GMP question

[hammer84]

I was looking for a Les Paul type guitar ( don't like the shape of Les Paul necks ). I thought I had a PRS single bought, but the dealer jacked me around with the old "can't get them anymore so bend over ".

So I ran across the GMP pawnshop special. Any comments/opinions on them. How is the old style neck joint for access compares to a Les Paul ?? Anything would help, I have never touched a GMP so I'm flying blind. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Snoogans]

Re: GMP question

I have never heard anything but praise for GMPs. There's a couple of JCFers who own them, I'm sure one of them will be along shortly!

[sully]

Re: GMP question

yogadork sent me his to borrow for a few weeks (it was later sold to mr graphic, and i think he may have unloaded it), and they're nice guitars, but not for me. why? well, it's not because nice guitars aren't for me, but for these reasons:

the pawnshop body size felt tiny on me; i'm by no means a giant (6'3" and 190#) but the body looked and felt way too small, and a little thin. i think the body thickness issue had to do with it looking like a les paul, and mentally, i expected it to feel like one, and it didn't. does that make any sense?

the neck was a wide, thin profile, which also wasn't for me. i like necks a little bit rounder. i can say though, that the frets were done well, the inlays were very nice, as was the slab of ebony.

the guitar sounded really nice, and played nicely, and did everything it was supposed to do. they make nice guitars, for sure.

i've played the firebird gmp that kev has a little bit, and that's a nice one, too.

sully

[hammer84]

Re: GMP question

Thanks Sully

How was the upper fret access on Yoga's GMP you tried ??

[sully]

Re: GMP question

no problem at all, but i can get around just about anything.

sully

[j2379]

Re: GMP question



is this close enough to a LP for ya?

[hammer84]

Re: GMP question

That guitar looks, well ummm confused [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: GMP question

Pay the money for the Paul Reed Smith or buy a Hamer!!!

[Chuckracer]

Re: GMP question

GMPs are a different animal from a Les Paul. Pauls are solid, heavy, and have a short scale so they sound unique. GMPs are a 25.5" scale, generally chambered and come in three distinct flavors: Standard, special, and Deluxe. I know the website claims there are five models, but these are the three main versions. The other two are variations on a theme.

The Standard Pawnshop is a thin, flat top guitar. Light, set neck and a cool little Rock And Roll Machine.
The Special is similiar, but made of nicer woods and with a thin maple top.
The Deluxe has a thick maple cap and the plder models did indeed have an upper fret access problem. The enclosed pic is a Standard and a Deluxe. You can see how much thicker the Deluxe is and the resulting heel.



Very cool guitars, but if you are after a Les Paul, this may not do it for you. I think GMPs are closer to Jacksons than Gibbys.

[hammer84]

Re: GMP question

Thanks Chuck,

I'm looking for a "more conservative" looking guitar than my Jackson's and I like the Les Paul shape. I was concerned about the fret acces because I don't like that issue on Les Pauls. The GMP I'm looking at has the old style neck joint and is a Pawn shop deluxe. May need to keep looking.

[sully]

Re: GMP question

are you adverse to building one of your own? you could go the warmoth route and have them sculpt the heel out for better access?

sully

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: GMP question

Checking that Chuck's GMPs... No way I could play these guitars.
They look almost like Acoustic guitar heels...

[Chuckracer]

Re: GMP question

The white Pawnshop was no sweat at all to get up high, but the Deluxe was a bit of a struggle.
The new ones all have sculpted heels, so that problem is a thing of the past.

[The Eristic]

Re: GMP question

Have you tried a McInturff Taurus or McNaught Vintage Single?

[Firebird V]

Re: GMP question

Hey Sully. Is the neck on the F-bird wide and flat too or is it more rounded?