Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $2,483
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Unleash your musical prowess with the Gibson Nighthawk Standard (ST), a masterpiece that harmonizes vintage aesthetics with modern playability. This solid body electric guitar stands out with its exquisite quilted maple top, ensuring that it looks as stunning as it sounds. The unique blend of Burstbucker 1/2 humbuckers and a ceramic single coil pickup offers a versatile sound palette, from warm, resonant tones to crisp, clear highs. Perfect for musicians who refuse to be boxed into a single genre, the Nighthawk ST is your companion in crafting your signature sound.
Key Features:
- Quilted maple top for breathtaking aesthetics
- Burstbucker 1/2 humbuckers paired with a ceramic single coil pickup for versatile tonal options
- Bound fretboard enhances playability and comfort
- Solid body design tailored for a variety of music genres
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Nighthawk Standard |
| Finish | Chicago Blue, Memphis Mojo, St. Louis Sauce, Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 2010 - 2011 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Poplar |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Blue, Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Nighthawk |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Nighthawk Standard |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HSH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Quilted |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Nighthawk Standard's pickups?
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The Gibson Nighthawk Standard features an HSH pickup configuration, offering a versatile range of tones. You can achieve everything from warm, full humbucker sounds to bright, snappy single-coil tones, making it suitable for a variety of music genres.
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Is the Gibson Nighthawk Standard suitable for beginners?
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While the Gibson Nighthawk Standard offers advanced features that appeal to experienced players, its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound make it accessible for beginners who are serious about learning and playing different styles.
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What is the neck profile like on the Gibson Nighthawk Standard?
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The Gibson Nighthawk Standard has a slim neck profile, which makes it easy to play and comfortable for fast fretwork, appealing to players who prefer a sleek and modern feel.
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How does the scale length of the Gibson Nighthawk Standard affect playability?
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The 24.75" scale length of the Gibson Nighthawk Standard provides a slightly shorter reach, making it easier for players to perform bends and achieve a smooth playing experience, especially for those with smaller hands.
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Does the Gibson Nighthawk Standard have any unique design features?
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Yes, the Gibson Nighthawk Standard features a distinctive single cutaway body shape, a quilted maple top, and a string-through bridge, which contribute to its unique aesthetic and enhanced sustain.
Videos
Vintage Guitar Oldenburg
Gibson Nighthawk Standard ST-3 from 1994 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile tone with coil taps and blade pickup offering a wide range of sounds
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Combines Stratocaster scale length with Les Paul neck and wood for unique playability
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Durable hardware with solid Gibson quality, including green tuners and gold plating
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Ideal for players who prefer Strat tone but dislike Strat feel
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Highly praised for versatility, considered one of Gibson's most versatile guitars
CONS
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Thick neck may not suit players with shorter fingers
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Thin finish prone to dings and wear, especially with frequent use
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Gold plating on bridge can wear off with regular palm resting
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Nighthawk Standard.
Mods and upgrades
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Upgrading to high-quality pots, input jack, and a new super switch significantly improves sound and functionality.
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Solid brass saddle replacements are suggested to improve sustain and overall tonal quality.
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Replacing the 14:1 tuners with 18:1 locking tuners enhances tuning stability.
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A recommended upgrade includes replacing stock pickups with Seymour Duncan JB or '59 slanted pickups and a Firebird neck pickup for better tone.
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Replacement angled humbuckers from brands like Seymour Duncan are recommended to enhance the tone, particularly for the middle pickup.
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Build quality
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The Nighthawk is noted for its rarity, with some owners expressing difficulty in finding well-maintained models at reasonable prices.
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Owners report poor soldering and mediocre die-cast saddle pieces, affecting the overall feel and durability of the guitar.
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The Nighthawk's neck profile is frequently praised and considered one of Gibson's finest by several long-time players.
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Use cases and applications
User experience
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A user transitioned from a Les Paul to a Nighthawk due to its lighter weight and comparable neck feel, reducing back strain without sacrificing comfort.
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Owners note that the Nighthawk's unique style often attracts attention and inquiries during performances.
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Some users report the Nighthawk's pickup selection process can be complex initially but becomes intuitive over time.
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Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Owners often describe the Nighthawk as embodying "the best Fender that Gibson ever built," highlighting its unique blend of Fender and Gibson characteristics.
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Owners often compare the Nighthawk to the Gibson Victory for its Fender-like qualities, such as the Fender neck scale and thin body design.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Max is pictured with a Gibson Nighthawk, he was briefly endorsed by Gibson and occasionally used SG's during the Chaos A.D and Roots eras. He eventually went to ESP.
Dave Davies used a Gibson Nighthawk while recording the album "Rippin' up time," according to this interview for Gibson:
"I actually used just one electric guitar—the Gibson Nighthawk...It takes me a while to get used to new things, but when I started to play it—started to live with it for a while—I really loved it. I can get great sustain out of the pickups. It’s very bright, but I’m able to get that muddy, sort of bluesy tone as well. I think it’s truly an underrated guitar."
In this 2013 photo of Barat performing live, a Gibson Nighthawk Standard is visible strapped to him.
Yeah, but I hardly ever played it with the Nighthawks. I stayed on the V until I left the Nighthawks, and used the Strat as a spare. But I had terrible trouble keeping it in tune, and my V was so damn loud that if I changed to the Strat, I would have to adjust my amps. When I started playing with the Assassins, I played it a lot more.
In a YouTube video uploaded by Darryl Finlan, Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason is seen playing a Gibson Nighthawk Standard (ST) during an intimate performance of "Only Child." This guitar has been closely associated with Shaun since his early days with the band.
Album Usage
The Gibson Nighthawk Standard has been featured on the following albums:
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 Nighthawk Standard, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Gibson Nighthawk Standard, curated by the Equipboard community.
$1,700.00
The 20th Anniversary Nighthawk Standard retains all the distinctive ingredients that make this unique breed of Gibson so special, including the 25 ½” scale length for firm lows and chiming highs, the comfortable body contours, through-body stringing and unique Nighthawk bridge, and the superb versatility of a trio of different yet complementary pickups, with push-pull coil splitting for the bridge pickup.
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