Why do people like nibs so much?

[HermioneGrandeur]

I still don't get why some people want nibs back.... I actually had my 335 re-fretted because the High E string kept slipping off, just check out the 45 degree angle of the nibs on my 335, and compare that to my Les Paul Studio without binding/nibs, there is like twice more room to play on.

It's like the people who would rather have a video game with good graphics, but bad gameplay.
It seems most people are just complaining because of the "aesthetics"/ "prestige" /"tradition" , versus actual playability.

335 after refret:

I guess fret sprout might be an issue for some, but I had my 335 re-fretted a couple months ago and so far as the summer comes in there hasn't been a problem. My Les Paul hasn't been a problem either.

 

[MooCheng]

Yep' thats much better

beats me why guys like nibs, they serve no function other than cause problems

 

[James R]

I like nibs. I like the look of them and I honestly believe they helped me recognize some issues with my technique. The first couple of days that I had my first LP with nibs, I found that my high E was slipping off the fret while I was forming certain chords. I recognized that as a sign of me being a little sloppy, obviously I was bending the string in order for it to slip off. I adjusted as I saw fit and I feel my playing is better for it... and believe me, I need all the help I can get in that department.

 

[indeedido]

I play on the fretboard. Never had an issue with nibs.

 

[HermioneGrandeur]

I guess its not that much of a problem if you don't do a lot of vibrato or a open string pull off /tapping licks on the high E
it was fine for me with the nibs if i just wanted to fret chords

 

[Oranjeaap]

Corksniffers.

I have 2 Gibsons with nibs and used to have one without, and really, I dont give a flying F about nibs. It looks cool but guitars without nibs look cool aswell.

 

[Fritz44]

Shit who the hell doesn't like red licorice ?

 

[John Vasco]

Nibs or no nibs makes no feckin' difference to me. Don't understand the issue. And before you ask, my two gigging Les Pauls are one with nibs, and one without.

 

[MooCheng]

sometimes nibs can be a problem with double string bends where you might need to bend the B downwards. its easy to rake the E off the board. That extra bit of fret can make a big difference

Its true focusing on technique can cure a lot of problems but why make life needlessly difficult when you dont have to




btw I like nips

 

[JellyOnToast2345]

I haven't ever had a problem with nibs on my 2012 Traditional Mahogany Satin. I love the look and the fact that they eliminate sharp fret ends. And it just feels like a more expensive guitar. I have problems with my high e slipping off on my 1977 Custom, but when I looked at it, the low e was way away from the end while the high e was practically already falling off the side. It was the product of a bad nut replacement with poorly measured saddles.

 

[jlb32]

I just prefer the look of nibs and have never encountered issues with them from bends and vibrato. It's something I am use to seeing on most Gibsons and IMO it's a classy nice feature.

If they don't have them it's not a deal breaker but IMO it's not a good move from Gibson. It is something they are known for and a feature that others do not offer. Why more so lump yourself with all other manufacturers when it's the little things that set you apart. Just like the nitro over poly. It's a feature that sets them apart from others.

A lot see it as a cheapening move also and in reality that is exactly why Gibson did it to certain models. It's not a "improvement" it's a cost cutter step for the same priced guitar that did have nibs.

 

[circles]

I like them, they show a higher level of attention to design detail, and they feel fine to me.

 

[DanL]

Complaining about strings slipping off the nibs and wanting them removed is like complaining that your saddles aren't deep enough because you keep popping your strings out of them. Practice more and don't reinforce bad habits.

 

[Wild_Rose]

out of curiosity, how much did you pay for the re-fret?

 

[kevinpaul]

Shit who the hell doesn't like red licorice ?

This what I thought of, I love them.

 

[John Vasco]

sometimes nibs can be a problem with double string bends where you might need to bend the B downwards. its easy to rake the E off the board. That extra bit of fret can make a big difference

Its true focusing on technique can cure a lot of problems but why make life needlessly difficult when you dont have to

btw I like nips

No f*ckin' wonder when you are bending the 'B' string downwards... You pull the 'B' string downwards and of course it will go off the fretboard! That's not a design fault... Nibs have got nothing at all to do with it. It's called 'technique'. And to suggest that the 'extra bit of fret' makes a big difference. Are you being serious, or just trolling this thread for the fun of it???

 

[Biddlin]

I like nibs. I like the look of them and I honestly believe they helped me recognize some issues with my technique. The first couple of days that I had my first LP with nibs, I found that my high E was slipping off the fret while I was forming certain chords. I recognized that as a sign of me being a little sloppy, obviously I was bending the string in order for it to slip off. I adjusted as I saw fit and I feel my playing is better for it... and believe me, I need all the help I can get in that department.

I guess its not that much of a problem if you don't do a lot of vibrato or a open string pull off /tapping licks on the high E
it was fine for me with the nibs if i just wanted to fret chords

Precisely! Once your technique advances, nibs become an impediment, instead of just pretentious ornamentation to obviate the need for polishing fret ends properly.

I play on the fretboard. Never had an issue with nibs.

I play on the frets and if you ever had a high E stick between the nib and ragged fret end in the middle of a fast solo passage, you'd have an issue.

;>)/

 

[Mexicanbreed]

But...how will you know your guitar is good if it doesn't have nibs?

 

[redcoats1976]

they want them because epis dont have them...

 

[HermioneGrandeur]

Complaining about strings slipping off the nibs and wanting them removed is like complaining that your saddles aren't deep enough because you keep popping your strings out of them. Practice more and don't reinforce bad habits.

Tell that to Les Paul himself, he also seemed to hate the nibs till he died, and was the primary reason Gibson changed their process. I'm sure he practiced enough!


around 0:16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85n9ZbdPBJM


Why should I specifically adapt my technique so that I have to play more conservatively on my most expensive, best sounding guitar?
Makes no sense to me.

Even my strat has more fret room
The fact is, I had no issues at all on my Strat, or Les Paul, but I did have it on my 335 before the refret.
Now I have no problems on all of them, so technique is not the problem.