New Gibson Dusk Tiger
November 30, 2009 | Posted by Billy Penn 
Remember a few months back when Gibson released the Dark Fire? Well, the new Dusk Tiger (where do they get these names…) is the next Gibson creation and is being called the most astounding innovation in the history of the guitar.
The new Dusk Tiger features a Les Paul-inspired body design with a flat top like a Jr. and is made from an exotic hardwood. The body is tone-chambered and has a unique pickguard and control layout. The electronic controls gives it a near unlimited sound possiblities. Some features include: An active 4-band programmable parametric EQ, magnetic and piezo pickups, switchable LP-Z Hi-def impedance circuit with both 1/4″ and XLR outputs.
This seems like a very advanced guitar and I wonder if it will sound as good as it “looks” on paper. I have found in my 30+ years of guitar travels that simpler is almost always better and you end up playing the more complex gear rather than the music. Give me a LP Jr. or Esquire through a 5F6-A or 5E3 and I’m a happy geetar picker. How much can you really improve or re-design an electric guitar? We’ll just have to wait and see with this new Gibson Dusk Tiger.
Click here to numb your brain with all the details about the Dusk Tiger if you dare.
Tags: Dusk Tiger, Gibson, Guitar, Les Paul | 
12 Comments »
“the most astounding innovation in the history of the guitar” HMMMMM! After being into guitars for 45 years, and studying said history ’somewhat’……I feel that they are, or so it seems at first look, trying to wooo the guitar playing public with words, and some somewhat un-necessary technology. I don’t even want to know how much they are going to charge for it………….The Broadcaster/Esquire/Nocaster/Telecaster was, and is, the most astounding innovation in the history of the guitar. PERIOD! All those hollow body box guitars, (with an electric pickup attached to it, or in it) built before they started to use the slab-board “innovation”, were just the launching pad for the history of the electric guitar. Leo Fender took us to the moon, and is keeping us up there with his simple, yet better “innovation. God Bless you Leo! And then came Mr. Les, slightly improving a different type of innovation. If you can have a Tele, and a Les Paul Standard or Custom, what more could you want, or for that matter, afford? Yes, I whole-heartedly agree with Biily, “simpler is almost always better”. I remember a similar prototype, ? as being the LPRecording, ? or something like that? What an innovation! I also think that when it comes to Gibson, the “simpler is better” attitude suffices, in this case, starting in order of economic affordablility, the Melody Maker, [with a Joe Barden dropped in it, ahah!] that LP Junior, or the very venerability of the SG……..or banzaii!!!!, that piece of Mahogany with a slice of Maple on the top, the Les Paul. This thing strikes me as an Escalade with a nuclear turbo charger for each cylinder sticking up through the hood, and a hydraulic lift low rider suspension…..and a video screen for every passenger and 2 in the trunk with the subs. What kind of gas mileage does this Dusk Tigre’ get? Please don’t innovate me to death! Happy with what I got! Boola Boola!
boney-muh-beepy……You said it!!! -Billy
I can see why the Tiger is getting so much criticism. The finish and chrome pickguard look pretty whacky not to mention the name “Dusk Tiger.” Personally, I wouldn’t want to be caught dead playing that cat. I do admire Gibson’s desire to keep innovating, which could be seen by the Darkfire – a much more attractive guitar in my opinion, and the one I’d buy over the other. I think it’s cool having all the new features robot tuning, chameleon tone, and MIDI and it’s nice that Gibson is providing us with more advanced technology when it comes to guitars. Mind you, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with liking the old-fashioned electrics and I do too, but I think it’s good that people have a choice between techy and traditional. While Gibson has its critics with what it is putting out, this need to innovate is what makes Gibson such an interesting guitar company. And besides, look at what people said when Gibson released their Modern Series of guitars – The Darkfire and Dusk Tiger are just today’s Explorer and Flying V.
Hi Dave- Thanks for visiting 300guitars! You have good points. Tech is cool and I’m all for it but I also love the classics….. -Billy
The guitar is ugly, has a stupid name, and a “pickguard” that doesn’t guard the body where the pick is going to hit it.
If Gibson had any brains at all they’d just introduce a Les Paul Standard with automatic tuning. That I’d buy, or at least lust after. This thing I’d be embarrassed to be seen with.
This guitar, in my opinion, is a bit silly. It looks like a 4-year old designed it and as wallydog said, the pickguard doesn’t cover the part where the pick hits (however I’d be happy if there was no pickguard) But anyway, I didn’t mind the robots, They stuck to Gibson’s classic designs and they made it so much easier for experienced guitar players to tune their instruments. I didn’t even mind the dark fire that much, It looked great and like a regular LP. But this, has gone too far IMO. Its because of this that i like fender better, Gibson is too busy trying to impress us with unnessesary innovations and silly names. Just my two cents btw.
Hi Zak- Thanks for visiting 300guitars! I really appreciate it…. I agree with you. I love technology and progress and innovation but I think the styling can make or break a new product. -Billy
This guitarjust leaves me cold, for all the above reasons.
It would be interesting to see what was the last really interesting innovative guitar design somebody came up with.
I’m thinking guitars like Steinberger, Parker Fly, which are around for quite some time as well…
I think it’s another product that is over designed,by engineers,not by guitars…It’s very “euro”,kind of like a really tight shirt that changed colurs based on your body temp.
The robot tuning system seems like a good idea on paper but it’s too involved,if it breaks yer screwed.Gibson a very off the mark with what consumers want.That “zoot suit” guitar last year,a $2000 piece of multicolured plywood? Are we (the users of Gibson products) that stupid?
hey i think ts quite innovative & cool.. i seen one in new york it is awesome?& i own some ghigh quality guitars, taylor, yes electric too.. martin ,godin,
This guitar is both hit-and-miss. Chambered body–hit. Piezo pickup–hit. Ugly pickguard–miss. High price–miss. And I keep wondering what is the benefit of a robot tuning system without a compensated nut?