What is it about Gibson...
- Thread starter JB_From_Hell
- Start date
Re: What is it about Gibson...
Say what you will about Gibson....and Fender, but unlike bass,, which is much more wide open, the "sound of rock n roll guitar" is primarily the sound of some form of Gibson or Fender. Even guys who originally played something else (to wit, The Stone, Beatles, etc) eventually moved to Gibson or Fender or both for the most part. Look at the newer guys. PRS is basically doing his take on the Gibson vibe. But, the easiest way to get the Gibson or Fender sound is to buy a Gibson or Fender. Same with a Martin. The only analogy i can think of in the music world where a single or small number of companies has shaped the sound of the instrument so compeletely is Steinway, who took the little pianoforte from a neat little parlour instrument to a tone monster that can fill a 1000+ seat concert hall with glorious sound. A 120 year old interpretation of a 300 year old instrument that is still relevant today.
Say what you will about Gibson....and Fender, but unlike bass,, which is much more wide open, the "sound of rock n roll guitar" is primarily the sound of some form of Gibson or Fender. Even guys who originally played something else (to wit, The Stone, Beatles, etc) eventually moved to Gibson or Fender or both for the most part. Look at the newer guys. PRS is basically doing his take on the Gibson vibe. But, the easiest way to get the Gibson or Fender sound is to buy a Gibson or Fender. Same with a Martin. The only analogy i can think of in the music world where a single or small number of companies has shaped the sound of the instrument so compeletely is Steinway, who took the little pianoforte from a neat little parlour instrument to a tone monster that can fill a 1000+ seat concert hall with glorious sound. A 120 year old interpretation of a 300 year old instrument that is still relevant today.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: What is it about Gibson...
My confusion is with the way that you guys seem to think there's no reason to expect Gibson to be able to finish a guitar properly.
I have a 50's ES175, and learned to play on a '62 Lester, and play LP's everytime I go into a shop carrying them, so I've got a bit of Gibson playtime under my belt.
It wasn't intended to be a "pile on gibson" thread.Scott_F said:I like how these "pile on gibson" threads pop up every 60 days or so.
My confusion is with the way that you guys seem to think there's no reason to expect Gibson to be able to finish a guitar properly.
I have a 50's ES175, and learned to play on a '62 Lester, and play LP's everytime I go into a shop carrying them, so I've got a bit of Gibson playtime under my belt.
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: What is it about Gibson...
Again, I do not get this impression from most people on this board. In fact, the most common statement seems to be "nothing beats a GOOD Gibson". A lot of Gibson fans here readily admit they are lacking in the QC department for the most part and need to step it up. If nothing else there seem to be more negative opinions of Gibson here than positive ones, IMO.
JB_From_Hell said:
Again, I do not get this impression from most people on this board. In fact, the most common statement seems to be "nothing beats a GOOD Gibson". A lot of Gibson fans here readily admit they are lacking in the QC department for the most part and need to step it up. If nothing else there seem to be more negative opinions of Gibson here than positive ones, IMO.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: What is it about Gibson...
It seems like in every thread about somebody getting a new LP, there's mention of finish flaws, but that it's not a big deal.FretFire said:
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: What is it about Gibson...
Often it's a case of there being something small, but the feel and tone more than make up for it. I would feel exactly the same in that scenario. If it had the sound and the feel I wanted, some small cosmetic issue isn't going to make me get rid of it. Should an expensive guitar be free of those issues? Sure, I completely agree, but as long as the more important factors (IMO anyways) are there then I'll still be happy. I will likely cause some sort of cosmetic imperfection in a matter of days anyways :laugh2:.
JB_From_Hell said:
Often it's a case of there being something small, but the feel and tone more than make up for it. I would feel exactly the same in that scenario. If it had the sound and the feel I wanted, some small cosmetic issue isn't going to make me get rid of it. Should an expensive guitar be free of those issues? Sure, I completely agree, but as long as the more important factors (IMO anyways) are there then I'll still be happy. I will likely cause some sort of cosmetic imperfection in a matter of days anyways :laugh2:.
DesertRose
New member
Re: What is it about Gibson...
I believe that Gibsons are immaculately manufactured otherwise they won't be the motto Only a Gibson is good enough.
It takes alotta guts to put that up. haha
I believe that Gibsons are immaculately manufactured otherwise they won't be the motto Only a Gibson is good enough.
It takes alotta guts to put that up. haha
bryvincent
New member
Re: What is it about Gibson...
SGs were called Les Pauls until 1963 when Les want his name off the SG.Ez74 said:
DesertRose
New member
Re: What is it about Gibson...
thats something new .. i think angus young should endorse the SG with his name . Or Toni Iommi
thats something new .. i think angus young should endorse the SG with his name . Or Toni Iommi
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: What is it about Gibson...
I guess I'm biased as a Les Paul user, and yes, many of them have finish flaws. Having said that, the best guitars out their have to be Gibson's Historic Series. If you've never played an R7, R8, R9, or R0 go try one.
Everyone has their own choice to make. I would rather have a Gibson with a finish flaw (Sprayed in lacquer), than a perfect PRS that looks like it was dipped in a tub of poly.
... and to go off topic even more, just played an Eric Johnson Strat. It's the best Strat I've ever played.
I guess I'm biased as a Les Paul user, and yes, many of them have finish flaws. Having said that, the best guitars out their have to be Gibson's Historic Series. If you've never played an R7, R8, R9, or R0 go try one.
Everyone has their own choice to make. I would rather have a Gibson with a finish flaw (Sprayed in lacquer), than a perfect PRS that looks like it was dipped in a tub of poly.
... and to go off topic even more, just played an Eric Johnson Strat. It's the best Strat I've ever played.
Re: What is it about Gibson...
The only problem i have with my R9 is that it is so nice that I'm kinda afraid to play it:laugh2: i just got the strat and it too is a magnificent guitar, but it has some road wear, so i have been using it more to get what few chops i had 7 yrs ago back:chairfall
The only problem i have with my R9 is that it is so nice that I'm kinda afraid to play it:laugh2: i just got the strat and it too is a magnificent guitar, but it has some road wear, so i have been using it more to get what few chops i had 7 yrs ago back:chairfall
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: What is it about Gibson...
The only problem I've had with Gibson is the fretwork, though that seems to be improving over the last 2 years or so. It's a problem that I have a hard time understanding. Otherwise, I am very much a Gibson junkie because when you find a tone monster and get those frets properly dressed, there is nothing in all the world like it, not even a $300 Indonesian guitar...
The only problem I've had with Gibson is the fretwork, though that seems to be improving over the last 2 years or so. It's a problem that I have a hard time understanding. Otherwise, I am very much a Gibson junkie because when you find a tone monster and get those frets properly dressed, there is nothing in all the world like it, not even a $300 Indonesian guitar...
Re: What is it about Gibson...
I grew up playing Gibsons, I like the scale length, and that's what I play. I'm not real worried about tiny finish problems, etc....plenty of old ones had similar problems (or worse; out of phase pu's, magnets installed incorrectly).
So when exactly was the golden age when they were perfect?
BTW, adjusting for inflation, they are probably cheaper now than they were in the 50's.
I grew up playing Gibsons, I like the scale length, and that's what I play. I'm not real worried about tiny finish problems, etc....plenty of old ones had similar problems (or worse; out of phase pu's, magnets installed incorrectly).
So when exactly was the golden age when they were perfect?
BTW, adjusting for inflation, they are probably cheaper now than they were in the 50's.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: What is it about Gibson...
The key to getting a great Gibson is just knowing the right people IMHO. There are some dealers that will only sell the good stuff and those are the people you must buy from. Guitar Center is NOT the place you want to go to get a good impression of Gibsons guitars.
Some of the final setups are done poor (badly cut nuts, little finish flaws here or there, action set up weird etc.), but if you get some good wood from Gibson with their nitro lacquer, all that it takes is to take it to a tech to do it up right and you'll have a world class instrument.
For the price, should you be forced to take it to a tech after purchasing it? No. However, for the quality of the wood, vibe and most importantly, tone, it's well worth it to spend an extra hundred and get little things like better tuners or a new nut on it.
My R0 LP Special DC arrived with virtually flawless fretwork and I've owned some amazing instruments, like a Don Grosh Bent Top Custom (and Don's the master of fretwork).
The key to getting a great Gibson is just knowing the right people IMHO. There are some dealers that will only sell the good stuff and those are the people you must buy from. Guitar Center is NOT the place you want to go to get a good impression of Gibsons guitars.
Some of the final setups are done poor (badly cut nuts, little finish flaws here or there, action set up weird etc.), but if you get some good wood from Gibson with their nitro lacquer, all that it takes is to take it to a tech to do it up right and you'll have a world class instrument.
For the price, should you be forced to take it to a tech after purchasing it? No. However, for the quality of the wood, vibe and most importantly, tone, it's well worth it to spend an extra hundred and get little things like better tuners or a new nut on it.
My R0 LP Special DC arrived with virtually flawless fretwork and I've owned some amazing instruments, like a Don Grosh Bent Top Custom (and Don's the master of fretwork).
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