Gibson ES-446

[jzucker]

Did anybody already mentioned the headstock design of the Pat Martino model ?
Don't want to compare to Heritage design, but ....

That's for a reason. Notice there is no string angle above the nut. Reduces tension and tuning issues. It'd be more of a bonus on a guitar meant to do a lot of string bending on so it's ironic he's using .016 strings on his...

[Little Jay]

Wow, those can be real lookers! Too bad for the neck heaviness, I can understand it can be a deal-breaker.

[mr. beaumont]

Yeah, I really like how they're "no-nonsense" looking.

How imbalanced is it, Jack? Could you do the Jeff Hale "fishing lure" trick with it, or not worth it?

[nopedals]

I had one years ago. The "carved spruce" thing was pretty silly; it had no acoustic tone at all, but sounded great plugged in. I don't remember it being neck heavy, but it has been a while. I *do* remember not liking the neck; it was like putting a cheap guitar neck on an expensive guitar, and that was the main reason I moved on.

[jzucker]

Yeah, I really like how they're "no-nonsense" looking.

How imbalanced is it, Jack? Could you do the Jeff Hale "fishing lure" trick with it, or not worth it?

I would say if 10 is horribly neck heavy:

PRS Hollowbody - 8
Eastman El Rey - 7
Gibson 446 - 6

[jads57]

Jack sounds like you need a Les Paul(Boat Anchor) LOL!

[unknownguitarplayer]

I bought an El Rey on the cheap a few years ago based on a link to a seller that JackZ had posted here a few years ago (thanks Jack!). The weight imbalance drove me crazy at first and I set the guitar aside while I figured out how to get rid of it. However, I came back to it after a while and realized that it is so incredibly lightweight that it takes no effort at all to anchor it in the crook of my arm. I play it constantly now, and never notice the balance issue. I get a back ache just thinking about playing a heavier guitar.