New Gibby flattop semi

Click image for a biggy.

Years ago an old luthier friend once showed me how to check the grain features of an unfinished piece of wood. It was as simple as giving the wood a wipe with a damp rag and the grain would jump out at you. Wouldn't you think the woodworkers at Gibson would know this trick? If so then how can they pass a top-end Gibson through QC with such prominent joins in the top of the new Gibson Midtown Custom? Other than that and the fact that a flattened 335 style guitar does look a little weird this is a beautiful instrument. A nicely bound neck in glowing white plastic encases the ebony and pear block finger board and quite jumbo frets. The neck felt really comfortable like a good old Les Paul standard, not slim but also not too chunky. The head was the Gibson 'custom' style head with the diamond inlay and multi bound. The body of this 335 sized semi was constructed from a solid mahogany body strategically chambered for optimum resonance and capped with a solid maple top, them's Gibson words. I would say this is quite a cheap construction method compared to a true semi, not to mention it would make for plenty of router dust.
Well I have been fooled again. A quick look at the Midtown's specs I see the finger board isn't ebony but in fact Richlite (tm). What's the bet they make Richlite from mahogony dust and die it black?
Making all the noise are a pair of hot Burst Buckers which feed the usual Gibson three way switch and volume and tone controls setup. Interesting is the side mounted output jack and not front mounted as on the 335's. Hardware is standard Tone Pros bridge and stop tailpiece with a tail strap button and a button mounted on the top 'ear' and not at the heel of the neck.
This is a luxury guitar with its triple white binding but I would have liked to see it with gold plated metal bits and in true 'custom' style, with three hummers. Probbably nit picking here but what's with the elcheapo plastic speed knobs? Easily changed but for those that like to keep their instrument as it came off the line, mmm?
All up I would give this about a 7.5. It is a modern take on the full sized semi and a nice player. It is obviously made to a price but they could have done a better job in matching the tops of the see through finish models and only time will tell on how the Richlite will stand up to serious bends.

Check it out here..
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Custom.aspx