It is a very special guitar for me because it was my first one. I was fortunate that my dad had an opportunity to get the guitar for cheap, just when I had expressed the desire to learn the guitar. Of course, it was overkill for an absolute beginner, but I immediately fell in love with it, and I still love it dearly after a few decades!
The Gibson Nighthawk Special was introduced in 1993 as part of the Gibson Nighthawk series, including the Nighthawk Standard and the Nighthawk Custom; the Special is the lower-end version and has fewer ornaments than other models. It is known for its unique body shape: a combination of Les Paul and Stratocaster, and its versatile range of tones, thanks to a combination of a humbucker and two single-coil pickups. The intent was to seduce Fender fans, but it didn’t find an audience and was ultimately discontinued in 1998.
Distinctive Design, Comfort
The overall build quality of this guitar is one we would expect from Gibson. If you are familiar the brand, the first thing that will strike you when you pick the guitar is its lightweight, especially compared to a Les Paul. It is considerably lighter than any of the other Gibsons I have tried, which I find enjoyable for extended playing sessions. Your back will thank you!
It has a mahogany body and rosewood fretboard, which provides a warm and smooth tone without sacrificing the Gibson elegance. I personally like the Sunburst finish very much. The C-shaped neck is quite thick but very comfortable. Like every guitar, the G string will be out of tune annoyingly fast, but it seems to happen even more with mine; I never honestly figured out why.
Watch also: The Real Reason the G String is Always Out of Tune (Youtube)
On a random note, I had to replace the machine heads since one was bent after a bad fall, and it was impossible to find the original size. The holes were too small, so I asked the guitar store (thanks Steve’s @ Toronto) to drill it for me, and they did an excellent job. It looks like new.
Versatility
The Nighthawk Special was built to offer a wide range of tonal possibilities and can easily adapt to various musical genres. It delivers in every position, from blues and rock to jazz and country. Ironically that’s probably what made that guitar a commercial failure: It still sounds like a Gibson, but with a twist, and now that I own several guitars, I realize how hard it is to tell what exactly it is best for.
Conclusion
Gibson Nighthawk Special SP2
Summary
The Gibson Nighthawk Special (1994) is a guitar that stands the test of time. Its distinctive aesthetics, exceptional craftsmanship, and versatile tonal capabilities make it a desirable instrument… unless you’re looking for the unique Les Paul sound or the Fender twang, the versatility could also be deceptive. As a beginner, I couldn’t have hoped for a better guitar, and I’m still enjoying it a lot today for its warmer sound. Because it was not a commercial success, it tends to be a mistakenly overlooked model and can be found for a reasonable price (< $1,000); I would definitely recommend you get one if that’s the case.
Related Links:
- Gibson Nighthawk on Reverb
- Gibson Nighthawk on Wikipedia (details of the different models and lists some notable players)