Gibson's Biggest Problem Isn't The Price

The video “Gibson’s Biggest Problem Isn’t The Price” by Rhett Shull discusses why the struggles of Gibson as a guitar company go beyond their high prices. While many players criticize Gibson for being expensive, the creator argues that price alone isn’t the core issue. Instead, the deeper problem relates to brand perception, quality control inconsistencies in the past, and how the company connects with modern players.

He explains that Gibson has a powerful legacy brand built on iconic models like the Les Paul and SG, but that legacy can also limit innovation. The company often leans heavily on tradition, which appeals to long-time fans but can make it harder to attract younger or more contemporary players. Meanwhile, other brands sometimes offer more modern features, better consistency, or stronger value at similar or lower price points.

The video also touches on how consumer trust plays a major role. If players feel unsure about quality control or feel the brand is relying too much on its historic reputation, they may hesitate regardless of price. The overall argument is that Gibson’s biggest challenge is maintaining relevance, consistency, and strong customer confidence in a changing guitar market—not simply charging too much for their instruments.
If the ChatGPT summary is anything to go off, nothing new here.

Gibson's audience being largely traditionalist puts them in a corner where any innovation is looked down upon by their target market segment, but lack of innovation keeps their market segment from growing
 
I get that they are very Tradional based and its hard for them to innovate.
But really its kinda of a You Know What they are Situation.
But really I do miss thier Faded and Tribute models. Allot of guys its very hard to come up with cash for a Standard. Those Fadeds and Tributes gave you the basic model Sans the sealed grain multicoat buffed finish, fingerboard binding and basic dot inlays. Me I can live without the luxury appointments for the same sound and model. As an SG player its not like I can get an SG from another company(I mean yea esp has a shape)
But they did away with that line to put the divide between Stsndard Gibson abd Epiphone.
Wouldnt it be better to start of each Gibson axe as the Tribute/ Faded series like a "base model"( crank windows am/ fm radio PS) then add on options upto a Stsndard( power windows AM/FM/CD/Bluetooth stereo Power Seats PS etc...).
Then just have the Custom Shop as a more exclusive line. I mean really is a " Custom" shop really a custom shop NO its a model series.
Perhaps Faded/ Tribute as a base model....add on options up to a Standard...have a True Historic Line( R8 R9 LPs 61 SGs etc...) Then have the Custom Shop be an " actual" Custom Shop that brings customers ideas to life....aka I want a Flying V with a bevel routed around the whole thing with a LP headstock a belly cut a divit for my arm finished in Candy Brandy Wine over Silver base coat with smoked black edges etc etc etc
I dunno......
 
I actually think they've done some kinda cool innovative stuff. The Axcess with Floyd is a really great les paul - fixes the issues I have with more traditional ones.
 
I actually think they've done some kinda cool innovative stuff. The Axcess with Floyd is a really great les paul - fixes the issues I have with more traditional ones.
Yeah, I like the rear mounted pickups they tried a while ago, but that stuff doesn't get clicks the same way the bowling ball firebird did
 
Les paul is a signature guitar after all. You already know what you are buying. Like the Jem, the specs need to be stick with the artist choices. In my opinion the problem is the lack of different models being more modern with a different appeal
 
The Les Paul is over 70 years old. It is the most duplicated guitar in history. There have been very few changes to its design in around 65 years. They are still one of the most desired guitars to this day. One of the few instruments that has it own history and cult some would say bigger than the man and company who made it. Gibson does not have a problem, people have a problem with Gibson. Some people hate to see success, or push against the traditional norm. The thing is when the haters are done playing, dead and buried 100 years from now, some company with still be making Les Pauls under the Gibson name just as Steinway will never not be a piano brand and has been for 170 years.
 
They should build and actual real 'Modern' Les Paul to compete with ESP and the other companies that are killing them with modern single cuts. Keep the traditional line for those who still want it.
 
They should build and actual real 'Modern' Les Paul to compete with ESP and the other companies that are killing them with modern single cuts. Keep the traditional line for those who still want it.
They did that with the High Performance line right before they went bankrupt. I don't think anyone really had a problem with them, they just got caught in the Gibson dogpile
 
They should build and actual real 'Modern' Les Paul to compete with ESP and the other companies that are killing them with modern single cuts. Keep the traditional line for those who still want it.

They are pretty close to that with the Custom Lite. If they brought the heel down a bit, locking tuners and some other upgrades, it would smoke most of the single cuts on the market.
 
He's correct a little bit. Gibson doesn't market to the next gen very well in my opinion.

But also...do I care? Nope.

I do love mine, great instruments.
 
They shoulda coulda woulda based on what each of us players would like to see that we would like to affirdably own.
But in reality they must be doing ok as they aint bankrupt...and the 2019 bankruptcy was reportedly based on bad investment in consumer electronics not guitar sales.
Really if you think of it if you want a Gibson you want a Gibson. Only real 1 to 1 competitor I know of is Heritage.
Anyway though again I would like to see another entry level line like Tribute and Faded return. According to a video I watch with 2 exemployees that line saved thier ass after 9/11
 
They should build and actual real 'Modern' Les Paul to compete with ESP and the other companies that are killing them with modern single cuts. Keep the traditional line for those who still want it.
Yeah, I have zero interest in spending (too much) money on a Gibson Les Paul, when ESP LTD and Schecter give me better bang for my buck in the single-cut modern realm.
 
Back
Top