The Nighthawk was originally launched by Gibson in 1993 and then cancelled in 1998 due to a lack of sales, but it’s been making a bit of a comeback since its reintroduction in 2009.
And now the 2011 model will soon be on the streets – no delivery date has been provided yet – but my guess is that it will be on display at the Gibson Summer Jam event to be held in Nashville in parallel to this year’s Summer NAMM (Gibson are notably absent from the exhibitor list this year).
Vintage Sunburst (as pictured) appears to be the only color the 2011 model is coming out in which suggests the brighter blues and reds of last year’s standard model aren’t as popular as they used to be.
The three pickups from the bridge to the neck are: Alnico II Burstbucker 2, Single 8 Blade Ceramic, and an Alnico II Burstbucker 1.
It has a AAA Quilted Maple top with a Rosewood fingerboard sitting on Maple neck. The fingerboard inlays are acrylic dots.
The volume and tone control comes via One Master Volume push/pull potentiometers tapped to each of the Burstbuckers, and a 5-way toggle switch. Like previous Nighthawk models you can expect the tones to be more reminiscent of a Strat or Tele rather than a Les Paul.
With an MSRP of $2,599 the price point seems a little awkward to me – for example I think Gibson could have done better than acrylic inlays and perloid tuner buttons once they’re asking for over $2.5k. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this selling in stores for over $1k less than that by the end of the year.
More information is available at gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Nighthawk-2011.aspx
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Guys I’m looking to buy a Gibson Nighthawk 2011 but can’t seem to find one. Any of you guys know where I can get one from? Thanx
I just had a look at Guitar Center to see what they are selling it for and they say their list price is only $2,129.00 but they’re discounting it to $1,389.00
It’s already cheaper now than you said it would be by the end of the year.
If you don’t beleive me then check out the price at http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Limited-Run-Nighthawk-2011-Electric-Guitar–H71180-i1774423.gc
Nobody ever pay’s MSRP. If you cant afford a Gibson then move on and get a cheap Mex Fender or a poly dipped Epi. The fact of the matter is the price whiners wouldnt whine if they could afford one. If they are so bad then why do you want them to lower the price so you could own one.
I put the price of the Gibson logo on your guitar at about $1500 – which doesn’t say much for the Johnas Brothers guitar which sells for $700!
Instead of the Gibson Nighthawk I’d rather get a better sound by buying a Blacktop Tele HH for $500 – which is what I’m going to do.
Next best option would be one of the Epiphone Nighthawk Customs for $400 – it also has AAA flamed maple top, but it has Humbuckers instead which are better – yes I know they sound less bright. Saves you a lot when you don’t pay for gold plating and the Gibson sticker.
Don’t get me wrong – I have a lot of respect for Gibson Les Paul’s because most of the ones I’ve played are worth the price tag – but this Nighthawk isn’t.
Gibson are thinking we have more GAS than brains with this one!
These are funny little comments. If you’re going to bash something, at least know something about it first.
You first went wrong by stating that the “it [the Epiphone Nighthawk] also has AAA flamed maple top”. The part about the Epi having a flamed maple top is true. The wrong part of that statement is the word “also”. The 2011 Gibson Nighthawk does not have a flamed maple top, it has a AAA quilted maple top, which combined with the outstanding vintage burst finish looks absolutely gorgeous and looks way classier than any of the available Epi finishes.
You secondly went wrong by stating “but it [the Epiphone] has Humbuckers instead which are better”. The Gibson also has humbuckers, and they are the acclaimed Burstbucker pickups that you’ll find in many of the Les Paul models…much higher quality than those found in the Epiphone Nighthawk. In fact, most of the arguments I’ve seen for the Epiphone over the Gibson are that you could buy the Epiphone and replace the pickups. While that is a valid cheap-out approach, it won’t get you up to the Gibson. I suppose it is the justifiable compromise for those that don’t want to or can’t shell out for the Gibson.
Now, are Gibsons overpriced? You betcha. I have seen few high-end guitars by any manufacturer (Gibson, Fender, PRS, etc.) that I feel can justify a $2,000+ price tag. I personally would never spend more than $1500 or so on a guitar, as I think there is a law of diminishing returns above that price point. But hey, you gotta pay to play!
How do you even know what it sounds like?
You say a Fender sounds better but I reckon you haven’t even played a nighthawk.
Give us some proof of what it sounds like or GTFO
Of course you are paying for the name that all. Latest innovations are missing in these so called ‘re-issues” and who wants the perloid tuner buttons. You are better off with the Epiphone clone and replace the pickups.
PRS gives way better bang for the buck at this price point. …but you don’t want to use these in clubs and bars. Strats are the best value and there are the surprisng sleepers Godin makes that I have done A/B tests with vintage Gibsons and they come out way ahead.
So ..yes ..go ahead and pay $2600 for the name
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what are the “A/B tests” you talked about?
are gibson guitar prices too high? yes. i love gibson guitars, but i have never been able to afford any except factory seconds, or damaged fixer uppers. i agree about the nighthawk – about a $1k too high. for $2.5k i want an ebony fretboard and big block or trapezoid inlays.