Maybe I'm overreacting but WTF is gibson thinking.....

[ArchEtech]

I've noticed they have a ton of mismatched and inconsistent plastic bindings on their guitars, and it seems to be getting worse. You get reddish cream binding then almost white neck binding, then a bright white nut. If you dare put the damned pick guard on it, its yet another drastically different color. The pickup rings, who knows what color they are...

I don't think I'm even as crazy about this stuff as some people, and it still drives me nuts.

Have you seen the new, non-hostoric 2008 customs. The inlays and binding look aged and cream, then the pickguard has the bright white color. The neck binding is closer to white, then the binding on the headstock in cream again - check this out I think it looks like crap. I mean is it really hard to get a better match. I actually lucked out with my guitars, they match pretty well.

2007 Gibson Les Paul GT Standard Red MINT - eBay (item 350026132134 end time Feb-17-08 17:30:00 PST)

 

[Zack-on-crack]

It's typical. They just throw them together with what-ever they have. I think you're expecting more for your three grand than most. I don't agree but people will buy anything with a Gibson logo these days. Same folks like to defend Gibson. I think it's a pity.
GT is supposed to have white binding tho......

 

[shotgunlew]

Thus why Mr Roman Rist will be making my les paul!

 

[Samantha]

luckely enough for me my gibson dealer will send back anything i'm not happy with.

 

[Maus]

It's a bit lame indeed. You'd expect getting a guitar where the bindings would match the color of the nut etc. I'm a big fan of Les Pauls and other Gibson's, and I still think they frickin' rock, but I definately agree on the fact that they should pay a little attention to things like this. I mean... It's not like it takes a lot of effort, now does it?

The Les Paul I'm going to buy soon, will be handpicked for me at the only Gibson importer in the Netherlands, which is kinda nice

 

[Robespierre]

O.k. here's my opinion on the sloppy color matching on LP standards: It's to get you to buy a Reissue! I don't know about others here, but the color of the p/u rings and guard is one of the first ways (visually) I can tell a$4,000 Reissue from a regular standard (at least a burst). If you notice, the plastice-ware on the Reissues are always alot whiter and more uniform, than the crappy "brownish" colors on the standards, and it always seems the binding on the Reissues are a bit more of a rich, golden, yellow color.

It's very subtle difference, but if I was to invest in a Reissue, that would be one of my reasons.

 

[BobbyK]

Well, I'm not in any place to be picky... I'll take a used one, and I'd probably replace the nut anyway.


wouldn't they buy the bindings in bulk, of one material ?
why would they be differently coloured ?

 

[ArchEtech]

Look at the acution I sent - there are multiple colors....

Hostoric are better, but they don't match either. The are quite a bit better yes. But a non-historic custom, costs as much as a historic, there is no excuse. Its lazyness not marketing. I could see maybe getting lazy with pickup rings and the nut, at least I could fix that, but body bindings and neck bindings totally different is crazy on any guitar over $500 let alone $3000.

This is one reason I chose a non-historic custom - they have nice bright purty white everything. If the standard I have has a cream body, neck binding, and even the nut is cream.

 

[LoKi]

I dunno... Almost every guitar I've ever owned or played that was made in Nashville has been sub-par quality... and thats an awful lot of Gibsons...

You should see the wonky binding on my 88, not just the color is bad, but it looks like they taped it wrong before it was painted or 'over scraped' after and it doesn't run parallel to the neck.

Guitar is a good player though, and sounds killer... But details for price ratio? Crap.

Historics for the most part are pretty damn nice... But aren't they made in Memphis? What do they do in Nashville? Hire border jumpers and fire them within a week? Are there any employees at Nashville that have actually had a few years experience doing this sort of thing? Even Epiphones made in Korea have matching binding, and are pretty good quality of assembly. Shit materials, but put together well.

 

[decoy205]

The binding on my custom matches pretty perfectly. It is all white and everything is parallel. The only thing i noticed was that there was a little bit ebony paint that didn't get scrapped in the cut away before the clear coat. It was pretty close to being perfect.

 

[ArchEtech]

The binding on my custom matches pretty perfectly. It is all white and everything is parallel. The only thing i noticed was that there was a little bit ebony paint that didn't get scrapped in the cut away before the clear coat. It was pretty close to being perfect.

+1 My custom is near perfect. Just a little orange peel.

I think its when they try for that "aged" look where its critical to have things match. They just can't cut it.

 

[single cut 54]

It may be of little consolation Guys ,but guitars from Gibsons ''Golden Period''
in the '50s had mis matched neck and body bindings, in colour and in the type of plastic used.I'm talkin' Gold tops and standards not Customs.

 

[LoKi]

The binding on my custom matches pretty perfectly. It is all white and everything is parallel. The only thing i noticed was that there was a little bit ebony paint that didn't get scrapped in the cut away before the clear coat. It was pretty close to being perfect.

My Custom is perfect as well. I think Customs get a little more attention than Standards..

 

[decoy205]

My Custom is perfect as well. I think Customs get a little more attention than Standards..

haha They do from me that's for sure.

 

[decoy205]

+1 My custom is near perfect. Just a little orange peel.

I think its when they try for that "aged" look where its critical to have things match. They just can't cut it.

I emailed Gibson about my guitar regarding it being plekked and they said yes 2007 custom shop LP customs are plekked. Could be good could be bad depending on your point of few. So far It seems good but i think over time with some fretware it may cause issues.

 

[FUS44]

On another forum I've seen pics of Bursts and Es-335's with issues like visible neck shims. There have been problems from the golden Era 'til now. Not an excuse; at $3000 it should be flawless. But atleast they're consistent!

 

[LoKi]

I emailed Gibson about my guitar regarding it being plekked and they said yes 2007 custom shop LP customs are plekked. Could be good could be bad depending on your point of few. So far It seems good but i think over time with some fretware it may cause issues.

I'd love to try it out. Frets need replacing, its part of owning a guitar I guess... I dont want to speed up that process, but a good fret dress is worth its weight in gold.

 

[decoy205]

It's probably the most even frets i've ever had on any of my guitars. So i guess its a good thing. It's not really fully broken in yet. I need more time on the sucker. I think once i really get the frets a little worn in from my playing it will be even more of a pleasure to play.

 

[hbucker]

The context I look at this in is the fact that other brands/builders out there seem to have no problem putting out outstanding products, made in U.S.A., matching bindings. Bindings that don't drop off next to the wood. Stain that doesn't bleed over onto the bindings. Reasonably well set up in the store and are sold for half the price that many standard Gibsons are sold for.

In the world of Gibson this stuff happens all the time and Gibson defenders make excuses for it all the time. But when I look at other brands for much less money I don't see these flaws nearly as often.

Gibson's history and basic designs have performed well through the years and their history speaks for itself. Period. But I see these "flaws" as a serious chink in their armor.

 

[ArchEtech]

I don't think other companies are immune to the same sorts of QC issues. I’ve see PRS with really crapy fingerboards. I’ve seen Fenders with unevenly shaved necks. I’ve seen the same finish flaws on EVERY other guitar manufacturers product from orange peel, to uneven glue, to pitting, you name it. We just expect more out of Gibson, and expect more out of a $2000 guitar, let alone something over $5000.