I guess I'm going to give Gibson some credit

[NegativeEase]

Due to a few different projects in flight right now -I have 4 Gibson SG Standards in the studio right now.

Verdict -The 2021 is better in every single way than the 2018, and slightly better than the 2006 and better than the by a little more1980.

Apparently something has improved over there.


Also, all the appointments and QC on the guitar are perfect -no flaws...

The Leather and Plush lines Soft Case that comes with it is pretty over the top silly though, I mean you show up at a gig with that and people are going to laugh

[Mincer]

I have to say that I have no issues with my 1980. I know some of the Norlin era are dogs, though.

[Securb]

5 Gibsons, no problems and my recent Goldtop is beautiful. The only headache I have with my Gibsons is people telling me I could have bought a better guitar for less money. I wonder how miserable my commute would be if all morning people asked me to roll down my window to tell me the same about my Lexus.

[Chris Pile]

If Gibson quality really sucked as badly as some internet "experts" claim, they would be out of business.
Since they are making bank, I'm going to say they are doing something right on a regular basis.

[JB_From_Hell]

If Gibson quality really sucked as badly as some internet "experts" claim, they would be out of business.
Since they are making bank, I'm going to say they are doing something right on a regular basis.

I think you’re right that it’s overblown, but stuff like the $5k 335 on Sweetwater with half a figured top understandably fuels a lot of it.

[Mincer]

I would think any 'lifestyle brand' gets their share of crap. But yeah, I agree, some of those mismatched tops are silly for that kind of $$.

[Demanic]

Due to a few different projects in flight right now -I have 4 Gibson SG Standards in the studio right now.

Verdict -The 2021 is better in every single way than the 2018, and slightly better than the 2006 and better than the by a little more1980.

Apparently something has improved over there.


Also, all the appointments and QC on the guitar are perfect -no flaws...

The Leather and Plush lines Soft Case that comes with it is pretty over the top silly though, I mean you show up at a gig with that and people are going to laugh

Heebus. About fricken time.

[eclecticsynergy]

More recent Gibsons have been Plek'd, too - that goes a long way towards alleviating minor fretwork issues.
Not saying that's the only factor, but it might be one aspect.

[Aceman]

As always, my standard line: Gibson quality is not anywhere as bad as the inter web makes it seem. However, it is also nowhere near the perfection that should be, and is, expected at that price.

As for your assertion that 2021 is better than 2018 or 1980, I'm going to ignore that. As always - this is a lot of gross perception, bias, and limited sample size. If we had 5 1980s, 5 2018's, and 5 2021's, and then had someone who was not a Gibson Fan boy rate 20 points of "quality at random, I have $10 that says there would not be a bit of difference between them, at least no reliable difference that would warrant any global statement regarding the guitars made any given year.

Full disclosure: I have 4 Gibsons, I hated the Klusons on all of them. 2 real Norlin's, and a 2011 USA Custom shop report of a Norlin, and one 1996. They are all great, played one last night. except the Frilly...which is obvious jacked up beyond what you would even buy if you saw it in a store. But...it gets a pass for obvious read. And it plays flawlessly and sounds awesome.

[JB_From_Hell]

Any year SG that the neck doesn’t fall off of is better than my ‘62.

[NegativeEase]

As always, my standard line: Gibson quality is not anywhere as bad as the inter web makes it seem. However, it is also nowhere near the perfection that should be, and is, expected at that price.

As for your assertion that 2021 is better than 2018 or 1980, I'm going to ignore that. As always - this is a lot of gross perception, bias, and limited sample size. If we had 5 1980s, 5 2018's, and 5 2021's, and then had someone who was not a Gibson Fan boy rate 20 points of "quality at random, I have $10 that says there would not be a bit of difference between them, at least no reliable difference that would warrant any global statement regarding the guitars made any given year.

Full disclosure: I have 4 Gibsons, I hated the Klusons on all of them. 2 real Norlin's, and a 2011 USA Custom shop report of a Norlin, and one 1996. They are all great, played one last night. except the Frilly...which is obvious jacked up beyond what you would even buy if you saw it in a store. But...it gets a pass for obvious read. And it plays flawlessly and sounds awesome.

Klusons are ****. Agreed.

Also -I did not say the other Guitars were bad BTW, I am telly everyone this 2021 appears to be just a little better in it's finish quality.

[ErikH]

More recent Gibsons have been Plek'd, too - that goes a long way towards alleviating minor fretwork issues.
Not saying that's the only factor, but it might be one aspect.

They've been Pleking the frets since at least 2009. I know my 2009 LP Trad Pro came Plek'd from the factory.

I've noticed those slight improvements myself across the Standard lines. I don't care for the Custom Shop and rarities. Those out of my reach unless I win the lottery so, why bother. It's like me watching for QC issues on Mercedes and BMW. But anyway, yes, they've upped the QC a bit.

On the Klusons debate, I've been using Gotoh Kluson style tuners for years with zero issues. With a good ratio (not all Kluson style tuners are created equal) they are fine. A well cut and slotted nut does wonders for what might appear to be a tuner issue but may really not be. That said, the Grover locking tuners they've put on several instruments are really nice.

[Aceman]

Again...my experience with Klusons is Norlin....

[beaubrummels]

I haven't had problems with any Gibson. No neck breaks or fret problems or major issues. I get the sticking G when tuning thing, but that is easily remedied. The Melody Maker and LP Studio I have aren't instruments I can wail leads on and hold stable tuning, but those are budget instruments that I have the exact same experience on other manufactures with, like budget Fenders and others I can't wail leads on and have stable tuning, without doing some hardware upgrades and work on the instrument. I hear all the bashing, but I just haven't experienced the things people complain about.

[Open lane]

I was considering getting one of the iommi sgs but saw a load of people citing quality issues. I've owned 3 older gibbies and 1 newer and haven't had a prob though. A couple years ago i tried a new goldtop standard in nyc (i'm in love with the look). It was one of the worst guitars i've ever tried. Was much heavier than my 14lber at home and my right arm refused to not lock into it. Not quite sure what was so dif about it, other than the weight.