The Gibson Marauder was sold from 1975-80. It was the “Norlin era”, considered by many to be a low point in the companies history. About 7,ooo were sold thanks in part, to the low price tag. Designed as an entry level guitar, it had a lot of Fender-type elements such as a bolt on neck and the angled single coil blade pickup in the bridge position. Many people say this was its downfall. Too Fenderish for the Gibson crowd but still too Gibson for the Fenderites. The most consistent criticism you will find is with the Bill Lawrence Pickups. The bridge PU is often cited as ‘weak’, something I agree with. The neck humbucker, for me is muddy and flat sounding.
What I like about it is the look. It has enough of the classic Gibson design but with a little 60′s era Japanese guitar styling thrown in. I also like the the feel of the neck and the action. Maybe that’s because this was my first electric which I got when I was 13 and was basically the only guitar I played regularly for the following 10 years. My hand literally grew around this neck.
So yeah, I could never part with this guitar. But recently I have discovered the whole guitar DIY scene. Refinishing, rewiring, experimenting…I had already refinished this guitar twice. It was originally a burgundy stain, a finish that today, I would love to have on it. But back in highschool and college I was into punk and new wave and I remember thinking my Marauder looked too “old man”. So I sanded off the finish and sprayed it(I think with Krylon) gray with black tiger stripes…ummm, yeah.
In college, being a sophisticated art major, I got into the retro look(and those tiger stripes were already embarrassing me) so I sanded and resprayed again with a teal color I called “swimming-pool blue”. And really it didn’t look to bad. I did a decent job, though there is no visible clear coat to speak of.
As you can see, the unprotected paint has deteriorated quite a bit. Relics have a limited appeal for me so that’s a route I am not considering, though this would make a great base for such a finish. So I’m going to give the old Marauder a complete overhaul – the finish and the sound. I’ll strip the body down to the wood and replace all the electronics. Leaving the original loaded pickguard complete in case I ever want to experience the ‘classic’ Marauder sound again.
So in upcoming posts I’ll detail the complete process, mistakes and all.
HEY!
This is ‘ dated ‘ … SO, How it go’n!? What is new!?
I gotta tell ya i really get roped in for a long sitting spell of fascination each & everytime i stumble back to your site! but , hey! it’s a good thing!
so, have to know … What ever happened with your Marauder ?
i bet it’s a real illustrious, playin’ beauty now!?
As it happens ,i have the same one, – well, the ‘burgundy’ color, anyway! =oP …
( sort of ‘have’ using the term loosely! …anyway, long story, LONGER: – my loving brother & i are kind-of fight’n over it – ( drat!)
i love that guitar! especially the giant fret-board for my big paws!, i never complained about the Bill Lawrence, shooT! i’d just CRANK – er- UP! it did get a sort of fender-esque tone from that position, etc – sigh …
i’d purchased her from a friend, for a couple of hundred dollars back in ’8o. I went into the ‘Job Corps’ and had to leave it w/ my bro who was a bit more ‘stable’ at the time and the son of a gun has had possession of it ever since~! But i still want her back~! ( heart breakin’ story i know – sorry )
would be great to see how yours came out!? Perhaps get some pointers on electronic re-do fantasy make-over for my ‘Isabella’ i’ll take back one day here aswell !? …o.0…
alrighty! – great to be able to email ya ! Thanks in advance, if ya ever find the time or inclination to write back~
I should say i really dig your site & then some! =)
All the very best to you & yours -
and Merry Christmas + A Happy New year ! ☮ jef
Hey Jeff,
Glad you like my site! I did finish the Maruader, here’s a link to the final chapter of the refinishing process:
http://www.guitarify.com/2011/03/the-maruader-project-part-6-its-done/
I’m really happy with how it came out. Mine was originally burgundy too, but I think the new color scheme fits it better. Since completing it, I have already swapped out the bridge pickup from a Seymour Duncan JB Jr. to a Semour Duncan Cool Rails. Sounds much better, the JB Jr. was too muddy. I also wired the two pickups out of phase so the middle position now gets that “cocked wah” sound. It’s cool for some lead tones.
Though I must say I’m toying with the idea of putting the original pickups back in. I know, I know, the never ending quest for tone. I agree with you about the neck. It’s probably my favorite thing about that guitar. Hope you get your Marauder back someday. I doubt I will ever get rid of mine. If you ever have any questions about upgrading or whatever, feel free to email.
Happy Holidays
- John