• From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Gigliotti guitar questions

This question is for you guys who own one of these babies.  Tonally how do the Gigliotti strat/tele guitars stack up against their Fender counterparts?  I know the specs on the Gigliottis so I'm just wondering if they are brighter, warmer, more sustain, twangier, heavier, lighter, etc.  I'm sure each one sounds different but I'm trying to see what the buzz is about on these guitars besides the amazing looks.  Thanks!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

I dont own a Gigliotti, but as you can choose the woods.. and mostly everything else the tone should be flexible...

It looks amazing?! It looks *bwwwaaaaaaaahhhhh* wanna get it!

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

I am considering building a "Gigliotti inspired" guitar and wonder how far do they differ from say a standard telecaster.  Is there a lot to it more than slapping a brass top on a hollowbody tele?  I'm thinking mahaghany neck/body with standard tele scale, vintage style tuners and bridge, aluminum or brass top brushed with a wire wheel, route out the body for an F hole, put some high end tele pu's in there and call it a day.  Any feedback about how your Gigliotti's sound and their specs (maple neck, body wood, pu's, etc) would be awesome.  Not trying to rip off Patrick for a profit or anything, I just don't see myself dropping $5000 for a Gigliotti anytime soon...

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 4

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

I am considering building a "Gigliotti inspired" guitar and wonder how far do they differ from say a standard telecaster.  Is there a lot to it more than slapping a brass top on a hollowbody tele?  I'm thinking mahaghany neck/body with standard tele scale, vintage style tuners and bridge, aluminum or brass top brushed with a wire wheel, route out the body for an F hole, put some high end tele pu's in there and call it a day.  Any feedback about how your Gigliotti's sound and their specs (maple neck, body wood, pu's, etc) would be awesome.  Not trying to rip off Patrick for a profit or anything, I just don't see myself dropping $5000 for a Gigliotti anytime soon...

I have a GT and a GS (didn't pay anything near $5k for them).  I'm not sure what there is to the Gigliotti Voicing System, but just by peering in and tapping on the top, it looks like it is more complicated than just routing the guitar out and putting a brass top on it.  I've played metal top guitars before and they didn't have this kind of resonance to them, and they weren't able to get the beefy growl that the Gigliotti gets.  My guess would be that Patrick found a unique way to mount the top and pickups, and that there are some other anchor points on the top. 

The only way to find out for sure is to pull the top and there's no way I'm going to do that!

5 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-03-27 15:59:47)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

That is very true. What sets these guitars apart form all others is the unique way the top is put on, and how much of the wood is routed out. It's also a secret Pat is not willing to share other thatn the fact that is unique. Notice there are no screws or nail in any of the photos around the edge of the metal tops.

I believe duplicating it would be extremely difficult.
Post images when complete or along the process!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

Hi,

i have a Gigliotti GT.
It sounds (oh what a miracle..) very much like a Tele.
But with a bit more punch and also a little more honk.
The tone seem to have just more flesh and body, if this makes sense to you.
Because of the mahogany body and the huge neck with rio rosewood board
the tone is a bit warmer sounding..

But there is something else on the Gigliottis which can hardly be described.
Even unplugged it sounds so articulated. The feeling of the neck is so smooth
and alone worth the money. Its something like a piece of art. The love to detail.
Its the overall feeling of the guitar that makes it so different to other guitars.
I have many guitars but I know for sure that I never would give away my GT.
I don't like my GT - I love it!! big_smile

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

7 Reply by XKnight (edited by XKnight 2011-04-14 18:29:18)

  • Registered: 2010-11-22
  • Posts: 11

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

I recently got a Gigliotti GT.  They are very well made guitars. Everything on it exudes quality and the looks are out of this world. The GT can definitely get your traditional Tele twang, but bigger if that makes sense. It's like the brass top projects the sound more. One thing to keep in mind though is that these GTs are definitely heavier than a typical Tele. 9-10 pounds seems to be typical.

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

I've been gassing for a Gigliotti for some time now... I'll have one in my arsenal one of these days. I sure wish there was a money tree....


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

Hi guys,

after beeing absent for a while I finally found back here. smile
House, kids, job and and the music kept me busy...

I have my Gigliotti GT since 3 years now.
It's a cool and versatile guitar. I could never part with it
though I play it for 1-2 songs in my current project.
Here is a recording with the GT: http://www.myspace.com/utooexperience/m … o-78081118
Another (old) clip on YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYur0tZne50
Look out for Nick Sterlings clips. He plays a lot better than me. wink
I highly recommend them. I know they are pricey but worth   

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Gigliotti guitar questions

Hey

Welcome back !  been watching your progress with the U2, sounds like
a cool project . but must be costly for effect processors   wink 
hope you are still practising those blues /rock ala Joe B
I agree those Gigliottis are cool guitars and workhorses

D.

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink