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NGD Bernie Marsden The Beast

sharky

Active member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
1,267
OK, first of all I have to say that I didn't plan to buy The Beast after seeing Gibson's first announcement. A little later a picture showed up somewhere in the web that showed a lot more interesting picture of a prototype or whatever and that immediately caught my eye. So I decided to order it in my store. As we have very widespread consumer rights in Europe, I ordered it and have the right of first refusal within 14 days after purchase, so no risk for me at all. Dealer gave me a good price on it, so I agreed.

On friday I received a call from the store that my long before ordered Perry a/s arrived. 5 minutes later they informed me that The Beast has also hit their doorstep and that there where 2 to choose from. So I rapidly entered my car, raced to the store and we tore the boxes apart and got the cases out. I openend one, the dealer the other and I knew within a splitsecond, which one was mine. It has kinda funny, very interesting top. The color is gorgeous and together with the finish has a very vintage vibe on it. It has flames that can be very subtle or pop out much, depending on the viewing angle. The flames don't run through from the center to the edges, but are interrupted by bands of grain, really interesting to me.

The aging is great. It has very little laquer cracks, but many dings and tool marks, for examples at the tailpiece and the pots, that look as if they really simply happend long time ago.

The tuner housings are well aged, but the tuner tips look a bit off to me. Very white and very translucent. OK, that could be an easy fix when wanted

I was afraid that it would be from the rather heavy department but it is not. 8.8 lbs straight, just fine with me. It's well balanced and has the typical 2013 neck. Enough flesh, but no too many shoulder, very comfortabel for me to play. It arrive topwrapped. Fine, no further work for me to do. I don't no if it is from the OEM strings or comes from the guitar, but it plays really easily. Bends simply happen, like rubber bands, very nice and also comfortabel.

Soundwise it is again similar to other 2013 I know. Bridge PUP is rather on the brilliant side, very clear and chimey and a little twangy as well. The neck PUP has enough warmth and sings beautifully. I really love the middle position on Les Pauls and all pots full open it has a nice and clear sound. The more you turn the volume of the neck PUP down, the more Strat or bell like it can sound. I like that very much.

I know that I suck in taking pictures but the sun is out today, so I took the chance. I hope you like them

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hoss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6,748
You are the man! I like the Beast even better than the Perry.
 

boanerges

New member
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
56
Ah, great review ;) When I saw the topic header, I went to get a coffee just to enjoy the reading -- been waiting for the first reviews of the Beasts. I'm on Thomanns waiting list for one of these, they are scheduled to hit them in July/August.

And what a beauty! I can understand why you chose this one, looks like it's been cared for but played since 59 ;)

Please, more pics! And give us some more words on how it sounds after you've played it a bit.
 

sharky

Active member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
1,267
Ah, great review ;) When I saw the topic header, I went to get a coffee just to enjoy the reading -- been waiting for the first reviews of the Beasts. I'm on Thomanns waiting list for one of these, they are scheduled to hit them in July/August.

And what a beauty! I can understand why you chose this one, looks like it's been cared for but played since 59 ;)

Please, more pics! And give us some more words on how it sounds after you've played it a bit.

wow, such a long waiting time at Thomann. Did they already sell some or are they just late?

I took 30 pictures or so, all on my photobucket album. Will this link work for you? http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/G...?page=1&_suid=1365413669015016125123926266083

If not, search for my user name there which is Geissenpeter, the album is public
 

boanerges

New member
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
56
Fantastic, thanks, link worked like a charm. I'll be drooling over these for a couple of hours.

No, I think these are the first in at Thomann. I'm # 3 on the waiting list. When it comes to the CC-guitars, I trust them to be consistent enough in quality to buy one unseen, would never do this with a regular Gibson or even a Historic. Of course, I don't get to pick a top ;)

I own a Shanks, CC#7, and it has amazed me every time I've picked it up.
 

sharky

Active member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
1,267
What store did you buy from and do they ship to Norway...? ;)

I bought it from session in Germany and if I look at their pricelist for the shipping costs, I'd assume that they will send to Norway.

http://www.session.de/music/service/versand/

I didn't find an international website though, maybe google might help you. I found them easy to deal with

Fantastic, thanks, link worked like a charm. I'll be drooling over these for a couple of hours.

No, I think these are the first in at Thomann. I'm # 3 on the waiting list. When it comes to the CC-guitars, I trust them to be consistent enough in quality to buy one unseen, would never do this with a regular Gibson or even a Historic. Of course, I don't get to pick a top ;)

I own a Shanks, CC#7, and it has amazed me every time I've picked it up.

Thomann has 10 Beasts on their website marked as incoming. Get the guys to take a few pictures after telling them in which direction of top you would like to have your Beast. I saw pictures of 4 or 5 Beasts and they were all kinda different. Mine is a bit raw and rustic looking, really like an old instrument, heavily used, but well taken care of. Love.

And yes, Hoss, same with me, I like the Beast more than the Perry also.
 

boanerges

New member
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
56
I think they're doing something very right with all these CC models. I compared my Shanks directly with several R8s and R0s in addition to the Perry and the Kossoff models. The Shanks won hands down, IMHO; playability, sound, pickups etc. Again IMHO.
 

gypsyseven

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
767
That one looks soooo amazing, the aging and every detail...i just can't get enough of these photos...
 

sharky

Active member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
1,267
thank you for the nice comments, guys. Yes, Gipsyseven, Gibson really hit it out of the park with this one. They get better and better
 

tdarian

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
3,575
Oh wow, Sharky, that is just so beautiful. Your photos are excellent too. I have not been particularly drawn to the CC Series or any of the aged new guitars, but you are making a strong case for them here!

We both have guitars of each other's to covet in this global initiative we call the LPF! If it is OK with you I will make your Bernie my PC background screen today in honor of this beauty!

Tom
 

steve(UK)

New member
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
972
There's a rumour going around that Marsden's Les Paul is the Beano Les Paul that was stolen from Eric Clapton. No-one is suggesting for one moment that Bernie stole it, or was anything to do with the same, but that it eventually was sold to him. Clapton himself freely admits that after all this time he wouldn't be able to identify his Beano guitar if he saw it. So unless any sleuths out there have an expert eye for old, blurry photos, then the matter will forever remain a mystery. Interesting theory though! Here's just one story on the internet: http://archive.classicrockmagazine....he-beano-les-paul-add-its-magic-to-whitesnake
 
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