Gibson can still make some great guitars

[cardinal]

With all the Internet comments out there about Gibson's lack of quality control, I figured I'd post about a positive experience.

Just picked up what turned out to be a 2014 model Les Paul new-in-box. Tuned it up, and the fret work, set up, and action are right on. Just a great guitar.

 

[Anonymous]

That's good to hear. I had a LPC back in 03 and sold it about two years after which I still regret.

I don't think it was ever a question of whether they can or cannot make a good quality guitar rather I think it's an issue of their inconsistency due to both a lack of quality control and probably economic reasons.

But these are the same issues present in many products these days.

Even my fireworks this past July were shit. I remember as a kid in the 70's getting much better stuff.. Made of course in China back then too being fireworks.

Anyway.. Good to hear. It'll be interesting also to see the 2016 models with the news of the price going back down.

 

[1meanplexi]

That's good to hear. I had a LPC back in 03 and sold it about two years after which I still regret.

I don't think it was ever a question of whether they can or cannot make a good quality guitar rather I think it's an issue of their inconsistency due to both a lack of quality control and probably economic reasons.

But these are the same issues present in many products these days.

Even my fireworks this past July were shit. I remember as a kid in the 70's getting much better stuff.. Made of course in China back then too being fireworks.

Anyway.. Good to hear. It'll be interesting also to see the 2016 models with the news of the price going back down.

This^^^^^. I can raise my hand and say I was one of those guys that brought up quality issues with Gibson. I got so frustrated by it that I had/have all my LP's made for me. Glad to see that you got a good one. 2016 will be interesting on the prices.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

With all the Internet comments out there about Gibson's lack of quality control, I figured I'd post about a positive experience.

Just picked up what turned out to be a 2014 model Les Paul new-in-box. Tuned it up, and the fret work, set up, and action are right on. Just a great guitar.

I've got a handful that I dig. But by FAR my favorite is my '14 Traditional. That late 50's neck completely changed my playing and comfort for the better. They were still shy about cutting the nut properly and I asked to take a gander inside the control cavity since the store owner was trying to sell me on the Orange drop caps.

It looked like they turned a fucking 9 year old loose with a soldering iron. I'm not even kidding. It was an absolute MESS. I plugged in anyway and there were wires shorting out and buzzing like a bad cable. Wasn't the cable. Or the one we plugged in after that. And the tone / volume control was wired frigg'n backwards. I will absolutely NOT give Gibson even a little slack on their piss poor QC. It sucks. That's a fact. Especially for an MSRP of around $4,000. Fuck. That. Noise. How does that get by a QC employee with any amount of integrity or pride in their work?

Anyway... They took it to the back of the shop, fixed it up and offered me a discount. I Slapped some Bare Knuckle Black Dogs in it and I love it so much, it's ridiculous. She's a keeper, man.

It's the only LP I've seen that doesn't have even the slightest amount of weight reduction or chambering in the body at all. Just took it through an airport about a week ago and watched the scan technician's screen as it rolled through the X-ray. And I can personally attest that the '14 traditional is indeed one solid slab of pure awesome.

 

[cardinal]

^ yeah, I think the "Traditional" line is un-weight relieved. To make things confusing, the "Classic" line has what they call "traditional" weight relief. Clear as mud?

I would have bought a Traditional except that all of them are missing a string. They only made the Classic with the right number.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

^ yeah, I think the "Traditional" line is un-weight relieved. To make things confusing, the "Classic" line has what they call "traditional" weight relief. Clear as mud?

No kidding. Not to mention the Traditional Pro series of the same year muddying up the waters even further yet, being a traditional weight relieved traditional, not to be confused with the traditional.

They make a keeper now and again, but I'll make no excuses for Gibson's BS or apologize for not doing so. I really hope they nail it down for 2016. If they do, I'll be adding another to the wall, for certain.

I would have bought a Traditional except that all of them are missing a string. They only made the Classic with the right number.

That's awesome, man! I didn't even know that was a thing.

 

[lespaul6]

Beautiful guitar! I think they are all weight relieved except for the Historic line. the traditional is swiss cheesed. I think music zoo has a breakdown of the situation on its website.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

The '14 Traditional (Not the Traditional Proii) is definitely, absolutely solid. Even the routing for the wiring is just wide enough to do the job - and not much more than that. I was definitely surprised.

 

[lespaul6]

^^ cool, I see where they switched it up for 2014 on that model. Is it heavy? I seem to like them at about 8.5lbs.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

^^ cool, I see where they switched it up for 2014 on that model. Is it heavy? I seem to like them at about 8.5lbs.

Mine's a frigg'n brick. Pulling it off of the wall, the heft can take you by surprise. Gotta be at least 8.5. But it sounds great

But I picked one up at another shop. Same model and year - I was stunned. It was almost as light as my chambered '06 and '13 LPs. That one was technically sold and they were waiting on the guy to pick it up, or I definitely would've plugged in. Really wanted to hear that sucker.

 

[sg guy]

- I actually love the chambered bodies,... I think they sound great!! awesome sustain,..

 

[thiswaythatway]

The Traditionals had the weight relief, Swiss Cheese Holes, for years but I think it was 2013 maybe that they changed it to a solid body. I could be wrong though.

 

[kalt]

It was the 2013 model year that Les Paul Traditional started to be non weight relieved.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

- I actually love the chambered bodies,... I think they sound great!! awesome sustain,..

They do have a certain chime to them, don't they.

 

[rottingcorpse]

20 identical les Paul customs come down the assembly line. 5 of them suck, 10 are ok but not amazing, and 5 will be good ones. 1 of them will outshine all the rest. That's the way it used to be. It's probably more like 50 with the numbers being 15/30/5 now.

But at the price for new now, and the used market being what it is, it is way better to try all the used ones local to you for a while before you resort to new...unless you have the long money to custom order stuff and take your chances. I just got a 59 clone built by a friend, and I wouldn't go any other way now.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

They need to bring back the Goth model. Been jonesing for one of those. They turn up here and there, but all beat to absolute shit.

 

[Michi]

Resurrecting this thread a bit... but, I went to 2 bigger guitar/music shops here in Finland last Friday to try out some Gibsons, Les Pauls mainly.

In the first store they had two 2016 Standards (? is called that these days ?), two 2015 Studios (one Faded and one regular finish one). After playing all of them, I found the Faded Studio to sound & feel the best, much to my surprise. The quality of the guitars, in my very humble opinion, was on excellent. All of them were "good enough" didn't find any flaws etc. with a quick look. The 2016 models just didn't feel like $2500+ guitars to me when compared to the $1000 Studios. Or even the Epiphone Plus Top Pros I tried. This left me somewhat confused.

Went to the other store, there I found a 58VOS... that one, despite the CHUNKY neck and missing pickup switch tip (the fuck LOL ) was TITS! Acoustically, you could tell it's a great guitar... it felt and sounded very good. Plugged in.. .SCHWEET JEBUS it sounded good. Price tag: $4290ish. Again, a couple of 2016 Standard models, very meh for the price especially when compared to the Studios they had there as well.

The best guitars I tried on Friday, besides the 58VOS, were all sub $1000 "overseas" models: a Jackson Adrian Smith SDX RW, a Mexican Charvel So Cal and a Sterling by Music Man JP. There was nothing wrong with them, at least acoustically played. They felt very well made, not as "plasticy" as I expected for example.

All this lead me to think I'll have to either try to find a used Gibson Standard/Classic/Traditional or go the ESP Eclipse route. Or Tokai/FGN even. Those new G's aren't for me, well, may be the Studios. But do I really want a Studio

 

[cardinal]

Gibson's will never be a "bang for your buck" against their copies. They charge a premium. But as far as nice guitars go, I think they do make some nice ones.

 

[jkdsteve]

I bought three LPs over the last two years, all were flawless from a playability standpoint ..even the used one...still had the nut bind on the G string though.

 

[The Hoff]

I haven't played a 2014 I haven't enjoyed. Seemed like a great year for them.