GMP Guitars

[monte]

I know some guys here have or had some GMPs. Can you please tell me how you like them? What is the neck profile on the Pawn Shop models? I am thinkning of getting one.

Thanks
Monte

[Crankdaddy]

I have seven GMPs, Monte, and I don't see myself stopping at that number.

I have to be honest...I'm the worst person to discuss neck profiles. YetAnotherOne or Hammer or Subvamp have the expertise to tell you about the various GMP necks and how they feel. All I know is every one of mine feels great in my hand.

What I like best about my GMPs is the looks. Call me shallow, but I first judge a guitar on appearance...my first impression. Every GMP, whether it's a sparkle/flake finish, a graphic, a solid finish, or flame/quilt trans top, absolutely looks killer. I have all mine hanging here in my office at home, and there are times I just sit here and look at them. They're so freaking cool looking it's scary. In fact, it's why I say that GMPs are Rock as Fuck. Nothing looks more...Rock.

But the looks are backed up by some serious build quality and attention to detail. the fretwork is awesome. All the tiny screws for pickup rings, cavity plates, truss covers, etc. are machine screws, which means they screw into metal cavities embedded in the wood. Very cool. It's little things like that that make you realize these guitars are quality, hand made instruments, crafted with care by people who give a shit. I mean, GAVE a shit.

It's truly a shame that they went under. There are a lot of boutique builders out there -- Suhr, McNaught, etc -- but nobody was making guitars with the looks, sound, and attitude of GMPs.

If you can find a Pawnshop, I say snatch it up. They're actually getting harder and harder to find, with more and more folks saying they want one. And with just over 1300 of them made, there aren't a lot to be found. If you know of someone selling, grab it.

And if you pass on it, please PM me with the seller's contact info.

[El_Kabong]

Stay away from serial numbers between 300~400. These are known to have issues with paint flaking away near bing and have poor playbility. A friend stopped me from buying one at a good price. Sure enough, the paint was flaking off after clarification with the vendor.

[shreddermon]

Monte, everything Crank says above is spot on. GMPs are very high quality axes. The thing about them that most appeals to me is how they take classic designs and upgrade them with modern appointments. Duncan pickups, high quality finishes and inlays, jumbo frets, low friction nuts and Sperzel locking tuners for tuning stability. Best of all, they use 25.5" scale necks. (...I've never liked the short-scale necks on Gibsons. Just my preference.) And they're just so damn cool.

As to neck profiles, I believe GMP had several. I've only got/played one GMP and, to me, that neck feels similar to Gibson's "slim taper" neck on Les Pauls. A little more round and not nearly as flat as, say, a Charvel. But very comfortable. IIRC, that was the most common to see on Pawn Shops. ...Of course, like with any neck profile discussion, all of that is subjective. Just MHOs.

If you pass on this Pawn Shop, I might be interested as well. I've been looking for a nice quilt or flame-top Deluxe for a while now.

[monte]

great....thanks guys. Crank...i knew you had a few....to say the least.
I have my eyes on one and may try to nail it....i have always wanted one and have grown tired of always playing strats...so here is a chance to get excited again.
I tried LPs, but they bore me...for some reason.

Thanks again
Monte

[XSSIVE]

Monte,

join the club LOL. i've been hunting for the right gmp for a long time and well, i can't even find the wrong one LOL. if you have a chance to get one just go for it. even if you hate it there are TONS of people who want them so selling it should be easy.


-Mike

[6077dino]

Cool info. I´m in awe of GMP guitars. They are quite rare and unheard off on finland. It would be cool to try and see one in real life.

[Shawn]

great....thanks guys. Crank...i knew you had a few....to say the least.
I have my eyes on one and may try to nail it....i have always wanted one and have grown tired of always playing strats...so here is a chance to get excited again.
I tried LPs, but they bore me...for some reason.

Thanks again
Monte

You need the right LP..........LOL





Shawn

[XSSIVE]

You need the right LP..........LOL

Shawn

yeah and those are a bitch to find!! it took me many tries to get one i'll NEVER let go of (2004 premium plus top amazing player and jaw dropping looks). i've gone through far too many crappy Gibsons (from studios to custom shop to R series to Murphey aged ones). my premium plus and my 1 of a kind prototype are two of the best modern pauls i've put my hands on and i've played more than i can honestly remember.

-Mike

[YetAnotherOne]

Monte - The fretboards are compound radius and have that wide flat feel that most Jacksons have. The neck profile on the standard carve feels a *lot* like my old '85 RR Custom (semi-thin and semi-flat) which, for me, is a very very good thing. Build quality and fretwork are as good an you'll find anywhere. And a few of them even look pretty cool.

The only folks I know who've tried them and didn't care for them are Newc & Hippietim. You might drop them a line to get the opposing view.

[monte]

shawn...i agree with you....but i have had luck only once in my life with one and never again. I sold the one that I loved because I didn't realize how much I loved it until I went through others over the years. I would love a Jimmy Page one, but they are too expensive.

[hammer84]

Now I know where the red PS went......................

GMP had three distinct neck profiles. The std, which is very old school SD, with a flat back and strong shoulders. The shred neck feels very much like a '90 Jackson soloist. They also had a fat profile which feels like a more shouldered PRS WF.

Now matter what you cant go wrong

[speed monkey]

Monte -

Here you go...some serious GMP porn and equally impressive Jackson collection....are these Brett's ????? I've seen some of these before, around here...

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1259734&perpage=20&highlight=gmp&pagenumber=1

Well worth a look...

p.s. I found my MAGIC Paul

Steve E

[Crankdaddy]

Those are YetAnotherOne's. His collection makes my 7 look feeble by comparision. Although in my defense, I have this one: (Gotta brag every once in a while, right?)

http://www.deanguitars.com/userpics/lib4/evelbodysmall.jpg

[monte]

thanks steve....they sure are great looking guitars and i gather they play great too based on the positive press i have been reading. I will know soon enough.

Steve...glad you found your magic LP.