Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,099
Standard/Professional
$500
$1201+
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Description
Discover the soulful resonance of the Gibson Blueshawk, a masterpiece that harmoniously blends the comfort of a solid body with the vibrant, open tone of a semi-hollow instrument. This American-made gem stands out with its pair of custom P90 pickups and versatile six-way Varitone switch, offering a palette of warm, rich sounds. Ideal for the blues enthusiast seeking a distinct style and sound, the Blueshawk is a testament to Gibson's innovation, providing affordability without compromising on quality or performance.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollow body design for a blend of warmth and clarity
- Pair of custom P90 pickups for versatile, rich tones
- Six-way Varitone switch, offering a spectrum of soundscapes
- Comfortable size and shape, merging solid body playability with semi-hollow sound
- American-made, ensuring quality craftsmanship and performance
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Blueshawk, Blueshawk with Bigsby |
| Finish | Chicago Blue, Ebony, Heritage Cherry |
| Year | 1994 - 2006 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Top-Load |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Red |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Blueshawk |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Gibson Blueshawk?
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The Gibson Blueshawk offers a unique blend of bright and warm tones, thanks to its semi-hollow body and single-coil pickups. It's versatile for blues, jazz, and rock genres, providing a rich, resonant sound with a bite.
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Is the Gibson Blueshawk suitable for beginners?
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While the Blueshawk can be played by beginners, its nuanced tone and features are often appreciated more by intermediate to advanced players who can fully utilize its potential.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Blueshawk like?
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The Gibson Blueshawk features a comfortable, slim neck profile that facilitates smooth playability, making it suitable for fast playing styles and complex chord changes.
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Does the Gibson Blueshawk have a Bigsby vibrato option?
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Yes, the Gibson Blueshawk is available with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, offering additional expressive capabilities for players who enjoy subtle pitch variations.
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How does the Gibson Blueshawk's semi-hollow body affect its sound?
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The semi-hollow body of the Blueshawk contributes to its warm, resonant sound with enhanced sustain and reduced feedback, making it ideal for genres like blues and jazz.
Videos
The Trogly's Guitar Show
That Gibson Blueshawk Surprised Me! | Review, History + Demo
That Gibson Blueshawk Surprised Me! | Review, History + Demo
The Trogly's Guitar Show
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Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional tonal versatility with 18 different tone combinations
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Lightweight, semi-hollow body offers comfort and ease of play
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Unique Varitone switch with fully usable positions for diverse sound
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P90 sound with noise-free performance thanks to a dummy coil
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F-holes and Les Paul-like shape deliver an elegant aesthetic
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Offers Fender-like brightness in a Gibson package
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V-shaped neck provides unique, comfortable playability
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Suitable for both blues and rock with its versatile sound textures
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Strings thread through the body, a rare feature for Gibsons
CONS
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Shape may not appeal to everyone
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Extremely bright on a clean channel in the bridge position
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Blueshawk.
Setup and maintenance
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Owners recommend using graphite on the nut to enhance tuning stability, especially for the G-string, which frequently slips.
Source -
Raising the tailpiece to a 15° break angle can improve tuning stability, particularly on Gibson guitars with 3+3 headstocks.
Source -
Repeatedly bending strings at the second or third fret after tuning helps stabilize string tension across the nut, improving tuning stability over time.
Source -
An owner experienced a bridge pickup issue due to an intermittent coil short, causing a tinny sound.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Features and functionality
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The Blueshawk's unique pickup configuration, known as Blues-90s, integrates a hum-canceling dummy coil for reduced noise, differing from traditional P-90s.
Source -
The Blueshawk's varitone switch alters midrange using capacitors and an inductor, offering five preset sounds plus a bypass for versatile tone shaping.
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A "secret" fourth position on the pickup switch between middle and bridge offers a unique thin, treble-heavy sound.
Source -
The inductor in the Blueshawk's back serves the varitone circuit, not as a dummy coil replacement.
Source
User experience
4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
43
It’s awesome.
A great guitar, but extremely bright on a clean channel in the bridge position. I may replace the bridge pup for a T.V. Jones Humbucker to add some new flavors. Has a cool varitone switch and a Push-Pull tone knob that acts as a Bright. Really cool and very under appreciated guitar.
Artist usage
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Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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