I was able to purchase the Gibson Nighthawk Studio thanks to zZounds 12 easy pay plan. And zZounds got it to my door in two days. First let me say. I freakin' LOVE this guitar. It is the most versatile Gibson I've ever played in my 48 years of playing guitar. But whoever works in quality control at Gibson was asleep the day they inspected this guitar. The wood was not sanded very smoothly before painting and there's an ugly blemish, on the edge of the guitar, just below the pickup selector where the binding is applied over a very rough spot on the wood. But, this guitar plays and sounds so GREAT, I'm going to keep it !!!!! I've had it one week and it speaks to me, more than most guitars I've played.

Sound
The Pelham Blue is BEAUTIFUL. The wood resonates nicely when playing unplugged. The Burstbucker pickups are fabulous. And the coil tap gives a great variety of sounds. Humbucker and single coil. Six distinct and very useful tones. And there's not a big drop off in volume when switching from humbucker to single coil settings. I've played it in my studio through my Line6 Pod X3, My Peavey Classic 30. And at my weekend gig through my Peavey Valve King 112. And You can play ANYTHING on this guitar. From the cleanest to the crunchiest. It plays and sounds great. I can't understand why I haven't seen a lot more people playing the Nighthawk.

Features
The 16 to 1 tuners keep it in tune very well. The body wood is very… read more resonant. The volume/tone knobs and 3 way switch are placed perfectly. The fretwork and neck binding is silky smooth. The baked maple fretboard is nice and snappy. The Nighthawk Studio is like a hybrid. It has the classic Gibson sound and vibe, with the string thru bridge and 25 1/2 inch scale of a Fender. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Ease of Use
I play in a Variety band and The Nighthawk Studio can give me Country Twang, Classic Rock Crunch, funky Pop sounds and it's great for slide guitar. In solo mode, it SINGS. The action is smooth as silk. The tone control gives a gradual roll off of treble. The knobs and switches work easily and perfectly.

Quality
Other than the above mentioned blemish, this guitar is as close to perfection as I can imagine. I expect it to last a lifetime and beyond. After all, it's a Gibson.

Value
The Nighthawk Studio is way better than the price, in my opinion. The gig bag it came in is well padded and functional though it could use either a bigger zipper pocket or two of them. I also own a Les Paul Studio, an American Fat Strat, an American Telecaster, a Carvin SC90S, a Reverend Charger 290, and a Martin DCME. This Nighthawk is now my go to guitar for weekend gigs.

Manufacturer Support
I've never had to contact Gibson.

The Wow Factor
Like I said, I can't believe I don't see a lot more players playing the Nighthawk. It's gorgeous. Plays like a dream and sounds fabulous.

Musical Background:
Been playing for 48 years. Guitar, bass, trumpet. Studio Geek and know my way around a digital keyboard and a set of drums.

Musical Style:
Classic Rock, Funk, Pop, Country, Oldies, Progressive Rock. read less