Gibson Blueshawk Red Electric Guitar, (Used)
The Gibson Blueshawk in Red is a distinctive semi-hollow-inspired electric guitar designed for players who want Gibson character with a brighter, more articulate voice than a traditional Les Paul or SG. With its compact body shape, expressive feel and unique tonal personality, the Blueshawk is a brilliant choice for guitarists looking for something different from the usual Gibson catalogue.
This pre-owned Gibson Blueshawk is listed in Good condition, meaning it shows noticeable cosmetic wear from previous use but remains fully functional and ready to play. It is ideal for players who want a characterful Gibson with visible signs of use and strong musical personality.
The Blueshawk is especially suited to blues, roots, rock, indie, alternative, slide, country and studio work. It offers a lively response, strong note separation and a voice that sits beautifully between classic Gibson warmth and sharper single-coil-style clarity.
Condition Overview
Good Condition
This Gibson Blueshawk is in Good condition. This means it shows noticeable cosmetic wear from previous use, but remains fully functional and ready to play.
Good condition is ideal for players who want a reliable pre-owned Gibson with visible signs of use and plenty of character.
What’s Included?
✔ Gibson Blueshawk Red Electric Guitar
✔ Hardcase
✘ No Additional Accessories Included
Condition Notes
This guitar shows visible signs of use such as marks, small dents, light scratches, surface wear or general handling wear.
No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.
Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment
This pre-owned Gibson Blueshawk has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.
Our checks include:
- Electronics tested
- Pickups checked
- Pickup selector tested
- Volume and tone controls checked
- Output jack tested
- Frets inspected
- Tuners checked
- Bridge checked
- Tailpiece checked
- Neck relief assessed
- General playability assessed
- Case checked for basic usability
Service / Setup Work
All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.
This Gibson Blueshawk has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:
- Action checked
- Neck relief checked
- Frets inspected
- Tuning stability checked
- Electronics tested
- Hardware checked
- Bridge setup checked
Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.
Why Choose The Gibson Blueshawk?
A More Unusual Gibson Voice
The Blueshawk stands apart from many traditional Gibson models. Instead of simply delivering thick humbucker-style tones, it offers a brighter, more open and more articulate response that works beautifully for expressive rhythm playing, blues leads and dynamic clean-to-drive sounds.
Compact And Comfortable Feel
The Blueshawk body shape gives the guitar a comfortable and manageable feel, making it easy to play seated or standing. It is a great option for players who want Gibson character without the heavier feel of many full-size solid-body models.
Excellent For Blues And Roots Styles
As the name suggests, the Blueshawk is particularly strong for blues-inspired playing. It has enough bite for expressive lead lines, enough warmth for rhythm work and enough clarity to keep chords defined through clean or lightly driven amps.
Great Alternative To A Les Paul Or SG
A Les Paul offers thicker sustain and a more solid-body sound, while an SG gives sharper attack and lighter handling. The Blueshawk sits in its own space, giving players something more open, lively and unusual while still retaining a Gibson identity.
Strong Studio Character
The Blueshawk is a useful studio guitar because it offers tones that sit differently from more common humbucker-equipped instruments. It can add brightness, texture and personality to layered guitar parts, making it a strong choice for recording musicians.
Distinctive Red Finish
The Red finish gives the guitar a bold, eye-catching look that suits the Blueshawk’s unique design. It has a strong visual identity without feeling like a standard Gibson finish option on a more familiar model.
Comparison Against Popular Alternatives
Gibson Blueshawk vs Gibson Les Paul Special
The Les Paul Special gives a raw, slab-body Gibson feel with strong P-90 character. The Blueshawk feels more unusual and offers a brighter, more open voice. Choose the Blueshawk if you want something less traditional with more distinctive tonal personality.
Gibson Blueshawk vs Gibson SG Special
The SG Special is lighter, sharper and more aggressive in feel. The Blueshawk has a more individual body style and a more rootsy, articulate character. Both are excellent for expressive playing, but the Blueshawk stands apart visually and tonally.
Gibson Blueshawk vs Fender Telecaster
A Telecaster is brighter, twangier and more direct. The Blueshawk offers a Gibson feel with a more open and characterful response than many humbucker-equipped guitars. Choose the Blueshawk if you want clarity and bite, but with a Gibson-style playing experience.
Gibson Blueshawk vs Gibson ES-335
The ES-335 offers classic semi-hollow warmth, sustain and smoothness. The Blueshawk is more compact, sharper and more unusual. It is better suited to players who want something lighter-feeling and more left-field than a traditional semi-hollow.
Who Is It For?
Beginner Players
This is a premium and unusual choice for a beginner, but it can suit a committed new player who wants a characterful Gibson from the start. Its comfortable feel and expressive voice make it an inspiring instrument to grow with.
Intermediate Players
Intermediate players will appreciate the Blueshawk as a distinctive upgrade from more standard electric guitars. It offers a unique sound and feel that can open up new playing ideas.
Professional Players
Professional players can use the Blueshawk as a stage or studio instrument with a voice that stands apart from more common guitar choices. It is especially useful for players who already own traditional Gibsons and want something different.
Suitable Genres And Uses
This Gibson Blueshawk is well suited to:
- Blues
- Roots rock
- Indie
- Alternative
- Americana
- Country rock
- Slide guitar
- Garage rock
- Studio recording
- Clean rhythm playing
- Light overdrive
- Characterful lead tones
- Players wanting an unusual Gibson electric guitar
Why Choose A More Characterful Gibson?
Not every Gibson needs to follow the Les Paul, SG or ES-335 formula. Some of the most interesting Gibson guitars are the models that offer a different feel, voice and playing experience. The Blueshawk is one of those instruments.
It has enough Gibson DNA to feel familiar, but enough individuality to stand apart from the more common choices. For players who want something expressive, slightly unusual and full of character, the Blueshawk is a rewarding guitar to play.
It is also a strong option for guitarists who already own more traditional instruments and want something that fills a different space in the collection or studio.
Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson, blues guitar or characterful pre-owned electric? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.
Story & Context: Gibson Blueshawk
The Gibson Blueshawk was introduced as part of Gibson’s more distinctive 1990s electric guitar designs. It offered players a fresh take on the Gibson formula, combining compact handling, a unique body style and a tone that moved away from the thicker humbucker sound associated with many classic Gibson models.
The result is a guitar with its own identity. It appeals to players who want Gibson build quality and heritage, but with a brighter, more articulate and more unconventional voice.
Today, the Blueshawk remains an interesting pre-owned option because it gives players something genuinely different from the standard Gibson line-up. It is a guitar with personality, charm and a strong sense of individuality.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Electric Guitar |
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Blueshawk |
| Finish | Red |
| Body Style | Compact Gibson Blueshawk Body |
| Pickup Configuration | Dual Pickup |
| Pickup Selector | Multi-Position Selector |
| Controls | Volume, Tone |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic Style Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar-Style Tailpiece |
| String Configuration | 6-String |
| Condition | Pre-Owned, Good Condition |
Power Requirements
No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.
Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?
Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.
When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:
Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience
Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.
Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.
We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.
Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.
It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.
FAQ
Is the Gibson Blueshawk suitable for blues?
Yes. The Blueshawk is especially well suited to blues, roots rock and expressive clean-to-drive playing thanks to its articulate response and lively feel.
How does the Blueshawk compare with a Les Paul?
A Les Paul generally has a thicker, heavier and more sustained sound. The Blueshawk is brighter, more open and more unusual in feel.
Is the Gibson Blueshawk good for recording?
Yes. Its distinctive voice makes it useful in the studio, especially when you want a guitar tone that stands apart from standard humbucker or Strat-style sounds.
What styles suit the Blueshawk best?
It works well for blues, roots rock, Americana, indie, alternative, country rock, slide guitar and characterful rhythm playing.
Is this a good choice for slide guitar?
Yes. The Blueshawk’s clear attack and expressive response make it a strong option for slide playing, especially through a clean or lightly driven amp.
Can it handle overdrive pedals?
Yes. The Blueshawk works well with overdrive, boost, fuzz, delay, reverb and modulation pedals.
Is this a good alternative to a Telecaster?
Yes. It can appeal to Telecaster players who want brightness and clarity, but with a more Gibson-style feel and a different tonal character.
Is the Blueshawk a common Gibson model?
No. The Blueshawk is one of Gibson’s more distinctive and less common designs, making it appealing to players who want something outside the usual Les Paul and SG options.
Is this suitable for live performance?
Yes. The comfortable body shape and distinctive sound make it a strong stage guitar, especially for players who want something visually and tonally different.
Can I try this guitar in-store?
Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Gibson guitars, pre-owned electrics and characterful blues instruments.