GIBSON GUITAR CORP.

PRODUCT AND CARE GUIDE

Thank you for choosing GBME, part of the Gibson/Baldwin Family of

Brands. Inside you will find information regarding the care and use of
your new instrument. Additionally, we've included a sampling of some of
our other instruments from the Gibson/Baldwin family. Be sure to check
out our complete line of quality musical instruments at www.gibson.com.

Table of Contents
Care of Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Tuning Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Action Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Truss Rod Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Intonation and Saddle Adjustment for a Tune-o-matic Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Restringing Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Control Knobs and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Control Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
GBME Limited 5-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Gibson/Baldwin Family of Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-34

Care Of Your Instrument

We recommend that you always keep your instrument in a case or gig bag
when transporting or storing it. This reduces the possibility of damage due to
nicks and jams, or sudden changes in climate or atmosphere.
Never put your instrument in the trunk of your car or place anything on top of it.
Perspiration can damage the finish of your instrument so always wipe down
your guitar with a clean soft cloth after playing or before storing. Polishing with
high gloss guitar polish will prolong the life of the finish.

Tuning Your Instrument

Many individuals have their own tuning method. We recommend standard guitar
or bass tuning to A-440, using a tuning fork, electronic tuner or pitch pipe. The
following chart shows standard tuning. The 1st string is the smallest diameter.
Tune the two outside strings first, then tune towards the center. This equalizes
the pressure on the bridge and allows rapid tuning.

Bass

Guitar

6th

5th

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

Action Adjustment
Action is the distance that a string must be depressed before it meets the fret.
Action measurements are taken in 64ths of an inch, and are calculated from
the top of the 12th fret to the underside of the string. GBME sets the action
on all instruments at the factory for optimum playability. On occasion, lower
than standard settings are desired by the player. This can be achieved by
adjusting the bridge studs (See Tune-o-matic Bridge). Lower than standard
action can often result in buzz or
Action at the 12th fret
rattle. This is caused by the string
Treble Side Bass Side
vibrating against the fret. Buzz or
rattle caused by lower than standard
Electric Guitars
4/64
6/64
action is not considered a defect of
Acoustic Guitars
5/64
7/64
the instrument.
Bass Guitars

5/64

7/64

For action at the first fret, all instruments are set at the same height. Treble
strings are cut to 1/64" and the action progresses up to 2/64" on the bass
strings. Be sure that the truss rod is properly adjusted before setting action.

Truss Rod Adjustment

All guitar necks are subject to great stress as a result of string tension, humidity
or changes in climate. Occasionally the neck may need adjustment. The truss
rod is adjustable at the headstock on electric models and through the soundhole
of acoustic models, using an allen wrench or an adjustment wrench.
NOTE: This adjustment should be performed periodically and only by qualified repair
personnel. Over-adjustment can result in damage to the instrument and will not be
covered under warranty.

Intonation and Saddle Adjustment for a Tune-o-matic Bridge

The Tune-o-matic bridge comes to you pre-adjusted, but several adjustment
options are available:
1. String Height or Action* The height of the bridge can be adjusted by
turning the two slot-head screws on either side of the Tune-o-matic bridge;
clockwise to lower, counter-clockwise to raise.
3

2. Adjusting The Intonation* Intonation adjustment is usually only necessary

when different gauge strings are used (it can also be affected by the angle
of a tremolo unit). The saddle positions are adjusted by the individual slot-head
screws located on the front of the bridge, sliding the saddles forward or backward. To check the intonation: Use an electronic tuner and tune the guitar to
a standard pitch. Play the harmonic at the 12th fret, and compare it to the fretted
note at the 12th fret. These notes should read the same on the tuner.
If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is lower than the fretted note, slide the saddle
back (toward the tailpiece). If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is higher than the fretted note slide the saddle forward (toward the neck).
* Adjusting the intonation and string height will affect the playability of your
guitar. If you are unsure of any of the above operations please take your guitar
to an experienced guitar technician or contact GBME.

The Tune-o-matic Bridge

Slot-head height
adjustment screws

Saddles

Slot-head saddle
adjustment screws
5

Restringing your Instrument

As simple as it may sound, proper string installation is critical to the playability of
your instrument. An incorrectly installed string can slip and cause the instrument
to go out of tune.
1. At the Bridge The lower end of an acoustic instrument is strung as shown on
the left of the page. Different instruments are strung according to the bridge and
string type. The bridge end is always strung before the string posts at the headstock.
2. At the Headstock To fasten a string on the post and prevent slipping, bring the
string up the center of the instrument to the post desired. Put string (A) through
the hole or slot in the post at (B) to (C); around the upper side of the post (D), and
under the string (A) at (B), back again around the string post (D). Now when you
wind the string it will lock itself against the post.
NOTE: Notch
should face the
headstock

Control Knobs and Switches

Your GBME electric guitar is capable of producing a variety of sounds by
manipulating the controls.
Volume Controls The volume knobs, on all models, control the amount of
volume each pickup is putting out. Turning the control clockwise produces more
volume. Turning the control counter-clockwise produces less volume.
Tone Controls The tone controls on all models are Treble Cut controls. This
means that as you turn the knob counter-clockwise you reduce the treble output
of that pickup and produce a darker tone. Turning the control fully clockwise will
produce the brightest sound. This means that the pickups full range
of harmonic frequencies is being passed on to your amplifier.
Selector Switch The selector switch permits you to turn pickups on and off. On
most guitars with two pickups, the middle position turns both pickups on. When
the switch is up only the neck or rhythm pickup is turned on. When
the switch is down only the bridge or treble pickup is turned on.

Control Layouts
(one pickup, one volume, one tone)

Open-coil humbucking pickup

Master volume

Master tone

Control Layouts
(two pickups, one volume, one tone
and pickup selector)

Neck pickup (rhythm)

Bridge pickup (treble)

Volume control
Pickup selector switch
Up-rhythm Middle-both Down-treble
Tone control

Control Layouts
(two pickups, two volume, two tone
and pickup selector)

Pickup selector switch

Up-rhythm Middle-both Down-treble
Neck pickup (rhythm)

Bridge pickup (treble)

Bridge pickup volume (treble)

Neck pickup volume (rhythm)
Bridge pickup tone (treble)
Neck pickup tone (rhythm)

10

Thank you for choosing GBME Part of the Gibson/Baldwin

Family of Brands
As you can see, weve put a lot into every GBME instrument so that you can get
a lot out of it night after night day after day year after year. Thank you
again for choosing GBME!
To register your new GBME instrument, visit our website at:
http://GBMEwarranty.gibson.com
For further information, write us at:
Warranty Dept.
Gibson Baldwin Music Education
309 Plus Park Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37217
For consumer or dealer service, call us at:
1-800-4GIBSON
Returns: All returns must have a Return Authorization Number issued by Customer Service before
shipment. If for any reason the instrument needs to be returned, please include this Owners Manual.
Shipment Damage: If instrument arrives damaged, please keep shipping carton intact and contact the
freight carrier for inspection.

11

GBME Limited 5-Year Warranty

This new GBME instrument is warranted to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for 5 years from date of original retail purchase, subject to the limitations
contained in this warranty.
If at any time this GBME instrument malfunctions as a result of faulty materials or workmanship, GBME will repair the defect(s) or replace the instrument, as it deems appropriate
at its sole discretion. GBME reserves the right to use materials regularly utilized at the
time of repair in the event that original materials are no longer available. If replacement of
your instrument is deemed appropriate by our staff, GBME will replace the instrument with
one of the same or most similar style of a value not in excess of the original purchase
price of your instrument.
In the unlikely event that your instrument is destroyed, lost or damaged beyond repair,
while in the possession of GBME for repair, GBME will replace that instrument with one
of the same or most similar style of a value not in excess of the original purchase price of
your instrument. Any insurance covering the instrument, including but not limited to collector's value insurance, must be carried by owner at owner's expense.
THIS WARRANTY IS EXTENDED TO THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASER ONLY AND MAY NOT
BE TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS. IN ORDER TO VALIDATE YOUR
WARRANTY, AND AS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO WARRANTY COVERAGE HEREUNDER,
YOU MUST RETURN YOUR WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD OR REGISTER ON-LINE WITHIN
FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE. YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE OR SALES RECEIPT MUST ACCOMPANY ALL REQUESTS FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE.

12

This Warranty Is Subject To The Following Limitations

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER:

1. Any instrument that has been altered or modified in any way or upon which the
serial number has been tampered with or altered.
2. Any instrument whose warranty card has been altered or upon which false information
has been given.
3. Any instrument that has been damaged due to misuse, negligence, accident, or
improper operation.
4. The subjective issue of tonal characteristics.
5. Shipping damages of any kind.
6. Any instrument that has been subjected to extremes of humidity or temperature.
7. Normal wear and tear (e.g., worn frets, worn machine heads, worn plating,
string replacement, scratched pickguard, or damages to or discoloration of the
instrument finish for any reason).
8. Any instrument that has been purchased from an unauthorized retailer, or upon which
unauthorized repair or service has been performed.
9. Any factory-installed electronics after a period of one (1) year following the original
date of purchase.

13

GBME MAKES NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. ALL IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEEDING THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS WARRANTY ARE
HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED FROM THIS WARRANTY. SOME STATES AND/OR COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO THAT
THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
GBME SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT CONSEQUENTIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE PURCHASER OR ANY
THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR
BUSINESS OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE INSTRUMENT,
WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, EVEN IF GBME OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND GBME SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY EXPENSES, CLAIMS, OR SUITS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF
THE FOREGOING.

How To Obtain Warranty Service

In the event of malfunction of your GBME instrument, you should call Gibson Guitar Corp.for
a Return Authorization Number. The owner must ship the instrument, freight and insurance
prepaid, to: Gibson Guitar Corp., 318 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37201 USA.
No instrument may be returned to Gibson without such prior Return Authorization.
Only Gibson may perform warranty service and any service performed by unauthorized
persons will void this warranty. Gibson disclaims liability for defects or damage caused
by services performed by unauthorized persons or non-warranty service not performed
by Gibson.

14

When sending your instrument to Gibson, you must include a complete written description
of the malfunction of the instrument. If non-warranty work is required or recommended by
Gibson, a quotation will be issued and must be approved by you before any non-warranty
work is commenced. You should consider quotations obtained for non-warranty work
immediately and advise Gibson of your wishes. You are not required to purchase nonwarranty work in order to obtain service on materials covered by this warranty. Following
its inspection of an instrument upon its arrival, Gibson will advise you of the approximate
date of completion. The repaired instrument will be returned to you, freight collect insured.
No representative or other person is authorized to assume for Gibson any liability except
as stated in this warranty. This warranty gives you specific rights which vary from state to
state.

15

The very first Gibson instruments, made in 1894, introduced

the revolutionary concept of the archtop guitar, and innovation
has been a Gibson tradition ever since. Gibson is the only
company with industry-standard models in every major fretted
instrument style, including electric guitars (solidbody, semihollow and hollowbody), acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins
and resonator guitars. The history of Gibson is a history of
popular music, from the seminal jazz of Charlie Christian,
to the classic rock of Chuck Berry and the modern rock of
Jimmy Page, and on into the future with the worlds first
digital guitar. Gibsons Les Paul guitar, recognized the
world over as an icon for rock and roll music, is just one
of many famous models. Check out these Gibsons and
experience a piece of our musical culture at www.gibson.com.
Les Paul Standard

16

Les Paul Standard

SG Standard

X-plorer

Thunderbird IV Bass

17

ES-335

18

SJ-200

J-45

Hummingbird

Epiphone has a rich history of instrument making that

began in Greece in 1873 and blossomed in New York at
the beginning of the 20th century. Epi, as the company
is known to guitarists, was the leading maker of Jazz Age
banjos in the 1920s and was Gibsons fiercest rival when
the guitar rose in popularity in the 1930s. Since joining the
Gibson family in 1957, Epiphone has maintained its own
identity and appeal while earning a reputation for the
best combination of quality and value. Today Epiphone
offers the widest range of styles and models of any
guitar maker, from the classic John Lennon Casino
to the brash FlameKat, from vintage-vibe MasterBilt
acoustics to affordable versions of famous Gibsons.
Heres a sampling of fine guitars made by Epiphone.
Be sure to experience them in person at your nearest
Epiphone dealer or online at www.epiphone.com.
Les Paul Standard

19

20

Zakk Wylde
Les Paul Custom

67 Flying V

AlleyKat

Casino

Care Of Your Instrument

Broadway

AJ-200SCE

EL-00

PR-5E

21

Baldwin has been Americas Favorite

Piano since 1862, when former music
teacher D.H. Baldwin opened his music
store in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the turn of
the twentieth century, Baldwin pianos
won international awards, and by the
end of the century Baldwin was the
largest American piano maker. Baldwin
joined Gibson Guitar Corp. in 2001
and is now headquartered in Nashville.
The Baldwin family of brands includes
Hamilton, Wurlitzer, Chickering and
D.H. Baldwin. Visit Baldwins website
at www.baldwinpiano.com.
Hamilton H310

22

Baldwin SF10 Artist Grand

23

Wurlitzer C153 Grand

24

Tobias has refined every facet of bass design to make each

bass feel like a personalized instrument. The neck profile is
asymmetrical like the shape of the hand that plays it, and the
ergonomic body is designed to fit a players body. An array of
tone woods lets every player fine-tune tonal nuances, and the
beveled body also provides a beautiful aesthetic presentation
for the exotic woods. Pickups and electronics systems are
custom-designed exclusively for Tobias basses, providing
not only true bass tone but also complete control over the
tone. A member of the Gibson family since 1989, Tobias
today offers a full range of choices for bassists, from the
exquisite beauty of the Signature and Classic to the
essential features of the Basic to the workhorse
designs of the Killer B and Growler.
Classic

25

Signature

26

Classic

Basic

Killer B

Slingerland drums have shaped the very identity of drums

and drummers leading the evolution from novelty sound
effects to the modern drum kit, from ornamental
percussionists to star soloists. Founded by music
teacher H.H. Slingerland in 1912, the company
first offered drums in 1928. Slingerland rose
to the top of the drum world with the introduction of
the Radio King snare and the debut of legendary
drummer Gene Krupa as a Slingerland artist. Krupas
flamboyant style personal as well as musical
symbolized a new breed of drummers, and he brought
the drummer and the drum kit into the spotlight for
the first time. Slingerlands rich legacy was
almost lost in the 1990s, but Gibson rescued
the company in 1994. Today, Slingerland carries
on the famous tradition of the greatest American
drum maker.

Modern Jazz in
Green Glitter Finish

27

28

New Standard in
Black Pearl Finish

There are lots of rock and roll guitars, but when it comes to
the reckless, screaming, dive-bomb sounds of hard rock, Kramer
is the origin the source. Through the 1980s, thanks in a large part
to Edward Van Halen, no guitar played a more important role in
the advancement of hard rock music than Kramer. The original
Kramer company, founded in 1975 in Neptune, New Jersey,
had a short but stellar run, ending in bankruptcy in 1989.
Attempts to restart the company failed until 1997, when
Kramer joined the Gibson family. Highlighted by traditional
Kramer favorites such as the Striker and Pacer, along with
reissues of such classics as Van Halens 1984 world tour
guitar and the New Jersey Star, todays Kramer collection
rocks harder than ever.
Striker Series

29

Striker Series

30

Pacer Series

US Collection

US Collection

A Valley Arts guitar is the instrument every musician dreams

about a custom guitar made to fit your individual preferences.
The original Valley Arts store opened in the Los Angeles area in
the early 1970s and quickly became a hangout for pro guitarists
such as Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour and Tommy Tedesco. A fire
destroyed the business in 1990, but in 2003 Gibson revived
the dream of a custom guitar for every player, and Nashville
session master Brent Mason became the first signature
artist of the new Valley Arts. With a selection of body styles
highlighted by the innovative 7/8-size body developed in
the L.A. era, plus pickup options, hardware options and a
full array of finishes, todays Valley Arts offers every guitarist
the custom specs, quality design and personal attention that
the top pros get.
T-Series

31

Brent Mason Signature

32

T-Series

T-series Bent Top

Custom Pro

GBME Part of the Gibson/Baldwin Family of Brands

309 Plus Park Boulevard Nashville, TN 37217 USA