Help with Gibson info

[catzodellamarina]

My friend has Gibson M3 like this:
Gibson shredder
He heard somewhere it was made when Wayne Charvel worked at Gibson for a short time. True? Any decent sites that he can go to that can tell him the history, value, and misc info on this model? Anyone seen or played one of these? I've played it live a few times and it's similar in speed and feel to my Charvel Fusion.

[zeegler]

Re: Help with Gibson info

Reminds me of my old U2, which I understand was something to do with Wayne.

[DonP]

Re: Help with Gibson info

I've heard that as well, enough times to think it's true. Unusual neck heal scalp there. Interesting.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Help with Gibson info

Wayne Charvel did indeed work for Gibson, in the mid 80s I believe. I think he made three models for Gibson and they were all named after airplanes, but I'm not sure if that particular guitar is one of them.

[rps14a]

Re: Help with Gibson info

almost looks like a robin influence as well, or vice versa?

chris

[catzodellamarina]

Re: Help with Gibson info

That Gibson is a MACH series. Sorta related to jets. Maybe it does have some Wayne influence.

[Rupe]

Re: Help with Gibson info

That guitar was after Waynes association had ended. Wayne was involved with a bolt on model (can't remeber the model name/#) as well as the U-2 and US-1. The M3 came out a short time later. I thought they had an uncomfortable neck...very wide and flat, tough to play chords on although soloing was ok. These guitars also had a sophisticated electronics package, getting almost any combination of humbucking and single coil tones you can imagine.

[Rupe]

Re: Help with Gibson info

The one in the picture does not have the electronics I mentioned above.

[catzodellamarina]

Re: Help with Gibson info

Thanks. I'll pass aong the info.

[GrimFacts]

Re: Help with Gibson info

Wayne also designed the WRC model, which is supposed to be the guitar that caused the summoning of the lawyers. Supposedly, the first 200 have WC and the production number hand painted in gold paint on the truss rod cover. After that, they had a truss rod cover that read WRC in white script. Electronics changed slightly from the WC model to the WRC model. At least two guitar price guides that I am familiar with do not list this model guitar. If you can find one, reasonably priced, buy it.

[MountainDog]

Re: Help with Gibson info

Rupe is correct...no Wayne involvement. I have the M-III standard without pickguard (like the catalog page 1 below). The production units have 2 hums with a single between them. Your friends is a custom shop with only 2 hums. People are very opinionated about the look of these. Not too many Gibson 'purists' appreciated them, and 'strat' lovers thought the horns on these were strange.

Here's a couple catalog shot links:
catalog page 1 catalog page 2

I paid $625 for mine, and I've seen them go for up to $1000, and I've seen them not sell at $495 click here for ebay link

Here's some reviews on Harmony Central click here

[skorb]

Re: Help with Gibson info

yikes, those are ugly geetaurs. Gibson really lost their way in the 80's trying to jump on the metal bandwagon by copying Jackson and any other hot guitar company that sprang up.

[Rupe]

Re: Help with Gibson info

They were definitely lost in the woods until Slash put Les Pauls back on the map. He's possibly the best thing that happened to Gibson since Les Paul himself.

[shredmonster]

Re: Help with Gibson info

[ QUOTE ]
They were definitely lost in the woods until Slash put Les Pauls back on the map. He's possibly the best thing that happened to Gibson since Les Paul himself.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep - I thought Les Pauls were dead and buried back then.

[catzodellamarina]

Re: Help with Gibson info

I thought Gibsons were cool because Page, Frehley, Perry, and Frampton played them. Then when I decided to buy a guitar I was disappointed I could only afford a Squier.

I think his guitar is fun to play but I wouldn't want to own it. I think it's ugly too. The red is dark and dirty looking.