Guitar World Verdict
First things first, this is a fun guitar. It’s a joy to play, and it has a darker tone that works very well for pop punk and beyond. That said, I think Gibson has done this guitar a disservice by calling it a Les Paul. Like the new Victory models, I would’ve liked to see Gibson embrace its past and call this what it is – a Modern Marauder!
Pros
- +
Great neck
- +
I love the Flying V headstock
- +
Pickups have punchy output
Cons
- -
Divisive take on the Les Paul look.
- -
Pickups are a little dark.
- -
Some will think it’s expensive for a poplar guitar.
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What is it?
Okay, so who had “Gibson – sort of – relaunches the Marauder” on their 2025 bingo card? Certainly not me. Originally unleashed onto the unexpected guitar community in 1975, this often-forgotten guitar never quite got called up to play in the big leagues alongside the Les Paul, SG, or ES-335, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have a few famous admirers. Both Adam Jones and Paul Stanley have used a Marauder in the past, but for players of a certain generation, like me, when we see this LP/Flying V hybrid, we instantly think of Deryck Whibley wielding his poolside with his Sum 41 bandmates for their In Too Deep video.
Now, here’s the kicker: this isn’t actually a Marauder. According to Gibson, this is a Les Paul – specifically, a Music City Special. Designed to celebrate five decades of exceptional guitar craftsmanship in Nashville, this limited-edition model draws significant inspiration from the ‘70s oddity while also bringing its own stylish flair to the table.
Let’s talk specs. The lightweight and contoured body is crafted from solid poplar – a departure from the mahogany most Les Pauls are known for and the original Marauder’s choice of alder, maple, or mahogany. The neck is a sleek maple affair that boasts the classic Slim Taper profile. It’s then topped with a slab of ebony with a 12” radius, and 22 medium jumbo frets.
At the heart of this guitar is a rather large black 5-ply pickguard that cradles two vintage-inspired Gibson 70s Tribute humbucker pickups, wired to a single volume and tone control. Ditching the divisive Bill Lawrence-designed single-coil and humbucker combo of the original was probably a smart choice by Gibson.
The Les Paul Music City Special is available in three stunning gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes: Ebony, Wine Red, and Tobacco Burst. Each guitar features a commemorative truss rod cover to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. With only 650 units produced in each color, this is a very limited run, indeed. If you fancy adding one to your collection, you’ll need to act fast because they won’t stick around for long.
In a strange coincidence, I was eyeing up an original ‘75 Marauder on the famous Denmark Street in London just days before receiving this review example. So, let’s dig in and see how this new 'version' compares and whether it can hold its own against the legacy of its predecessor.
Specifications
- Launch price: $1,699/£1,599/€1,699
- Made: USA
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Scale length: 24.75 in (628.65 mm)
- Nut/width: Graph Tech, 43.053 mm / 1.695 in
- Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Hardware: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, Grover Mini Rotomatic, Black Top Hat knobs
- Electrics: 2 X 70s Tribute
- Weight: 7.61 lbs
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Tobacco Burst, Ebony, Wine Red
- Cases: Gibson softshell case
- Contact: Gibson
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
I’m immediately taken aback by the finish
Unzipping the guitar from the sleek, premium-feeling Gibson gig bag, I’m immediately taken aback by the finish. In my mind, I had expected this guitar to feature a satin finish. Perhaps it was the sub-2K price point or the fact that it includes "special" in the name, but for whatever reason, I envisioned this model coming with the open-pore matte finish often found on Gibson’s budget-friendly series. To my delight, that’s not the case at all. This model proudly displays a full nitrocellulose finish, buffed to a stunning shine.
The review example I have also features a striking Tobacco Burst paint job on the body’s front. It’s genuinely a handsome guitar in person. Understated, sure, but undeniably appealing. However, flip it over, and you’ll find that the sunburst pattern doesn’t carry on to the back. Instead, the rear is a simple black, and don’t expect to catch a glimpse of the beautiful grain of your maple neck either, as that’s been finished in black as well.
As I scrutinize the finish, I notice nothing out of place. In fact, this is a very well-crafted guitar. Moving on to the neck, it’s equally impressive. Tight fretwork with no sharp ends to disrupt my play and a smooth surface along the neck's length. Better yet, since this model lacks binding, there’s no need to worry about untidy scraping.
Overall, I’m quite impressed with this guitar thus far. Let’s hope the positive impressions extend to its playability and tone.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
As I take it for a spin during a three-hour-long band rehearsal, I am genuinely impressed by how natural it feels in my hands
Gibson’s Slim Taper profile is a hallmark found across many of the Nashville giant’s guitars, and for good reason. It provides an excellent balance between comfort and playability. However, the inclusion of a maple neck in this design is a noteworthy rarity that sets this guitar apart. As I take it for a spin during a three-hour-long band rehearsal, I am genuinely impressed by how natural it feels in my hands. There isn't a single moment when I felt like the guitar was cumbersome or restricting my movement.
Smooth, inviting, and incredibly easy to navigate, the playing surface of this guitar is a joy. In fact, I become so engrossed in the music that I completely forget I'm playing a new instrument. After just a few minutes, my focus shifts from the technical aspects of playing to simply expressing myself, which is, in my opinion, the ultimate goal of any great guitar.
Now, it’s impossible to discuss the neck of this guitar without drawing comparisons to the original Marauder. The ‘70s Marauder had a bolt-on construction reminiscent of a Strat or Tele, which, while functional, sometimes resulted in a less-than-desirable connection between the neck and body. This modern interpretation, however, opts for a set-neck construction, closely aligning with a traditional Les Paul. This choice not only enhances the guitar’s sustain but also contributes to a more solid, robust feel overall.
I may find myself in the minority when it comes to my appreciation for the vintage Marauder, but I've still struggled with how flimsy they could feel and how poorly the neck and body joined on some examples. I can’t express enough how pleased I am to see Gibson ditch it completely and incorporate a set neck design in this iteration. It makes a world of difference in terms of playability and overall coherence in the guitar’s response.
Sound
Sound rating: ★★★★☆
The sonics of the Music City Special are handled by a pair of 70s Tribute humbuckers. To my ears, there’s plenty of oomph from these pickups, but they can lack definition in the top end. The Alnico 5 magnets drive my Vox AC30 nicely; they have a tight bass response and a satisfying, almost rounded mid-range. If I were to have one criticism, it’s that it can be a touch on the dark side for my tastes.
When played on a clean setting, the tone has a woody quality. While the guitar may resemble a Les Paul in shape and designation, it diverges significantly from the fuller, more defined sound one expects from a traditional single-cut model. A typical Les Paul Standard boasts a full frequency response and a pronounced top end, allowing intricate lead parts to shine through. In contrast, the Music City Special tends to exhibit less clarity and a more prominent mid-range, resulting in a sound that is broader yet somewhat less defined.
Even when I crank up the gain, I often find myself reaching for the treble knob on my amp to add that extra sparkle and clarity that I believe this guitar is capable of delivering.
That being said, I genuinely appreciate the tone this new Gibson offers. In the right musical context, it has numerous strengths. For punk rock rhythms, this guitar thrives. Power chords come across as fat and weighty and sliding octave leads retain a smooth character, avoiding any shrillness or excessive brightness.
Verdict
Gibson’s decision to introduce a new instrument based on such a divisive model from its catalog certainly raised some eyebrows in the guitar community upon its announcement. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to see the legacy brand draw inspiration from a somewhat forgotten model to infuse some retro charm into its modern lineup.
There’s a lot to appreciate here. The guitar delivers the exceptional playability we’ve come to expect from contemporary Gibson, and the build quality is impeccable. It’s beautifully finished, perfectly set up straight out of the box, and features a unique aesthetic sure to turn heads. This Les Paul Special is a fitting tribute to 50 years of instrument making in the heart of Music City.
However, I can't help but question why Gibson decided to label this model as a Les Paul. Yes, it has a single-cut body, but that’s where the similarities cease. Its uniquely contoured body and a maple neck crowned with a Flying V headstock are a clear nod to a classic from the ‘70s, and therefore, this guitar truly deserves the name Marauder instead.
Despite the name, this instrument boasts a fascinating blend of specifications that can’t be found on any other guitar in the Gibson catalog, so I'd recommend seeking one out.
Guitar World verdict: First things first, this is a fun guitar. It’s a joy to play, and it has a darker tone that works very well for pop punk and beyond. That said, I think Gibson has done this guitar a disservice by calling it a Les Paul. Like the new Victory models, I would’ve liked to see Gibson embrace its past and call this what it is – a Modern Marauder!
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | Very well built, neatly finished and a nice setup. | ★★★★½ |
Playability | No surprises when it comes to playability. The Slim Taper profile is popular for a reason, but the maple construction of the neck does bring something new to the table. | ★★★★½ |
Sounds | Great natural sound, but a little on the dark side for my personal taste. | ★★★★ |
Overall | A fun guitar with a unique look and strong playability. I would prefer it to be called a Marauder, but that doesn't detracted from it being a great instrument. | ★★★★½ |
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