HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

[ImmortalSix]

I hypothesize the following:

The hype surrounding these guitars is so huge because of the price, not because of the guitar.

Les Pauls with P90s have been available practically always. Les Pauls with down-trimmed appointments (no binding, no flame maple, etcetera) have been available practically always.

These guitars are popular not because of their feature set, but rather because of their price.

These are guitars that say both Gibson and Les Paul on their headstocks, AND are not (necessarily) a "compromise model."

When I say "compromise model," I mean something like the Les Paul Studio, which is deliberately created and marketed with less appointments and aesthetics to afford it a cheaper production cost. You know, if your buddy tells you he just got a Les Paul, you'll be like "hell yeah!" and then he says "studio," and you say "oh." That's a compromise model.

This LP Studio 60's Tribute is marketed as if it's stripped down nature is intentional, not a compromise.

So buyers aren't thinking "eh, it's just a cheaper version of the ____________," because there is no "___________."

So a buyer can get a Gibson Les Paul for $850, and they don't have to wear the badge of shame that it's a backpedal from a cooler guitar.

There's my analysis. Disclaimer: this is not intented to be "hatin'," simply an analysis of why the hype for this guitar is so great.

Tune in next time there is another guitar with a lot of hype, for I6's HYPE ANALYSIS!

Cliff's: The hype is more about the price than the guitar.

-I6

 

[Grandturk]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

No binding, no humbuckers, no deal.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

I think it's still a compromise model. Just one that looks cooler than most of the other compromise models.

If it were JUST the price, then ALL cheap Les Pauls would have the same hype. Your own premise mentions that there have nearly always been cheap LPs. Which means that there's something about this GUITAR -- not just its price -- that excites people. In fact, you say as much. You start off by saying that it's just the price, not the instrument, that has people interested, and then go on to describe how, in your opinion, this instrument differs from others of similar price point. You contradict your own hypothesis.


Also, people are suckers for limited runs/availability.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

It's interesting though that you failed to mention that this is, in fact, a Studio model. It's in the name, though unlike most Studios, they don't put that word on the trussrod cover. And, perhaps partially as a result of that, you left it out of your thread...

That's some effective marketing, right there.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

It's interesting though that you failed to mention that this is, in fact, a Studio model. It's in the name, though unlike most Studios, they don't put that word on the trussrod cover. And, perhaps partially as a result of that, you left it out of your thread...

That's some effective marketing, right there.

Yep, I had forgotten that it was, in fact, a "Studio" model when I created the thread.

I guess my mind's eye didn't even have it as a "Studio" model

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Almost like there's something in your mind about the guitar that sets it apart from other cheap LPs?

Weird.

Now, about your hypothesis...

Yep, I had forgotten that it was, in fact, a "Studio" model when I created the thread.

I guess my mind's eye didn't even have it as a "Studio" model

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

thread analysis--you're just upset you don't have one and have come to realize that your PRS will never be a les paul.

Who cares why they're popular? I bought one because I'm a working musician, and this guitar caters perfectly to the working musician--no gloss finish, no binding, no other bull**** that jacks up the price of the guitar and has no effect on tone or playability, and IMO gibson p90's are about the best pickups they offer. On the subject of p90's i think that has a lot to do with it, for a long time all gibson offered in the budget p90 guitar range were LP/SG juniors and specials. Now they have one with a carved maple top around the same price point, seems like a no-duh for anyone wanting a p90 les paul without the means for a RI gold top.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Who cares why they're popular? I bought one because I'm a working musician, and this guitar caters perfectly to the working musician--no gloss finish, no binding, no other bull**** that jacks up the price of the guitar and has no effect on tone or playability, and IMO gibson p90's are about the best pickups they offer. On the subject of p90's i think that has a lot to do with it, for a long time all gibson offered in the budget p90 guitar range were LP/SG juniors and specials. Now they have one with a carved maple top around the same price point, seems like a no-duh for anyone wanting a p90 les paul without the means for a RI gold top.

+1

 

[Aceman]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

I see where you are coming from Hunter.

But it's a studio with a dull finish. Nobody is fooled. Well, maybe one or two people. This is definitely the work of the Gibson Marketing Machine - devoid of any real player knowledge or sense IMO.

I think they had a bunch of Studio's laying around unfinished and changed the name just to see what would happen. They have done much crazier/worse.

I have seen these now in real life and played one. Meh.

See below ($750):

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

No binding, no humbuckers, no deal.

No binding, one P90, LP Junior!!! 'king deal. :headbang:

EDIT: Let's be honest here. On a solid body electric guitar, there is absolutely no constructional requirement for binding. It is just a throwback to Electric Spanish archtop guitars. On the other hand, on some models, it looks bloomin' marvellous.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

They're certainly Studios. No question. It's in the name, and the specs are obviously very similar to other Studio models. They're just Studios with a couple of cool finish options (and several not cool ones), P90s, and a 60s neck. Pricing is higher than some Studios, lower than others.

Not sure how that adds up to being "devoid of any player knowledge or sense," though.

But hey, the mark of any true success is to be popular enough to elicit a backlash. Looks like Gibson wins again.

 

[donahue]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

I agree with almost everything said by everyone in this thread. One thing that was not mentioned, that I think is worth noting, is that they look old. They look like a 60's guitar. I want one bad. Real bad.

 

[blueman335]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Who cares why they're popular? I bought one because I'm a working musician, and this guitar caters perfectly to the working musician--no gloss finish, no binding, no other bull**** that jacks up the price of the guitar and has no effect on tone or playability, and IMO gibson p90's are about the best pickups they offer. On the subject of p90's i think that has a lot to do with it, for a long time all gibson offered in the budget p90 guitar range were LP/SG juniors and specials. Now they have one with a carved maple top around the same price point, seems like a no-duh for anyone wanting a p90 les paul without the means for a RI gold top.

+1. LP's and P-90's are always a good pairing. They made this one more affordable, which is in response to the weak economy. It's a great idea.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

the hype is a combination of the price and the specs and the limited edition thing

we've been able to get flat-top satin-finish black, yellow or burst Les Pauls for years...Gibson does a carved-top version in some fancy finishes for a limited time and it's a huge deal.

put a goldtop in reach of a working class guy who doesn't wana eat ramen for two years to afford it and the whole world goes crazy -- no big surprise to me. I haven't bought one yet because I know I can get a used TV Yellow Special for $500 if i wait long enough...hahaha!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

They're certainly Studios. No question. It's in the name, and the specs are obviously very similar to other Studio models. They're just Studios with a couple of cool finish options (and several not cool ones), P90s, and a 60s neck. Pricing is higher than some Studios, lower than others.

Not sure how that adds up to being "devoid of any player knowledge or sense," though.

But hey, the mark of any true success is to be popular enough to elicit a backlash. Looks like Gibson wins again.

My thoughts.. Yeah, its a Studio, finished almost like a faded. However, studios dont normally come in gold top and rarely with p90s. Plus, they are less expensive than studios too, IIRC

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Less than a lot of them. More than the Faded Mahogany Studios and the Satin Ebony Studio.

Plus, they are less expensive than studios too, IIRC

 

[TheProphet]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Say what you will about budget Gibbo's ... but I'm seriously considering dropping the coin on the Gator BFG (and doing a few mods to it).

If there ever was a look that was pure me ... it'd be pretty much that.

(Actually I'd like a Custom with a BFG Gator finish and no inlay except the split diamond and logo at the headstock)

 

[Wattage]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Everything is a compromise of some sort. The price is a big part of the hype OK so what? It also has a very thin finish which is great for those of us that like their guitars better that way. I haven't played but 3 or 4 GT's and they all kicked butt, don't care so much about the price at that point.

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

I think the popularity comes from everything - both the feature set and the price. It seems to me it's more like a little brother to the VOS series than a cheapened Studio. It has a magical combination of "real LP" features and affordable price that I haven't seen before. It has:

• Proper Les Paul colors - goldtop and nice bursts that the Studio lacks
• Carved maple top, something the Faded series lacked
• Thin nitro finish, something you'd have to pay a few thousand dollars more to get in a regular model, at least with a maple top*
• Slim neck
• Proper fretboard inlays
• Proper tulip-style tuners
• Nice knobs
• No "Studio" on the headstock

If it had humbuckers in it, the stampede would be fearsome to behold.

*This is a big deal for me personally - the only LP I've bonded with had a nitro finish and felt like I was playing a guitar made of actual wood.

 

[Wattage]

Re: HYPE ANALYSIS: Gibson LP 60's Tribute - The Guitar or The PRICE?

Faded Standards have a proper maple cap so I assume you mean the Faded Studio?