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Check out what the reviewers and the blueshawk think about the BluesHawk and other matters...and tell us what you think Guitar ace Will Ray says that having a Blueshawk is - "like having a Les Paul, an ES-345, a Strat, a Tele, and an ASAT all rolled into one." Looking for NightHawk reviews? - go here...Review conclusions in brief... | The BluesHawk takes a little getting used to – it doesn’t play or sound quite how it looks –  | Blues 90s pickups are not P90s and have a distinctive sound | | The Les Paul-ish shape suggests it might relate to that family of guitars – but it definitely doesn’t not least it's light | | The Varitone is complex and needs time to explore | | The appearance is a bit odd and doesn't appeal to all - but then which guitar does? |
| | Gibson have done themselves few favours with quality control – BluesHawks (in common with many recent Gibsons) are often poorly finished and setup. The up-side of this is that BluesHawks can be had for bargain prices, and a little time spent setting up etc can give you fully-fledged, cracking Gibson for under £600. The BluesHawk is not a budget instrument and represents one of the few recent attempts by a major manufacturer to try something genuinely new. | | The machine-heads seem to be crap – they look flimsy and poorly made – many BluesHawk users replace them. Having said that, the tuners on my BluesHawk work well, and tuning stability is good. |
 | | So, what’s really great about the BluesHawk? | It’s extremely comfortable and well-balanced. The neck is fast, and positively encourages enthusiastic playing. | | The sound is great – dynamic and responsive with bags of sustain - the BluesHawk responds well to a playing style that sets the amp to loud and raunchy, but then controls tone and level via the guitar controls and picking dynamics. Feedback, when it arrives, is warm, fun and controllable. This kind of stuff is particularly good for blues (the clue is in the name!) but will suit many styles. However, if you want thick humbucking tones the BluesHawk may disappoint – get a Les Paul. | | It’s not an identikit guitar – you won’t be just another Les Paul or Strat player searching for something that isn’t a cliche. The BluesHawk gives you a new palette from day one, all you have to do is explore. |
| | | | | | Will Ray - member of the Hellecasters and sizzling guitarist says this about the Blueshawk About six years ago, I tried to buy every P-90-equipped guitar out there. I remained curious about the semi-hollow Gibson Blueshawk, which sports a contoured, light body with f-holes, a Varitone switch—and P-90 pickups! From time to time, I’d do an eBay search for “completed listings” to see what Blueshawks were going for, and the ballpark was between $450 and $700.
The auction for this guitar ended at $475 without the reserve price being met—probably because the seller didn’t know how to post pictures and had only one positive feedback. But I was intrigued enough to call the seller, who said he’d lower the reserve to $500. I told him I’d love to buy his guitar, but that his low feedback made paying too risky. Because I had excellent feedback, he offered to ship the guitar first, and, if I was satisfied, I could send him a money order. I was impressed this guy was willing to ship a perfect stranger a $500 guitar and receive payment on the back end. I gave him my address before he came to his senses.
The guitar was almost brand new, and, after playing it for ten minutes, I knew it was going to be a keeper. I especially liked the dummy coil buried between the two P-90s, which keeps the guitar quiet while allowing the essence of the single-coils to come through. I really dig the Blueshawk. It’s like having a Les Paul, an ES-345, a Strat, a Tele, and an ASAT all rolled into one.
—Will Ray, willray@hellecasters.com |
.....and finally tonetheblueshawk says - I have had my BluesHawk for several years – I consider it to be the best guitar I've ever had, and I’ve had (and played) quite a few. If you see one, try it with a good, small valve amp and allow yourself to be amazed, it could just be the best guitar you ever use.   • to buy? • or not to buy? • users reviews • |
