What Was Gibson Thinking?? Why Did They Come Out With This Frankenstein Guitar Model???

[@raphlasne]

So smooth, but with a lot of drive. I really enjoy your playing.

[@noahjuan2234]

It's good to see Wes in the production!

[@rhmayer1]

Wes does an awesome job with all these videos.

[@pomegranatesour]

I love mine. I got small hands. And being from Kalamazoo myself how could I resist!

[@Trial212]

Hello, This is a much better video than the one I saw where you were comparing this guitar to the Epiphone Byrdland. I wish I had seen this one first!! Much more informative and with good information. Very Nice playing!! For what it's worth, I think Gibson brought this out to be a "poor mans" Byrdland, While Gibson may not have gotten every detail correct, it pays to remember that this guitar is far les expensive than a Byrdland and even less expensive than the almost impossible to find Epiphone Byrdland. I'm mostly a Les Paul player, but I have small hands and I'm planning on buying one of these Kalamazoo's this week and I think I'm going to love it!! Cheers!! Bryan

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I hope you enjoy your Midtown!! I believe you'll love it also!

[@Trial212]

@@RichSeversonGuitar Thank you!

[@DanielSmith-ce5if]

I am one of the rare few with the absolute pleasure and honor to own one of these midtowns. I bought it in Panama city Beach, Florida at Leitz Music in 2014. First and only owner. I fall more in love with her every single time I pick her up. I believe only 600 were ever made, and all had the same specs (to my understanding), however; mine does not have the strap button on the back where the neck and body meet, and my tailpiece is just definitely not welded. The hinge moves freely without string tension. I haven't watched the entire video yet, but the tone knobs SHOULD be push/pull to split the coils. My absolute favorite tone so far with mine is neck pickup split to one cool❤ amazing playing and video sir. Sending love from small Town Kentucky!

[@RickDiIoia]

Rich, You and Wes are our favorite TV show. We would like to live stream, but are still working and have to catch up with you after hours. Thanks for the great music, guitar videos, and Wes's guitar news. Best Regards Rick and Robin DiIoia- Dresher, PA

[@tomdecuca3627]

I think that's about the best I ever heard one of those sound!! Nice playing Rich!!

[@raybohlken6117]

I'd been thinking about getting one of these for the short scale. I decided to pass based on your comments. Doesn't sound like what I was hoping for. I enjoy your videos.

[@Nickster60]

Great sounding guitar to my ear. Versatile and great for the days when the old hands need a break. 2013 kind of the doldrums for Gibson.

[@ericoswood1856]

I bought one of these used in mint condition at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville years ago. IMO it’s a great looking and fantastic playing guitar. New, these were only $1,500 and were loaded with features including coil splits and locking tuners. The short scale makes them incredibly easy to play.

[@dieterkaudel3143]

Nice playing! I have one of these and love it. My string setup is exactly the opposite to yours though. .009 to .44. I especially like the short scale and it has a great big tone for clean and dirt in my opinion. It has a flat top by the way and it is somewhat more picky in regards to tuning due to the short scale. But I love the short scale (my fingers are not as long as Steve Vai's you know...). In my opinion it is a really great, very well build guitar. I have a Byrdland too and this one is totally different. I think it is great addition to any collection. My thanks to Gibson to think outside the box sometimes.

[@ERAZERHEAD-54]

At first I thought it was a Byrdland, but then I realized it’s a Frankenstein, indeed. I love though the tone you get out of it. In fact Rich, it’s what I love about your playing. You’re a stickler for tone. You just have a nice feel that sounds so melodic & expressive. Love the advice you give to players. Always quite useful. Thanks for all you’ve done to help us players understand what is exactly involved with the Guitar. I’ll be passing the word on! Keep laying on the Silk, Daddy!

[@pedasijeff]

I have one and am the second owner. In order for it to stay in tune more than 4 measures I had to install a Schaller roller nut and a TUSQ XL nut. Never bonded with this guitar and is hard to sell where I am. My understanding there were 300 made? Some say another 300 were made for International dealers. On the other hand my SG plays perfect no mods go figure.

[@rhmayer1]

When I think short scale, I think blues and rock just because the shorter scale makes bending easier. For those that don't know, full and longer scale guitars are harder to bend the strings because to be in tune, longer scale guitars need to be strung tighter. For example an A=440 needs a higher, tighter string tension when longer scale compared to shorter scale. That's why rock and blues players that play full scale guitars, like Stratocasters, compensate by using ultra light strings since lighter strings allow easier bending, obviously, that can help make up for the higher tension strings.

[@waitaminute7257]

Cool I was just looking at one of those the other day and wondering what was up with those.

[@bobrich1950]

Rich, you sound great on anything. Someone recently said you could make a 2x4 sound good. I agree. Great playing as usual. Short scale, as in 23-1/2 " ??? How do you manage to go from 25-1/2" to 24-3/4" down to this 23-1/2 " ?? I get the part about making some chords easier to finger, but i would think at 23-1/2" it would start to get a little too cramped also. Just a thought. Really appreciate all your videos. You are really a great player. And i wish i had half the repertoire you have.

[@FRojo-hp3fi]

I must say that the way of playing freaks me out, that fingering it seems as if he passed his fingers over the fingerboard and barely touches the strings, i love it

[@stewieiommi]

Rock player-jazz wannabe, here. I noted the same thing about his playing. Great economy of motion. .Part of this are all the chromatic notes, but he has a great style.

[@To.Si.Ma.]

Great video. Isn t it a model Pat Martino used to play? I have seen him playing a Les Paul like guitar. I think there was a Gibson Martino model too. (Just discovered him recently). The centerblock in this is solid as u said. Maybe the attack was snappier if it was completley hollow like the casinos or a classic jazzbox.

[@superbaran9042]

I badly wanted this guitar in the past, but now I'm good. Right now I'm drooling over Gibson Firebird.

[@e.t.k]

I got the same guitar. Buying a Gibson jazz guitar is quite an investment anf this one is in the "affordable" price spectrum. I consider it a ES 335 single cut, i do not like double cuts.... The one I have has a Bigsby installe by the previous owner, a very low action (you have to lay your fingers with as less force as possible), and slim taper neck, locking tuners, etc... the scale is great to play extended chords and scales.The microphones split is usefull when you feel that the microphones are muddy (especially when you play through pedals). I mix the split with either humbuckers in the middle position. Playing after the 12th fret is a bit crowded but it imposes accuracy. I don' t care about the identity, frankenstein, fake birdland, I am no purist. The guitar is great to play (you are right, i am a scofield jazz standards wanna be player ) and an eye catcher.

[@pepesixstrings2243]

Nice guitar! It would fit me because of my little hands, besides It sounds great.

[@dwightb8323]

I wanted something that was like a more interesting Les Paul, and that is how I think of it. It's not really a jazz guitar, but it can certainly sound jazzy. I got it new, and I think it's a tremendous guitar for the price. For jazz, I have an Epiphone 175. I also have a Yamaha SA2220, similar to a 335, but better, IMHO.

[@maineguitarists]

I love it. I have an ibanez gb10 which this reminds me of in the size etc. It sounds wonderful and of course everything you play sounds great. I love these reviews as i'm considering buying one of these in the near future. Gibson also has the Midtown non cutaway guitars also with p90's. Have you ever played on of those? they typically sell for alot less. thanks, tom

[@christuxford4462]

I tried one today. The neck pickup was a dull wooly blah despite trying to get the amp to bend backwards for it. Zero acoustic volume which I found weird. It was a disappointment to say the least.

[@stewieiommi]

The Midtowns were meant to be a budget version of higher end models, using a flat top rather than arched, etc. I own 335's and other ES models like the 135 & 137, the Midtown falls short in comparison. They didn't quite catch on.. I get a great deal from the gear comparisons, but to be honest, I watch the channel for Rich's fabulous playing.

[@NN-tk7uw]

Thanks for this video; I own one of these and thinking of getting another! Did the nut require modification for your custom strings?

[@jjdillon2007]

Given the price of a Byrdland or an ES-350T, Gibson probably wanted to make a "cheaper" version of the two 23.50" scale guitars. That's the only thing I can figure.

[@rhmayer1]

Yeah, but then why go for a Byrdland neck, inlays, headstock and multiple bindings which is kinda high end?

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

Fascinating guitar! I wouldf consider it if it were a 20 fret guitar.

[@TheRmoroni]

garland byrd and nugent liked that scale

[@sadielampduo3762]

That Gibson Kalamazoo might be in the Line idea of Gibson Epiphones . Many years ago Gibson put a real less expensive line of guitars called Kalamazoo guitars , they were strat and other style models.

[@eohippusone]

Is it like a Benedetto?

[@TheRmoroni]

does that have a flat top or is it contoured at all?

[@koaguilds]

flat

[@JohnGSee]

What is the weight of this Gibson Midtown ?

[@chrislandry5797]

Short fingers market!

[@jamesgretsch4894]

I wish Gibson would make a Rich Severson signature model because you deserve it. I think if they build one to your specs it would be the ultimate jazz guitar. They made a Rick Beato sig model wo why haven't they done a Rich Severson model yet?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you I'd like that

[@timscarrow9151]

Big top skinny bottom, I knew her. Honestly the bigger strings on the top just have a more solid attack and the tone is superior. I have to get back up there, my lazy old hands are putting up with 10's. 25 1/2'' scale is harder, but 24 3/4" is like taking a vacation. Remember the collectable ones are the ones they don't make, it could be a solid investment.Sorry for the pun.

[@williamvann4305]

Seems like Gibson doesn't build anything anymore besides Les Paul models, except in the Custom Shop. You didn't mention the top material...laminated spruce? Does it have a full length center block? Hamer USA had a Monaco and a Monaco III of similar size with mahogany bodies and solid spruce tops. They had 25.5 inch scales though and Bigsby tailpieces. The Monaco III with flatwound strings is great for jazz. PRS makes the HB series with similar size and body materials. They can be very versatile too. Seems like younger jazz players are getting away from the full size archtops and looking for a more "electric" tone. Too bad Gibson gave up on this model.

[@dcjway]

The body looks like scaled down L-5.

[@catherinejared8717]

ｐｒｏｍｏｓｍ

[@jimpruitt4439]

I think u botth are confused on this Guitar ! Dad said " He Like it " then he hated it . Son said give me More Reasons to Hate this Guitar ! Dad playing awesome tones. Then son ask dad why do u hate this Guitar so much ? My Honest opinion Dad really likes it ! I have one and they are their own entity ! I love mine !! Stop this Flippy Floppty BS ! Or Pay $ 8500 for a Vintage Byrdlan !