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Comments
What is worse is that they all had something wrong with them which put me off. Two had a rattle from some where inside the pick up routes or control cavity; at least half had sharp fret edges; at least half had buffing compound stuck behind the frets and where the neck meets the body. I understand that this is the 'cheap' end of Gibson, but I expected better.
My band mate also has two Gibsons. His 2016 Trad LP has a pick up selector ring with a mind of it's own and refuses to stay tight, and the selector switch itself on his Trad V pretty much decides which pick up it wants for you from time to time.
That said both of his are killer sounding!
I particularly love Les Pauls. I've just recently added to my collection - bought new from one of the big UK shops - I would normally want to try playing the guitar before buying, but there was only a single specimen, and it would have been a very long journey to try out, so I comforted myself with distance selling regulations as a backstop. As it turned out, the guitar is finely crafted, and sounds superb.
The loose switch can be easily fixed by putting a little nail varnish or similar on the threads and then tightening it fully with the right tool though.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
So yes it makes it hard to evaluate - You are not sure on the calibre of person making negative comments - What are they comparing it to - What knowledge they have - What good or bad experience they have had on that brand - So maybe the best bet is to listen, even be influenced to an extent, but don't take it for gospel especially on something that can be subjective
Feel, aesthetics, playing experience, tonal character are all a mater of taste - Granted QC is a different issue - If everybody who brought a LP found the finish flaked off then a fair comment - If someone very pernickety found some filler around an inlay then is it really a big deal ?
I would admit that if I tried 10 new Gibson Guitars in one store, identical models, that I'd find more variation on such a guitar then I would on say 10 x PRS models - But it has always been this way - maybe QC is better now than in the 70's and 80's but agree it is not perfect
I see other brands with far less QC issues but they can be bland with no character
Agree some comments are valid but you need to judge for yourself as well
Will be interesting to see in 2/3 years time what changes a new CEO will implement and at what price points
I’m not saying there are no QC issues with Gibson - there are. But what I read on the internet about Gibson makes them out to be far worse than my own experience of them. And I’ve owned A LOT of Gibsons. Or it could be that my standards are lower etc. But the tone...well that’s where it’s at really. Gibsons are generally great sounding guitars!
Always best to try before you buy. Then internet reputation is irrelevant as you can judge each guitar individually.
Enough to know they're not for me, though often very glam.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Both needed the nuts recutting. Pretty lame for a guitar that expensive.
also alienate their dealer network by forcing unreasonable conditions on them and rapidly the mob deafens the fan boys and dealers.
I own two Gibson one well finished which was a 2015 Amazon special junior which other than the know faults is pretty good and has no obvious quality issues.
tne far more expensive 345 sounds awesome is a lovely guitar but the headstock top edge has not been buffed so is flat and heavily rippled Matt lacquer. Is that acceptable on a 3k guitar not from my perspective. But as I was told it is what it is return it and get a refund if you don’t like it. It’s all part of owning a Gibson.
combine that with a very cynical pricing policy you simply have had a corporation that as list the respect of its customers and dealers.
hopefully The new guy will not just chase the dollar but quickly build Gibson to become the gold standard of American guitar buildind.
Big ask but its doable unless the investors have his ball in a vice.
It would be slightly less frustrating if these things were related, but they aren't - buffing the finish properly wouldn't have made it sound any different. To be fair, you don't see it when you're playing it or when it's on a hanger.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Some are so good that you can play anything and it will sound great. Others are total dogs and you can't understand how they ever got through 'Quality Control'.
The problem for Gibson is they often boast about being Built in the USA and being hand built etc So when you play a bad one and it costs a premium price, you don't forget that fact.
PRS is often cited as being expensive, well made and very consistent. Whether you like them or not is a personal taste matter, but it is hard to fault their consistency.
I feel if Gibson were around £699 for a Standard Les Paul then we wouldn't bitch and moan about them so much. Problem is they are at least double that, if not more.
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A 59 vos finish which looked fine but sounded a bit dead
A slash rossa corsa which is great
A signature t which was the cheapest one but which actually is the only one which had no blemishes or issues
So 50/50 for me
I have also owned 5 strats and they have all been immaculate
2 prs. Again both immaculate
F me they all sound and play brilliantly though
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
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