Just Bought A Peerless Gigmaster Jazz

[raylinds]

I've been really wanting a Gibson ES 175 guitar. I love the tone and the style with the Florentine cutaway, especially with a sunburst finish. However, I think the Gibsons are way overpriced. I could afford one id I really wanted to, but I just can't justify it. Yesterday I called and ordered a Peerless Gigmaster Jazz from Lou at Guitars N' Jazz with a sunburst finish.

Now the Gigmaster is not an exact 175 replica, it has a 25.5" scale, a wooden tailpiece, and the pickguard is much different, but I still think it is a beautiful guitar, especially with the flame maple top. If the build quality is anything like the Peerless' I have played, it should be a great guitar. Lou was pretty up-front that the tone is not exactly that of a 175- it has more sustain and a more acoustic sound, but I think that will be a good thing. I have a Gibson '57 classic pup that I can drop into the neck position, if the tone is somewhat lacking.

I will report back with pictures and a full review when it arrives.

[Bflat]

Nice. I really wanted one of those; they look really nice. Looking forward to reading your review. I hope they play and sound as nice as they look.

~enjoy

[zigzag]

Good for you! They're beautiful. Filtertron pups?

[Jazz_175]

Originally Posted by raylinds

Now the Gigmaster is not an exact 175 replica, it has a 25.5" scale, a wooden tailpiece, and the pickguard is much different, but I still think it is a beautiful guitar, especially with the flame maple top.

Where did you find that the scale is 25.5".
If you look here
Intro - Peerless Guitars Europe
it says 24.72"

The guitar looks very nice.
I actually own a Gibson 175 and am very happy with that but would be curious to try this one.

[raylinds]

Originally Posted by zigzag

Good for you! They're beautiful. Filtertron pups?

Yes, filtertron pups, which is why I am considering swapping out to the Gibson '57 PAF Classics, but will wait to play it before deciding.

[raylinds]

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Where did you find that the scale is 25.5".
If you look here
Intro - Peerless Guitars Europe
it says 24.72"

The guitar looks very nice.
I actually own a Gibson 175 and am very happy with that but would be curious to try this one.

Interesting, the Guitars N Jazz website says 25.5":
Guitars 'n Jazz - Peerless GNJ Exclusive Gigmaster Jazz Guitar

I'd be happier with the shorter scale TBH.

[RuffRider]

It's possible that they make it in two different scale lengths. One of their other models for sure comes in two different scale lengths.

[Foulds Jazz Guitars]

I'm not at work so I can't check but I'm pretty sure it's not 25.5"

[va3ux]

Originally Posted by raylinds

Yes, filtertron pups, which is why I am considering swapping out to the Gibson '57 PAF Classics, but will wait to play it before deciding.

Where do you come up with "Filtertron" pickups ? Filtertrons are Gretsch's humbucker. The pickup on the Gigmaster Jazz is a regular humbucker - Alnico V clone of the 57 Classic. I would try it first as-is; you might find that it's alright. No doubt though that a genuine Gibson '57 Classic is usually a worthwhile upgrade.

[va3ux]

Originally Posted by raylinds

Interesting, the Guitars N Jazz website says 25.5":
Guitars 'n Jazz - Peerless GNJ Exclusive Gigmaster Jazz Guitar

I'd be happier with the shorter scale TBH.

I think that's just a typo. Any company trying to produce a copy of the ES-175 (as Peerless is clearly doing in this case) would be crazy to stray from the ES-175's real scale length.

[RuffRider]

This is a link to a Gig Master Custom; It's also listed as having a 25.5 inch scale length.
Peerless Gigmaster Custom left-handed electric guitar for sale

After doing a search I've found three different scale lengths listed for Gig Masters...

[va3ux]

Originally Posted by RuffRider

This is a link to a Gig Master Custom; It's also listed as having a 25.5 inch scale length.
Peerless Gigmaster Custom left-handed electric guitar for sale

After doing a search I've found three different scale lengths listed for Gig Masters...

I've run across this sort of inconsistency before. I own a late-90's EPI Zephyr Regent : a one-pickup 'ES-175' made by Peerless (or if you prefer, a ES-165). For the entire time Epi offered that product, the website stated 25.5" scale and Maple neck. Mine clearly has a 24.75" scale and a mahogany neck. I conversed with other owners of this guitar and theirs were the same as mine. Several of us wrote to Epi (Gibson) about the incorrect info on the website and it was like trying to converse with someone in a foreign language - they didn't get it. They just stood their ground and kept saying, "Yes but the website specs say 'this'." I guess it's possible that what was on their website was the original spec and that's what they sent to their website people. Then before production began they changed the manufacturing spec but never sent the changes to the website folks. Who knows.

[raylinds]

The Guitar arrived Friday, and I have been playing it ever since. The Guitars N' Jazz site has some misinformation. First, it says the scale length is 25.5", but it really is 24.72" as described on the Peerless website. Also they describe the pickups as "Gretsch Dual Filter Tron style Alnico-v Magnet". The Peerless site describe them as Epiphone '57 PAF Classics. I believe they are the Epiphone PAFs and sound very nice. However, I swapped out the neck pup for the genuine Gibson '57 PAF Classic, and there was a noticable improvement. I also put TI Swing flatwound 12s on it. With that out of the way, let's get on with the review.

Build Quality
Simply superb. First, the fuguring in the Maple is simply stunning. I went over the guitar with a fine tooth comb, and it is flawless. On my way home from work I walk through music alley, which is 48th street here in NYC, where Sam Ash and Rudy's are located. I played a Gibson Custom Shop ES 175 ($4000 pricetag). It was very nice, but I can honestly say that the Peerless is at least it's equal in build quality, at least in feel and looks (I'm not sure of the bracing, etc. inside).

Sound
Here is where I think the Peerless surpasses the real 175- it has more sustain and a better acoustic tone. This thing just sounds fantastic. Very warm, woody and articulate.

I am deeply in love with this guitar, and cannot imagine wanting anything more (it will be interesting to see how long that lasts ). I have never been more enthusiastic about playing and practicin.

I will post pictures later today, and some sound samples when I figure out how.

[andy4297]

Cool! I was thinking to buy an peerless gigmaster too