On the bench - Banker Flying V

[ICTGoober]

Had to glue every fret end down and then level the frets. Lowed the action a bunch, and now it plays like it looks - zoomy. Also, the binding nibs were vertical on the fret ends - like railroad ties. I beveled the binding so your thumb and fingers don't catch while playing. Just over a year old, and the nut had already been replaced by another guy here in town (he did a good job). Also, the truss rod cover was so thick it interfered with the strings. It's going back in the case. Shipping it this afternoon...

https://i.imgur.com/pIKMH2a.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Fptxn70.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8jbOc8v.jpg

[Mincer]

Sounds like an expensive repair!

[idsnowdog]

I'm a bit confused. It doesn't look like a cheaply made guitar so why were so many things wrong with it? If it was a homebuilt guitar where they were fabricating most things from scratch you could understand it. But if a luthier actually built this their QC is crap.

[ThreeChordWonder]

I've always hankered after a Flying V (and a long blonde wig).

But right now I can neither afford nor justify an Epiphone, let alone the $5000 string through body Gibson I really want.

People are asking crazy prices even for beat up examples too.

There's an Epiphone on GC for $400 that needs a repspray, at least, and a husk on eBay for $400 with a (badly) repaired headstock crack.

For that kind of money, I'd just buy the Epiphone one new, which is string-through and has a proper set neck (unlike previous years bolt-ons). Spend $650 on the Epi and another $200 on SD pickups and you've easily got as good an instrument as the $5000 Gibson, or just spend $1500 on the basic Gibson with the standard stop tail bridge.

[ICTGoober]

For those who don't remember, Banker is the first authorized Gibson custom shop maker.
And so far, I'm not impressed. The maker is a novice, but not an idiot. There are cosmetic glitches, and some lazy workmanship - but overall, it's not a horrible instrument. It plays nice now and sounds pretty good. The pickups are some boutique maker I never heard of.

[nexion218]

Man next time dim the lights when making pics, will ya? Those frets shine so bright on the 2nd pic it hurt my eyes!

[NegativeEase]

Hate to hear that, That looks like a pretty old Banker -maybe it sat at CME for a while before purchase, Matt's guitar's coming out now are much better.

I've played a lot of the new ones before he sells distributes or sells them.

[Little Pigbacon]

Oh. I thought banker was a reference to the owners occupation.

[Little Pigbacon]

I've always hankered after a Flying V (and a long blonde wig).

But right now I can neither afford nor justify an Epiphone, let alone the $5000 string through body Gibson I really want.

People are asking crazy prices even for beat up examples too.

There's an Epiphone on GC for $400 that needs a repspray, at least, and a husk on eBay for $400 with a (badly) repaired headstock crack.

For that kind of money, I'd just buy the Epiphone one new, which is string-through and has a proper set neck (unlike previous years bolt-ons). Spend $650 on the Epi and another $200 on SD pickups and you've easily got as good an instrument as the $5000 Gibson, or just spend $1500 on the basic Gibson with the standard stop tail bridge.

If you could spend $650 on an Epi + $200 on
pickups and easily get an instrument as good as the $5,000 Gibson, why would you consider the $1,500 Gibson an option?

[Masta' C]

If you could spend $650 on an Epi + $200 on
pickups and easily get an instrument as good as the $5,000 Gibson, why would you consider the $1,500 Gibson an option?

Why would anyone consider a $1500 Gibson an option?

[Little Pigbacon]

Why would anyone consider a $1500 Gibson an option?

I bought an Explorer for $1,260 on model-year clearance a few years ago. It is a brilliant guitar.

[ThreeChordWonder]

If you could spend $650 on an Epi + $200 on
pickups and easily get an instrument as good as the $5,000 Gibson, why would you consider the $1,500 Gibson an option?

For the tuners are hum canceling puckguard screws, obviously...

Nah, just badge snobbery.

[Little Pigbacon]

For the tuners are hum canceling puckguard screws, obviously...

Nah, just badge snobbery.

Call it badge snobbery or whatever you want, but I have really liked a lot of Gibsons in that price range.

[NegativeEase]

Call it badge snobbery or whatever you want, but I have really liked a lot of Gibsons in that price range.

I think the 1k to 1500 range is where the most Gibson are worth it honestly.

[NegativeEase]

Why would anyone consider a $1500 Gibson an option?

Before getting any discussion on functional guitar details,

I'd say here are 3 common reasons before even talking about the actual guitar

• resale/investment value considerations.
• a prestige purchase (see worship player thread.... I kid I kid)
• fulfilling a daydream of one day owning a Gibson instead of an approximation or alternate.