Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

[Hsv]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

The 2013 will have some different features for the electronics, different weight relief, different neck profile.

Like before, the only way you'll know you like this is by trying.

True. I'm heading down this weekend to make a decision.

I would not buy a used gibson unless I had 100% proof that it was genuine, I wouldnt want to end up with a chibson!

It's definitely genuine (sold from a large retailer).

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

It is common for large retailers to NOT go over used inventory to make sure what they are selling is genuine. Or at least, I certainly don't trust them to. Make a list of all the features the guitar is supposed to have before you go, and compare. You want to know exactly what you might be buying in this case. You also may have some bargaining power when you say, 'You know, this and this isn't original, so will you take this much'.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

It's actually a 2008 model guitar, built in 2012.

Not to add to your stress in considering this guitar, but there is no such thing. The production date is the date of the guitar. The specs may be similar to what was offered in 2008, but the serial determines the date.

The electronics are irrelevant because you can easily replace (most do anyway) them. Don't assume the guitar is genuine just because the seller is a larger chain. I have purchased many a deal that a big box "expert" totally missed, and have seen the color wash out of store managers face when I pointed out the clear signs of a fake that he just sunk real dollars into.

Assuming the guitar is legit, look it over for any real concerns like damage beyond normal dings and what not. Play it undistracted and unplugged in a quiet room. How does it sound, how does it feel in your hands? You will know if the guitar is for you, and the rest is just bull****

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

It's actually a 2008 model guitar, built in 2012. .

I was a little confused about this statement, too. Why the difference between the model year, and the production date? More importantly, did you try it out?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

Its because the specs stayed the same. The common jargon for anyone who knows Gibsons is that a 2008 spec standard denotes a certain type of construction.....especially when 2012 was the year that the spec changed and the year model became the denoter of the spec even more.
Its even an official thing from Gibson. So there are plenty of guitars with say a 2012 build date with a '2013 Model' deliberately stamped on the headstock to denote the fact that its made with the more recent specs.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

Its because the specs stayed the same. The common jargon for anyone who knows Gibsons is that a 2008 spec standard denotes a certain type of construction.....especially when 2012 was the year that the spec changed and the year model became the denoter of the spec even more.
Its even an official thing from Gibson. So there are plenty of guitars with say a 2012 build date with a '2013 Model' deliberately stamped on the headstock to denote the fact that its made with the more recent specs.

I have seen that in cumulative years, but 2008 in 2012? If that is truly the case, then it is the first I have seen of it. Nothing would surprise me with Henry and Gibson.

 

[Hsv]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

Thank you all for your inputs here.

Over the weekend I went and bought the guitar, but only having time to read this forum just today! So when I go back home tonight, i'll triple check a few points especially about the serial numbers etc. The guitar feels great, my only concern being the frets at the high end (13 onward) are quite sharp. Like finger ripping sharp which is odd for a guitar that should be pretty well used.

I've got my 14 days to return / 30 days to exchange, just in-case anything pops up.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

£1200 for a 9-year old stock guitar with PCB wiring? I'd pass. Unless perhaps it's got some incredible AAAA top and ultra rare color. Then I'd get it, gut it, and put quality wiring and electronics in there.

+1.

Chambered vs not chambered, BB pros vs 490s pickups, asymmetrical profile vs simmetrical, these are only secondary issues. It's not a matter of features and specs, each era has good instruments and lousy instruments. If the guitar has a good sound and you like it, nothing else matters. I own two Les Paul standard (a 1990 and a 2004) and tried a lot of gibsons lately. IMO the latest Gibson production has not the same quality of the old production. It's a quite strange feeling but each instrument I tried is always a step behind the pair I own. Don't know really how to explain it. Anyway, firstly, go to the shop and try the guitar for sure. if you like it, buy it. But 1200 pounds for a 2012 is pretty expensive.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

Man, keeping track of the last 30 or so years of Gibson specs is hard- they varied wildly, and did a 'shuffle the cards' thing for specs sometimes. With models having very similar names, and tons of models, I am surprised that there isn't a master list somewhere trying to keep it all straight.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Gibson Standard 2012 2nd hand but with no coil tap? Should I buy it?

Man, keeping track of the last 30 or so years of Gibson specs is hard- they varied wildly, and did a 'shuffle the cards' thing for specs sometimes. With models having very similar names, and tons of models, I am surprised that there isn't a master list somewhere trying to keep it all straight.

yes, quite impossible. Moreover they seem don't have any archive. I asked for info literally hundred times, and always got poor feedback. So I tried to gather info on my beloved guitar, digging in different forums. And, at the end, I have a little historical pamphlet on Les Paul.