Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $337
Budget/Beginner
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Sonex-180 Deluxe |
| Finish | Blue, Candy Apple Red, Ebony, Silver, Silverburst, White |
| Year | 1980 - 1981 |
| 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, Blue, Red, Silver, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony, Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Sonex |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Sonex-180 Deluxe |
| 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
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What type of pickups does the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe have?
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The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is equipped with Zebra Dirty Fingers Humbuckers, known for their high output and aggressive tone, making them suitable for rock and metal genres.
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What is the neck construction of the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe?
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The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe features a bolt-on neck construction, which can offer a snappier response and is easier to service or replace compared to set necks.
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What is the body material of the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe?
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The body of the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe is made from a synthetic material called Resonwood, which aims to replicate the tonal properties of traditional tonewoods.
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How many frets does the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe have?
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The Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe has 22 frets, allowing for a comfortable range for both rhythm and lead playing.
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Is the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe suitable for beginners?
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While the Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe offers unique features and a distinctive tone, its design and playability may be more appreciated by intermediate to advanced players familiar with its characteristics.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
1982 Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe | Guitar of the Day
1982 Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe | Guitar of the Day
Normans Rare Guitars
1980 Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe Review
The Trogly's Guitar Show
1982 Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe Review by Regular Guitars
Regular Guitars
Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe and a word of caution!
Foxy's Guitar Show
Gibson Sonex 180 Deluxe 1980 - Analog Addict Reviews
Andrew Chapman Music
Reviews
PROS
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Affordable entry into the vintage Gibson market.
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Offers great value for a budget-friendly vintage guitar.
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Solid mahogany body for durability and sound quality.
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Unique blend of Gibson's tone with Fender's playability.
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Velvet Brick pickups provide a hot, distinctive sound.
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Good sustain due to unique internal structure.
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Lightweight compared to other Gibson models.
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Easy to work on, similar to a Stratocaster.
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Great for thick, gainy rhythm work.
CONS
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Potential neck dive when playing with a strap.
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Pickups may lack nuance and sound dry or brittle.
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Hardware may loosen over time, requiring maintenance.
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Bolt-on neck may be a concern for some players.
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Some units have stripped screws or crackling tone controls.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about GIbson Sonex 180 Deluxe.
Build quality
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The Sonex 180 Deluxe has a Resonwood body with a likely mahogany center block, contributing to its unique tonal characteristics and weight.
Source -
The guitar's heavy weight is notable, even among Gibson models, suggesting robust construction.
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Achieving the right wood/resin epoxy blend was challenging, resulting in varied examples of quality and performance.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Sonex 180 Deluxe often features a unique aftermarket tremolo system known as the Bowen Handle, adding to its distinctiveness.
Source -
The Sonex 180 Deluxe includes a single coil tap switch, offering versatility for players who typically prefer P90 pickups.
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The original pickups, Velvet Brick or Dirty Finger, have a dedicated following for their hot output, suitable for rock and heavier styles despite the Sonex's entry-level status.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Owners report significant tonal improvement by replacing stock pickups with lower output models like the DiMarzio Humbucker from Hell and EJ Custom.
Source -
For a classic sound restoration, a Gibson 490r in the neck and a DiMarzio DP103 in the bridge are recommended as replacements for the original pickups.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The guitar's original pickups are reported to excel in high-gain applications, making it suitable for heavier musical styles.
Source
Value and pricing
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Prices for the Sonex 180 Deluxe have risen significantly, with units previously bought for $180 now sometimes exceeding $1,000 on the market.
Source
User experience
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Owners find the Sonex 180 Deluxe appealing for its quirky, punk aesthetic and history as Gibson's "cheap punk guitar."
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
86
Best Sludge Guitar
Extreme bass, heavy, monster tone. Used by goats like Jimmy Bower, Kirk Lloyd of Buzzov-en, Hank 3.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Turn treble tone knob down, rhythm on 10, use a high gain amp with overdrive.
345
Amazing guitar
My Sonex plays better than my Gibson SG and it is lighter than my Les Paul, the pickups have a really good bite to them almost like p-90, it is easy to work on like a Stratocaster and it is like nothing that Gibson has made so far.
Artist usage
Add artist
Only informations I found: Sonex Sonex 180 Owned By Billie Joe Armstrong Of Green Day
Serial: 81522529 There is a good amount of scratches, scuff, and general dirt throughout. Lots of wear on the neck with some finish rubbing away. The action is very low and as a result there's a good bit of string buzz. The neck pickup is also a bit high, causing the 6th string to bump it when fretting high up on the neck. The fourth string tuning peg is very stiff, though still functional. The guitar is considerably heavy. Overall, this guitar would certainly benefit from a solid setup. Soft case included.
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 Sonex 180 Deluxe, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yours
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for GIbson Sonex 180 Deluxe, curated by the Equipboard community.
$449.99
Great budget guitar, was using one of these before getting the Sonex. Cheap and fun to play, no need to sacrifice tone.
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