Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Custom

[alanbakewell]

Does anyone have any experience / comments / opinions on the Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Custom please.

I have the opportunity to try one of these in the next couple of weeks. So far I've only seen photographs and heard one played on You-Tube.

I'm not a finger picker, I'm a strummer. I like the look of the guitar and would appreciate any comments either way.

Cheers, Alan.

p.s. I'm left handed but I know you won't hold that against me.

[TJChapin]

I have played many and all have been excellent guitars. Very clear , loud, lots over rosewood undertones, balanced, somewhat Martinesq with a little Gibson honk. I have a Hummingbird Artist which is oddly named as it is a mahogany version of a Songwriter. After three years of ownerships can say it is the best guitar I have ever owned. Other than initial setup not a problem one. If I was looking for a rosewood dread, would be on my short list.

[BT Bob]

I have the SWD Standard. From what I can tell, the Custom is a "more blingy" version of the Standard.

I love mine, it plays beautifully ( I strum more than anything and it works for me).

It took me a while to find strings I like - I settled on Martin PB, 11s. Mine has had a proper set-up and I recently put some Colosi pins on it.

I really don't think you'll be disappointed - acoustic or amp'd.

[Neal]

I went with my buddy to audition Gibson guitars about 5-6 years ago, and he ended up with the SW Deluxe. He still has it. It's a small dread, I was encouraging him to go with the J-45, but he liked the bling on the thing better . Now that he's had it for a number of years, I can't see him playing anything else. It's a real nice guitar.

[alanbakewell]

I appreciate the replies, thank you.

I will certainly take the opportunity to play this guitar. I'm looking for a "Keeper". This may just be the one.

Cheers, Alan.

[BT Bob]

Alan, you could take a look over at the Gibson Forum - there's plenty of SWD owners over there.

Just out of interest, I got mine from Andertons. Brilliant service.

[alanbakewell]

Thanks Bob, I'll have a look.

Cheers, Alan

[GibbyPrague]

I have a songwriter studio ec. it also too me a long time to find the right strings but after much experimentation i found elixir pb lights work best as they are the only strings that can retain their sizzle for a long time, and having the sizzle going is key for this guitar, otherwise it gets too muddy.

now i like this guitar a lot and is my main gigging guitar when we play large venues. the rosewood overtones and deep bass work great across a big pa.

at home i have tuned down half a step as i like the tone a lot in this tuning.

highly recommend it.

[Sombras]

Just this weekend I visited a guitar shop with a Gibson Hummingbird and Songwriter Deluxe Custom hanging next to each other on the wall. I feel like it's always a crapshoot with Gibsons, so I tried them both out of curiosity. the Hummingbird was, unfortunately, a real dud. I picked up the Songwriter with a bad taste in my mouth from the Hummingbird and was totally blown away. That guitar was a sweet sounding beast. Smooth, clear but not overly bright, and loud. It's a good thing I did not have the cash on me or I would have walked out with it. Great guitar.

[Triumph1050]

Not the Custom...but still plenty of bling. Great sounding and playing guitar.

[alanbakewell]

Collected it today, very pleased.

I tried the electrics in the shop and was pleased with the variety of sounds available.

However, it's the pure acoustic sound that I wanted first and foremost and that's what I'm hearing now, It sounds even better in my conservatory than it did in the shop.

I'm off to play some more.

Cheers, Alan.

[GibbyPrague]

Congratulations Allen, Ill join you and play my Songwriter in your honor now too !

Enjoy !

[BT Bob]

Well done Alan. If you enjoy it half as much as I enjoy mine, you'll be a very happy man.

Out of curiosity, where did you get it (if you don't mind telling)?