Gibson "good wood" era [1990 to early 2000's] fact of fiction ?

shar-vell Dan

shar-vell Dan

Well-known member
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I've seen some shitty looking builds from that era (bridges off center; terrible looking rosewood, etc).

The key benefit IMHO for guitars from that era is the Gibson at the time seems to have used Jescar 55090 frets. Gibson now uses super low frets that (for me) are nearly impossible to play (I just slip off when trying to bend or heavy vibrato). The 55090 frets are much taller and more comfortable to me.
 
cardinal said:
I've seen some shitty looking builds from that era (bridges off center; terrible looking rosewood, etc).

The key benefit IMHO for guitars from that era is the Gibson at the time seems to have used Jescar 55090 frets. Gibson now uses super low frets that (for me) are nearly impossible to play (I just slip off when trying to bend or heavy vibrato). The 55090 frets are much taller and more comfortable to me.
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Amen, I hate the frets they’re using now. Used to be able to buy a LP and not have to do anything. Now you need a fret job right away if you want to be able to really grab those bends.
 
My 93 SG Standard I bought new then is still the best sounding guitar I’ve found for me . Though I play 8 string . But I’ll admit that guitar is so good
 
The LP I have has an absolutely wonderful sound and is from the early 00s, I think 04.

What a wonderful thing. Has nice tight flame with a lot of vertical striations that make it have an almost checkerboard feel.

A beat up studio plus that my shop owner friend refinished in a super thin VOS nitro.....

Thicker, rounded neck, like I like em.

I have played many a Gibson I dislike but when you find one you do, it's hard to beat!

Picked it up for a steal due to a neck repair that same friend had performed before I got it.

Funnily enough, it broke like a perfect scarf joint, so it's better than ever!
 
cardinal said:
I've seen some shitty looking builds from that era (bridges off center; terrible looking rosewood, etc).

The key benefit IMHO for guitars from that era is the Gibson at the time seems to have used Jescar 55090 frets. Gibson now uses super low frets that (for me) are nearly impossible to play (I just slip off when trying to bend or heavy vibrato). The 55090 frets are much taller and more comfortable to me.
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100%. I refret every newer Gibson for this reason. Those tiny bastards are unplayable
 
I always loved all those Memphis built faded and satins. Great gigging guitars at affordable prices. Wish those V's were still $350-400!!!
 
Worked at a major music store from 97-02. Early 1998, open A Gibson LP box, open case, and the maple top was 3/4” shifted off the mahogany underneath. How did that pass QC? No damage during freight. Unless it was Historic, QC was dismal
 
I have an 02 standard that’s the best sounding guitar I own. There’s something special about that year as I’ve seen other forum posts about it. Maybe tighter tolerances/QC and better templates. Or it’s all in our heads! I’m sure there’s good/bad every year.
 
I have a 91 Standard, and it has a truly beautiful top, back and fingerboard. Not at all heavy and very resonant. It was a Yamano pick.
 
Wood was better back in the 90s. What is considered a 10 top these days is lame.

But more than anything, the paint during that era at Gibson was excellent. I think I read Tom Murphy was painting most of the good stuff back then from 89-95 or so. But really it was the colors. Honey Burst and Tobacco burst were done right. Some double stains on the higher end Les Pauls.
 
Visually, I see a lot of nice looking examples from that time period for sure.

Not counting the monster flame tops; when I'm browsing used guitars, I consistently see a lot of nice looking tops & backs from that era.
 
I have been lucky with Gibson I guess, have bought several sight unseen and they are great. I only had one dud and that was the turd produced in 2015..the great debacle.

My core group all have a very lively feel, they almost jump out of your hands when you play them due to great resonance. These are from 2011, 2012 and 2013.
 
I have a lowly beat to shit 100% original '91 studio. Cloudy wine finish, collapsed bridge, worn out frets but the thing still keeps on ticking at 10.4#. Good wood? Who in the Sam fuck knows but the ebony fret board is the icing on my personal shit cake.
 
VonBonfire said:
I always loved all those Memphis built faded and satins. Great gigging guitars at affordable prices. Wish those V's were still $350-400!!!
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Back in Nov of 08 I believe, I walked into a guitar center on a sunday morning minutes after they opened.. They had a faded flying V sitting on a stand on the counter, with a $300 tag on it.. brought in the night before right before closing, I snatched it up and had the few employees in the building following me and asking where I found it, and I remember them waiting to see if I was going to set it down.. I didnt and it needed a lot of cleaning when I got home, but its probably one of the best "deals" I have found... still have it to this day.
 
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