Is Gibson the worst thing about the Les Paul?

[LPBR]

Here it goes my rant...

I agree with the OP. And this is why I never will buy a Gibson, instead In a few months I will start building my own 59 replica that will be surely too much better than an original R9 and will cost a fraction of it.

I have a friend who owns a small collection of Les Paul standards and seriously they are almost in the crap category IMO. With the exception of a black beauty, all the other ones play worse, sound worse and sustain less than my cheapo $200 bolt-on neck chinese LP copy that carries the weird 'Strinberg' brand in the heastock.

I wouldn't wish that Gibson fail as a company because there is too much more involved there than the quality of the guitars (so many people depends on it to live) but that definitively new Gibsons doesn't worth the price tag it is real.

Unfortunately there is a lot of people out there that get easily sold by the name in the hs to the point of not being able to make an unbiased judgement and that never will admit it. Actually those people will defend Gibson till death will all possible (and sometimes absurd) arguments.

I cannot deny, however, that the Gibson name carries some kind of magic that operates miracles on guitar players minds. Since I was 18 -- when I started playing, and it was 30 years ago -- I dream about a Gibson guitar. Unfortunately I am not rich and therefore I don't have a lot of money to buy a real vintage gem. By the other site I think how fortunate I am to know that a new one won't satisfy my desires.

Of course my replica WILL have a nice Gibson logo at the headstock to calm down a little my teen age dreams.

Now, you can start throwing rocks and flames please.

 

[HRC]

With Gibson, on the other hand, their philosphy is if you want the best, buy a 5 grand Historic from the Custom Shop.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Yep. You apparently haven't looked at many Gibsons from the USA line.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

the ones with the tool marks on the fretboard, the paint bleeding into the binding, the orange peel finish around the neck joint and the clearcoat bubbling up under the tuners?

Oh yeah, the USA line is some real quality work.

 

[jlb32]

I really don't see the purpose of this thread??

If the OP and others think there are manufacturers/individuals that make a better Les Paul than Gibson then buy those other manufacturers/individuals guitars. Plenty of Les Paul body shaped models out there that are not made by Gibson. What's the issue?

I don't see anyone making people buy Gibsons or anyone stopping people from buying other brands.

 

[cmh6122]

Will not buy a new Gibson. When they decided not to do business with small shops like the one I have traded with since before I had a driver's license, I embarked on a one man boycott. Probably went near twenty years without playing a new Gibson.

Intrigued by all the bagging on them I read on the internet, I made my one and only foray to the GC in KC to see what I could see. All the guitars I checked out were fine.

Have a buddy that collects, and he buys lots of different guitars, and the Gibson's hold their own just fine.

Sometimes people forget these are production instruments made in numbers equaled by how many companies? Do any of those companies have to compete with the labor, and environmental costs Gibson operates under?

Too bad more are not concerned with the fact that the good Henry J. et al have
accomplished their station while making their workplace reputedly one of the worst places to work in this country.

Still get kind of creeped out that folk that bag so hard on Gibson, and brag so hard on their luthier built, superior in every way 'replica' would put Gibson on the headstock.

The Les Paul does not exist but for Gibson.

 

[Biddlin]

I have two LPs at the moment. My 2011 Gibson R9 is quite lovely and a good player. Not a great player and anyone who thinks BB1 and 2 pickups sound like PAFs is nuts, but a good player. My 2000 Epi Silverflake Standard is my go to LP. It is exactly what I want to play and hear, when I'm in a Lester mode. I own a couple of production line USA Gibsons, 3 sgs and an N-225. The quality seems quite good, with no fit or finish problems worthy of note. Maybe Gibson knows that for most of their customers, LPs are like water in California, they're for fightin' over more than playing.
;>)/

 

[Dun Ringill]

for some people it doesn't matter how great a guitar is, there's something inside them going, "but it's not a Gibson."

There's been multiple trolls on 'Fender guys' who've been handed a re-branded Squier, or a Squier with a Fender neck (I've done this too, since my Strat is a Squier body with Fender neck) and they love the guitar,..until you tell them it's a Squier, or part Squier.

It's pretty funny watching their faces screw up and try to figure out why they liked the guitar until you told them it wasn't actually 100% Fender.

"We hear with our eyes, ya know." -Lester William Polsfuss aka Les Paul-


*for the record the one piece quarter sawn flame maple neck that came on the Squier, is nicer/better then the Fender one I replaced it with. ..I needed the fatter neck though.

After owning and playing tons of Strats from MIA to MIJ,..the Squier Classic Vibe was the nicest and best built Strat I could find. But just like Gibson VS Epi,...try telling a Fender guy that and he'll just roll his eyes.

People like different things and have different views of what quality is. I just want a good guitar that stays in tune and holds a setup.

From what I'm finding PRS and ESP seem to offer the best finish work and quality for the price. ..but that's only if you really don't care about the name on the headstock and truly just want to find the best quality guitar for the best price.

I've been trying out PRS SE's lately and have been shocked at how perfectly built they are. I've gone over 5 of them with a fine tooth comb and can't find anything wrong with them.

...other then they're not Gibsons.

I love both of my Affinitys!! Fight the power!!

 

[HenryHill]

The Les Paul does not exist but for Gibson and Epiphone.

Glaring omission remedied.

 

[Biddlin]

"I've been trying out PRS SE's lately and have been shocked at how perfectly built they are."
Mal, I agree on the build quality, but I can't get a good "feel" or rich and clean tone out of them. I've worked on a dozen, borrowed a friend's for a week, but for some reason PRS feel cold to me.
;>)/

 

[truckermde]

Some people have expressed some very romantic and nostalgic feelings about Gibson guitars, and I might be inclined to share some of those feelings if it weren't for the fact that the people currently operating under the "Gibson" moniker actually have had NOTHING whatsoever to do with the development or introduction of the beloved Les Paul Model guitar. They just bought the right to use the designs and trademarks of the people who DID actually bring us this landmark of design.

There's nothing wrong with that, as this is the way business is conducted in our society, but I don't see why some people are inspired to such levels of loyalty to investment bankers.

This "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand" attitude just seems silly, IMHO.

I'm not saying they suck; one of my LPs is a Gibson, and arguably my favourite guitar. I'd even like to have an R4 some day, but I'm also capable of admitting that there are nicer, and more historically accurate guitars out there.

In summation, I guess I just can't get behind ANY corporation so vehemently.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

I really don't see the purpose of this thread??

If the OP and others think there are manufacturers/individuals that make a better Les Paul than Gibson then buy those other manufacturers/individuals guitars. Plenty of Les Paul body shaped models out there that are not made by Gibson. What's the issue?

I don't see anyone making people buy Gibsons or anyone stopping people from buying other brands.

It's MLP, we b*tch like women-folk.

"I've been trying out PRS SE's lately and have been shocked at how perfectly built they are."
Mal, I agree on the build quality, but I can't get a good "feel" or rich and clean tone out of them. I've worked on a dozen, borrowed a friend's for a week, but for some reason PRS feel cold to me.
;>)/

pickups/wiring can always be changed.

Part of the 'feel' thing imo is that (most?) guitarists I think are conditioned for Strats/Teles/SG's/LP's,...guitars that don't feel like them feel 'wrong' right away.

The LP has always been my go to guitar, but I spent probably 6 years or so playing Strats and went I went back to LP's it felt very uncomfortable and weird.

Now after playing the LP non-stop the past 3-4 years, Strats feel uncomfortable and weird. ..and 'too straight',..no neck angle.

....still want a good Telecaster though.

 

[hrfdez]

This thread is a big a$$ circle, no end in sight

People are not going to agree with the OP or among each other.

I love my Gibson's, but there is also other Gibson's that I don't like

Threads like this one is like telling people how to spend their money, which I find tacky to say the least.

The OP has some valid points, and as a new guitar player, I like to read all sides of the conversation. Some responses have been very eloquent and I actually have learned something from them. Others? More of a High School Cheerleading squad

So, with this useless response, I am going to leave and grab one of my Gibson's and irritate the crap out of my wife

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

, I am going to leave and grab one of my Gibson's and irritate the crap out of my wife

sounds like a plan, rock on brother.

 

[Biddlin]

"still want a good Telecaster though. "
Moi aussi!

 

[ZoomZilla]

If you bitch about Gibson because the quality is bad for what you are paying for then that's a legit argument. Not saying I agree but at least it's a valid beef.

If you are rationalizing that Gibsons are bad because you can't afford one, then you have no argument. You are just being a bitch.

 

[upl8tr]

If you bitch about Gibson because the quality is bad for what you are paying for then that's a legit argument. Not saying I agree but at least it's a valid beef.

If you are rationalizing that Gibsons are bad because you can't afford one, then you have no argument. You are just being a bitch.

Erm? I dunno if you're allowed to talk sense in this thread, are you?

 

[colchar]

for some people it doesn't matter how great a guitar is, there's something inside them going, "but it's not a Gibson."

There's been multiple trolls on 'Fender guys' who've been handed a re-branded Squier, or a Squier with a Fender neck (I've done this too, since my Strat is a Squier body with Fender neck) and they love the guitar,..until you tell them it's a Squier, or part Squier.

It's pretty funny watching their faces screw up and try to figure out why they liked the guitar until you told them it wasn't actually 100% Fender.

"We hear with our eyes, ya know." -Lester William Polsfuss aka Les Paul-


*for the record the one piece quarter sawn flame maple neck that came on the Squier, is nicer/better then the Fender one I replaced it with. ..I needed the fatter neck though.

After owning and playing tons of Strats from MIA to MIJ,..the Squier Classic Vibe was the nicest and best built Strat I could find. But just like Gibson VS Epi,...try telling a Fender guy that and he'll just roll his eyes.

People like different things and have different views of what quality is. I just want a good guitar that stays in tune and holds a setup.

From what I'm finding PRS and ESP seem to offer the best finish work and quality for the price. ..but that's only if you really don't care about the name on the headstock and truly just want to find the best quality guitar for the best price.

I've been trying out PRS SE's lately and have been shocked at how perfectly built they are. I've gone over 5 of them with a fine tooth comb and can't find anything wrong with them.

...other then they're not Gibsons.

Check out Godin guitars (they also make Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, and Norman acoustics). Superb quality at reasonable prices and all are made right here in North America (three factories in Canada and one somewhere in New England).

 

[NeptuneBlue]

I love both of my Affinitys!! Fight the power!!

My affinity strat is currently my #1

 

[ArrogantBastard]

I tend to agree and disagree with you.

Would I buy most Gibson's that are released today? No. Aside from custom shop, the Traditional is the only Gibson that I would purchase new. I find that the quality is to inconsistent. That's my personal opinion. I also don't agree with many of the changes that have been made over the years. However, that's a personal opinion. I'm by no means the type that will ONLY play Gibson because I feel as if EVERY Gibson is superior to any other guitar out there. There are plenty of guitars out there that are superior. But a hefty price tag also comes with those. When you're buying a Gibson, you're buying years of history, knowledge, quality (or a lack there of - all depending), and a whole lot more. You're also paying American laborers wages, insurance, and helping to keep an American icon strong. You're not going to pick up a new F150 for $10,000.00. It just doesn't happen. Same goes for picking up a Gibson that most would deem worthy of adding to their collection for anything under $2,000.00. I don't think picking up a Tribute as your introduction to Gibson is a wise idea. While they aren't bad guitars, they will give you a false sense of what Gibson is all about. Yes, Henry is a jacka$$. Robot guitars? Seriously? Maybe in 30 years. Yeah, and the hover board should be here tomorrow. Wtf-ever. But hey, the guy is trying to take a step ahead. He can do what he wants. Who are we to argue? As long as he offers the guitars that WE like, then why complain? It's not like anyone is forcing you to buy a Studio, a Tribute, or an ugly ass firebird. Yes, I said it. Firebirds are hideous pieces of dog sh*t. And I pity any of you whose taste actually appreciates those things. I've gotten off track.

Bah.

With that being said, I'd still like to pickup a 2013 or 2014 Trad. As well as an R6 and an R8 in time. They aren't top on my list, but are essential to my collection in the next few years. =]
And yes, I'd pay the price tag on the Historics because they are damn well worth it. Buy one and you will see.

 

[xSinner13x]

I dunno, I think I would rather have one of the Maestro's over in the luthier's corner build me a Paul rather than buy another Gibson....

They All do better work than the Gibsons Custom Shop, hands down.

So it can be done well, Gibson just doesn't do it quite as well anymore....

IMHO.