Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $2,400
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Unleash your musical potential with the Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar, a staple for players seeking simplicity and powerful sound. Designed for musicians who appreciate straightforward functionality without sacrificing quality, this solid body electric guitar captures the essence of rock and roll while providing a platform for versatile stylistic exploration. The Melody Maker's minimalist design is perfect for those who appreciate a no-nonsense approach to their gear, allowing the raw energy of your performance to shine through.
Crafted with a mahogany body, this guitar delivers a warm, resonant tone that compliments its robust and reliable performance. The single cutaway design ensures easy access to higher frets, letting you hit those solos with ease. The guitar's P-90 single-coil pickup is celebrated for its crisp, bright sound that cuts through mixes, making it a favorite for both studio sessions and live performances.
Whether you’re just starting out or adding to your collection, the Gibson Melody Maker is a versatile addition that adapts to a variety of musical styles, from blues to punk. With its straightforward controls and reliable tuning stability, you can focus on what truly matters—your music.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body for warm tonal resonance
- P-90 single-coil pickup for bright, clear sound
- Single cutaway design for easy access to upper frets
- Straightforward control layout for ease of use
- Durable construction suitable for both studio and live settings
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Melody Maker |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Year | 1959 - 1960 |
| 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 | Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Melody Maker |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | S |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Melody Maker's single pickup?
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The Gibson Melody Maker features a single-coil pickup known for delivering bright, clear tones with a vintage edge, making it ideal for rock and blues genres.
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Is the Gibson Melody Maker suitable for beginner guitarists?
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Yes, the Gibson Melody Maker's straightforward design, lightweight body, and comfortable neck profile make it an excellent choice for beginners seeking a quality entry-level electric guitar.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Melody Maker?
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The Gibson Melody Maker typically features a slim neck profile, offering easy playability and quick access to all frets, suitable for players with smaller hands or those who prefer a faster neck.
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Does the Gibson Melody Maker work well with pedals?
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Yes, the Gibson Melody Maker's clear and articulate tone pairs well with a variety of effects pedals, allowing for versatile sound shaping in different musical styles.
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What is the scale length of the Gibson Melody Maker, and how does it affect playability?
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The Gibson Melody Maker has a 24.75" scale length, which provides a slightly looser string tension, making it easier to bend notes and play comfortably, especially for those used to shorter scale guitars.
Videos
American Musical Supply
Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker 2014 Electric Guitar - Gibson Melody Maker 2014
Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker 2014 Electric Guitar - Gibson Melody Maker 2014
American Musical Supply
Gibson Melody Maker - Raw Vintage Sunburst - PMT
PMTVUK
Gibson - 2014 Les Paul Melody Maker Demo at GAK
GAK
Gibson Melody Maker 2010 demo and review
Foxy's Guitar Show
Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker 2014: budget-friendly, but is it worth buying?
Dressed In Black
Reviews
PROS
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Lightweight design, making it easy to handle and play for extended periods
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High-output single pickup offers a unique, versatile sound
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Resonates with a special vintage feel, often described as having "mojo"
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Comfortable neck, praised for its playability and feel
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Offers a great balance between classic Gibson and Fender tones
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Affordable for a vintage guitar, considered a hidden gem
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USA-made craftsmanship at a budget-friendly price
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Classic design reminiscent of early Les Paul Juniors
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Excellent sustain due to vintage dried wood
CONS
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Limited to one pickup, which may restrict tonal options for some players
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Some users experience tuning stability issues
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Basic features may not satisfy those seeking advanced functionalities
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar.
Build quality
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The Melody Maker D variants have two single-coil pickups and two volume and tone knobs, distinguishing them from the single pickup models.
Source
Features and functionality
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The SG body style Melody Makers from the late 60s often had a Vibrola tremolo bar, identifiable by three light-colored dots on the body where a metal plate was once attached.
Source
User experience
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Multiple owners praise the guitar's lightweight build and smooth playability, noting the surprisingly heavy sound despite the thin pickups.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Some guitars had the original cream-colored tuning keys replaced with more modern versions, affecting the instrument's authenticity for collectors.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 20 Ratings
True raw power. Ideal for players with great pedal boards, who do not maintain sound from gutar's onboard.
One of the reason's I got my black 2010 Melody Maker, which is right now back home over the Atlantic unplayed almost for 2 years, is that it is USA made, which I got for less than $350 brand new with 3 years warranty.
I got the guitar as as better guitar compared to Epi SG Jr. when I was progressing with my former band. It is, I would say, US made Les Paul Special on a diet. One single coil, high out put pickup with one T and one V control and wrap around bridge - that works really good, once you fine set it. For straight up rockers who love to be loud, but know how to play highly recommended as well -my case- for players, who need just one pickup and have shizload of pedals.
I pretty much got the guitar for its craftsmanship in the USA while giving up some higher standards I could get on Chinese or Indonesian made Epiphone LP Custom or SG G400, so if you are looking for a high quality craftsman ship by Gibson and need just on single and are on a budget go for it!
701
A really retro, wonderful sounding guitar.
I got it for around £300 in Denmark Street which i think is an amazing deal. This guitar can make lovely clean sounds from lush to quite twangy, and in Gibson's nature some lovely overdriven sounds. Some people may complain about having only one pickup which is being honest a limitation but you can get some darker sounds with the tone knob but as I'm someone with many effects pedals i have still managed to get a very wide range of tones out of it and even without many effects the guitar sounds truly lovely and is the only electric guitar I've ever needed.
46
Great entry to Gibson guitars
I wanted this guitar ever since seeing Carl Barrat (The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things) play an original vintage model. The re-production was my first Gibson and a great entry point guitar. I love the tone, it's lightweight, however, have encountered many issues with tuning slipping.
Artist usage
Add artist
Barät can be seen in this photo playing a Melody Maker. According to a post from GuitarPlayer, "Barät grew up obsessing over his father’s own Gibson Melody Maker, but wasn’t allowed anywhere near it. 'That didn’t stop me of course,' he grins. 'I just went behind his back. He relented in the end and gave this one to me a few years ago, as a present'".
On September 13, 2017, one of Dio's guitars was put up for auction, a 1959 Gibson Melody Maker in a Sunburst finish. The Guitar's value was estimated around $1,000-$2,000 and sold for $5,120.
The item discription read:
A 1959 Melody Maker ¾ scale electric guitar. The single cutaway mahogany body is finished in Tobacco Sunburst; serial number 9 9786 is stamped to the back of the headstock. This was the last guitar Ronnie James Dio played as he was using it to write a song for the unfinished Magica 2 album. Accompanied by a hardshell case.
“When I was younger, I had one of these that I routed and put a humbucker in,” Clarke said of this ’59 Gibson Melody Maker. “It started my love for thin, mahogany guitars, and I now have two – this one and a 1960. I gave one to my daughter when she started to play guitar.”
"My favorite electric is probably a 90s Gibson L4 hollow body and a 1960 Melody Maker."
In the SXSW Live 2015 performance, Nathan Williams of Wavves can be seen playing a Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar.
In the official music video for "Gump," "Weird Al" Yankovic plays a Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar.
In this video Rick Parfitt can be seen using a black Gibson melody maker for the song 4500 times, he commonly used this guitar for this song
In this video of yes playing gates of delirium, Jon can be seen playing a twin pickup melody maker
Gibson Melody Maker "one pickup — I've always loved its Les Paul shape. Really lightweight, but useless as a guitar because it really screams. I'm not going to change it because it's original."
In the "Rig Rundown: Lindsay Ell [2023]" interview conducted by John Bohlinger for Premier Guitar, Lindsay Ell confirms her use of the Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar.
Seems to have been his main guitar during Superchunk’s early years.
Album Usage
The Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
Blow My Fuse
Kix (2024)
Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre
The Weakerthans (2010)
Reconstruction Site
The Weakerthans (2003)
Left and Leaving
The Weakerthans (2000)
Magica
Dio (2000)
A New Kind of Army
Anti?Flag (1999)
Like a Prayer
Madonna & Madonna (1989)
I Love Rock 'N' Roll (Expanded Edition)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts & Joan Jett (1981)
The Runaways
The Runaways (1976)
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 Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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