@#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

[Zhangliqun]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

LP and a Tele then? Those are competitive models.

No. A Tele is a different critter too.

Hamer Artists and PRS's and Godins etc., are competitive models. Two humbucker set-neck guitars with mahogany bodies and often (but not always) a maple cap.

And like I said, I'm not bashing Gibson in any way. I'm not whining or moaning at all. I just think for the product I'm getting, it's slightly overpriced. That's all.

Nothing wrong with voting with your wallet. That's the only vote that counts at corporate HQ anyway.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

No. A Tele is a different critter too.

Hamer Artists and PRS's and Godins etc., are competitive models. Two humbucker set-neck guitars with mahogany bodies and often (but not always) a maple cap.



Nothing wrong with voting with your wallet. That's the only vote that counts at corporate HQ anyway.

Good call, on both accounts. I would go a step further and say that only Single cut, mahogany body, maple cap, set neck guitars are competitive models if you are going apple for apple.

PRS Singlecut
Hamer Monaco

Actually apple for apple is something that people don't do in these types of threads. Apple for apple doesn't mean comparing dollar to dollar or even binding for binding. It means mahogany for mahogany, maple for maple, rosewood for rosewood, holly for holly, mother-of-pearl for mother-of-pearl, nickel siver for nickel silver, wage to wage, hour to hour.

Luke

 

[BloodRose]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

My last post on this.. I Love Gibsons! Id own more if I could afford them.
I just think that with their name, rep and price tag. Every guitar over $1000 should be great. No waves on the board, finish flaws etc. I expect inconsistancies in Squiers, or even the Faded series, but for a $1000 I should be awed.. Im Impressed with nearly every $500 Schecter I play or LTD. The price stays consistant, they are consistant in quality. I dont feel we should have to pony up $3000 to get good stuff from Gibson. Everyone should be good. The stinkers should be sold as blems..
I always wanted a Black custom. $1999.99 for a long time, then $2500. Then the only thing that changed was they labeled it a custom shop model and raised it to $3000. The sticker is not worth $500.
I still want one.. I'll not get one..

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Once again the question comes up, where did you play these culprit Gibsons. Do you special order the Reverend? In which case I can understand a personalized set up.

Be it know by all *again* I'm am not a huge Gibson fan, I just get irritated at broad generalizations and flawed logic.

Luke

Both at Guitar Center and George's Music. The one mom and pop shop I went to only had a few, but they played like a dream. And no, Reverend will put whatever strings you want on their guitars, and set the action for you, standard.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Keep in mind that GC has a talent for ruining guitars because they don't have competent "techs".

 

[Scott_F]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Inflation numbers from 1968 until now. http://www.freebuck.com/articles/gpaulos/040907gpaulos.htm

A Gibson Les Paul Standard is listed for sale at $400. They have it in today's dollars at $3,000. If you look at a lot of the other items on this list, the LP is about average.

I understand what it's like to be young and starting out and well... kinda poor. We all go through it in life. Then you get older, the jobs get better and you learn to save and prioritze the things that are important to you. Then you end up with a few guitars that cost a lot of money and you're good to go.

The purpose of going into business is to make money to support your lifestyle. In the case of Gibson, they are entitled to make as much money as they possibly can. Or should I say, as much money as their customers are willing to pay.

If enough of you are not willing to pay $3K for a Gibby, then the prices will come down. Unfortunately, the current market says otherwise. People are still willing to pay a lot for a real Les Paul.

Why?

Because nothing else sounds or plays like a real les paul. Not a Hamer, not a PRS , nothing. Those are the facts. If these facts were wrong, Gibson prices wouldn't be so high.

Oh yeah, how much is a PRS Singlecut these days? I'm betting as much as a Les Paul!

You get what you pay for in this world. I'm happy to own my two LP's. I'm not in the market for anymore though. I'm still rather peaved at how they hosed over their small dealers whom I prefer to do business with. So, I'm voting with my wallet. No more new Gibby's for me. If I need another one, I'll buy used.

End of my story.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Oh yeah, what the heck causes you guys to rag each other because of this thread? I really dont' get it. Who really cares? There's a guitar manufacturer for every price point, for every player, for every style.

So, why get all emotionally invested in this subject? I mean, it makes great reading up until some of you take potshots at each other.

 

[ex-250]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

jeez....this thread really took off. ive created a monster!!!!!!! :laugh2:

im not online for 2 days and boom, 11 pages....wow.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Both at Guitar Center and George's Music. The one mom and pop shop I went to only had a few, but they played like a dream. And no, Reverend will put whatever strings you want on their guitars, and set the action for you, standard.

Perfect illustration. The Ma and Pop stores ALWAYS have better guitars, and they are usually set up very well from the get go.

On the Reverend I'm asking you if that applies only when you order a guitar from the factory, I'm just trying to clarify.

Luke

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Perfect illustration. The Ma and Pop stores ALWAYS have better guitars, and they are usually set up very well from the get go.

On the Reverend I'm asking you if that applies only when you order a guitar from the factory, I'm just trying to clarify.

Luke

Too bad there's only one around here. I'd feel bad to haggle with them, too. What little stuff they have plays and sounds great.

I'm only aware of buying Reverend Stage King guitars from www.reverendguitars.com . They say that you buy it, they ship it from their factory (korea) to whoeverown'sReverend's store, they set it up, check it out, and then send it to you.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Too bad there's only one around here. I'd feel bad to haggle with them, too. What little stuff they have plays and sounds great.

I'm only aware of buying Reverend Stage King guitars from www.reverendguitars.com . They say that you buy it, they ship it from their factory (korea) to whoeverown'sReverend's store, they set it up, check it out, and then send it to you.

Interesting! So you do order it and specify everything, that's cool.

Don't feel bad haggling, it's all in good fun! Besides that's why they mark up the guitars so much on the front end. I imagine their stock is depleted because they are no longer Gibson dealers and just have a few pieces left, in which case you might could get a killer deal....on a P90 guitar!!

Luke

 

[Wattage]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Oh yeah, what the heck causes you guys to rag each other because of this thread? I really dont' get it. Who really cares? There's a guitar manufacturer for every price point, for every player, for every style.

So, why get all emotionally invested in this subject? I mean, it makes great reading up until some of you take potshots at each other.

+1

Well said.

 

[Innocent_Bystander]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

After 11 pages and 213 posts I just want to say that I love Gibson. That's all.... :fing25:

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

I forget who said it, and I apologize, but someone said "After reading all of these pages, it looks like everyone finds Gibson to have terrible QC but everybody wants one!" Well I'd love one!

Is everyone here "vigilant" when it comes to buying guitars? I mean if there's something off, do you send it back/give it back and ask for a new one? I'd hope so.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

Is everyone here "vigilant" when it comes to buying guitars? I mean if there's something off, do you send it back/give it back and ask for a new one? I'd hope so.

That's the thing man, most people hear do not, and I repeat do not buy one sight unseen. That is a formula for disaster regardless of the brand. If there is an issue with a guitar you either decide you can deal, or you don't buy it, period.

Luke

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

That's the thing man, most people hear do not, and I repeat do not buy one sight unseen. That is a formula for disaster regardless of the brand. If there is an issue with a guitar you either decide you can deal, or you don't buy it, period.

Luke

That's great! I knew people on a different forum (won't name which ) who would buy a guitar, and even if there was a crack in the neck or messy binding/inlays, they'd "suck it up and rock out". I feel that if you're paying big bucks for a guitar, if it's not up to your standards, you should send it back or not buy it at all. The perfect one will come around.

Maybe that's what I mean in this whole debate. Yes, Gibson guitars are expensive. Yes, they send out their lemons and Guitar Center buys them. But if you settle for a guitar that doesn't fit your needs/standards, you're the only one losing. You gave Gibson and the store your money, you are their customer. If there's anything wrong, TAKE IT BACK! And make sure you test the exact unit you're taking home. Had to do that at GC with a Fender Blues Junior due to hissy reverb that I heard about. Turns out my unit was good.

BTW, Boondock Saints is a GREAT movie.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

That's great! I knew people on a different forum (won't name which ) who would buy a guitar, and even if there was a crack in the neck or messy binding/inlays, they'd "suck it up and rock out". I feel that if you're paying big bucks for a guitar, if it's not up to your standards, you should send it back or not buy it at all. The perfect one will come around.

Maybe that's what I mean in this whole debate. Yes, Gibson guitars are expensive. Yes, they send out their lemons and Guitar Center buys them. But if you settle for a guitar that doesn't fit your needs/standards, you're the only one losing. You gave Gibson and the store your money, you are their customer. If there's anything wrong, TAKE IT BACK! And make sure you test the exact unit you're taking home. Had to do that at GC with a Fender Blues Junior due to hissy reverb that I heard about. Turns out my unit was good.

BTW, Boondock Saints is a GREAT movie.

You are exactly right on both accouts!

Did you see my post about my custom? I figured I was. just not used to the frets, and it was me. Why? Because it was a GIBSON!! MY GRAIL!!!! The best guitars ever (I thought). Then I thought...well it's not vintage, my vintage Gibson is great...then I had the fretwork done......ends up it was just a heavy turd..

Notice the part I bolded...

Luke

 

[Scott_F]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

I've had remarkable luck buying high end guitars with only a photo. I always make sure they have a no-questions-asked return policy. I normally use guys like Wildwood or Daves or Willcutts. I ask the guy on the phone to evaluate the guitar for me. Play it. What's it like? Is there another one that plays better? How does it play acoustically?

If you trust the shop, you can buy without playing.

 

[Jacques]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

jeez....this thread really took off. ive created a monster!!!!!!! :laugh2:

im not online for 2 days and boom, 11 pages....wow.

Let's start a Grand Bashing of ex-250!:laugh:

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: @#$&$&@ gibson, why so much $$$

I've had remarkable luck buying high end guitars with only a photo. I always make sure they have a no-questions-asked return policy. I normally use guys like Wildwood or Daves or Willcutts. I ask the guy on the phone to evaluate the guitar for me. Play it. What's it like? Is there another one that plays better? How does it play acoustically?

If you trust the shop, you can buy without playing.

Unfortunately I got that lousy-fretted 54 LP Custom RI from Wildwood. If the fret dress didn't work out, I would have sent it back. But once those frets were dressed, it was a KILLER so there was no need to send it back.