Done with Gibson but what next? PRS?

[TheX]

Had a Gretsch period.

I have a couple Electromatic's, and they are very nice. I'm looking at my first vintage Gretsch purchase soon. Always wanted one with Chet's name on it.

 

[David Mccarroll]

Okay,

1) I agree with the original poster in a couple of ways:

"only a Gibson is good enough".

If you want to use that as an company tagline - live up to it.

Like him I can't think of a Gibson I have bought in living history that didn't have some issue.

2) The quality of the PRS SE line, let alone the S2 or Core line makes almost every Gibson an embarrassment in terms of fit, finish and feel (I have more Gibsons than PRS's by the way, including a couple of CS Historics), and that's way before you start on Epiphone.

3) I now play a PRS DGT - it cost about 60% of a CS 59 - it is flawless in every way, including sound - it is ridiculously easy to play with the factory 11-50 strings, and sounds phenomenal.

4) I have a Bernie Marsden SE - it is great - but, since getting the DGT ..... Ah well - one cost almost 4 times what the other cost.

4) I have a Gretsch 6121 Roundup - okay - it's a ridiculous guitar, but incredibly well built. The original "Dynasonics" are criminally bad on a $4000 guitar. The TV Jones pickups that replaced them are awesome.

5) I have a Custom Shop USA Billy Bo - almost flawless (binding issue, almost invisible - but this thing was a LOT more than a CS 59!).

Gretsches feel completely alien to a Gibson player - you might get used to it, you might not, but I wouldn't in any way recommend one as a main guitar for a primarily Gibson player, they are just weird feeling, and the string tension is bizarre, on both of mine.

I played a Malcolm Young model a couple of times at my local dealer - one of the most horrible feeling guitars I have ever played!

If you want a sure bet - try as many PRS guitars as you can.

Or get the SG fixed.

Cheers,

David

 

[Justinreagin]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. To answer a few questions, I ordered the SG online. No stores anywhere around me carry 2013 SGs (I wanted an SG with DF pickups), only brand new Gibson's and even then, pretty much zero SGs, all LPs. It was listed as "new" and in "mint" condition Anyhow..., its not just Gibson's "cheap" guitars. Ive played brand new $2k Les Pauls in stores with poorly done frets that could slice your fingers open, shotty knobs etc..Even if you want to blame it on the low cost models, still no excuse. Ive played $300 Epiphones and Squires better built than some Gibsons. Not sure why this comes as a surprise to some here. Google "Gibson quality control issues" and you'll find an endless amount of complaints from customers and reviewers alike. I bought the SG online as I have with several others because local stores here don't carry models I usually want. I will have to check out some of the PRS guitars. Really liking the Custom SE semi-hollow so far. Also purchased an Airline H77 which is an exact copy of the Harmony H77 from the 60s I loved and regret selling. Owned a few Airline/Eastwood guitars over the years and even they were made much better than any Gibson Ive owned. Hoping they can solve their QC issues soon.

While I think that when you do find a good Gibson, they're hard to beat if that is your thing, I have had many of the same experiences on everything from "budget" Gibsons, clear up to Supremes and Customs. I have seen much better quality control on LTDs, Schecters, and so forth... and I hate it too cause I loved Les Pauls, but I just can't justify dropping a few grand on something that doesn't measure up... and like the OP, my local area doesn't have much in the way of trying them out without a 5-6 hour round trip drive at best.

 

[Justinreagin]

Anyhow..., its not just Gibson's "cheap" guitars. Ive played brand new $2k Les Pauls in stores with poorly done frets that could slice your fingers open, shotty knobs etc..Even if you want to blame it on the low cost models, still no excuse.

Hello,
I hate to tell you but, On this forum a $2000.00 Les Paul is still just a cheap guitar.

As much as I hate to be a wise-ass in a crowd that is apparently full of them and that I loathe dealing with when someone is trying to get some real world advice.... perhaps this is part of the problem.... paying 2K+ for something that the quality can't measure up to an import I can pick up for $350 used all because of the name on the headstock? Same way Harley-Davidson stayed in business all these years... mystique... which does no good while the bike sits in the shop for repairs, or the guitar for that matter.

 

[David Mccarroll]

As much as I hate to be a wise-ass in a crowd that is apparently full of them and that I loathe dealing with when someone is trying to get some real world advice.... perhaps this is part of the problem.... paying 2K+ for something that the quality can't measure up to an import I can pick up for $350 used all because of the name on the headstock? Same way Harley-Davidson stayed in business all these years... mystique... which does no good while the bike sits in the shop for repairs, or the guitar for that matter.

Agree - and what makes it more vexing for me is that Gibson CAN produce superb guitars - the fact that so many don't measure up is a sign of arrogance and complacence - given that far more of their customers purchase SG specials and Les Paul Studios than CS 59s, they should maybe re-examine their priorities.

 

[Justinreagin]

Agree - and what makes it more vexing for me is that Gibson CAN produce superb guitars - the fact that so many don't measure up is a sign of arrogance and complacence - given that far more of their customers purchase SG specials and Les Paul Studios than CS 59s, they should maybe re-examine their priorities.

THIS!!!!

 

[Guitaraxe]

You should have returned it!

My vote would be for a vintage Guild S-100. Angus "vibe" with solid workmanship.

 

[jtees4]

You should have returned it!

My vote would be for a vintage Guild S-100. Angus "vibe" with solid workmanship.

Not a bad idea....I had a '77 Guild SD-300D for thirty years....great guitar. Mine actually wasn't a "D" which stands for Dimarzio BUT I spoke to Guild and they confirmed it really was a D, but it was one of the first they made before they started adding the actual D on the guitar. I also had an old Acoustic D-25 that was a great guitar. They made them good in Rhode Island in the 70's.

 

[TheX]

Gibson's are just guitars. They are retail instruments, not handmade boutique instruments. Being made in the US means jack as far as build quality and QC. I own quite a few of them, but I own a lot more other brands.

If you don't like Gibson, that's totally OK. There are a lot of other choices. PRS is a great one.

 

[ScottMarlowe]

The three best fret finishes on my guitars from the factory are my Gibson 2013 '70s trib, Epi Sorrent 1962 reissue, and my super cheap Xaviere XV-825 'Keef' model. The Sorrento needed NOTHING to be perfect. The Xaviere and the Gibson both needed minor amounts of attention to sharp fret ends (not the flat part on the fretboard but the sides going up to the top of the fret were sharp.) I think on a lot of Gibsons and Epis it's luck of the draw though.

As nice as those three were from the factory, not one compares to the fret levelling and dressing I did on my Epi G-400 Pro or my Epi 1961 SG Special. After a couple hours of work those things are works of art. shiny, smooth and laser flat. Next in line? Epi LP Special I which was $89.00.

Another guitar I've noodled on that had really nicely done fretwork was a G&L ASAT. Great deals for the money on those.

 

[Codeseven]

Godin or Reverend come immediately to mind.

Reverend.

Outstanding workmanship, great playing, different enough to not be just another mainstream guitar brand name. Billy Corgan (BC-1 won Best in Show NAMM 2016), Jack White, Kid Rock. Check'em out.

Reverend Guitars |

 

[David Mccarroll]

Not a bad idea....I had a '77 Guild SD-300D for thirty years....great guitar. Mine actually wasn't a "D" which stands for Dimarzio BUT I spoke to Guild and they confirmed it really was a D, but it was one of the first they made before they started adding the actual D on the guitar. I also had an old Acoustic D-25 that was a great guitar. They made them good in Rhode Island in the 70's.

Guilds are great, and probably still relatively good value for a USA made axe. Even the MIK ones are great, they are just a bit too expensive for what they are.

I keep forgetting Heritage Guitars - to be honest I have never played one that I fell in love with (for some reason they remind me of the Aria Pro-II guitars which are fine, but, not exactly my first choice, unless I happened to be Mick Karn from Japan), but that seems to make me very much in the minority.

The "D"s were a sign of their time - stick a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup in it and that'a an upgrade ...... sign of the particular time I guess. Still great guitars, just that a Lollar Imperial might be a better choice.

 

[kherman]

CARVIN.
I really like the ones I own. USA made. Quality build. Many options to choose from. And since the split from carvin amps, many new models and more options to choose. They are now Kiesel/Carvin. The company has really grown and just keeps getting better. Plus, they have the ten day trial. If you don't like it, just send it back. Only thing I suggest is don't go nuts on the bling in case you decide to sell down the road.
we

 

[SpareRibs]

Hello,
I agree with the above post. When I lived in El Cajon CA. I visited the Carvin Guitar Co.
They are mail order so they are not as widely known as all the rest however, there quality cannot be surpassed by Gibson, Fender, or anyone else.

 

[kherman]

Here's a few pics of my Carvins.

Yes, these are more 80's shredders style.
But, Carvin does make a PRS style (CT6), Singlecut (CS6), Strat style (Bolt), and Tele style (TL60). As well as even more modern styled guitars.

 

[John]

My top 3 picks to go to would be PRS, ESP, and Carvin/Kiesel.

 

[sonar]

Let me guess,

a couple weeks ago the OP probably posted a NGD about the same guitar.

I'll also guess,

it was his favorite guitar to date.

What else,

he lowered the action too low and misadjusted the truss rod. Maybe a restring with a different gauge.

And,

now he has a buzzy guitar that won't stay in tune.

Of course,

Guitar tech/repair whatever (I'm sure he has a great reputation with someone) says,

"Your neck needs work. Give me money."

Finally,

comes here to complain about Gibson QC, swears off of Gibson and asks for other brand recommendations...







Gee, that's never happened during the past 8 years on the MLPF.

 

[dwk302]

John Page
Fano Standard Line
Heritage

 

[TheX]

Let me guess,

a couple weeks ago the OP probably posted a NGD about the same guitar.

I'll also guess,

it was his favorite guitar to date.

What else,

he lowered the action too low and misadjusted the truss rod. Maybe a restring with a different gauge.

And,

now he has a buzzy guitar that won't stay in tune.

Of course,

Guitar tech/repair whatever (I'm sure he has a great reputation with someone) says,

"Your neck needs work. Give me money."

Finally,

comes here to complain about Gibson QC, swears off of Gibson and asks for other brand recommendations...







Gee, that's never happened during the past 8 years on the MLPF.

Shhhh, I buy these cheap all the time.

 

[smorgdonkey]

strange no one of my gibsons had ever an issue

Mine neither...I have had 16 over the years in models from 1976 to 2012. Marauder to Explorer to Les Pauls and an SG.