Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,750
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Gibson Midtown Custom is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that marries traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, offering musicians a versatile instrument suitable for a wide range of genres. This guitar stands out with its chambered mahogany body, providing a rich, resonant tone that is both warm and articulate. The solid maple top adds brightness and clarity, ensuring that each note rings with precision.
Equipped with a pair of Burstbucker pickups, the Midtown Custom delivers a classic Gibson sound with a modern edge. The pickups are known for their ability to capture both subtle nuances and powerful tones, making them perfect for studio sessions or live performances. The guitar's neck is a comfortable "C" shape, crafted from mahogany, and topped with a rosewood fingerboard that encourages smooth, fast playability.
Gibson has incorporated a high-quality tune-o-matic bridge, enhancing the sustain and stability of the instrument. The elegant block inlays and the headstock adorned with a mother-of-pearl crown add a touch of sophistication, showcasing Gibson's attention to aesthetic detail. Whether you're strumming soft chords or shredding solos, the Midtown Custom is designed to meet the demands of discerning guitarists.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody with chambered mahogany body and solid maple top
- Burstbucker pickups for versatile tonal options
- Comfortable "C" shaped mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard
- Tune-o-matic bridge for enhanced sustain and stability
- Elegant block inlays and mother-of-pearl headstock crown
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Midtown Custom |
| Finish | Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Natural, Sunburst |
| Year | 2011 - 2016 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Red, Tan |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Model Family | Gibson Midtown |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Midtown Custom |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Flamed |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Gibson Midtown Custom have?
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The Gibson Midtown Custom features Burstbucker pickups, with a Burstbucker I in the neck position and a Burstbucker II in the bridge, offering a classic humbucking tone with vintage warmth and clarity.
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Is the Gibson Midtown Custom suitable for jazz and blues music?
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Yes, the semi-hollowbody design and the tonal versatility of the Burstbucker pickups make the Gibson Midtown Custom an excellent choice for jazz and blues, providing rich, resonant tones and dynamic range.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Midtown Custom like?
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The Gibson Midtown Custom features a rounded neck profile, providing a comfortable grip that is suitable for both rhythm and lead playing, appealing to players who prefer a slightly thicker neck.
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How does the Gibson Midtown Custom compare to a solid-body guitar?
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The semi-hollowbody design of the Gibson Midtown Custom offers a warmer, more resonant sound with increased sustain compared to a solid-body guitar, making it ideal for genres that benefit from rich, full tones.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Midtown Custom?
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The Gibson Midtown Custom is built with a mahogany body and neck, a maple top, and an ebony fretboard, combining durability with a classic aesthetic and contributing to its balanced tonal characteristics.
Videos
Firepilot Digital
Joe Bonamassa with the Gibson Midtown Custom
Reviews
PROS
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Lightweight compared to traditional Les Paul, reducing strain during long sessions
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Excellent upper fret access for ease in playing higher notes
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Versatile sound from warm jazz to rock and blues tones
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Sleek, slim neck for fast, comfortable playability
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Classic Gibson Les Paul tone with semi-hollowbody aesthetics
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High-quality craftsmanship with beautiful design and custom embellishments
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Burstbucker pickups provide iconic sound quality
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Superb for unplugged practice; minimal feedback issues
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Synthetic fretboard is durable and non-problematic
CONS
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Over 9 lbs, heavier than some similar models, which may cause discomfort
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Strap pin placement can lead to balance issues, causing neck dive
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Sensitive to string gauge; may require specific string types to maintain tuning stability
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Midtown Custom.
Build quality
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The Midtown features a flat maple top and back, rather than the traditional arched design of other semi-hollow guitars, contributing to its unique sound profile.
Source
Comparisons
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The guitar's sound is described as a cross between a 335 and a Les Paul, with a throaty and full tone, leaning more towards a 335.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the Midtown's slimmer body and reduced size, making it more comfortable for smaller players compared to the larger 335 models.
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An owner of a 2016 Standard variant, purchased new from a pawn shop for under $1k, reports satisfaction with its performance compared to other Gibsons over the past 25 years.
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Value and pricing
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Despite not being a custom shop model, the Gibson Midtown Custom holds its value well in the used market, often compared favorably to other Gibson models.
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Midtown Customs are often overlooked, with local prices ranging between $1200-1500, offering great value compared to inflated online prices due to platform fees.
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It's noted that if released today, Midtown Customs could be priced under $3k, reflecting their high value relative to current market standards.
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Use cases and applications
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Known for producing exceptional clean tones, the Midtown offers better upper fret access than traditional Les Paul guitars, enhancing playability for intricate leads.
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Owners describe the Midtown Custom's tone as versatile, excelling in clean sound applications, making it a top choice for studio recordings and live performances.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings
1040
2014 Model
I bought this guitar new, online, in the middle of the night. I saw an ad of what I thought was a 335, but upon clicking I found this Midtown. I don't really like the ES-339, but this guitar is the perfect size between a Les Paul and a 335. The neck is perfect, the ornamentation and usual custom embellishments make this truly a beauty to behold....and play.
40997
I really liked the original midtown from 2012 and 2013 with the hamer-style tapered headstock and P90s. But damn if your midtown custom ain't purdee.
1040
I recently traded this for a Gibson Hummingbird Pro. I own 7 ES's, five of which are 335s. I also own 7 Les Pauls. I decided I just didn't really need this in-between style of guitar as I ended up never playing it, but still love it for what it is and how it looks.
Artist usage
Add artist
In This Video Of Silversun Pickups Playing "Nightlight" Brian Is Playing A Gibson Midtown Custom
Here he is playing his Midtown Custom. His Midtown is modified with a fifth knob, which controls parameters of some of his pedals on the floor, as he demonstrates in the video.
"I also play my Midtown at a lot of live shows. It’s great finding that happy medium between my electric and my hollow body." - when you click on Midtown, it leads you to Gibson Midtown Custom, so it is suggested that she uses those guitars.
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 Midtown Custom, it is most commonly used with the following gear.