Gibson Goldrush Opinions

[roanokejake]

I'm curious about the Gibson Goldrush. I've only played one. What does anyone else think?

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/search.php?query=goldrush&exactname=0&starteronly=0&forumchoice%5B%5D=&prefixchoice%5B%5D=&childforums=1&titleonly=1&searchdate=0&beforeafter=after&do=process) a page of threads about the Goldrush. The applicable subjects should jump right out at you.

[hank]

I've got a 2006 signed by Casey O'Sullivan that's about as good as it gets. I like WoodWizard's too. They sound similar but his a little more the classic Gibson sound than mine(could be his Bronze EXP's compared to my Sam Bush Monel's). If you like a pickguard, I had to lower mine(it was warped, in the way and kept coming off). I don't think they include a pickguard on the new ones. As with all things YMMV but I'm very happy with mine(even the pickguard after I lowered it).

[Big Joe]

My son has one called the "Moldrush". It is as fine a mandolin you will ever put in your hands. Tone is incredible, playability is incredible, and it looks cool. I have yet to see a bad one. Each has to stand on its own merits, but they have all been pretty darn good!

[300win]

Only played one, compared to the other Gibson models there that day which included one of all they make, it was kinda quiet , not as much volume as the others, but had its own distinct tone, reminded me of Jesse McReynolds mandolin sound, which I describe as very "ringy' { is that a word ? }, heavy on the treble side. It had some outstanding looking maple in it.

[J.Albert]

Hank wrote:
"If you like a pickguard, I had to lower mine(it was warped, in the way and kept coming off)."

The guard on my own Goldrush (also an '06 signed by Casey) "curled" as did yours. I've left it on, I don't mind. I've seen earlier postings from others who said the pickguards on other Goldrush's were warped too. I'm wondering if almost _all_ of them are. I recall that a few years ago mandolincafe member Jerry Byers had Steve Smith of Cumberland Acoustics make him an ebony replacement guard with binding to match that of the GR. I'd like to have one of those.

and Big Joe wrote:
"My son has one called the "Moldrush". It is as fine a mandolin you will ever put in your hands. Tone is incredible, playability is incredible, and it looks cool. I have yet to see a bad one."

There's something about the GR that is "different from" Gibson's other models. A different tone, probably coming from the fact that it has smaller f-holes. Seems that Big Joe explained this in posts-past. The smaller openings tend to emphasize the "low-end" more, and I recall Mr. Vest saying something to the effect that the GR's tone suggests that of x-braced models.

Wasn't the GR pretty much Danny Roberts' "creation"? He put together a winner.

I'd like to see Gibson do a slight variation on the GR with a radiused fingerboard, and perhaps a different color theme. I'm thinking along the lines of the Flatiron Artist models from around 1985, which were a beautiful brown/amber with a very subtle "burst" to the center, but "not black around the edges". I'll be a small production run of 10-15 would sell right out.

- John

[Michael Lewis]

That would be a Brown Rush, not a GOLD rush.:grin:~o)

[Big Joe]

They have built some one off's in different colors over the years, and they were pretty fast sellers. CD's "Moldrush" was the result of a mistake in the finishing process, but it turned out very cool! They may make one in a color with a special order. I can't speak for them, but I would imagine they would like any mandolin order right now. Also, any mandolin can be converted to a radius board.

[NickAlberty]

Hey Big Joe,

I played the "Moldrush" while visiting the Gibson joint in Nashville. I was speaking to a guy and he brought it out from behind the counter and said it was his mandolin. I guess that he was your son? He told me the story about it and let me play it for awhile. Very nice guy and I enjoyed playing the "Moldrush".