Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,026

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Step into a world of classic rock tones with the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom. This solid body electric guitar is a nostalgic nod to the past, meticulously crafted for the modern musician. The Sonex series, launched by Gibson in the early 1980s, is cherished for its unique blend of traditional Gibson craftsmanship and innovative design. The Sonex 180 Custom stands out with its Resonwood body, a breakthrough at its time, offering a unique tonal character that guitarists appreciate for its resonance and sustain.

The guitar is equipped with two high-output Dirty Fingers humbucking pickups, designed to deliver a powerful, aggressive sound that makes it a favorite for rock and metal genres. Its bolt-on maple neck offers a smooth playing experience, while the rosewood fingerboard ensures comfort during long jam sessions. The Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide tuning stability and sustain, ensuring your riffs and solos sound pristine.

Whether you're recording in the studio or performing live, the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom effortlessly adapts to any environment, making it a versatile addition to any guitarist's collection.

Key Features:

  • Solid Resonwood body for enhanced resonance
  • Two Dirty Fingers humbucking pickups for powerful tones
  • Bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
  • Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece for stable tuning
  • Versatile sound suitable for various music genres

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Sonex-180 Custom
Finish Ebony, White
Year 1980 - 1982
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, White
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson Sonex
Model Sub-Family Gibson Sonex-180 Custom
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Gibson Norlin Era

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony?

The Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony features a bolt-on maple neck with a comfortable profile that suits a variety of playing styles, offering a smooth playing experience across its 22 frets.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony?

The Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, providing a versatile tonal range from warm, rich sounds to bright, cutting tones, suitable for rock, blues, and more.

Is the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony offers great playability, its historical and collectible value may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players looking for a unique addition to their collection.

What is the body material of the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony?

The Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony features a solid body made with a core of tonewood encased in Resonwood, a synthetic material designed to enhance acoustic tonal properties.

How does the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony handle different music genres?

With its dual humbuckers and versatile tone controls, the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony can adeptly handle a range of genres, from rock and blues to jazz and beyond, offering both clear and distorted tones.

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Oddball Semi Plastic Vintage GIBSON SONEX vs LES PAUL 1959 Reissue - May surprise you!

Video thumbnail for Oddball Semi Plastic Vintage GIBSON SONEX vs LES PAUL 1959 Reissue - May surprise you! by Johan Segeborn

Oddball Semi Plastic Vintage GIBSON SONEX vs LES PAUL 1959 Reissue - May surprise you!

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Sonex 180 Custom.

Build quality

  • The Sonex 180 Custom reportedly withstands rough handling, such as drops, with minimal damage, highlighting its durability.

    Source
  • The Sonex 180 Custom features a composite body, which some owners report can crumble upon damage, creating sharp edges that are difficult to repair.

    Source
  • The thick poly finish can be brittle, leading to visible cracks that stem from impact points, frequently mistaken for structural damage.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have noted that the original strap buttons can be problematic, leading to accidental drops if not replaced or modified.

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  • Owners often find the finish work to be subpar, with necks showing improvements in appearance when stripped of the original finish.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A common modification includes replacing the nut, as seen with an owner who had this done at a reputable shop.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • This guitar is praised for its powerful sound, likened to "screaming like a banshee," making it suitable for energetic performances and rock genres.

    Source
  • The guitar's design and pricing were reportedly targeted towards the punk scene, emphasizing its durability and pickup quality.

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  • The guitar's aesthetic appeal, including its headstock logo, is appreciated by fans of the band Eyehategod, as the guitarist Jim Bower uses this model.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Dirty Finger Zebra pickups are praised for their high output, making them ideal for recording, especially when paired with a Marshall amp.

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  • The Sonex includes a silkscreened Gibson logo, reflecting its budget model status during the transition from Kalamazoo to Nashville.

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Comparisons

  • The Sonex's design is likened to a blend of the Gibson Marauder and Les Paul, with a flat top that some players find uncomfortable.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite its wear and tear, the Sonex-180 Deluxe can be found at low prices, around $175, and sometimes includes extras like a Gibson USA hardshell case.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
dudewithacoffeeaddiction

Underrated BEAST of a guitar!

This guitar was Gibson's cheapest budget model of a Les Paul in the early-mid 1980's, possibly before Epiphone started making cheap Les Pauls. This guitar is a beauty in the looks, but a complete BEAST in the sound. Down-tuning with these guys hits the sweetest spot for heavy rockers like me! It's so good, that it being underrated should be a deadly sin!

jimmarchi1

The Sonox one of those Norlin era crimes against Gibsonosity that turned out to be a cool punk rock axe. If it had a different name on the headstock it might have been a hit.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kirk Fisher uses Gibson Sonex 180 Custom

Kirk Fisher

Guitarist

Buzzov-en

...
Verified via Savagethroat

In an interview with Savagethroat titled "The Negative Trip: Interview with Kirk Fisher - Buzzov-en," Kirk Fisher discusses using the Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Ebony electric guitar. Additionally, he can be seen playing it in this YouTube video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVWXvDFidQg].

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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