What Gibson to get?

K

Kyletrick13

New member
Hey guys and gals,

I'm finally at that stage where I decided to actually save up for a real Gibson guitar. After buying the Strat I realised I'm way more of a Gibson man than I am a fender man. But I'm in need of a bit of help.

I'm looking to spend $1500-$2000 on a Gibson but can't decide what to get. Now this is just my preference I have nothing against these guitars, but, I find a les Paul too bulky and heavy, Flying V is too awkward, explorer too big, and I already own a knockoff 335. I was looking at getting a Gibson SG '61 reissue in cherry red which I'm still really keen on but I'm not sure if it's my style. Recently I started considering the idea of a firebird but don't know much about them either sound wise or price wise. What should I get?!?

I'm into Foo fighters, Green day, Blink 182, AC/DC, Nirvana, Sum 41, Metallica, the offspring, and the living end. Does that help as to what sound I would like to sound like for any of these guys?

Cheers,
Kyle.


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Re: What Gibson to get?

I played the ES Les Paul by Gibson

It's a Les Paul sized body 335

I loved it but I couldn't justify the 3k price even when they offered 1k off
The Memphis version I played had a thicker neck

I ordered the Epiphone version
It has a chambered body and top rather than the bent laminate (335)
I like it

My Gibson is in my signature
It's a studio custom
Swamp ash body and maple neck
It.just has more growl than the Epi

Gibson has such a selection
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

New, it sounds like the SG is your best bet, idk much about firebird though. Used, SGs, L.P. Special, or the Les Paul Classic Custom Lite it's basically a Les Paul, but with a body that's closer to an SG in thickness and weight.
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

I love Gibson designs, and to me SG's are one of the great ones. Neck access is incredible and inspires soloing.

Firebirds come with a variety of PU types, and that changes how they sound.
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

Try to get a chance to play ALL of the guitars you're considering. I've owned a LP Standard for over 15 years and just recently figured out that I just don't care for playing it standing. That would probably explain why I've never been comfortable with it outside of writing, recording, or as a backup. If I'd have known I wasn't going to end up playing it so much, I'd have probably bought a LP Studio to save some money.

That aside my Explorer, SG, and 335 are all quite comfy to play either sitting or standing. Explorers and Firebirds tend to be heavy, so be sure to consider that; my Explorer is on the light side at just over 9 lbs. In terms of upper fret access, it's hard to beat the SG or 335. With the bands you mentioned, the SG is probably your best bet. If you go with the '61, plan on a pickup change right away as the stock pickups won't have enough output for several of the artists you mentioned.
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

I personally believe the SG is a fantastic guitar and would choose it over any other Gibson every time. But you do have to try several before you buy, they are all a little bit different.
Sitting down there is not much difference but once you strap up and stand up it is just THE most comfortable.
Maybe buy a used one for under a grand?
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

Dave Locher said:
I personally believe the SG is a fantastic guitar and would choose it over any other Gibson every time. But you do have to try several before you buy, they are all a little bit different.
Sitting down there is not much difference but once you strap up and stand up it is just THE most comfortable.
Maybe buy a used one for under a grand?
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm stuck between a firebird and an SG now. I don't know much about the Firebird and I'm not 100% sure I like the mini humbuckers most of them offer but I'm really keen to get a 2003 Gibson SG '61 reissue in cherry red as they seem to be the best '61 RI made from a lot of reviews. Although the price tag on a '61 starts at that $1900 AUD mark but to get a good nick one you might be paying $2500, idk if I want to spend that money on an SG, An LP standard might be the better option for that price?


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Re: What Gibson to get?

If your after that classic Gibson "Humbucker in Mahogany sound" the S.G. is probably a better bet for you? Firebirds in their typical format aren't for everybody...

They're kind of like the Grateful Dead, people either think they are fantastic & absoulstly love them or they just can't stand them no matter what kind of drugs they've taken!!!

LOL, prsonally I'd go with a Firebird over an S.G. any day of the week but I do like mini-humbuckers & know how they play/rest/sound going in. The mini-hum's are brighter & thiner sounding than regular humbuckers. Some guys say that they have a almost single coil quality to them. Also the Firebird is a guitar that's known for being neck heavy & comfort should always considered but I find S.G.'s aren't much better in this area...

I've already got a couple H/H L.P.'s so for me the Firebird would be more of a speciality guitar & thats not to say that a L.P. & S.G. are the same. They are different guitars, they're just much closer to each other tone wise than the S.G. & Firebird are...

I suppose another option for you would be to find a Firebird with regular size humbuckers in the your price range? I think the 2017 Tribute T Firebird falls into this category & if I'm correct it has full sized humbuckers in it????
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

I'm gonna have an unpopular answer.

If you want Gibson designs but quality control that checks more than just the name on the headstock get a Japanese market Edwards. They're made in Japan by ESP and they'll blow your socks off for a whole lot less money.
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

allbutromeo said:
the Les Paul Classic Custom Lite it's basically a Les Paul, but with a body that's closer to an SG in thickness and weight.
Click to expand...

I have a Les Paul Custom Lite and love it. It is like a cross between an SG and Les Paul. Plays like a beast and is very light and comfortable. I also have the ES Memphis that was mentioned. It is much lighter but it still has that Les Paul bulkiness, which I actually love. For your style of mysic I would lean towards an SG or Les Paul Custom Lite.

20170421_092815.jpg


20170421_120031.jpg
 
Re: What Gibson to get?

Nostalgic Distortion said:
If your after that classic Gibson "Humbucker in Mahogany sound" the S.G. is probably a better bet for you? Firebirds in their typical format aren't for everybody...

They're kind of like the Grateful Dead, people either think they are fantastic & absoulstly love them or they just can't stand them no matter what kind of drugs they've taken!!!

LOL, prsonally I'd go with a Firebird over an S.G. any day of the week but I do like mini-humbuckers & know how they play/rest/sound going in. The mini-hum's are brighter & thiner sounding than regular humbuckers. Some guys say that they have a almost single coil quality to them. Also the Firebird is a guitar that's known for being neck heavy & comfort should always considered but I find S.G.'s aren't much better in this area...

I've already got a couple H/H L.P.'s so for me the Firebird would be more of a speciality guitar & thats not to say that a L.P. & S.G. are the same. They are different guitars, they're just much closer to each other tone wise than the S.G. & Firebird are...

I suppose another option for you would be to find a Firebird with regular size humbuckers in the your price range? I think the 2017 Tribute T Firebird falls into this category & if I'm correct it has full sized humbuckers in it????
Click to expand...

Yeah the Firebird Studio T has humbuckers and is a good, solid guitar. I watched a review though and it doesn't sound the same it doesn't seem to have the same power as an SG or LP, even with the humbuckers. An SG would probably be the better option seeing as I have owned an EPI one and loved it, just wasn't sure if a firebird would be better or not. But yeah the 2017 studio T firebird, same one that Dave grohl uses, is a good option but idk about the sound...


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Re: What Gibson to get?

They look super nice but I'm really looking more for the label, to be able to own a Gibson would be awesome, I'll probably just get the '61 SG there are so many good things that have been said about it


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Re: What Gibson to get?

Thats a heavy premium to pay for a label with no improvement on quality or discernable difference in sound from high end imports.

Just sayin
 
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