Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
The Gibson Les Paul Music City Special – 50th Anniversary is a limited edition hybrid that combines the old Marauder and Music City Junior, and offers them in wine, tobacco sunburst and ebony finishes.
Guitars Gibson celebrates 50 years in Nashville with limited run twist on a cult electric played by KISS
Gibson Marcus King ES-345 in Sixties Cherry: the NC soul/rock phenom's new signature model is based on his 1962 heirloo, Big Red, and offers a slightly different set of specs as his Custom Shop version.
Artists Gibson unveils new signature ES-345 for Marcus King, and it is the evolution of a family heirloom
Gibson Custom Serj Tankian Les Paul Modern: The System Of A Down frontman performs with his brightly coloured new signature guitar, which features original artwork from the man himself.
Guitars Serj Tankian and Gibson team up for limited edition Foundations Les Paul Modern Sublimation
On the left, a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut, solid-bodied, in Vintage Cherry Sunburst, it looks like the archetypical singlecut. On the right, the new Les Paul Parlor, a guitar that applies the LP aesthetic to a small-bodied acoustic.
Guitars Gibson has just unveiled a new Les Paul like no other
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Plini Edition Mirage
Guitars Strandberg launches limited edition Plini Boden Standard with glow-in-the-dark Mirage graphic finish
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Guitars Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 Les Paul
Artists Epiphone unveils Inspired By Gibson Custom version of Jeff Beck’s iconic 1954 Oxblood Les Paul
  1. Guitars

In pictures: the Gibson Dusk Tiger guitar

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 2 December 2009

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Intro

Intro

The first concrete details of Gibson’s new Dusk Tiger guitar have finally emerged. After an initial ‘teaser’ press release that declared it to be “the most innovative guitar in the history of music” set blogs and forums ablaze with speculation, the US giant has now announced that the Dusk Tiger will have a limited run of 1000 units, a list price of £2,799, and will start shipping 7 December.

A quick dig through the latest press release reveals the guitar will probably not be the most innovative of all time, but requisite marketing bravado aside, the Dusk Tiger does pack some pretty cool features. Let’s take a look…

UPDATE: Click here for an exclusive first look at the video for the Dusk Tiger with more exclusive video on the way!

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
The predecessor

The predecessor

At its heart, the Dusk Tiger succeeds Gibson’s innovative Dark Fire guitar: a Les Paul-shaped model which refined the company’s Robot Guitar self-tuning system and introduced a new tone modelling system plus a FireWire connection which splits the output from the axe's individual strings into six separate channels.

The Dusk Tiger appears to retain and improve on these features and also lower the list price by a few hundred dollars (presumably a result of sorting the manufacturing problems which so plagued the Dark Fire’s production). Like the Dark Fire, though, it’s a limited-run model.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
The top

The top

The Dusk Tiger sports an arresting exotic hardwood top alongside a chrome pickguard which will likely divide opinion…

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
The back

The back

…as will the rear of the guitar, which features a tiger-like finish.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Impedance circuit

Impedance circuit

The Dusk Tiger also has some brand new features. An impedance circuit and switch (dubbed the LP-Z in honour of the late Les Paul) will supposedly better match the impedance of the guitar’s output to your effects chain and amp, yielding “an improvement in fidelity […] not unlike seeing HD video compared to standard definition,” apparently.

Gibson has also opted for a Neutrik combo jack providing XLR, stereo jack or mono jack output options.

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Tuning, tone and RIP

Tuning, tone and RIP

The Dusk Tiger adds an extra bank of tuning and tone presets, the latter of which can be edited in Gibson’s improved Chameleon Tone software. There’s also a new tuning option which can display the exact frequency of the note you’re playing on the Master Control Knob’s display.

The RIP (the FireWire Robot Interface Pack used to split the guitar's output into independent string channels, plus carry the piezo and traditional pickup outputs to your computer) has been upgraded, too - an overhaul featuring an “improved” audio stream.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Batteries

Batteries

The RIP will no longer charge your batteries, mind. In fact, the proprietary Gibson-type battery of the Dark Fire which recharged via the RIP has been totally replaced by standard camera-style batteries and a dedicated charging unit.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Conclusions?

Conclusions?

So that’s the Dusk Tiger. An innovative guitar for sure, but quite how Gibson fans and the wider guitar community will react to this traditionally ‘classic’ manufacturer putting out yet another robo-guitar remains to be seen. It’s inevitable that the design and cosmetics of the thing will also polarise opinion - here at MusicRadar, we honestly can’t make up our mind as to whether we love its looks or hate them. Props to Gibson for a bold move then.

One thing we are sure of, however, is that we really want to get our hands on one. Look out for a full review of the Gibson Dusk Tiger, coming soon

UPDATE: Click here for an exclusive first look at the video for the Dusk Tiger with more exclusive video on the way!

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Read more
The Gibson Les Paul Music City Special – 50th Anniversary is a limited edition hybrid that combines the old Marauder and Music City Junior, and offers them in wine, tobacco sunburst and ebony finishes.
Gibson celebrates 50 years in Nashville with limited run twist on a cult electric played by KISS
Gibson Marcus King ES-345 in Sixties Cherry: the NC soul/rock phenom's new signature model is based on his 1962 heirloo, Big Red, and offers a slightly different set of specs as his Custom Shop version.
Gibson unveils new signature ES-345 for Marcus King, and it is the evolution of a family heirloom
On the left, a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut, solid-bodied, in Vintage Cherry Sunburst, it looks like the archetypical singlecut. On the right, the new Les Paul Parlor, a guitar that applies the LP aesthetic to a small-bodied acoustic.
Gibson has just unveiled a new Les Paul like no other
Gibson Custom Serj Tankian Les Paul Modern: The System Of A Down frontman performs with his brightly coloured new signature guitar, which features original artwork from the man himself.
Serj Tankian and Gibson team up for limited edition Foundations Les Paul Modern Sublimation
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Plini Edition Mirage
Strandberg launches limited edition Plini Boden Standard with glow-in-the-dark Mirage graphic finish
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Latest in Guitars
Fender Custom Shop Ariel Posen Stratocaster: Posen's new signature model was inspired by the Jazzmaster and has custom-wound AP-90 pickups. Check out those cupcake-style control knobs.
Ariel Posen’s new Custom Shop signature Strat is A) stunning and B) inspired by a… Jazzmaster?
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++: the super-rare holy grail metal amp used by the likes of Vivian Campbell and Metallica has been officially released by the Gibson-own amp brand.
‘Crunch Berries’ are on the menu! Mesa/Boogie releases holy grail Mark IIC++ Metallica amp
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
“A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Darkglass Electronics Kaamos: this high-end twofer is a hard-working addition to any bass player's pedalboard, and features a comprehensive suite of controls.
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Latest in News
Fender Custom Shop Ariel Posen Stratocaster: Posen's new signature model was inspired by the Jazzmaster and has custom-wound AP-90 pickups. Check out those cupcake-style control knobs.
Ariel Posen’s new Custom Shop signature Strat is A) stunning and B) inspired by a… Jazzmaster?
Daron Malakian of System of a Down performs live in a wide-brimmed had with a custom Flying V with an open-book Gibson headstock.
Daron Malakian on how synth leads the guitar on his new album and why he doesn’t stick to one style
Spinal Tap, with David Kaff, centre
“He always had a kind word and a quick wit”: Bandmates pay tribute to Spinal Tap’s David Kaff
Fred Armisen
Fred Armisen says that the late Steve Albini was “instrumental” in the creation of his new album
Damon Albarn performs with Africa Express at Pohoda Festival on July 10, 2025 in Trencin, Slovakia
“I’ve been incredibly busy making music...”: Damon Albarn teases a new Gorillaz album
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++: the super-rare holy grail metal amp used by the likes of Vivian Campbell and Metallica has been officially released by the Gibson-own amp brand.
‘Crunch Berries’ are on the menu! Mesa/Boogie releases holy grail Mark IIC++ Metallica amp

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...