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Average Price: $750
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$400
$1001+
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Description
Discover the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul, an iconic blend of tradition and innovation that offers musicians a genuine Gibson experience at an accessible price. This solid body electric guitar captures the essence of the 1959 Les Paul Junior with its lightweight and thin body design, ensuring comfort during extended play sessions. Crafted for the modern guitarist, it features a one-piece set mahogany neck that provides robust sustain, making it an ideal companion for both studio and stage.
What sets the Gibson Melody Maker apart is its streamlined approach to tone. Equipped with a single 491T ceramic-magnet humbucker, this guitar delivers a powerful punch and pure tone, all controlled by a straightforward volume knob. This simplicity ensures that you can focus on your music without getting lost in a sea of unnecessary controls. The Melody Maker neck profile enhances playability, making complex riffs and chords feel effortless.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring guitarist, the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul is designed for those who appreciate quality and performance without the hefty price tag. It's more than just an instrument; it's an invitation to explore your musical potential with a guitar that feels like an extension of yourself.
Key Features:
- Single 491T ceramic-magnet humbucker for pure tone and punch
- Lightweight, thin body design for comfortable play
- One-piece set mahogany neck for solid sustain
- Simple volume control for straightforward use
- Ultra-playable Melody Maker neck profile
- Rock-solid wraparound tailpiece for enhanced sustain
- Gig bag included
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Les Paul Melody Maker |
| Finish | Charcoal, Manhattan Midnight, Wine Red, Yellow |
| Year | 2014 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Wrap-Around |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Red, Yellow |
| Finish Style | Satin |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Les Paul |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Top Material | Maple |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul have?
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The Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul features a single-coil pickup configuration, providing bright and clear tones suitable for rock, blues, and punk music styles.
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Is the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul is an excellent choice for beginners due to its lightweight design, comfortable neck, and straightforward controls, making it easy to play and handle.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul?
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The Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul has a slim taper neck profile, offering a fast and comfortable playing experience ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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How does the finish of the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul affect its appearance?
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The satin finish on the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul gives the guitar a sleek, modern look while allowing the natural resonance of the mahogany body to shine through.
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Does the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul come in different colors?
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Yes, the Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul is available in several colors, including Charcoal, Manhattan Midnight, Wine Red, and Yellow, allowing players to choose a finish that suits their style.
Reviews
PROS
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Impressive sound, excels with overdrive and distortion
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Affordable price for a Gibson Les Paul model
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Lightweight, less than eight pounds, and comfortable Les Paul body shape
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P90S pickups offer sweet tones, ideal for jazz
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Maple cap on the mahogany body for balanced tone and weight
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Full electronics setup of a regular Les Paul
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Versatile pickups, from chimey single coil to snarling overdrive
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Well-balanced despite thin body, not neck-heavy
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Potential to appreciate in value over time
CONS
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Sticky satin Nitro finish might be off-putting for some
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Frets may need additional crowning upon purchase
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Truss rod may require seasonal adjustments
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Sharp fret ends and narrow fingerboard edges may feel uncomfortable
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Cryogenically treated frets provide no noticeable durability advantage
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul.
Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
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Some owners replace stock pickups with P90s, enhancing tonal options significantly.
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Curtis Novak's MM-90 pickup can replace the original without irreversible modifications, retaining the guitar's historical integrity while achieving a P90-like tone.
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Some suggest using a single coil-sized P90 or humbucker to avoid routing, preserving the guitar's original condition.
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Lollar P-90 pickups are considered an upgrade option, although some owners are satisfied with the original setup.
Source
Comparisons
User experience
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Owners express a strong attachment to their Melody Makers, often citing it as a preferred model despite having played numerous other guitars.
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Despite cosmetic wear, the guitar's historical appeal and tonal capability are highly valued, with some owners appreciating the natural aging and finish checking.
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One owner reports the guitar became their daily driver after a purchase price of $750, indicating its reliability and playability.
Source
Setup and maintenance
Use cases and applications
2.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
Danielle used this guitar when she was a kid - you can see it in the Instagram post here! She responded to Twin Shadows’ comment saying that this was the guitar she used!
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Guy used this guitar with Fugazi in 89/90 when he first started playing guitar in the group. In a modern interview he revealed that his white "gibson jr" as he called it, was the only guitar he ever had stolen and he never got it back.
Amy Winehouse's Gibson Melody Maker Les Paul, known as "Lioness," is seen in use in a photo from the Daily Mail. This guitar, distinctively white and black, was reportedly ordered by Amy as a gift for Blake in 2007.
You can see D. Boon playing the Melody maker in a number of photos and in the video for "This Ain't No Picnic" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDr25zjd4yM
Edit: This Melody Maker is supposed to have been given to D. Boon either in 1981 or 1982. An early photo shows D. Boon playing it with a Humbucker in the Bridge position, but he then modified it to have an Aluminum Pickguard and a Strat Pickup in the bridge position. The later cojnfiguration is seen in the "This Ain't No Picnic" Music Video that's alreayd linked above.
https://www.guitar.com/articles/10-questions-scott-mckeon
What are your main stage and/or studio guitars?
''My main guitars right now are an old 62 Strat, a Gibson Melody Maker and an old Tele.''
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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