My new Gibson Telecaster

[just_bassics]

Well, new to me, it's a '76. Oh, and also not a Tele, although the nickname for this guitar was the Gibson Telecaster, back in the day. As you can see, it has a humbucker in the neck and a slanted single coil in the bridge, also the rare bolt-on Gibson neck earned this Gibson Marauder it's nickname. Unfortunately for this model, as well as many Gibson models from this period, it's unique design was also it's demise... too much like a Tele for Gibson players, too much a Gibson for Fender players.

I had been searching for one for a few years, as an old friend had one of these back in the 70's. Except for the one smashed by Paul Stanley at a KISS concert in '77, I had never seen another. Although not considered rare, they are quite difficult to find, especially in this finish. I only saw two in three years. Even with the KISS endorsement, they just didn't sell.

Another unique feature to this guitar and some S1 models (similar guitar, three single coil pups) is the lack of a p/u selector toggle switch. Instead, it has a "blend knob" allowing for precise positioning of pickup balance. Probably not really good for live performances, but it can produce some nice tones, depending on the balance selected.

As Gibsons go, not top of the line quality by any means, as anyone who knows about Gibson's Norlin period, but it was a nice acquisition for my collection.

My 1976 Gibson Marauder...

[ajish4]

A VERY cool looking axe Jim!

You said it's a Gibson Telecaster, what does it sound like? Can you get that TWANGY Tele sound out of it?

It looks like it's in great shape to boot!

Did the Mrs. get you that for Christmas?

[just_bassics]

Did the Mrs. get you that for Christmas?

(Sorry, inside joke)

[beatlefreak]

Nice, Jim.

[danbind]

Mac MacCauhgey of Superchunk, and Portastatic, has always been a big Marauder guy. One of my favorite rock guitar solo sounds--big screaming lead tone, somewhat similar to J. Mascis Jazzmaster stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6R76hye ... re=related

[jingle_jangle]

That's a sweety!!!

[kiramdear]

Yes, I remember those. They were cool, but yeah, considered neither fish nor fowl by the general consensus. Good score, Jim!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

yeah, my cuz kyle (who owns jerry mercer's phibes drum kit,april wine) and i both got pieces of the marauder at the '76 and '77 moncton kiss concerts. they were jetglo (tee-hee) and had a 85% sawcut in the back to aid in the instrument fracturing into bits onstage. we got body halves and a full neck. it was very easy back then to get to the front of the stage as there were no roady pits betwween the stage and audience there. i believe the newspaper advert had them in destoyer outfits with the tobacco marauder in paul's hands. i'll look for mine.