type of music is the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue best suited for?

The Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue is versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres, including rock, blues, and jazz, due to its HSH pickup configuration and mahogany body, which provide a rich and dynamic tone.

How does the HSH pickup configuration on the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue affect its sound?

The HSH configuration offers a broad tonal palette, allowing for powerful humbucker sounds as well as bright single-coil tones, making it ideal for players who need versatility in their sound.

Is the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue comfortable for extended playing sessions?

Yes, the single cutaway design and set-neck construction provide easy access to higher frets, while the 25.5" scale length and slim neck profile enhance playability, making it comfortable for long sessions.

What is the benefit of the string-through body design on the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue?

The string-through body design enhances sustain and resonance, providing a fuller and more vibrant tone, which is beneficial for both rhythm and lead playing.

Does the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue come in different finishes?

Yes, the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue is available in several finishes, including Fireburst, Honeyburst, Trans Amber, and Trans Black, allowing players to choose a style that suits their aesthetic preference.

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue by N Stuff Music

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Guitar by zZounds

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Guitar

zZounds

zZounds

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar (Honey Burst) by grapevineguitarworks

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar (Honey Burst)

grapevineguitarworks

grapevineguitarworks

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar | Everything You Need To Know by Sam Ash Music

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar | Everything You Need To Know

Sam Ash Music

Sam Ash Music

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar Trans Amber by Musicasa Pro

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Electric Guitar Trans Amber

Musicasa Pro

Musicasa Pro

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Demo by David Holmes Guitar

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue Demo

David Holmes Guitar

David Holmes Guitar

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight and comfortable, making it easy to play for extended periods

  • Versatile sound with three pickups and 5-way switch, plus coil splitting

  • Excellent tonal range from rock/blues to clean sounds

  • Ebony fretboard and figured veneer top add to the aesthetic appeal

  • High-quality construction for a budget-friendly price

  • Ideal for both live performances and studio recordings

  • Loved by both beginners and seasoned players for its playability

  • Unique tonal options make it a great recording guitar

  • Fast and slim neck enhances playability for leads and high notes

CONS

  • Frets can be sharp, potentially uncomfortable for some players

  • Lacks an included hard case, which some players expect

  • Neck mini humbucker may produce overly bass-heavy tones

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue.

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the Nighthawk's versatility, capable of producing tones from Les Paul-like warmth to Telecaster and Stratocaster brightness.

    Source
  • The middle pickup was specifically praised for its unique contribution to the guitar's versatile tone palette.

    Source
  • Despite being 6'5", one owner found the guitar playable but not inspiring, indicating it suits a wide range of player heights.

    Source
  • The first run of Indonesian reissues reportedly faced issues with dual-action truss rods, requiring close inspection before purchase.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to a Les Paul, the Nighthawk is about 3/4 in scale and thinner, offering a unique alternative to traditional Les Paul dimensions.

    Source
  • The Nighthawk's mini-humbucker in the neck position delivers less bass and more treble, aligning closer to Fender-like tones than the traditional Les Paul sound.

    Source
  • The Nighthawk's 25.5" scale length offers a slightly different tone and feel compared to the Les Paul's 24.75", resembling a Fender more than a traditional Gibson.

    Source
  • The Indonesian reissue's ebony fretboard, noted for its smooth feel, contrasts with the rosewood board on the Korean version, preferred by some for its warmth.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A price of $230 USD was considered a steal, highlighting its potential as a budget-friendly option for collectors and enthusiasts.

    Source
  • Some owners consider the Korean bolt-on model overpriced at $650, suggesting the Indonesian set neck model as a better value.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Nighthawk's smaller body size makes it ideal for young players or those seeking a more compact guitar that doesn't compromise on tone.

    Source
  • The Nighthawk's lighter body and tonal flexibility are highlighted as benefits for beginners exploring various musical styles.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Nighthawk is praised for its slimmer neck profile compared to typical Les Pauls, offering a comfortable playing experience for some users.

    Source
  • The 2012 Indonesian Nighthawk Custom Reissue features a set neck, preferred by some for better sustain compared to the bolt-on neck of the 1996 Korean model.

    Source
  • The Korean model's build quality is often praised due to its construction at the reputable Samick factory, known for consistent craftsmanship.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The inability to combine the bridge and neck humbuckers on the Nighthawk is noted as a limitation for those accustomed to Les Paul wiring setups.

    Source
  • The 1996 Korean Nighthawk ST3 has a push/pull coil split, offering a wider tonal variety through its 5-way selector switch.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Nighthawk Custom Reissue Review: There's no sense in rehashing it. I own several other guitars. | Epiphone | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Electric Guitar Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 16 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
re3el

Most interesting of my collection

Awesome guitar. VERY easy and fun to play... Fantastic setup, and spot-on intonation!

R

great guitar

Great for beginner or intermediate guitar. Also good for a cheap collectors item. The variety of pickups offers a very wide range of music that can be played. The only problem I've discovered with the nighthawk is that while using the neck mini hum bucker the sound becomes very bass. Even with the bass turned very far down on my amp. It can be solved through the coil tap feature but that takes away from the hard rock sound. Overall great guitar for all genre's.

johnnyreb

Awesome guitar for the price

Love this instrument! Great versatile rock guitar, sounds awesome, and fun & comfortable to play!

henrik_haugsnes_kaupang

characteristic and versatile

I fell in love with Nighthawks from seeing them in magazines in the 90s... I came across this one while on tour with Paul Di'Anno and Blaze Bayley in Sweden, and bought it right there and then... I have put in a Seymour Duncan 59 bucker in the bridge position however, and it gave the whole guitar clearer sense of purpose in my rig...

harrydell

Wanted a Blueshawk, found a Nighhawk; I'm Happy.

This is a Really versatile Guitar. You can get a bunch of different sounds through the middle Singlecoil Pickup and of course through the Coil-tapping function. Very inspiring to play with different combinations. Love it.

mhenwood47

Tone? It's got several!

Humbucker, single coil, and a mini humbucker. All coil tapped. Pick a sound, any sound! And boy, does it look good. Shmexy!

Artist usage

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See how Gavin Robinson uses Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue

Gavin Robinson

...
Verified via Photo

Gavin Robinson uses the Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue, as seen in an Instagram post where he expresses excitement about incorporating new gear into his setup, likely for a Metallica song.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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john_rebel

john_rebel

Gear IQ 271

john_rebel

john_rebel

Gear IQ 271

1 alternative for Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue, curated by the Equipboard community.

PRS Singlecut

$2,000.00

similar sound high-end alternative

The nighthawk Custom most resembles the S2 or core, single cut solid body models (IMO). They would be complementary to each other, while not being too similar too justify.

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