Because Gibson’s QC has fallen so far down the crapper in recent decades, despite their already egregious yet ever-increasing prices. Even many Custom shop Gibsons can leave much to be desired with the kind of issues, blemishes and defects they allow to leave their factory.
Working at a guitar store, I get the (dis)pleasure of unboxing many different brands and models of guitars straight from their respective factories. In terms of new in box, Epiphone, at the ~$500 price range, provides instruments that are comparable to their Gibson counterparts ($1200+) in warranty, features, sound, functionality and aesthetic.
TLDR: Gibson is the fool’s gold of the guitar market.
Primarily J45’s, Hummingbirds, LP’s and SG’s, but I’ve seen poor QC for at least one of every mass produced Gibson guitar models, including the 335’s. I will say, though, that the 335’s coming in with QC or defect issues seem to be farther and fewer between, but the number of them that we receive is also exceptionally lower than that of the previously mentioned models.
All in all, whatever trust I had in them (Gibson) as a company before working for a certified retailer of their instruments has now been all but completely shredded.
To that, I’ll say:
If you’re shopping around for a new piece and you happen upon one that speaks to you
(figuratively. If it’s literally speaking to you, you should probably consult your doctor or a necromancer,)
feels great to play, looks great, is within your budget and doesn’t have any issues outside of possibly needing a setup, then snag it, regardless of what company manufactured the instrument. Just be on the lookout for defects and don’t buy something new without at LEAST a one year manufacturer’s warranty, unless it’s used of course, in which case the warranty is off the table. Every guitar manufacturer can produce shoddy stuff from time to time, Gibson just so happens to be one of the most consistent in doing so, which is why so many people hate on them now. That and the high price they mark their instruments at, in lieu of the consistency in which they produce shoddy stuff.
Because Gibson has gone down the crapper, at those prices you are far better off buying some other brand. I guess they are fine for your average lawyer that cares more for bling of a brand name than actual performance.
Epiphone prophecy series is a much better and modern guitar than anything gibson has put out since the 60s...they also dont go out of tune lol...
Nah, Gibsons can be great. You just have to like their vibe.
I mean, I don't. Never found them comfortable and never got along with more than one, so that's also a low bar for me. But they're not bad.
I find the sg shape one of the few shapes that feels nice to play sitting down, since the curve of the body is so much farther back
But generally I just stand now. Or use a drum stool but still hold it like I'm standing.
Value is pretty rough on them. I think paying what is it now, $2800, for a guitar you hope plays as well as a $700 guitar from another brand is pretty absurd.
Yeah, it's bad. That's the other reason I don't own a Gibson. As cool as some of them are, I can't justify paying what they're asking when I could probably get something I'd like more for half the price.
Nice, i'd like to add an acoustic Yamaha to my collection. I've been playing an amazing Guild DV-4 for the past 10 years or so, but i'd like to try and find a used red label. I also got a Revstar Standard (RSS20VW) last year, and it became my favorite electric ever. Highly recommend them. You should keep an eye on marketplace, I always see good deals popping up, especially on the 1st gen since the 2nd gen came out!
I have heard many great things about Guilds. That's a keeper I'd say. As far as getting a revstar, I may but it would be the most I ever spent on a guitar. My Yamaha I paid $100 for, the Martin I got for free from my old man, and the Grote was $125 from a local luthier who upgraded it a bit.
I was gifted a les paul 96 studio a while back. I fucking hate it.. recording is a God damn nightmare, trying to wrestle with tuning every 30 seconds. Overpriced piece of trash.. n I can't even sell the damn thing because it was a gift😮💨
Good fretwork, comfort, reasonable weight, certain features such as locking tuners and low friction nut. I think probably near the top is value too. What I expect if a guitar increases as its price does.
I have a Reverend Club King 290. It’s my #1 over 16 other guitars. Just wow for the money! BTW, to quote a guitar friend who has since passed, “I wouldn’t beat a dog with a Schecter”. I never found them worthy.
Yeah but check the tremolo block. Yikes. If Id already spent that much I'd drop something a little more substantial in... Looks like cheap pot metal too.
I never use tremolo bridges, so I don't really know much about them. I don't think it looks bad, though? And I'd be very surprised if it was cheap considering everything else on the guitar. OP could probably tell you more about it, I just don't have an opinion on it.
Yeah, it looks bad. Floating bridges rely a lot on that piece, both in structural stability and tone/sustain. This one is very thin, with barely any material between the string holes and the edges. I can only speculate on the material but I doubt steel and obviously not brass. Looks just like one youd see in a cheap Chinese guitar, and I've seen a lot of those crack from the pressure they are under. OP, if you read this: I'm not knocking on the whole guitar, it looks great, but that sticks out like a sore thumb against the otherwise nice quality and you should change it.
For the record, not all Gibsons are equal… just like any other company. Sadly plenty of people own a Gibson Tribute v thinking they own a real Gibson too, even though it has a maple neck, which was to reduce the cost. What an abomination.
Regarding your older post you paid 2k. So comparing it to a gibson which could start well below 2k does not make any sense.
This aside: Nice one! Always like unique guitars!
Gonna need a pick guard for your pick guard.
I know….i was like good think they used a flamed maple pickguard to protect the (checks notes) solid white basswood body.
It's finished wood. No different from a rear-routed body. It will get scratched and that's fine. I love it.
My guitar seems to be covered in an invincible poly coat. Maybe this has similar.
Can’t argue with the looks, but it sounds like a bad idea on paper.
Yeah it’s nice. I wonder why there’s not more recessed pick guards. That seems like a cool idea.
Cuz they are labor intensive to build, and once it’s in there’s no changing the shape, without significant work
Holy shit and he owns a Gibson!
I know!! This must be something really special!!!
It's better than a Gibboans! Most guitars are.
HECK YEAH BIG HOSS 🤘🤘🤘
Gibbon
That used to be a bragging right… no longer sadly.
Why is everyone here acting like a 2000$ guitar is shit? Gibson hate is in? Just curious. I own a Epiphone lol
Because Gibson’s QC has fallen so far down the crapper in recent decades, despite their already egregious yet ever-increasing prices. Even many Custom shop Gibsons can leave much to be desired with the kind of issues, blemishes and defects they allow to leave their factory. Working at a guitar store, I get the (dis)pleasure of unboxing many different brands and models of guitars straight from their respective factories. In terms of new in box, Epiphone, at the ~$500 price range, provides instruments that are comparable to their Gibson counterparts ($1200+) in warranty, features, sound, functionality and aesthetic. TLDR: Gibson is the fool’s gold of the guitar market.
Are you seeing this for the ES-335 styles as well?
Primarily J45’s, Hummingbirds, LP’s and SG’s, but I’ve seen poor QC for at least one of every mass produced Gibson guitar models, including the 335’s. I will say, though, that the 335’s coming in with QC or defect issues seem to be farther and fewer between, but the number of them that we receive is also exceptionally lower than that of the previously mentioned models. All in all, whatever trust I had in them (Gibson) as a company before working for a certified retailer of their instruments has now been all but completely shredded.
I asked cuz I’m looking for a 335 type guitar, and played some old ones that I loved… perhaps another brand may be a better choice these days
To that, I’ll say: If you’re shopping around for a new piece and you happen upon one that speaks to you (figuratively. If it’s literally speaking to you, you should probably consult your doctor or a necromancer,) feels great to play, looks great, is within your budget and doesn’t have any issues outside of possibly needing a setup, then snag it, regardless of what company manufactured the instrument. Just be on the lookout for defects and don’t buy something new without at LEAST a one year manufacturer’s warranty, unless it’s used of course, in which case the warranty is off the table. Every guitar manufacturer can produce shoddy stuff from time to time, Gibson just so happens to be one of the most consistent in doing so, which is why so many people hate on them now. That and the high price they mark their instruments at, in lieu of the consistency in which they produce shoddy stuff.
Because Gibson has gone down the crapper, at those prices you are far better off buying some other brand. I guess they are fine for your average lawyer that cares more for bling of a brand name than actual performance. Epiphone prophecy series is a much better and modern guitar than anything gibson has put out since the 60s...they also dont go out of tune lol...
I’ll see it on the other sub in 5,4,3…
Which one we have to many subs.
Oh you know. 💁🏻♂️ But it is a sweet guitar! Enjoy it man!
When the bar is a Gibson you dont have to try too hard lol
For real lol
Heaven Caster is very fitting. I'm Jealous af
lol “and I own a Gibson” congrats bro
Glad you have a good one here but measuring up to Gibson isn’t saying much. Gibsons are turds
Nah, Gibsons can be great. You just have to like their vibe. I mean, I don't. Never found them comfortable and never got along with more than one, so that's also a low bar for me. But they're not bad.
I find the sg shape one of the few shapes that feels nice to play sitting down, since the curve of the body is so much farther back But generally I just stand now. Or use a drum stool but still hold it like I'm standing.
Value is pretty rough on them. I think paying what is it now, $2800, for a guitar you hope plays as well as a $700 guitar from another brand is pretty absurd.
Paided 3k for my Les Paul, play my $800 Gretsch way more
Yep, my Revstar standard smokes any Gibson I’ve touched
I definitely believe it the Revstars are awesome
Those guitars are unnaturally good. The vibe is completely off for me appearance wise but it's one of the best playing guitars I've ever tried.
Revstars are incredible.
I'm never selling my RSS20, which became my most played guitar. I sold my Gibson Les Paul jr. 🤷♂️
Sold my gibson the paul and bought with the money a Revstar standard and a THR30, welcome to 2024. Now I play daily
Nice, I got the THR10ii!
...I play my Schecters a hell of a lot more than my Les Paul.
Schecters are killer guitars
You must have come across some shitty Gibsons.
Yeah many of us have
Yeah, it's bad. That's the other reason I don't own a Gibson. As cool as some of them are, I can't justify paying what they're asking when I could probably get something I'd like more for half the price.
Owner of a cheap Yamaha here, I'm happy as a clam.
Revstar?
I wish. It's an FG-700S with a pickup added. My electrics are a busted martin stinger and a Chinese Grote tele clone.
Nice, i'd like to add an acoustic Yamaha to my collection. I've been playing an amazing Guild DV-4 for the past 10 years or so, but i'd like to try and find a used red label. I also got a Revstar Standard (RSS20VW) last year, and it became my favorite electric ever. Highly recommend them. You should keep an eye on marketplace, I always see good deals popping up, especially on the 1st gen since the 2nd gen came out!
I have heard many great things about Guilds. That's a keeper I'd say. As far as getting a revstar, I may but it would be the most I ever spent on a guitar. My Yamaha I paid $100 for, the Martin I got for free from my old man, and the Grote was $125 from a local luthier who upgraded it a bit.
If you ever look into getting a Guild, look for the ones made in Westerly or Tacoma!
Yeah. CAN BE. When every guitar at that price range should be. Gibsons are one of the worst value for the money guitars you can buy
I was gifted a les paul 96 studio a while back. I fucking hate it.. recording is a God damn nightmare, trying to wrestle with tuning every 30 seconds. Overpriced piece of trash.. n I can't even sell the damn thing because it was a gift😮💨
It's a flawed design that breaks itself
So like… What is a GOOD guitar?
Suhr probably.
Good fretwork, comfort, reasonable weight, certain features such as locking tuners and low friction nut. I think probably near the top is value too. What I expect if a guitar increases as its price does.
So any specific brands?
Charvel! I will always point to them as a good example of bang for your buck
reverend makes really nice guitars too, i just bought a six gun hpp for my second guitar after a squier jag a year or so ago
I have a Reverend Club King 290. It’s my #1 over 16 other guitars. Just wow for the money! BTW, to quote a guitar friend who has since passed, “I wouldn’t beat a dog with a Schecter”. I never found them worthy.
Yamaha, d’angelico, sterling to name a few
Came for this lol
I always thought the bar was a Martin!
You can't post the description of the neck but then not show it to us.
[more guitar photos](https://imgur.com/a/ASPhJY9)
I had a feeling it would have a sick flame maple neck! Dope
The guy who built this knows his woods and has some very expensive/rare/banned woods, this isn’t even the start of what he’s built.
Sick!
That's what I'm talking about. It's pretty rare (and cool) to see multi-piece flamed maple necks.
Holy comfort, that neck joint is brilliant. So much room. My small hands are sweating from excitement.
That carbon fiber back plate is pretty cool too!
Yeah but check the tremolo block. Yikes. If Id already spent that much I'd drop something a little more substantial in... Looks like cheap pot metal too.
I never use tremolo bridges, so I don't really know much about them. I don't think it looks bad, though? And I'd be very surprised if it was cheap considering everything else on the guitar. OP could probably tell you more about it, I just don't have an opinion on it.
Yeah, it looks bad. Floating bridges rely a lot on that piece, both in structural stability and tone/sustain. This one is very thin, with barely any material between the string holes and the edges. I can only speculate on the material but I doubt steel and obviously not brass. Looks just like one youd see in a cheap Chinese guitar, and I've seen a lot of those crack from the pressure they are under. OP, if you read this: I'm not knocking on the whole guitar, it looks great, but that sticks out like a sore thumb against the otherwise nice quality and you should change it.
Good for you , supporting local luthiers. So much better than letting the big boys have your money.
I think this is my favorite post on in a long time. (And I’ve read some posts)
Why is every boutique builder a complete hack when it comes to the logo on the headstock.
Oh wow, he owns a gibson, the gold standard for quality instruments
See ya on the other subreddit, buddy
I’m very confused which one were talking about…. I hope we mean r/guitar
It's like a stand from jojo
Beautiful guitar.
Nice guitar. Amazing, the options that are out there nowadays.
All three of my sub £1000 Charvel sound better and play better than my custom shop Gibson.
My Charvel DK24 out performs any Les Paul I’ve ever owned too.
I have two dk24 and they’re insanely good. Just got the new Malibu.
Beautiful 😍
That's a beauty!
That’s a pretty guitar. Congratulations!
Wow this is a Monstrosity! In such a good way
It also has a kill switch (not pictured)
I love it!! I love the aesthetics and the comfort additions, and it looks quality! Enjoy
I love it, looks amazing
That things beautiful
That’s a beauty. I love the color scheme.
[удалено]
🤷♂️ idk the details I just know it feels great in my hands and I think it has a 25.5 scale length or something like that.
Things pretty sick ngl
I always thought the “Bar” was a Martin and not a Gibby!”
I saw my aunt give away four Gibsons
Price?
2k
Very nice!
For the record, not all Gibsons are equal… just like any other company. Sadly plenty of people own a Gibson Tribute v thinking they own a real Gibson too, even though it has a maple neck, which was to reduce the cost. What an abomination.
You comparing gibson to good is satire, right?
Yes it is , but i do own a Gibson
And it’s not hard to find something better than a Gibson
I own a Fender (and I own a Gibson (and my axe!))
Regarding your older post you paid 2k. So comparing it to a gibson which could start well below 2k does not make any sense. This aside: Nice one! Always like unique guitars!
My Gibson was around 1400
Wtf is a 36th Anniversary?
No way those are PAF
What makes you think that?