Gibson Marauder

• Title — Gibson Marauder • Manufacturer — Gibson • Period — 1974–1979 • Bodytype — Solid • Bridge — Tune-o-matic, and "Short Lyre Vibrola" used on some models • Necktype — Bolt-on neck • Scale — 24.75 in • Woodbody — Alder, Mahogany, Maple • Woodneck — Maple • Woodfingerboard — Maple, Rosewood, Ebony • Pickups — H-SC: Bill Lawrence Humbucker (neck), Bill Lawrence Blade Noiseless Single-coil (bridge) • Colors — Classic White, Cherry, Ebony, Natural

The Marauder was introduced as an attempt to break into the single coil pickup bolt-on neck guitar market, which was dominated by Fender at that time. To design the pickups, Gibson tapped Bill Lawrence, who had joined in 1972 and had already produced the L6-S. His design was reminiscent of the Fender Telecaster, contrasting the neck humbucker pickup with an angled single coil pickup in the bridge position, though the latter is often called a humbucker in popular reviews. The Marauder was officially introduced in 1974 and began shipping in 1975, supported by endorsements from Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley. Minor modifications were made in 1976 and in 1978. The model was cancelled in 1979 though some were still made until 1982. In all, only 7,111 were ever made.

Sum 41 lead vocalist and guitarist Deryck Whibley's first guitar was a walnut Marauder and he famously can be seen playing it in the music videos for "Fat Lip" and "In Too Deep". Asian Kung-Fu Generation vocalist and guitarist Masafumi Gotoh can be seen using a Marauder in the music videos for " Rewrite " and " After Dark ". Adam Jones from Tool used it on their 2019 album Fear Inoculum. Also used for many years by Angelo Flies of Massive Attack. David Keegan from The Shop Assistants is pictured holding his Marauder on the cover of their LP "Will Anything Happen" in the bottom right corner. Tom Coyle used a wine red model during his tenure in the HS band "Infinity" in 1981. Golden Earring guitarist George Kooymans used a Gibson Marauder for Drop-D songs like "Long Blonde Animal" live. This guitar was most likely bought in 1975 and first used on the To The Hilt album as it is seen in the promo video for the title track. Notable users: Walter Schreifels of Rival Schools, George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson, Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Fox Amato of Horace Green, Mac McCaughan of Superchunk, Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks, Ricardo Mastria of Dead Fish, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Mick Taylor and Hugo Ali of Shitsunami. Paul Stanley of Kiss claimed to have never actually played the Marauder but would bring one out for every encore and then smash the guitar in several pieces then throw them into the audience. Quarterflash guitarist Jack Charles is seen playing a Gibson Marauder in a Harden my Heart video