Gibson Bashing or good review, What say you?

chilipeppermaniac

chilipeppermaniac

Ambassador of Decibels
Country flag
Here is one I stumbled on.

As we know, our members play a wide variety of styles of music and guitars.
Yep, Session 5 is a Godin Fan Boy,
Ramo loves his pointy guitars, 67 Plexi loves his vintage strat, Fly and other models.

Robert Herndon and gball are now in love with their various Les Pauls. Gball several, Robert, his one Gold Top.
Mitch, me, and Bastarddon love our SG's, Lesters and even Strats.

Metal, Sysco, JohnnyGoo, 4406, Smittyp, McBlinkie, all play various brands which should give a good feedback to this video vs their experiences up against the presenter's messages.

What say you guys ?

HAHA, I forgot something,
EDIT:
 
He's certainly entitled to his opinion but I think it's pretty flawed to say the very least. He's basing this off of one specific SG special as well as comparing it to more modern guitars. I want to note too, that he has an FRX trem. That is a LOCKING Trem still yet and notice the nut? It's standard, so I'd be more than confident you WOULDNT be happy with the end result for various reasons, namely tuning stability.

Further more, this guy pulls out what he calls a Tele and says it's the same price, used as the SG. I wouldnt give you $5 for that abomination as it's as much a Tele as a Pontiac Fiero is a supercar. Teles don't look anything like that bloated pile of $hit.

Not that my opinion matters much on this topic, as I wasn't aforementioned on it
:wink:lmao
 
Mike, I totally thought the same thing.

Where I did agree with some of his points, was how Gibson can make improvements to some of it's approaches to improvements, sustainability as a company and R and D.

Screw the gimmicks like AutoTune, Brass 0 frets, fancy oddball finishes etc.

Much like Robert's Gold Top LP or Gball's excellent LP models he has found are great performers, this is what keeps a Guitar company trending in the right direction, Quality and reliable instruments that do their job.
 
Clockworkmike said:
He's certainly entitled to his opinion but I think it's pretty flawed to say the very least. He's basing this off of one specific SG special as well as comparing it to more modern guitars. I want to note too, that he has an FRX trem. That is a LOCKING Trem still yet and notice the nut? It's standard, so I'd be more than confident you WOULDNT be happy with the end result for various reasons, namely tuning stability.

Further more, this guy pulls out what he calls a Tele and says it's the same price, used as the SG. I wouldnt give you $5 for that abomination as it's as much a Tele as a Pontiac Fiero is a supercar. Teles don't look anything like that bloated pile of $hit.

Not that my opinion matters much on this topic, as I wasn't aforementioned on it
:wink:lmao
Click to expand...


I think he does mention having a locking nut at some point.
 
Alright touche', he DOES have the locking nut I can see now. C'mon gimme a break I'm nearly blind lol. But beyond that, I get staying relevant and all but I also abide by " if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Gibson has a formula and it works because it's so simple: make a well rounded guitar that looks beautiful as well as it's ease of playability and simple electronic features.

In the 1980s, everyone ran and ditched their Gibsons and most of their Fenders like complete tools to go and grab any Jackson, Charvel, ESP And Kramer they could get their paws on for the features like Floyd Roses, often active electronic pickups and light bodies. And what happened 10 years after? The fad died and people ran back to their Gibsons and Fenders only now they cost even more than they did before.

I'm not bashing any of the companies I mentioned because I like them all, but a style of music dictating what kind of guitar you should have was absolutely foolish and right now it's happening once again as we speak. Companies like Chapman, Keisel, Strandber, Schecter and Musicman are dominating the markets due to the stylings of ultra prog metal and mathcore. This too will pass and who's gonna be there? You guessed it

Again, love the companies mentioned above ( minus Strandberg cause I think they are hideous) but there's always gonna be the Gibson market. Much like there'll always be Ford, GM and Mopar
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Here is one I stumbled on.

As we know, our members play a wide variety of styles of music and guitars.
Yep, Session 5 is a Godin Fan Boy,
Ramo loves his pointy guitars, 67 Plexi loves his vintage strat, Fly and other models.

Robert Herndon and gball are now in love with their various Les Pauls. Gball several, Robert, his one Gold Top.
Mitch, me, and Bastarddon love our SG's, Lesters and even Strats.

Metal, Sysco, JohnnyGoo, 4406, Smittyp, McBlinkie, all play various brands which should give a good feedback to this video vs their experiences up against the presenter's messages.

What say you guys ?

HAHA, I forgot something,
EDIT:
Click to expand...
He was clear in that he was only giving his opinions. He is entitled to, and presented them clearly as such. In the end, he didn’t seem to be bashing, just pointing out his perception of the SG. He even pointed out the fact that it had been a solid performer for him. He just doesn’t like the things that he doesn’t like about it. He’s happier with the feel of something like a PRS SE when it comes to fret choice etc. These are the things that “he” values from guitars, and he is clear about that. He thinks that others(younger musicians) feel similarly. This is probably a reason behind the development of Gibson’s “HP” line…an effort to address classic parts/construction with newer and more modern appointments (tuners, nuts, neck profiles, neck heels/joints etc.).
I do have my opinions about Gibson guitars. I do enjoy playing my Gibsons immensely. I got my first one in 2006. I’ve been playing guitars since…around 1980…more seriously around 1986. Got my Strat in 1988…played through the frets on it around 2000-01. I had a few other Strat style guitars get me through the 90s, gigging and stuff. Loved them all…well most of them, there were a couple of necks that just weren’t for me. I still have other guitars…ones that aren’t Gibson guitars…in fact, around 25% of the stringed instruments around my place are Gibson. The rest are from different manufacturers, but some are Gibson-“style”. I don’t think of myself as a ”Gibson fanboy”, just that I have enjoyed the few I’ve played over the years enough to want to keep a few on hand for various reasons…just as I keep others around for similar reasons.
Clockworkmike said:
he has an FRX trem. That is a LOCKING Trem still yet and notice the nut? It's standard,
Click to expand...
The locking nut system is behind the stock nut…it is part of a replacement trussrod cover. It is definitely present on his SG in the video, but difficult to see unless you’re looking for it.
Funny, he tried the Les-Trem, and jumped straight to the Floyd unit…he missed out on the Stetsbar. The Stetsbar on my SG has been amazeballs-solid since I got it settled in. I do have locking tuners, but no locking nut. I just played it last night, and yes…it was actually “in tune” when I picked it up. I’ve had the Stetsbar set to float on the SG for…probably a bit over a year now, and it’s been really well behaved. Drop tuning, with it floating, is something to get used to, but less hassle than a Floyd.
The one on my V doesn’t like to float, but it is pretty happy when set up to drop pitch only. I’m too happy with the nut, as it is, to bother to attempt to tweak it further.
 
Speaking from experience - and keep in mind i purchased (5) brand new, entry level Gibsons (from $799 SG's to $1,050 Les Paul Studios) between 2004 and 2017 - and there is a HUGE jump in Gibson quality when you hit $2,800.00 and up.

My 2021 Gibson Les Paul 50's Standard Gold Top was $2,908.57 OTD (brand new) in November, 2021. The guitar is 100% stock and needed nothing but a pickup pole piece adjustment.

IMHO, in consideration of USA labor costs, a cheap Gibson is probably not as good as some other, cheaper, foreign guitars.

If you want a cheap guitar, don't buy a Gibson.

If you want a good guitar, get a professional level Gibson.

FWIW.
 
The guy in the video started off playing Parker Night Fly guitars stainless steel frets the best trem system made to date
no way could that compare to a entry level Gibson with the exception the Parkers are tone turds but play like no other
My 1992 Parker Fly Deluxe was a $10,000 guitar that sold new at $4400 that's why Ken Parker went broke after the first year
of production. I got mine used for $850
I like Gibson guitars my first great guitar was a 1961 SG Standard then a Les Paul Custom 1954 LE 1972
when I scored a early 1965 SG Standard 1964 spec got a old friend back gold hardware PAF pickups burst finger board
In public play the Parker and the Peavey HP2 at home you never know
 
Thanks Mike, Bdon and RoBear for your summations.

I totally align with your reply, don, especially where you say he missed out on the Stetsbar... Robert, I also totally know your experience with finding that great Gold Top. It makes me very happy to know you found " your" keeper as far as the tool that does the job and does it well.

Mike, There is absolutely no bashing for blindness. I just listened to what he said when he mentioned the nut.

Interesting about the HP line,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I am not up on all the latest models.
 
67plexi said:
The guy in the video started off playing Parker Night Fly guitars stainless steel frets the best trem system made to date
no way could that compare to a entry level Gibson with the exception the Parkers are tone turds but play like no other
My 1992 Parker Fly Deluxe was a $10,000 guitar that sold new at $4400 that's why Ken Parker went broke after the first year
of production. I got mine used for $850
I like Gibson guitars my first great guitar was a 1961 SG Standard then a Les Paul Custom 1954 LE 1972
when I scored a early 1965 SG Standard 1964 spec got a old friend back gold hardware PAF pickups burst finger board
In public play the Parker and the Peavey HP2 at home you never know
Click to expand...
Hi Steve, Thanks for posting this. I had no idea Ken Parker went broke, or that as you say, Parkers are tone turds.
My first exposure to the Fly was when I attended a festival in Latrobe Pa and the band Tantric had 2 guitar players using them.

Pretty sure in the first 2 songs, the Black one that Todd Whitener ( Blonde) has is a 3 pickup model with H SS while the Cherry color one that the bald player has is a HH config? Anyone get a good look at Baldy's Cherry color one?

 
Last edited:
Clockworkmike said:
Alright touche', he DOES have the locking nut I can see now. C'mon gimme a break I'm nearly blind lol. But beyond that, I get staying relevant and all but I also abide by " if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Gibson has a formula and it works because it's so simple: make a well rounded guitar that looks beautiful as well as it's ease of playability and simple electronic features.

In the 1980s, everyone ran and ditched their Gibsons and most of their Fenders like complete tools to go and grab any Jackson, Charvel, ESP And Kramer they could get their paws on for the features like Floyd Roses, often active electronic pickups and light bodies. And what happened 10 years after? The fad died and people ran back to their Gibsons and Fenders only now they cost even more than they did before.

I'm not bashing any of the companies I mentioned because I like them all, but a style of music dictating what kind of guitar you should have was absolutely foolish and right now it's happening once again as we speak. Companies like Chapman, Keisel, Strandber, Schecter and Musicman are dominating the markets due to the stylings of ultra prog metal and mathcore. This too will pass and who's gonna be there? You guessed it

Again, love the companies mentioned above ( minus Strandberg cause I think they are hideous) but there's always gonna be the Gibson market. Much like there'll always be Ford, GM and Mopar
Click to expand...
I agree.
Gibson makes the same guitars it made 60 years ago cause there is still a market. Indeed, if it ain't broke...
Same LP design with some different electronics, which they have done, and the Modern Axcess series are upgrades of sorts for Les Pquls.
But the same basic guitar still exists for a reason.
 
I definitely would buy and Axcess if I wanted an LP with a trem. Alex Lifeson has made good use of his for many years.
Also, virtually all guitars from $200 Squiers on up to $5k ES355's are better guitars than I am a player.

Another good clip of an awesome LP playing Lead man, Chad Taylor

Same show, next to last band. LIVE

 
Last edited:
chilipeppermaniac said:
Hi Steve, Thanks for posting this. I had no idea Ken Parker went broke, or that as you say, Parkers are tone turds.
My first exposure to the Fly was when I attended a festival in Latrobe Pa and the band Tantric had 2 guitar players using them.

Pretty sure in the first 2 songs, the Black one that Todd Whitener ( Blonde) has is a 3 pickup model with H SS while the Cherry color one that the bald player has is a HH config? Anyone get a good look at Baldy's Cherry color one?

Click to expand...
HH for the other Fly…around 2:45-3:00 you get a couple of looks.
 
What I found interesting was his issue when he was trying to do faster, shreddier type stuff. He mentions he uses a combination of pull offs, hammer ons, and picking… that’s exactly what I do and I had a Gibson 70’s tribute, played on Sg standards, les Paul studio’s. Some with better setups that others, I haven’t ran into the issue that he says he has but that’s just me.

In recent years I think Gibson fixed their quality control issues, I don’t remember having too much of an issue with tuning except for maybe one les Paul I played years ago but it was an early 2000’s model and I don’t think it was properly set up. Generally though tuning stability is about like any other brand I played on. Gibson does have the best in-house pickups, I’m not ever going to deny that. I especially really liked the dirty fingers, those would give EMG-81’s a run for their money.

What’s killing Gibson right now is their prices… 1300 for the entry level, 1700 for the studio, the classic is around 2500… and I played on a studio a week ago.. I can’t say it blew me away. It handled everything I threw at it and then some. Stayed in tune; tone was killer, once I was warmed up I didn’t have any issues playing on it… I picked up a Schecter C1 platinum which is an $800 guitar… so let’s just say after taxes about half the price… I’ll leave the pickups out of this because that Schecter has EMG’s. But neck feel, playability, tuning stability, to me it was about the same. My Richie Faulkner epiphone which is essentially a tricked out V. It’s a high end epiphone, one the artist himself routinely plays on stage in front of massive crowds, it retailed for right around $1000… LtD you can get a really nice one for around 800-1000 as well, and those generally have stainless steel frets.

If we are going bang for your buck, that’s where Gibson is lacking if anything right now. Sure they are USA made.. but I honestly don’t see a quality difference that would justify me spending 1700 but that’s my two cents
 
Metal89 said:
What I found interesting was his issue when he was trying to do faster, shreddier type stuff. He mentions he uses a combination of pull offs, hammer ons, and picking… that’s exactly what I do and I had a Gibson 70’s tribute, played on Sg standards, les Paul studio’s. Some with better setups that others, I haven’t ran into the issue that he says he has but that’s just me.

In recent years I think Gibson fixed their quality control issues, I don’t remember having too much of an issue with tuning except for maybe one les Paul I played years ago but it was an early 2000’s model and I don’t think it was properly set up. Generally though tuning stability is about like any other brand I played on. Gibson does have the best in-house pickups, I’m not ever going to deny that. I especially really liked the dirty fingers, those would give EMG-81’s a run for their money.

What’s killing Gibson right now is their prices… 1300 for the entry level, 1700 for the studio, the classic is around 2500… and I played on a studio a week ago.. I can’t say it blew me away. It handled everything I threw at it and then some. Stayed in tune; tone was killer, once I was warmed up I didn’t have any issues playing on it… I picked up a Schecter C1 platinum which is an $800 guitar… so let’s just say after taxes about half the price… I’ll leave the pickups out of this because that Schecter has EMG’s. But neck feel, playability, tuning stability, to me it was about the same. My Richie Faulkner epiphone which is essentially a tricked out V. It’s a high end epiphone, one the artist himself routinely plays on stage in front of massive crowds, it retailed for right around $1000… LtD you can get a really nice one for around 800-1000 as well, and those generally have stainless steel frets.

If we are going bang for your buck, that’s where Gibson is lacking if anything right now. Sure they are USA made.. but I honestly don’t see a quality difference that would justify me spending 1700 but that’s my two cents
Click to expand...

I get where you are coming from, Metal 89.

You speak my language. For the most part I have tried to buy guitars that are less than $ 500, But have several in the $700 range, some @ $1100-$1200, and still some that approach 2k or 3k ( of course these are the least of my Guitars. as in 1 of each @ these prices 1k and up.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
I get where you are coming from, Metal 89.

You speak my language. For the most part I have tried to buy guitars that are less than $ 500, But have several in the $700 range, some @ $1100-$1200, and still some that approach 2k or 3k ( of course these are the least of my Guitars. as in 1 of each @ these prices 1k and up.
Click to expand...
I think that 700-1000 is the sweet spot personally when it comes to quality and playability. Sure there might be a few minor defects in the finish, I’m fine with that but playability… i mean at that I’m really not sure you can get much better.. after that it really just comes down to what is the guitar worth to you? A triple A flame top is absolutely gorgeous, but is that top worth that monstrous price tag? That sort of deal. And I’m not bashing on 2,000 and up guitars but if we are just going by playability, I think there is a point of diminishing returns here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top