The Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Standard, scheduled for release on Feb. 1, 2009, is designed to deliver a superior level of guitar features and benefits to acoustic players around the world.
Player’s Needs Answered
It is no accident that the blueprint of this new 2009 model is based on Gibson’s Songwriter Deluxe, which was first released in 1999. Originally designed by Gibson master luthier Ren Ferguson, this dreadnought-style model is Gibson’s latest acoustic success story, with a new modern look matched with classic 1930’s Gibson tone, giving this new acoustic a very wide dynamic range with warm and prominent mids and highs.
The new Songwriter Deluxe Standard from Gibson Acoustic delivers a higher level of performance and features, which was achieved by studying the positive consumer responses to features already successful in our other models. Consideration was also given to the countless electric guitar players that continue to adapt to unplugged music, whether it be for differing performance venues, or just the fact that many players are no longer performing “plugged-in” with a live group.
No Compromise: Stage Ready
The new Songwriter Deluxe Standard delivers unmatched playability, and one of the features that help it achieve this is the incorporation of Gibson Acoustic’s very first compound radius fingerboard. This type of fingerboard has a smaller radius at the nut, and a larger radius at the neck and body joint to accommodate an exceptionally low playing action, while also creating a playing surface perfect for string bending techniques used commonly in blues and rock. Acoustic players can more effectively play their favorite electric licks and still fingerpick and strum their way to acoustic stardom, all on the same guitar.
Searching for a higher level of tonal response, the master luthiers at Gibson Acoustic also added red spruce bracing that is bonded to the soundboard with organic hide glue – the same process used by our forefathers in the early 1900s. These solid red spruce braces help deliver a more vibrant acoustic tone, while the hide glue assures the union of the braces and soundboard are like one piece of solid wood to maximize the vibration between the two.
The performance and studio needs of today’s professional players is also addressed by the addition of Fishman’s Aura Ellipse Pickup system, which reproduces the natural sound of the new Songwriter Deluxe Standard as miked in a professional studio, and onstage, thus eliminating the complicated setups of expensive microphones. Achieved by using digital algorithms to create images of various microphones’ captured sounds, the Fishman Aura Ellipse pickup system then allows players the ability to blend these images with the guitar’s pickup to produce an immediate and dramatic improvement in amplified sound. The Fishman Aura Pro’s preamp includes a tuner, and is mounted on the bass side rim of the upper bout.
Add all this to the already fantastic tone achieved by Gibson Acoustic’s renowned scalloped top bracing pattern from the 1930s, a solid-wood, dome-top construction bonded with hide glue to a dovetail neck-to-body joint, and a thin lacquer finish, and the Songwriter Deluxe Standard becomes an acoustic guitar for players seeking the most versatile and adaptable instrument on the market.
Beauty is in the Eye
Today’s discriminating acoustic buyers will be delighted to know that the new Songwriter Deluxe Standard from Gibson Acoustic is as beautiful as it sounds, sporting a clean, even grained AAA-grade solid Sitka spruce top with elegant abalone rosette, and finished in antiqued natural lacquer that gives this instrument a striking golden-toned hue. The body, neck and headstock are trimmed with distinct flamed maple binding, and its Indian rosewood back is centered with the same colorful marquetry often used on Gibson Acoustic custom models. The Songwriter Deluxe Standard also bears a gorgeous sculpted modern Dove-style pickguard, which was created by Gibson Acoustic’s master luthier in reverence to the company’s storied history of acoustic guitar making.
Adding even more trademark detail to the Songwriter Deluxe Standard’s already distinctive look is its ebony fingerboard and new mother-of-pearl inlaid “diamond-eye” position markers. A matching engraved truss rod cover also adds a final accent of quality and professional design to the guitar. Other standard appointments include a tapered shoulder body design and lightweight mini gold Grover tuners.
The new Songwriter Deluxe Standard is also offered with a cutaway body design for those who prefer the full range of the guitar neck. The cutaway edition – the Songwriter Deluxe Standard EC – is available at no additional charge, which allows you to choose freely which option is best for your style of playing.
Are You Ready to Evolve?
The master craftsmen of Gibson Acoustic are very proud and excited to add the new Songwriter Deluxe Standard to its legendary array of handmade acoustics under the banner of the new Songwriter Series, which also includes the Songwriter Deluxe Studio, the Songwriter Deluxe Custom, and the legendary Hummingbird.
Rest assured that Gibson Acoustic’s long history of innovation, and its ability to change with the music and culture of the times, is fully intact. The new Songwriter Deluxe Standard proudly represents this great tradition of change and adaptation, and continues to contribute to the musical tastes of the current times.