Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

[Snake Aces]

If so, what kind of options are available? Are they willing to accommodate special requests such as woods or stainless steel frets?

It has been over a decade since I owned a Gibson, but I do love a well-made Les Paul. I would possibly consider a custom shop order if unique options are available.

Finally, if you do own a custom shop Gibson, feel free to post pics or tell me about it. Thanks in advance.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

i dont know if they do one off customs any longer. if they do, you will pay handsomely for it

 

[Mincer]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

My thought is that if it doesn't already appear on a current or past model, they wouldn't do it. Like...pick from this inlay and that one, but we aren't going to do anything custom. And, it would be seriously expensive. If you have that kind of money, find a good luthier to support.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

The Music Zoo has a made 2 measure program with Gibson you can check out

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

Not since 2003 -and the Memphis Custom shop is totally closed now.

SO I guess it's Nashville only. BOOOOOOOO

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

True Custom Shop Gibsons are very rare. Most of what people call "Custom Shop" Gibsons are really Historics. It isn't like Fender, where custom orders are fairly common. Hell, even I own a true Custom Shop Fender, meaning it was made to order for a customer. Gibson Custom Shop stuff is mainly only commissioned by wealthy music professionals. Be prepared to spend at least $10,000, I would think.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

My thought is that if it doesn't already appear on a current or past model, they wouldn't do it. Like...pick from this inlay and that one, but we aren't going to do anything custom. And, it would be seriously expensive. If you have that kind of money, find a good luthier to support.

And in some cases they won't do it for a reasonable price even if it was available in the past. In the early 2000s I looked into ordering a Custom Shop Historic SG Standard, but I wanted it painted Pelham Blue instead of the white or cherry that came standard. This isn't something they'd have to custom mix as the Historic Firebird V was available in Pelham Blue at that time. I wanted different pickups too, but knew better than to ask for that. When the quote came back, they wanted to up-charge me nearly $800 to paint the guitar a different, standard color. Needless to say, that order never happened.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

And in some cases they won't do it for a reasonable price even if it was available in the past. In the early 2000s I looked into ordering a Custom Shop Historic SG Standard, but I wanted it painted Pelham Blue instead of the white or cherry that came standard. This isn't something they'd have to custom mix as the Historic Firebird V was available in Pelham Blue at that time. I wanted different pickups too, but knew better than to ask for that. When the quote came back, they wanted to up-charge me nearly $800 to paint the guitar a different, standard color. Needless to say, that order never happened.

Yeah, not as 'custom' as their shop would lead you to believe.

 

[Securb]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

I am pretty sure LLL has you might want to PM him. I think that is where he got his lefty SG.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

the made 2 measure, if its still going is pretty cool, still $10k but cool. gotta go through one of their select dealers and i havent really heard about it since like 2017 so thought it was dead

 

[Mincer]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

10K??? I guess if you are going to buy as an investment, and never really play it. But man, you have your choice of pretty much anything and can still buy a used car with the money left over. Does anyone think a custom Gibson (where you can't even talk to the people building your guitar) is worth it?

 

[nexion218]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

10k???? Pfff, guys please stop feeding them until they either go bankrupt or regain their common sense. That is just plain disgusting. They have a legion of fans supporting and loving their products despite any and all shortcomings in design or quality, but it seems like nothing is enough. There are builders who will make 3 top quality guitars from that kinda money (even right here, on this forum) and you'll still have some left.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

the prices are ridiculous but if you look at a '59 ri price, then consider you can pick the actual block of wood for the body, the actual piece of wood for the top, the neck shape, the top color, the back color, ect... a few grand more isnt all that crazy for gibson. there are plenty of blues lawyers out there who will pay to have gibson make them a custom one off guitar so they can impress their other blues lawyer friends.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

I am pretty sure LLL has you might want to PM him. I think that is where he got his lefty SG.

Now this sounds like an obscure custom shop... truly a must-see!

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

Thank you everyone for your input so far.

Some of the responses remind me of a car show I was attending in 2016. I am standing in front of a beautiful Aston Martin Vanquish while truly admiring a formidable machine. A man, typical Minnesotan who seems to think price is never a determining factor when it comes to quality, decides to become a sidler (Seinfeld reference for those born after the 90s).

The Sidler's first comment?

"Of course, you don't get what ya pay for..."

Then he rambles on about how he could build a kit car that could kick this Aston's butt for a quarter of the cost.

I let him finish and walked away thinking... this guy just doesn't get it.

At the end of the day, you don't put a Ferrari V12 in the body of a VW Golf and call it a day. That is more commonly known as Epic Failure.

When it comes to guitars, I have some fine Warmoths that I will swear to my grave are some of the best six-strings I have ever played. None of them cost more than $2000 individually, all parts included.

If somebody decides to drop $5k plus on a custom Gibson, believe it or not, it is probably not a waste of money. If people choose to buy a guitar from Gibson, then be happy that a business was able to establish such a stellar reputation in the industry. Gibson gets a lot of hate for their $1500 and under guitars, but I think most of it is just the attitude of consumers who like to convince themselves it is not worth it to buy one. Such is life in the sea of choices.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

Getting one hand-made to-spec starts at like $8k and takes well over a year to finish. I worked as a Gibson dealer for years and did it one time. It was kind of cool getting the updates of the build in progress to forward to my customer and stuff, but in the end it felt like a lot of time and effort to get a Les Paul in a specific shade of blue. If you have more money than god I say, sure, whatever dude, but if you want to spend $8k on a good Les Paul you should call your local shops and buy 4 good Les Pauls that are already on the wall.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

Getting one hand-made to-spec starts at like $8k and takes well over a year to finish. I worked as a Gibson dealer for years and did it one time. It was kind of cool getting the updates of the build in progress to forward to my customer and stuff, but in the end it felt like a lot of time and effort to get a Les Paul in a specific shade of blue. If you have more money than god I say, sure, whatever dude, but if you want to spend $8k on a good Les Paul you should call your local shops and buy 4 good Les Pauls that are already on the wall.

Lol, but I do not want one of the 4 Les Pauls on the wall. That is kinda the whole point. An instrument is, or at least should be, a personalized tool. It should inspire the owner to play it and never want to put it down. It should be everything the player wants it to be with the occasional pleasant surprise.

That kind of experience is priceless. I already have a beautiful bespoke singlecut LP bass custom order placed through a great luthier who frequents this forum (thread coming soon). I have ordered from Warmoth several times as well. I am used to patiently waiting for things I really want

 

[LLL]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

I didn't order mine; bought it from a store. Made in 2008.

I've only ever seen one other (on Ebay); my best guess is (at least back in the day) they would do small runs if you wanted something truly custom (and you would have to buy em all).

Very possible someone with $$$$$ could order a small run of true customs; pick the best one of the lot, then turn around and sell the rest (making a profit most likely).

Don't know what they (custom shop) do now.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

gibson custom shop dealers held in high regard have been known to get limited runs of things, wildwood seems to do it a fair amount

 

[nexion218]

Re: Has Anyone Ordered Through Gibson's Custom Shop?

Thank you everyone for your input so far.

Some of the responses remind me of a car show I was attending in 2016. I am standing in front of a beautiful Aston Martin Vanquish while truly admiring a formidable machine. A man, typical Minnesotan who seems to think price is never a determining factor when it comes to quality, decides to become a sidler (Seinfeld reference for those born after the 90s).

The Sidler's first comment?

"Of course, you don't get what ya pay for..."

Then he rambles on about how he could build a kit car that could kick this Aston's butt for a quarter of the cost.

I let him finish and walked away thinking... this guy just doesn't get it.

At the end of the day, you don't put a Ferrari V12 in the body of a VW Golf and call it a day. That is more commonly known as Epic Failure.

When it comes to guitars, I have some fine Warmoths that I will swear to my grave are some of the best six-strings I have ever played. None of them cost more than $2000 individually, all parts included.

If somebody decides to drop $5k plus on a custom Gibson, believe it or not, it is probably not a waste of money. If people choose to buy a guitar from Gibson, then be happy that a business was able to establish such a stellar reputation in the industry. Gibson gets a lot of hate for their $1500 and under guitars, but I think most of it is just the attitude of consumers who like to convince themselves it is not worth it to buy one. Such is life in the sea of choices.

Cool, cool... Who talked about kit building? Dunno bout the others, but I do get it. It is The Instrument for you and many others. That is perfectly fine. As is the opinion that they are disgusting with their pricing and there is NO WAY that they can add the 6-7k extra value to those things above a 3k cutom guitar built by a skilled luthier. Not from a kit, but from wood, with the same tools and expertise . or even better . than the people at big G. Such is life in the sea of opinions.

Also, have you met the elitist snob sipping golden leaflet infused tea with his pinky pointing towards the sky at that car show?

That being said, if you do decide to order one, I hope that you'll get it fast and the results will pleasing. Because I'm not a d!ckhead, I just have a different opinion.