A tale to share of some exceptional service, from Mann's Music. Who I'd not heard of until I found an interesting looking guitar while finding out about Gordon Smith. Two GS 1.5s caught my eye, I called one shop and asked "Tell me about the guitar" and I got a very polite read through of the spec list I was looking at. Then I called Mann's about the other one. I asked the same question to a chap called Alex. He said he hadn't played it in a while and the best thing to do was get the guitar and make a little video for me. We talked a little about styles and preferences, then twenty minutes later I got this in my mail box.
https://lightart.photo/img/s/v-11/o504011119/c1/p4138060395-215.mp4 About a half hour after that, I got a phone call back to discuss the middle position and the finish flaws. Both pickups were definitely live in the middle of the switch but he wanted the tech there to double check the wiring for any problems. The tech isn't full time and had already been in that day but he'd get him on the case asap. Got another call in an hour to say the tech had come back and it was all correct and the difference between neck and middle was a very subtle change. I asked if there was a deal to be done and was offered a very nice three figure discount on the £999 price. Of course having leant the big buying lesson of the year, I asked if I could get a new set of strings for it and having just lost a lead to death by rabbit, also asked that if they had a spare one beyond selling they could chuck in?
Fast forward through the weekend and the guitar ships on Monday to arrive Tuesday. First impressions are that the case is both really swish and tiny. This is unsurprisingly because the guitar is tiny, smaller than it looked in the video even. Which I really like. The next thing I noticed is that not only there is there a pack of my favourite stings in there, it's also wearing a brand new set too. I thought that was a really nice touch. Oh, and a brand new posh lead in there as well.
The whole service and experience was first class from beginning to end. I know they are an all instrument shop, not a guitar specialist and as such the stock is not huge but if they have what you want, you wont do better. Give them a call and ask for Alex, he's the manager there.
So...... the guitar? What are Gordon Smith really like?
In a word, wonderful! The build quality is very high, the house pickups make noises that I like very much, the Gotoh hardware all feels first class and works perfectly. The satin finish is gorgeous and feels very premium, the neck (called the thin profile but really isn't) feels very smooth and the fretwork is perfect. The factory setup has none of the safety margin traits we're all used to, the action is lower than anything I've seen bar the Duesenberg standard and the brass nut seems to be cut perfectly.
Since the design is clearly from the Gibson universe, I'll make the comparison. Speaking from the honeymoon period, I think I like it far more than any Gibson I've ever owned. The build, fit and finish are certainly superior to those that I've had. The combo of a bridge P90 and Stratty neck pickup work really well for me and it's a nice change from the boooteeeeky trend for a HB/P90 combo (which I also really like).
If you're looking for a Gibsonesque guitar, I'd definitely recommend giving Gordon Smith a look. I specced this one on their website and it was about £1400 I think. So if there's something already built out there you like, and you can check stock at all of their dealers from the GS website, seems the saving is pretty good. And for those of us in the UK, you get to support a more local and much smaller outfit too.
Comments
Didn't even know he'd dyed his hair, must have been lockdown boredom.
(Oh, and HNGD, looks sweet!)
Anyway.....trades?
Excellent guitars, wish I still had them but I had to sell cos of cash-flow problems.
That little demo video that Alex did is so helpful when buying remotely.
I had a Gordon Smith Gypsy II SS for at least 10 years. I'd gone out looking for something Gibson-ish and the Gordon Smith won the day. Did loads of gigs with it. Can't remember what finally dislodged it from my guitar rack...
Wife bought both her Ukuleles from them too and also found the service fine.