Alternative brands to Gibson

Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

There is no alternative. For better or worse only a Gibson is a Gibson.

You can buy LP style guitars from many places... but they are not Gibsons. Its kinda like Coke, there are dozens of similar products on the market, many are even cheaper. You might even prefer another brand, you might hate coke. But only a Coke is a Coke... Same with Gibson
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

And Seymour Duncan.

"Gosh, $35 for a used USA-made Duncan seems a bit steep, can I get a cheaply-made off-brand import for less and it be identical in tone and quality?"

And for your ~$3000 expense of a USA Les Paul, you're buying the assumption of higher quality, whether it's there or not. It's a lesson Gibson learned back in the 80s from Grover Jackson: people equate high price with high quality. USA Jacksons in the 80s started at $2500. USA Les Pauls could be had new for under $1000. Jackson sold a ton, and you should see some of the dogs they put out.

However, if you want a Les Paul, get a Gibson. It's perfectly fine if it sits in the case for all eternity while you play your Epi or ESPee or Tokai Les Paul knock-off, so long as you own a real USA Les Paul so that you always know the difference, and you don't mistake your knock-off for the real thing.

Otherwise, there are many other companies with their own shapes that are not Les Paul knock-offs. Maybe you should look into those.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

DrNewcenstein said:
USA Jacksons in the 80s started at $2500.
Click to expand...


Yeah you are exaggerating a bit.... Maybe in the 90's they got there but sure as hell not in the 80's The very first RR i got the guy had saved all the case candy and stuff from 88 and had the original work order that guitar in 1988 cost him a grand total of 1365. Thats half of the figure you are quoting. But hey you dont have to take my word for it. Here is the work order for Dave Mustaines original king V. Notice the cost? 1295 for a full on custom shop piece.

j27135.jpg
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

Edgecrusher said:
There is no alternative. For better or worse only a Gibson is a Gibson.

You can buy LP style guitars from many places... but they are not Gibsons. Its kinda like Coke, there are dozens of similar products on the market, many are even cheaper. You might even prefer another brand, you might hate coke. But only a Coke is a Coke... Same with Gibson
Click to expand...

+1 To this
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

I understand the Gibson hesitation. I've played some winners and a bunch of total losers. I find it hard to believe that my local stores are the only ones getting gibsons with rough frets, binding problems, sloppy finish work, etc. imho, you buy a professional instrument in the $1000-$3000 range, it should be put together well and free from these sorts of problems.

all that said, if you want a Gibson, and the name on the headstock is going to bother you over time, then you should run the racks, search around the used markets, and find a good one that speaks to you.

otherwise, Edwards, Tokai, Heritage, and, believe it or not, Carvin (they make a beautiful single cut, and have a few headstocks to choose from, one of which is more traditional), are where I'd start.

good luck.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

DrNewcenstein said:
USA Jacksons in the 80s started at $2500.
Click to expand...

Edgecrusher said:
Yeah you are exaggerating a bit.... Maybe in the 90's they got there but sure as hell not in the 80's The very first RR i got the guy had saved all the case candy and stuff from 88 and had the original work order that guitar in 1988 cost him a grand total of 1365. Thats half of the figure you are quoting. But hey you dont have to take my word for it. Here is the work order for Dave Mustaines original king V. Notice the cost? 1295 for a full on custom shop piece.
Click to expand...

Adjusted for inflation maybe? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $1295 in 1986 would be worth $2,819.67 today.

It should also be pointed out that while I've seen new Gibsons on the rack with improperly leveled frets, incorrectly cut nuts, and electronics that didn't work 100% right, those are all things that would be fixed under warranty for free if you do decide to buy the guitar.

Gibson may have a few too many quality control issues for their price point, but they still make a good guitar. I currently own four USA Gibsons, a 1996 Explorer, a 2001 LP Standard, a 2007 SG Standard, and a 2007 Gibson Memphis ES-335 Fatneck.
 
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Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

I guess I have two dogs in this fight my 2002 SG Special and my 2011 Les Paul Traditional Pro. I have had zero problems with either guitar. When I want advice on a piece of gear I typically listen to the people that own that gear not people that have read things on the internet. Or people that played the instrument for 10 minutes in a music store. Most Gibson bashers remind me of the person that will tell you new BMWs or Lexuses are garbage as they get in their rusted 97 Honda Accord and drive away. Yes there are a few unhappy people on the threads you posted but that pales in comparison to the legions of happy Gibson owners like myself. There is a reason why the Les Paul is the most iconic instrument in the history of the guitar, you should go out and play as many as possible and find out why for yourself.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

to the OP:
Just go into a shop and play a bunch of axes, Gibsons included.
Make up your own mind about what makes a good axe for the dough.
Make up your own mind about qc.
The internet (I am sure you know already) is full of hearsay and half truths.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

dystrust said:
Adjusted for inflation maybe? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $1295 in 1986 would be worth $2,819.67 today.
Click to expand...

I dunno.. maybe but to me it doesnt make sense with the original statement for it to be adjusted. His point was that jacksons were massively more expensive than Gibsons in the 80's. The reality is they were more expensive but not 150% more expensive. More like 24-35% more expensive. Which if you think about it seems right. A small custom shop vs a USA production model. The custom shop costs about 30% more... seems about right.

The fact of the matter is no matter how hard they try anyone doing any sort of a volume with their production is going to have dogs slip out. Even with the golden era of 50's Les Pauls some dogs went out the door.

Newc's implied conspiracy that they are price gouging you so you assume that its higher quality is a baseless accusation with no direct evidence.
 
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Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

I haven't really had bad experiences with any Gibson I've owned or even played.

That said, I by no means think they are anything special. I would typically rather have a MIJ ESP. I own a MIJ Tokai Love Rock and I would put it against most LPs.

I would suggest to look around and grab the best deal on the best used guitar you can find, regardless of the brand.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

My local shops had USA Jacksons tagged at $2500 in the mid-80s. Perhaps they were custom shops the store ordered and then doubled the price, but they sold at those prices while new USA Les Pauls hung beside them for half that (Custom) or less (Standard, V, SG).

The statement about people associating high cost with high quality came out of Grover Jackson's mouth during an interview I saw on the news when they were still a custom shop, and making noise in the market.
They showed the original shop, and Grover took one of the guitars out back to spray a Bengal pattern on it with a template piece. He laid it on the body, sprayed a couple of passes, flipped it over and sprayed two more, and that was the classic Bengal stripe (the jagged edge, not the Lynch).
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

I also through out there Edwards.. Great guitars and pretty close spec. Just a thicker finish. (Edwards are a subsidiary of ESP) Also, Burnys are great too. (subsidiary of Fernandes) The new ones are very good, but the older ones with the diamond type inlay absolutely slay! I have one that id pit against most anything from brand G.. FWIW the new Burnys are being played on tour by Duff and Steve Jones of the Pistols.. For the budget conscious, and a bit of deviation on shape. Michael Kelly Patriot Customs are an amazing bang for the buck.. Mine came with tone pros bridge and tail, grover keys, flame cap (not photo), ebony board, real nice inlay work, great fret work coil taps and the thing that suprised and impressed me the most is all the wiring in the cavity was in a neat little bundle zip tied.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

Looking at the replies, I suppose I misunderstood the original post and would like to revise my answer. The ESP Eclipse is a great "Les Paul" alternative, but it's not exactly a Gibson copy. It has taken on its own identity in a way. Thinner body and more modern upgrades. It won't do the trick if you're looking for something more traditional.

That being said, there is the Edwards line and there's another Japanese make that I think is called Burny that make copies of Gibsons.

Honestly, I have played a few newer Les Pauls that were good guitars, just not really for me. I don't think you should have a problem finding a good quality instrument from them.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

Also, if you want to get that vibe in a different instrument, there is the Yamaha SG series, but don't expect to save any money on those.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

In the past seven or so years I've bought three NEW Gibson's - they've all had problems. Gone pots that do not function on a Les Paul, binding separating on the Songwriter, and a bad switch on a V. I think I'm done with Gibson.

I also purchased a Heritage and the workmanship on that is superb! For my money I would go with a Heritage. I suggest you follow their users forum for a bit if you do not have access to a retailer and get a feel for them. My two cents. Thanks.
 
Re: Alternative brands to Gibson

If you have the money then I'd suggest Ruokangas Unicorn. Quality is second to none. You won't get a better guitar anywhere. Handmade in Finland.

It's very close to a Les Paul but just enough to be different but not enough to throw you off. It's his homage to the 59 Les Paul.

It's made from spanish cedar and arctic birch and although not mahogany and maple it's pretty close, feels like more refined like the best vintage intruments are. I've played a couple and they are damn delicious.

Now they are not cheap. You'll be looking at most probably 5000 dollars and up BUT you will be getting alot of guitar for the money.
 
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