Gibson Blueshawk

Infobox Guitar model
title= Gibson Blueshawk


caption=
manufacturer= Gibson
period= 1996-2006
bodytype= Semi-solid - two sound cavities with f-holes
necktype= Narrow with slight V shape
woodbody= Maple cap over Poplar
woodneck= Mahogany
woodfingerboard= Rosewood
bridge= Low-profile string-through-body system with Maestro tremelo option
pickups= Two Blues 90 with hum canceling dummy coil
colors= Heritage Cherry (transparent red), Chicago Blue (transparent blue), Ebony (black)

The Gibson Blueshawk is a relatively recently designed (1996-2006) Gibson model designed mainly for blues players (hence the name). It superficially resembles the Les Paul in that the body outline is similar. The Blueshawk was discontinued by Gibson in Spring 2006.

A variant on the Blueshawk is named Gibson "Gibson Little Lucille" and features a stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge.

Construction

The Blueshawk has a number of distinctive features that distinguish it from virtually all other Gibsons. The Blueshawk's body outline is the same as a slightly earlier range of guitars - the Nighthawks (1993-1999) - but unlike the Nighthawks, the Blueshawk is a semi-hollow bodied guitar with twin f-holes and a flat (uncarved) top.

Other distinctive / innovative features include:

* 25.5 inch scale length (the same as many Fenders, Gibson's more typically have a 24.75 inch scale length)
* through-body stringing and bridge construction - similar to the Fender Telecaster
* Blues 90 pickups (a modified version of the P-90 pickup)
* noise reduction circuitry which employs a dummy coil
* a Varitone circuit (similar to that used on the Gibson ES345) - the Varitone circuit is a mid-cut/band-stop filter with a choice of five centre frequencies
* the Blueshawk is a light guitar (less than 7lbs) - the body is made from poplar, capped with maple - the body is small and relatively thin and has two cavities - the hardware is minimal.
* simple control set - master volume, master tone, 3-way pickup selector, 6 way rotary Varitone control switch

Musicians using a Blueshawk

External links

* [http://www.gibson.com/Products/GibsonElectric/Gibson%20Electric%20Guitars/Hawk/BluesHawk/ Gibson Blueshawk] Gibson Musical Instruments
* [http://www.blueshawk.info Blueshawk.info] - an independent enthusiast site dedicated to the Gibson Blueshawk and other Hawk guitars
* Review of the [http://guitarplayer.com/article/blues-masters/Jan-00/6724 Gibson Blueshawk] . Blues Masters. Gibson Blueshawk ("Guitar Player", January, 2000).

Notes