maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

shred1980now

shred1980now

New member
i had never played a gibson that i liked (excluding LPs) until today. i went to guitar center, picked up about 5 different guitars that i thought i would enjoy, hated each and every one of them. then for no reason at all i pick up this gibson explorer. i plugged it in to this little line 6 and was simply blown away. it was hands down the best guitar i have ever played at a guitar center. in fact, i think its the only time i havent been completely frustrated with a guitar and been able to enjoy myself there. it didnt have a price tag so i took it up to the counter to ask the price, the guy looks it up in the system and says "we actually dont have that listed in our inventory....where did you find that?" i say "it was on that guitar stand." the guy takes it, looks at it for a second, says "well its definitely used......we'll sell it to you for $799 and throw in a case"

so obviously its a magic guitar because i have never liked a gibson before, never liked playing at guitar center before, and they had no idea where it was from. i am short on funds right now but hopefully she will be mine.
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

People knock the lowend Gibsons all the time but it's hard to argue with a great big slab of mahogany with strings on it.
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

Speaking only of standard-production (non-CS) guitars, I think the more simple a Gibson model is, the better they tend to make them. Less stuff to screw up on. IME, it is hard to find a Gibby LP Standard without some sort of flaw in the detail or finish work. Usually the flaws are on or near the binding. But cosmetically, they are complicated guitars. Neck binding, block inlays, body binding on a carved top, etc. But an Explorer, LP Jr., and the similar "slab of mahogany" guitars, as Formula73 said, don't really give the builders anything challenging to deal with.

Explorers just feel "right" to me. I just got my first one a few months ago, and it has been hard to put it down. I think my other guitars are jealous. Once I got past the "yuck" feelings about how they look, and actually started to appreciate it and give them a chance, I fell in love. Now I want one in every color! :D

I don't feel that Gibsons are terrible guitars. Just that they are not hands-down, across-the-board great guitars, and that they are overpriced for what you get. It's easy to argue against them at the brand new prices.
 
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Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

I love Gibson's & out of all the models they make I have never really warmed up to Explorers or "V's". Not because of tone or playability, but more for the fact that they are just not comfortable for me to play. I own 2 Les Paul's, an SG, a 335 & a 359. I love them all but for me the 335 takes it every time!
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

If it feels good to you and sounds good to you...if it speaks to you, then it was made for you and you need that guitar.

As long as it's not the "Melody Maker" model you'd better get it fast. At that price it will be gone next time you look for it.
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

Bludave said:
I love Gibson's & out of all the models they make I have never really warmed up to Explorers or "V's". Not because of tone or playability, but more for the fact that they are just not comfortable for me to play. I own 2 Les Paul's, an SG, a 335 & a 359. I love them all but for me the 335 takes it every time!
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thats been my problem with LPs. i like them, but i have a hard time playing them sitting down. i learned to play on Z shaped guitars so its what i'm mainly used to. and you know how you sit with a V differently? thats how i sit with every guitar that isnt a Z. i always set them on my left leg, its just more comfortable. its kinda tricky with how bulky LPs are.
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

This sounds like a justified credit card moment to me. Grab your plastic and get it!
 
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Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

you waited this long to try an explorer, WHY?

I've tried just about any guitar I could get my hands on, without predjudice.
 
Re: maybe i've been wrong about gibson.

Anytime a guitar speaks to you, and says, "You can't live without me", then you NEED that instrument. Borrow, steal or kill if you have to, but you need to make that one yours..
 
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