Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Something tells me that MF is just getting rid of some unwanted overstock. Gibson offered the LP deluxe as a 30th Ann (1969 RI) model in 1999. It was stamped and everything. In 2000, they quit stamping them and just shipped them as Les Paul deluxes. I bought one in 2001. Mine was fantastic. Wine red and a really nicely figured top. Whan Gisbon discontinued the LP Deluxe in 2002, MF stopped offering them.

Then I received an MF catalog about a month ago and the LP deuxes were listed again. I believe they have some overstock they're trying to unload...

I know it's disappointing. They were offered at a great price. What do you think you'll do about it at this point?

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Obviously never played a Corvus or a Sonus :laugh2:

The Sonex? My first Gibson...ignorance was truly bliss! :laugh2:

 

[lex666]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

I'm going thru the same thing rite now with MF and my $800 rosewood and spruce Martin acoustic. I'm currently waiting for my 3rd guitar to arrive. The first one arrived damaged, no problem send it back. What a shame tho, because this guitar was immaculate. Beautiful solid top, smooth neck, the sides were match so pefectly, I thought it was one piece. Anyways, when my second Martin arrived, I was very dissapointed. The sides did not line up, the top had noticeable woodgrain imperfections, excess glue in the neck joint and the back looked like it was 2 pieces (even tho it is one peice). Also a shame because this guitar sounds BEAUTIFUL and plays super easy. Although a nice guitar, for an $800 Martin I want/expect a perfect guitar so I'm waiting for a 3rd Martin to arrive. Hopefully this one will be up toi my standards.

Anyways, my point is, regardless of the name on the headstock, the price you paid, or level this guitar is on a manufactuers price point, you should still get an excellent guitar that meets your standards. Any guitar that bears the name Gibson or Martin etc, should live up to their reputation and your expectations and should be an absolutely stunning instument. Isn't that why we drool over gibsons and martins? Isn't that what their reputations are built on? It doesn't matter if you bought it from MF, used, or a crack dealer, anything that leaves the gibson factory should be no less than perfect.

...my 2 cents

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Are our expectations too high perhaps? Not saying I wouldn't expect my new Martin to be "perfect" as well, but we are among the most picky of all guitarists in the world. And, the most vocal as well!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

I am on the "Gibson production models aren't living up to expectations" bandwagon. My custom had small problems that only the player or guitar owner would noticeMy Custom looked preeety from afar but upon close inspection you could see overspray on the headstock, the clearcoat spray on the binding, the frets were square and quite painful when I first got it with slight overhang, and it weighed waaaaay to much. I worked with it and worked with it, had the frets leveled and recrowned, tried the C5....all for naught. I traded it off for my Dr. Z and Jim (my tech) loved it, thought it was very thick and articulate. Especially the bridge pup. (A2 mag form a 57 classic in a 498T)

On the other hand, Jim (my tech) has two R8s. One in Butterscotch burst, and one in straight red. Both are light and play well, even though the neck profile isn't my favorite, I could get used to it. He has Antiquities in both the Butterscoch has a zebra neck and dbl creme bridge, and the red one has two zebras. The butterscotch has a little bit of flame on the half of the maple top. but the top doesn't match up. That is the only flaw I found in that guitar. A friend of his was in there (didn't know the butterscotch sitting on the table beside Jim's bench was Jim's) and he said hey man look at Luke's new heritage. He gave it a looking over and commented on how the top maple matched better than "this Gibson here on the table". Jim then did a side by side comparison and found their similarities, wood-wise and binding. The guy apologized when Jim said it was his, but Jim told him not to worry about it, different strokes for different foks...he doesn't like heavily flamed or (BOZO tops) as he calls them.

I have got my dad's 69 deluxe sitting at my apt. and it is a cut above the stuff Gibson makes these days. I got it set up by Jim yesterday and I spent 30 minutes playing it last night before whipping out my strat, the minis are strong and clear, even under medium to heavy gain. The neck profile is almost like a PRS Wide and Thin profile, the frets are low and the action is unbelievable. That guitar is what made me want a Gibson. That's why I got my absolutely phenomenal 330 and my mediocre Custom. Maybe one day I'll buy that red R8 from Jim...he always says "Everything's for Sale" :dance: :dance:

Luke

 

[Thames]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Scott, let me add something.

There's a rumor going on about Gibson
- the best ones are almost all bought by the employees and friends before they leave the factory
- the 2nd best ones are kept around Nashville, and at the Gibson Store.
- the 3rd best ones are shipped throughout the USA
- the worst are shipped to other countries, inc. Canada.

I tell you, Scott and all, me and JoeBelley who's working at the local Gibson dealer, have both rarely seen a GOOD Gibson that actually worth its price tag. And that is the truth. Only one shows up sometime. The best ones we actually played were those brought during the Annual Gibson Days, 75% were actually AWESOME.

So the crap Im shooting at Gibson is based on FACTS, and not just thoughts. Im really happy for you if there's alot of great Gibsons around, but here, the vast majority sucks.

And moreover, I cant stand the fact that GIBSON can make poor instruments. The QC should be at the highest level. It's not comparable to Fender : they always built gig-worthy, heavy duty, almost undestructible instruments, that's what Leo wanted to do. Not gems or collector pieces with fine esthetics and stuff, with high-level craftmanship.

 

[Thames]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Look at japanese factories (not just guitars, but cars and other stuff). Their QC is much higher than US counterparts. It shouldnt be that way.

And the Chinese are getting better and better with manufacturing processes. We're crying out loud when a factory is closing and moving to Asia, but we're all responsible for this. We want higher salaries, we want all, but we dont give enough. Wind is changing. Of course, like anything else, this is only a matter of time. In 10 years, China will probably switch from Communism to Capitalism .... but only time will tell. Communism is dying.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Great posts Thames!

I could believe that "rumour" very easily....in fact I guess I do to an extent. My guess is the best ones the Gibson employees don't get are being kept by Gibson to open Gibson stores in the future.

Luke

 

[JeffB]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

As I said, I'm still going to give it a real workout, but honestly If I returned it for another, I'd be afraid I'd be exchanging tone for a bit better QC on some things that don't really make much diff in sound/playability. This guitar sounds absolutely brilliant and will sustain into the the next county.

I'm working form home today and between conference calls, I've been crankin up the Valvetronix, and it really makes the amp come alive compared to my Strat and Wolfgang, the Jackson, Ibanez, and to a lesser extent the PRS.
One of the weird things about the VT's is that certain guitars sound brilliant on one model, and like @$$ on another. The LPD really sounds good through them all...even the "UK MODERN" (Marshall DSL/TSL) & the UK70s (50 watt Plexi)...and I've REALLY had a hard time dialing in a sound I like on those models with every other guitar I've owned.

decisions, decisions...

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

This guitar sounds absolutely brilliant and will sustain into the the next county.

it really makes the amp come alive compared to my Strat and Wolfgang, the Jackson, Ibanez, and to a lesser extent the PRS.

The LPD really sounds good through them all...even the "UK MODERN" (Marshall DSL/TSL) & the UK70s (50 watt Plexi)...and I've REALLY had a hard time dialing in a sound I like on those models with every other guitar I've owned.

decisions, decisions...

Mini-humbuckers are very cool....

 

[Neeradj]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Obviously never played a Corvus or a Sonus :laugh2:

Nope, I almost did buy a Sonex though, but the seller honestly told me the only thing it could possibly do good is burn in a fire :laugh2: (well not in so many words, but it basically came down to that)

 

[JeffB]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Mini-humbuckers are very cool....

Indeed! I don't forsee me needing to change them out for Duncan versions (heresy, I know). They sound really good, Like a PAF w/ more clarity (especially the neck pickup) and slightly less output. They just sing/cry on leads, and crunch on power chords.

 

[diatribe]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

JeFFB-Sorry about the guitar man, that sucks! I have a 2000 classic that I love and it has the little "melted" spot on the knobs, must just be something they do.

But, I have a little advantage with my local guitar shop, i live about 20 min. from Wilcutt guitar in lex. KY, and they have the sweetest s**t to pick from, my classic has a slightly flamed top and plays so gooood. I would recommend to every one to check out their web page when looking for gibsons, PRS, Dr.Z, Carr, etc. stuff, they have a wonderful selection and get to hand pick the Gibbies the stock.
DJM

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Jeff, I love the minis in the neck slot too, lots of clarity even under heavy gain. My dad's are still stout though even 37 years later! You can yell through them and hear it in the amp!! :cool3: It might have something to do with the pots and caps too though, they are bumble bee caps.

Diatribe, does that store you are talking about carry lots of Z's? Have you played a 6545 or an SRZ-65? I'd love to try one!

Luke

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

There's a rumor going on about Gibson
- the 2nd best ones are kept around Nashville, and at the Gibson Store.

yaaaaaaaaay!!!!!:dance:

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Jolly, you, me and Ian need to meet up sometime in Tenn.

Luke

 

[diatribe]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Diatribe, does that store you are talking about carry lots of Z's? Have you played a 6545 or an SRZ-65? I'd love to try one!

Luke

Luke Duke,
It has a large supply, but i have not tried either one of those out. I do have a MAZ Jr. 18 watt w/2x12 and i love it, if you tell me what kind of guitar you play and style of music, then i will do a review for you next time I go up there.
derek

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Jolly, you, me and Ian need to meet up sometime in Tenn.

Luke

I'm down with it man. I'm in the exact center of TN about 30 miles southeast of Nashville.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Got my Les Paul Deluxe...kinda disappointed

Ive only ever played four gibsons ever, 3 standards and a classic. They were all good and were of good quality, seemed like good ones. I preferred the feel of the standards though, i think they had 50s necks. Anyways, i may have got lucky, but there are some very good instruments.

As far as returning the deluxe... 1500 is alot, i would want top notch quality everytime. If the guitar plays well and u bond with it well and you enjoy playing to the point where u worry u wont have the same thing from another of the similar type, i say keep it. But for 1500 you should have quality