I guess I'm going to give Gibson some credit
- Thread starter NegativeEase
- Start date
Due to a few different projects in flight right now -I have 4 Gibson SG Standards in the studio right now.
Verdict -The 2021 is better in every single way than the 2018, and slightly better than the 2006 and better than the by a little more1980.
Apparently something has improved over there.
Also, all the appointments and QC on the guitar are perfect -no flaws...
The Leather and Plush lines Soft Case that comes with it is pretty over the top silly though, I mean you show up at a gig with that and people are going to laugh
Maybe your other Gibson weren't that great? It happens....often.
They are branded so deep into the consciousness of most musicians that they could put out any quality and charge any amount and people would gobble them up like candy.
treyhaislip
New member
To be fair, they did go bankrupt...so I wouldn't say they are making bank. Their whole "play authentic" campaign was an absolute joke...call me shallow but that alone was a huge turnoff for me.
Gibson the brand makes great gear and has a high demand for their products. IMO, their prices do not match their quality and so I do not buy their products. Doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy a Gibson LP USA Standard, just won't be paying Gibson for one.
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treyhaislip
New member
Making so much money that they couldn't pay their bills?...doesn't sound like making bank to me. But it is a slang term, so perhaps to you, bringing in less cash than your bills is making bank. They weren't banking in $500 million that they owed...
And speaking of JC, he specifically mentions quality improvements when discussing bankruptcy and going back to the "historic roots." So yeah...there definitely was an acknowledged quality issue.
LRS
New member
I had my share of Les Pauls over the past 20 years. Short story: they were all fine guitars.
Long story:
- cherry burst LP Traditional; ok guitar regarding playability, great sound, heavy as heck.
- ebony LP Standard, didn’t like the BB Pro pickups, and neither did I become friends with the asymmetrical neck profile
- honey burst Heritage H-150. Pretty nice playing guitar but the SD 59 pickups aren’t my cup of tea.
- desert burst LP Traditional; a nice guitar without any flaws but that neck was way too fat for my liking.
- Honey burst LP Standard with a slim taper neck: I should ‘ve kept that guitar, although the frets were in a bad shape.
- cherry burst LP Classic with Classic 57 (+) pickups. From that moment in knew this would be my favorite LP concept. I like the slim taper neck in combination with the moderate output Alnico IIs. Too bad I had to sell that one.
- vintage sunburst LP Classic 1960 with snot green inlays. I didn’t like the 496R and 500T pickups, so I swapped those for some vintage style Alnico II pickups.
These five Gibson (and one Heritage) Les Pauls they were all fine guitars. Not a single bad one. Just a matter of personal preference not to stick to all of them. My current LP Classic is a great guitar in the basis, the neck, weight, built quality suit my requirements perfectly. It’s modded such (pickup wise) that this could be my desert island guitar.
Long story:
- cherry burst LP Traditional; ok guitar regarding playability, great sound, heavy as heck.
- ebony LP Standard, didn’t like the BB Pro pickups, and neither did I become friends with the asymmetrical neck profile
- honey burst Heritage H-150. Pretty nice playing guitar but the SD 59 pickups aren’t my cup of tea.
- desert burst LP Traditional; a nice guitar without any flaws but that neck was way too fat for my liking.
- Honey burst LP Standard with a slim taper neck: I should ‘ve kept that guitar, although the frets were in a bad shape.
- cherry burst LP Classic with Classic 57 (+) pickups. From that moment in knew this would be my favorite LP concept. I like the slim taper neck in combination with the moderate output Alnico IIs. Too bad I had to sell that one.
- vintage sunburst LP Classic 1960 with snot green inlays. I didn’t like the 496R and 500T pickups, so I swapped those for some vintage style Alnico II pickups.
These five Gibson (and one Heritage) Les Pauls they were all fine guitars. Not a single bad one. Just a matter of personal preference not to stick to all of them. My current LP Classic is a great guitar in the basis, the neck, weight, built quality suit my requirements perfectly. It’s modded such (pickup wise) that this could be my desert island guitar.
LLL
New member
Ah, but would you buy it in 2022 Inflation Dollars plus Gibson's usual, laughably greedy yearly markup?
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"Laurels". Back in the olden days they were certainly the best thing going. When you make a name, people stick with you.
Absolutely!
Yep!
I know some *very* casual players that have quite a collection of special-run Gibsons that no actual player would actually pick. Their main audience isn't serious musicians.
I am reminded of a funny story/experience I had several years ago. I was having some work done on my house and one of the electricians had to go inside my music room. He played a little guitar "at one time" he stated and complimented me on my room/gear etc. He then made this statement which rings true in this thread for most of society. He said " you should trade some of those guitars and get more Gibsons and Fenders." I chuckled and responded why would I do that? He said "because Gibson and Fender are the best. They have been around forever and are like baseball and apple pie." I smiled and said I wouldn't give up anything I have for a Gibson. He said, "you are crazy man, nothing touches a Gibson."
In his mind, he really meant what he was saying. I appreciated his passion even though he was misguided.
In his mind, he really meant what he was saying. I appreciated his passion even though he was misguided.
No time to read all the posts again to find out who said it, but saw a post where someone said they wanted to buy an explorer..?? I dont really wanna sell mine, but I cant play much anymore due to health issues so usually just play my charvel and my explorer is too beautiful to waste away.. Its a 2002 I believe, black with mirror pickguard and truss cover. pickups upgraded to Duncans.. Guitar is pretty much mint, ( no bad dents dings or otherwise. Maybe a couple or rub marks and NO fretwear. few nicks on the case.. I have a notebook somewhere of my guitar stats, but cant find right now. grrrrr. I believe the pups are a Custom 5 or 4 and the neck is a 59b with an alnico 4 in it. sounds great..
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I will check it out when I am ready to roll. I just bought an amp that hasn't even been delivered yet. But it is on the GAS list.
LLL
New member
The Explorer is overpriced (what isn't) but still within the realm of possibility - $1900.00
How about the Les Paul Standard or Modern (not Classic, Studio or Tribute) instead? - $2600.00 - $2999.00
Feel like bagging one of those at regular prices, do ya? :lol:
As an example, the 2013 LP Standard was $1800 (I bought one back then). Now they're $2600.
That means that for every year after 2013, the Les Paul Standard price has gone up almost $90 ($88.88).
Now/today, the Les Paul Modern is almost the same price as my 2008 Gibson Custom Shop '61 LP/SG Custom (north of $3K)...
LLL
New member
When you get a good Gibson, it's a great guitar (not the best... is there even a "best"?).
However, Gibson's yearly ridiculous price hikes are taking their instruments out of the hands of actual guitarists and putting them squarely in the hands of so-called "blues lawyers".
Gibson, the brand, has become the Harley Davidson (the motorcycle of choice nowadays for professional doctors & lawyers etc) of guitars.
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