Personally, for me, if I were to get one, KNOWING it's not a real Gibson, then I am taking the name off. But here in the U.S, most of the Chibsons coming that I heard about, they are in pretty bad shape. Now, if you want to get it for a modding project, I don't see why not. But like I said, I am taking the name off of it.
I recently disposed of a Chibson I purchased almost a decade ago. (It having major problems combined with being a fake made me choose to dispose of it so it would not be re-circulated). Anyways before it went in the trash bin, I tried to break the headstock. I dropped it multiple times, threw it across the garage, I put it on a concrete floor and stood on the neck like a skateboard bouncing my weight. It just would not break, absolutely wild.
I really can’t get over the quality of content on your channel. The knowledge sharing is ace, the workmanship is ace, the humor is ace, the production and editing are ace. I can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers. Where is everyone?!?
I have a genuine cherry red Gibson SG and you can clearly see a centre join in the body. Even the grain in the wood looks different, so the two sides don't appear to be matched from the same piece of wood. It also shows a colour mismatch between the two sides caused by the mismatch in the grain. So Gibson have nothing to brag about re finish quality.
@@mit1346 I bought it online. The problem is you don't get to see it until it's delivered. I didn't return it because I still like it. It plays very nicely. I reckon next time I'm in the market for a new guitar I'll go shopping at music stores. Hey we live and learn.
Loved the video. I got a chibson lp a few years back from a local guy for stupid cheap, he even threw in a really nice hard case. I was curious to see how bad it could be and also I wanted it to practice some mods on. Changed the pickups for a set of tone riders, changed the tuners as they were a bit crap and changed the toggle for a switchcraft. Played ok, and gave it to my luthier as a few dead spots on the frets and the nut was rubbish. Bloody thing plays amazing now, best neck of any guitar I’ve got including high end Gibson’s. Everything you said in the video is right. Bones of many of these knock offs are actually pretty good, but you gotta spend some money to get it there… was it worth it.. hell no, but I enjoyed the journey and it did come in a very nice case 😅
@@stevejenner6838 very inspiring story mate🔥, you and video uploader are absolutely right "Bones of many of these knock offs are actually pretty good" - just change the pieces of hardware coupled with a great pro setup will transform your Chibson into something even better than the super expensive "original" if only the Chibson owner knows how to UPGRADE with the perfect specs - like tuners, pick-up, switch and especially the plastic nut to (bone nut). I wouldn't trade my $280 Chibson to any guitar below $2,000 w/o set-up. That's how good it is after the set-up.👌
@@2good2betrue3 cheers for your comment. I think you also need to have a bit of luck on your side too. There are chibsons and there are other chibsons, as they are all made in different factories to varying quality control. I could tell right away the cheapy I picked up was from one of the better builders as apart from crappy hardware and indifferent fret job, it was a decent LP, so worth putting some money into
Who says you need to pay someone to do a fret job? Or any work on your guitar? No one. No man or woman should be afraid to work on their guitars, and there’s no better way to learn than on a 200$ guitar. Everything you need to know you can find on RUclips. And once you’ve done it well you got that skill forever. No guts no glory. Live by it
You're very pragmatic, mate. No buzzwords to confuse the average person, telling things like they actually are. I needed you when I started playing in 2003.
Holy fuckin shit I love your video. Finally someone that doesn't bore me to death with the details of ohms and shit. Straight and to the point. Immediately subscribed a minute in and I am off to binge watch everything else.
I was having my morning Coffee. It immediately exited my Nose when I heard the line..."The fretboard is drier than Gandhi' Flip Flop". You earned a Subscriber. :)
Good informative channel especially on fret levelling filing👍good humour made me laugh your comments😂 interesting info on this piece guitar wooden top cheers🎉❤🇬🇧
First time viewer here. You do a great job. I too restore , repair, buy , sell, and trade guitars. I have a small studio. I write songs, play, record them , and make CD’s and give them away. I’m an old codger and have had some high end guitars during my life. Some took me years to pay for. But, once I learned how to work on them , I do what you just did. Since I’m getting on in years and do not perform in public anymore. I have sold most of my name brand vintage guitars, and have bought cheap replacements for them. Since, when recording people do not know if you’re playing an expensive or a fixer upper. If you record it properly , use eq, and have the right attitude know one can tell a 57 Name brand Tele style guitar from a fixer upper. I sold 12 last year and took the money that was left from buying the replacements and bought stock. I however have never bought a guitar that has a fake logo. The ones I upgrade all have the actual brand on them . I feel out of all the guitar manufacturers or regardless of nation of origin , in this time in history, Indonesia are the best craftsman. The ones made there are much more superior than China or Korea. There is one brand in particular which I have the most of . I have to do very little work to them and actually have them to be better than the instruments they copied. I will not advertise for them , but they are sold through a distributor in Germany. Keep up the great work. If anyone is interested, my music is on RUclips @LarryBuckBarker Original Songs. I hope all have a happy and healthy day. Cheers!!
I'd gladly pay 250$ for a Gibson copy instead of giving another dime to this company. There are loads of manufacturers making better instruments at a better price.
Both Fender and Gibson have gotten too greedy and one can't rely they care about customers anymore. Besides, the innovation along with right price is to be found elsewhere.
I completely agree, just get one without branding on the headstock. Save yourself the hassle of being told your Gibson is fake, because it's not a Gibson and doesn't need to be. It's a perfectly working good looking alternative that's a fraction of the cost, it doesn't look $1000+ cheaper but it is.
You should build your own guitar, it’s not that hard. I bought authentic materials (one piece Honduras Mahogany body blank and neck, aniline dyes, nitrocellulose lacquer etc., components worth about a grand and build one from scratch. Most I did, I did with hand tools. ( Topcarve with French scraper for instance) I got the plans online, the mandatory tools from stew Mac and build my own templates. It’s based on a ES 336 but a bit smaller body size and thinner, since it’s a solid body instead of a hollow body ES-336 and it weight slightly less than my CS ‘59 Les Paul, around 3,4kg. It looks cool, sounds unbelievable and strays in tune perfectly. It was my first electric and I already have all components for an authentic ‘59 replica. 😂
@@PaddyMc5th I've got one too. It was well made and played sort of OK. I set it up, put in Seymour PAFs and it sounds just like the old "real" ones used to. I tried to get my name on the headstock but they had already built it and it would have been a custom order. I don't give a rat's arse that it isn't genuine - I'm not selling it. $400 AUD with case delivered to your door can't be beat for value.
Just discovered your site...love it! Honest with a sense of humour. I retired about 10 years ago from teaching cabinetmaking and took up guitar. Looking at your shop makes me want another one!! ..nice workspace . Keep up the good work and thanks. (Ps..I had a similar horror story with a Harley Benton strat about 5 years ago...I got it playing fine but by then it was close to the cost of a Fender Player, plus all the hours put in.)
I bought a Chibson during Covid lockdown. Put some nice Dimarzio pickups in it and had a local tech run it through a touch up, much like this video, and restring. Three years later it's a great guitar and even stays in tune longer than my authentic Gibson Les Paul.
The 9 pounder I just got for just under $200US actually has a maple top, luck of the draw! Full fret level right away then replaced every single thing but the pickguard and the strap buttons. Myself though. All by myself! I love it!
I’m an engineer and all around tinkerer. Taught myself how to do fret work and already had soldering and electronic skills. I like taking less expensive guitars (not fraudulent copies with illegitimate brand names) and making then play well, as long as the “bones” are good a good playing instrument can be had for much less $$.
i think the best thing is no fret lips , no fret lips is a upgrade to me, but now some chibson getting better, got the lips and omatic bridge, to be honest your chibson finish looks great to me, not every chibson build from same factory , there some good and some bad , lot of chibson the finish doesn't looks right ,but this one i think is ok, in my opinion most people buy chibson mainly for the body or basic construction ,people like to modify it for your own taste, because not a real deal,is ok if you messed up ,and if you got a bad one, not a bad way to learn to fix guitar too, and have some fun on the process .
I have one that started its life as a Freestyle LP copy. The inlaid fret markers are not consistent with genuine LPs - although the dimensions are - and the original owner did not try too hard to make it look like a LP: the brand and 'LP Model' logos on the headstock are decals and no attempt was made to add a fake serial number. However, after a quick, basic setup, it plays very well.
Bought a P90 Gibbie SG. Plekked, etc, but the neck pickup hadn't been screwed in so the strings lay on it. How could that have been tested? Bought a Chibbie Byrdland - a model no longer made by Gibson, so I could justify it that way. Just needed a fret polish and a neck oil. Plays and sounds beautiful. Chibbie was 1/6th of the cost of the Gibson. Which would I buy again? Let me think...
I have a Chibson Lemon Burst 1959, the beauty was shockingly good for $280. Everything is great, the only thing I don't like is sharp frets, so I took it to a Pro Luthier for full set-up, and I was really surprised that even the luthier at first glance thought it was a real Gibson and only when he inspects it, he realized it's a copy.😮Now it plays like a dream with ball end frets, low action, bone nut, the stock pickups sound great so I did not replace it. All the labor just costs $150, so overall it's worth $400 with the change to bone nut as the only upgrade, and it NEVER stays out of tune.👌 All my friends admire it and thinks it's a $5,000+ Gibson so that really put a smile on my face.🤭 Because I was NOT scammed in buying the overpriced, very expensive "original" that doesn't stay in tune especially the G-string😆 and at the same time I get the same admiration because it has the "iconic logo" without me busting the bank.🤘hahaha.😈😁 I just laugh at elitist gear snubs who are guarding their imaginary "elitist gear club", they take pride of their very expensive, bank busting $5,000 to $20,000 Gibson that doesn't stay in tune.😂Chibsons are the equalizer (with Professional Full-setup) Thanks for this video, I got to express how satisfied and happy I am with my Chibson.😅💯
@@2good2betrue3 fuckin A, I feel the same way about mine, it’s a 59 with a awesome tiger striped body, can’t remember what the finish is called, it’s a very nice axe, its beautiful and hanging on my wall so I can see her everyday, 🤣🎸🤘
@@jmangi6221 Haha, nice to hear that mate, We both have the best "Les Paul" according to "experts"- the legendary 59.🤭 probably it's the same Lemon Burst with Tiger striped👌Enjoy your guitar and be proud of it - we have the $20,000 Murphy Lab equalizer hahaha.😂 I'm gonna buy another one soon. Cheers!
@@jmangi6221 Great!😀 you choose the seller with "store" on the name followed by lots of numbers. The one with lots of positive review at AExp__ (my comments don't show up whenever I type it in full.) 👍
I fully plan to buy several of them. But no gibson on the headstock. Love your sense of humor and honesty. Very happily subscribed. You conffirmed to me what was essentially common sense, though i was seeing it under represented: Its not as if the necks are coming out of the body at some exteeme angle, and corkscrewing. Every corner, particularly the HUMAN HANDS ON fit/finish is gonna take a ding. BIG DEAL, fron my standpoint. I would do EXACTLY as you did, drop in a graphtech tusqxl or earvanna nut, select from my personal surplus of extra humbuckers ranging from burstbuckers to invaders, rewire it, put in some quality pots, then have a guitar costing a quarter of a real gibson that plays better. Loved the vid, man.
I used to sell Gibson guitars. I was very embarrassed by the junk we got from the US. I remember when my boss yelled at a hesitant buyer: "Can't you see this is a genuine American guitar? Now buy it!". But it had a crappy fret job, the nibs were crap, and we even got brand new guitars with cracks in the heel-neck joint. When our first shipment of Chinese Epiphones arrived in the late 1990's, all necks were bent/warped/twisted. We sold them at cost to unsuspecting buyers...or fools...as my boss used to call them. Gibson are pricks and boast about their poorly-made guitars. "Play Gibson. Play genuine crap". Gibson evidently stole headstock and body design of the Les Paul from O.W. Appleton. Appleton approached Gibson a decade before the Les Paul came out with his prototype that looked exactly (more or less) like today's Les Paul. Therefore, even if I wouldn't stand on-stage with a fake myself, in my view, anyone should be able to make copies but NOT put the Gibson (Shit-son) name on it.
At that point, why even care if they DO put the Gibson name on it? I mean, if the design is practically stolen to begin with... the Chibsons are copies of copies!? Maybe it does the guitar a disservice to write "Gibson" on the headstock.
@@465marko Sadly, Mr. Appleton is long dead and any challenge to Gibson in court would have probably failed as the Gibson Les Paul is sufficiently different to Appleton's design for Gibson to get away with the theft of the idea. However, I still don't think that people should misrepresent a product by putting the Gibson name on a fake guitar. But the body and headstock shape are all up for grabs as they existed long before Gibson even existed but it is not their design. It's like Musicman who they threatened to sue the company that I worked for years ago for releasing a guitar with a headstock design that had 4 and 2 machine heads. The fact that the 4 - 2 design was already around decades before Musicman made it popular didn't bother Musicman. They sent their cease and desist letter and my management crumbled.
@@Anonymous-si6py The Musicman thing is craziness to me. As an outside perspective anyway - I don't know how this stuff all works. But like, not only because the design was already around. But because something like a 4-2 headstock seems like such a broad thing to have a monopoly on - if you know what I'm trying to say? I can (almost) understand if it was exactly the same shape, exactly the same everything. Or if it was some novel invention. But then, people were doing it decades before Musicman anyway. It's nuts. For the fake guitars, I think anyone who would try to make money by passing them off as the real thing, is a POS. That's fraudulent. But selling it cheap when everyone knows it's fake - I don't really have a problem with that, tbh. I guess maybe it messes up the used market a little. Because the more fakes there are, the more people ARE going to try and sell them as real Gibsons. But also, the more buyers become cautious, having to scrutinize everything (so it'll be harder to defraud people, but it's a pain in the ass as a buyer knowing there are fakes out there). But besides that, I don't think I fully understand the hate. Unless you're Gibson lol.
I bought a Squier sonic by fender... the neck is astubby wood without even matching the image on the fender site. They replied to me that it is not specified whether the truss rod is recessed or not therefore you keep it because it is not a defect. The three-way switch a piece of crap, while guitars made in China thomann or fazley are practically prefect for 169 euro...
My Chibson is a beast. Replaced everything that can can be replaced. Level, fallaway, Crown and polish. 21 tone JP setup. My real on now sits in the case permanently
OK then. First video iv ever seen of yours. Fuckin loved it. I don't have a want to build guitars but you can bet English ass imma be watching some more. Underrated
Cool video !!!....just goes to show that if the bridge is in the right place and the neck isn't warped, then any guitar can be made to play better with a proper detailed set-up... Cheers !
That packaging is better than what some guitar shops send out expensive guitars in. My Schecter KM7 (£1200) came in a box that shape but next to no packaging inside... The thing was free to bounce around and luckily had nothing broken on arrival....
Just got my bull’s-eye Zakk Wylde not everybody has 10 grand to go spend on a gutiar mine is absolutely amazing it even came with active pick ups. I had to sell my EVH Frankie a couple of months ago and bought this to have something to play for the time being well, I’m keeping it I’m not changing the thing. It sounds great plays great feels great. Measurements are right on, etc. all for under $300 and it got to me in seven days from overseas and now I’m buying the Frankie relic for 240 to hell with fender and Gibson….. for the price you can’t beat this so complain all you want for those of you who have the real Les Paul are a real fender. Go ahead and call the company up when you have a problem and see how much they help you for . for me I’m more than happy with my purchase and making a RUclips video showing it. God bless.
I look forward to seeing your video on the Chibson you bought and like. I've thought about buying an Ace Frehley Les Paul Chibson, but afraid I'll get one that won't stay in tune. I can't justify spending thousands on a real one. There's really no money in music anymore.
I’ve never bought one one of these copies but after seeing one on scar my guitar and then on this channel,so I think imma buy one just to see what they are selling
Wylde Audio is not Chibson, a Chibson is a counterfeit trying to pass off as a Gibson. Some of Zakk's designs are quite crazy and none of them try to be what they aren't. Rock that Wylde for what it is
I bought a Chibson Greeny a few months ago and was duly surprised by the quality. The only thing it needed doing to it out of the box was a bit of fret polishing on the 3rd and 5th fret. I bought it as a project guitar and my first time doing handywork on guitars. It was slightly reliced, but still needed a lot more doing to it so I’ve been slowly sanding it and working on it. Ive changed the magnet of the pickup and will eventually replace the hardware as well. Good guitars for a bit of fun and games.
Another drawback to consider: The alloy used in the frets of these guitars is super soft. Even after a good level/crown/polish, you will quickly see divits form from playing.
They’re soft, because they have LEAD in them. Lead is poisonous. Watch Max’s video on it from last year. I was going to buy one for my son, but I don’t want my son purposefully poisoned by China.
Great video! Learning how to do my own level/crown/polish has saved me serious amounts of money, and the tools to make it happen cost about the same as one good setup. There aren't many guitars that are unredeemable - I think I've had one that I gave up on out of about 20 setups. The one disappointing thing I've seen is that no one is able to do a good fret dress. The two best ones I've had from the factory are Harley Benton and Yamaha. Had issues with Charvel, PRS, Mooer, Fender.
I paid 500 euro for a top end Chibson has full flame maple top, nitro finish, one piece body and neck, bone nut and fret end nibs. I jut gave it a light fret level and crown. I did change out the electronics but the original stuff was actually good enough so didnt really need to be done. After 6 years couple of very fine cracks in the binding just how a Gibson woud do after time. Neck is perfect no twists and buzzy frets. All the haters were wrong.
I bought a X-plorer. I've replaced all electronics and hardware. The nut is plastic and maybe someday I'll replace that. The frets needed polishing. The figured top is veneer, not panel, and the fingerboard is synthetic (which I happen to prefer). It wasn't shielded. It doesn't have "Gibson" on the headstock (I wouldn't have bought it if it did). I've lightened the body by routing and cutting part off (which I never would have done to a real Explorer)(I also wouldn't have screwed the strap into the back of it either, which I did to reposition where the guitar hanged on my body). I'm very happy with the end product, and it cost me about 1/3 what a new Explorer would. Also, because it wasn't a real Gibson, I could modify it however I wished, and I did. The finish is perfect. The construction is perfect. It played perfectly right out of the box. The parts weren't even close to perfect; that is their weakness. But for $250, plus about $500 put into it? Wow.
I keep telling people that any guitar can be good, just as long as the foundation is decent to start with. Would be interesting to put the chibson and epiphone sude by side to compare the quality.
I allways say that they can better look for an 80ies Aria Pro, Westone or everything build by Matsumoku. The westones and aria's can be found for a friendly price and build to last.
I’ve bought various Chibsons, a Chender Jazz-Mastur, and a Chofner Paul McFartney bass… lot of business I have with Union Jacks since I’m from Texas, lmao..but the Union Jack looks cool AF lmao. I seem to have extraordinarily better luck than some, as I’m pleased with them all. Bought them over the past 10, 12 years. They generally need wax-potting (if humbuckers), and a general setup by my man at the single music shop we have in this remote small town, and after a little coddling, they’re perfectly fine. One Chibson advantage is you can order them in colors which don’t occur in “Gibson nature”. Some kids that came knocking cos they heard me making noises, this one fetal-stage little girl saw my neon-pink “Res Paul Custom” and literally gasped in awe. She was all, “Like, oh my gawiid, that is SO COOL”, lol. When I took my Chofner bass up there to be sorted, someone was all, “Wow, you have that; that’s a limited edition, you lucky dog”. Then when I told him it was a Chinese fake, he didn’t believe me. I was allowing him to plug it up and noodle, and he thought I was lying. That Chofner is a very good copy. I just buy one occasionally because they’re stunningly inexpensive, not because I’m a monster. Tbh, I don’t give the issue of “counterfeit” much thought. That’s a “rock & roll” attitude, I think. Rockers are supposed to be rebellious, and all that. lol. I wish good luck to anyone seeing this who may order one. Look at the store ratings; I suggest paging past any stores within DH Gate which don’t rate at least 95%. That may be one of the factors involved in the good luck I’ve been having. Cheers, and no offense to the Chibson haters; you do have a point I suppose.
I have a chibson 'R9' in plain Top Honeyburst (I specificly asked for that), payed $300 in 2020. Fret nibs, period correct headstock, and also all measurements are true to the historic 59, I checked that multiple times. I changed pups, electronics, strings, tuners, bridge and knobs. And it needed a good setup and fret leveling and all the fretwork. I have a friend whith a real Gibson R9 and we both played the two guitars intens. We both find mine the better one. Mine is $700 now. (I did all the work myself) So how on earth can a Gibson be like $8000?? So all the people who cry about the 'not real', you're ok with the Gibson scam because of a 'real' decal ?? Every time I pick up that guitar, I smile. It's a great time to be a guitarplayer.
My argument would be for 700 you could get a better guitar, it wouldn't say gibson but you aren't fooling anyone who would be impressed with a gibson anyway. I can pick up a studio or an epiphone standard for 550 and 250 respectively and they will both play great.
I have a couple Chender Strats. The bodies and necks are pretty darn good on both. Electronics and pups were trash but dropped Fender loaded pickguards in both and off I went.
Yeah as someone who likes to build a couple partcasters a year I've had really good luck just sourcing bodies and necks off eBay from China. I haven't been disappointed yet.
Further conformation that while I would not give up my '86 Les Paul Studio for anything, I would gladly shell out $300 for a Chibson, and then bring it up to speed, rather than dumping $5-10K on a new Gibson factory model (that is chambered, prone to poor wiring (among other things), and bad finishes). To be fair, I feel pretty much the same way about Fenders today - I'll buy a Squire Tele and spend a little sweat on it, rather than thousands for an "official" one that doesn't sound or play as well.
Yeah I've owned a few Strats over the years ranging from £300 to £3000. I can't see a reason to buy anything more expensive than a Mexico guitar. Literally the same as a USA in the hands.
Great video, this guy tells it how it is. I bought a Chibson Firebird expecting to have to spend time and money and I'm really happy with it. Steinberger banjo tuners, graphtech nut, D'Urbano pickups, Gotoh bridge and a really good wiring harness, CTS pots and Switchcraft jack and toggle. Hours of fretwork and setup but really enjoyed it. It's probably cost £700 plus my time and for that, it's a great guitar which I gig regularly. It's fooling nobody and I'd probably get peanuts if I sold it but that was never the point.
Nice vid, Paul. I ordered a gold top 'Les Paul style' guitar from DHGate, naively (perhaps semi- consciously 🤫) that is wasn't a knock-off. There were no pics of the full headstock (a clue!) and I just thought, if at the very least it's a couple of nice looking bits of wood glued together, I can sort the frets, set it up, change the wiring and pickups at a later date for a couple of hundred quid and have a decent looking, playing and sounding guitar. The good old boys at Coventry Airport customs had other ideas, seizing it and ultimately destroying it. I got the money back from my credit card company as the listing did not say or say anything Gibson related. I was pissed off at the time, but actually glad it happened. There are a bunch of shop own brand guitars for a similar initial price (c. £200-250) and I can still do all the stuff I wanted, resulting in a nice guitar and a clear conscience.
I have a lot of Chibson guitars and everyone of them are really great instruments especially for what little money I paid for them I actually love my Chibson guitars and I gig and record with them DAILY. Nothing wrong with saving a few bucks.
It’s ok for us to buy everything else Chinese except guitars? Walmart is full of Chinese shit.. I personally enjoy buying them and fixing them up. They play great. You bought this guitar the same reason as the rest us. To fix it up save some cash and have a nice jammer. Most people hating on chibsons just don’t have a clue. Which is normal. Most people don’t know shit.
@billallengo Yes, Walmart is full of Chinese shit, but it's not counterfeit. They don't sell fake Gucci bags and fake designer jeans. Chibsons are counterfeit. If you wanna buy an inexpensive guitar and fix it up, you could get a Firefly, a Harley Benton, a Cort, an AIO Wolf, or any number of guitars that are better (and often less expensive) than the counterfeit Gibson's out of china. You can learn just as much about modding guitars on any of those brands, and it's not a counterfeit. So, as an example, you can learn the same amount about watch repair on a Timex as you can on a fake rolex - but one is authentic and the other is a fake.
@@bobmanners8624 Sone of the fakes are much better than some of the “authentic’s”. This is my point. Some people just can’t accept that. Im ok with that…They don’t sell chibsons under some disguise. It’s known to the buyers. Get over it.
@billallengo Bill, I'm over, under, around, and thru it. I don't care if people wear fake Rollex watches or want a guitar labeled Gibson when it isn't. But to justify a counterfeit just because it makes a good project is a bit of a stretch. Any of the brands I mentioned before would make just as good a project - but it wouldn't say Gibson, which I think is the prime motivation for people to buy them.
When I l moved New Zealand I needed a cheap guitar to tide me over so I ordered one of these. I ordered no Logo and P-90's. At the time it cost me $250 US. Unfortunately came with Humbuckers and a Gibson logo. Have to say it was a very nice quality guitar. Pickups were from Epiphone Frets were respectable as far as level and no fret sprout. Biggest surprise was the body was a single piece mahogany and the cap was a solid piece of maple. I scratched some paint off in the pickup rout to confirm. It's a gold top so cant say anything for the grain. There is a small blush in the gold paint but who cares it's small. I can't say it is the guitar I pick up the most but not a fan of Les Pauls and same goes for humbuckers plus I don't like the weight. Mine weighs 9lbs 2oz. but it's a solid player I have stamped X's over the made in USA and number on the back and would love to get rid of it but am afraid to sell to some unscrupulous person who might try to rip some one off. So there she sits.
Here's my two cents. If you can't afford a Gibson, don't buy something with a Gibson logo, buy something with its own logo instead. It's what I see as the ethical thing to do. If there's a local luthier you like that makes a guitar you like at an affordable price, give THEM your money instead of those that do forgeries, the honest ones could do with the business
Skipping the Chibson thing for a moment, you should never buy a LP style guitar without playing it. They are all so radically different. I played 250 getting the 2 Gibsons I have. I searched for the ones I loved and guess what, I am keeeping them forever~!
I bought a Squier sonic by fender... the neck is astubby wood without even matching the image on the fender site. They replied to me that it is not specified whether the truss rod is recessed or not therefore you keep it because it is not a defect. The three-way switch a piece of crap, while guitars made in China thomann or fazley are practically prefect for 169 euro...
Just got myself a chibson. I didn't know it was a chibson when I got it, but not that I really care. According to the guy i got it from, this here is pretty old, and I'm the 4th (and last) owner already. Based on my needs as a musician, it does great! I'm not even ashamed to say it's a chibson. Seems to me they seem to be better than expected of fakes. Note: I did not buy it from a retailer. I bought it from some dude who wanted to sell his old guitar on facebook. Anyway, awesome video! Might have mine checked for a set up soon. Thanks!
I don't care if it's as good as the finest PRS Private Collection guitar built by the best craftsmen at PRS. You just do NOT buy Chinese knockoff copies, EVER.
I would buy counterfeit Gibson anytime. It is the same company or partners that makes Epiphones. It's much cheaper and with a bit of setup, it works great.
Nice video. I bought a Chickenbacker from China and it's much better than what I hoped for. There is only one fret that rocks a drop and I was surprised at how good the mini humbuckers are. Only think I would change out is the pots because I think the volume pots are linear? Is that the right term? You turn them a bit before anything happens. Other than that is pretty nice.
My main problem with these counterfeits is that they put the brand logo on there. If they simply labeled it with some other brand or even "Chibson" literally, I think more people would be fine with it. For what it's worth, I agree with you about steering people clear of counterfeits. There are great (non-counterfeited) guitars that can be had for similar money or less (if counting a tech to do this type of work). Highly recommend picking up used Yamaha guitars 🙂
What a refreshing take on the reality of a cheap guitar, no real surprise it’s not going to be perfect. At least you can afford to fix it , break it and fool idiots, well done and brilliant delivery
I bought a chib and did all the work to properly set it up. I did add a bone nut and a roller bridge. The bridge on mine was wonky. Now the action us super low and sounds amazing. One of my favorites of all my guitars now. Which is up against 3 real Gibsons, 3 fenders, and schecter. It plays as good as any I have. Mine, including the upgraded parts, was around $330. My 2 cents.
Totally agree with the falling in love bit. You know when it’s right, just gotta be touchy feely. Really enjoying your no nonsense videos. As for opinions, there like arsholes, everybody got one. Rock on Paul
How refreshing to hear someone who comes from my part of the world. And totally agree we don't want to be supporting the rip-off industry. Entertaining video. Glad to have found your channel.
I bought a AliExpress guitar and the fret work was shocking. The good thing is, it gave me the opportunity to buy the tools and teach myself to do a fret level and crown. I'm sure a proper tech would be horrified at the job especially with cheap tools I did but it actually plays now and doesn't fret out everywhere. I've since done a few fret levels and crowns on other cheap guitars I've bought as my confidence grows. I like the look of that Z file though! Think I need to invest in one of those for sure. I'm not too keen on my current fret crowning files.
I got my Chibson "Old Black" LP replica about a year ago. Swapped out the electronics, leveled and polished the frets, and replaced the trem with a real Bigsby that I already had. Plays better than the Gibson LP Studio that it replaced.
OK, several years back, I bought a Chibson Hold Top thru DHGate. Being a life long Fender guy, I never thought I’d fork out $2500 for a real Les Paul. That said, I wanted to try something Les Paul-ish. When I got it, I spent a few hours doing a very thorough set-up, including a fret level/crown and polish, like this guy did in this video. After a couple years. I also put a set of Epiphone humbuckers, full sized pots, push/pull coil splits, etc. I bought the new electronics, thru Amazon, as a solderless kit for something like $150. And I’ve got yo say, now that guitar plays/sounds/looks amazin. I love it! In fact , I love it so much, about 6 months ago, I bought a REAL Gibson Les Paul, new from Sweetwater, for that $2500 I previously mentioned! In other words, in a round-about way, my choice to buy a Chibson LP actually lead to me buying a real Gibson guitar. Having played for over 50 years now, I’m quite certain that is something that would not have happened, without that initial purchase. 🤓🎸
I have a Chibson, right fake, wood work was fine, but everything else needed to be redone. 100 for the guitar and 500 in parts and another few hundred for labour...great guitar now.
I have a Yamaha Pacifica 112v and a Jet JTC 350 (Tele Style) guitars. Both come in at around £300 give or take a few quid. I've had them both set up by a local guitar tech and I'm 100% happy with them both. What's your opinion on the Gretsch Electromatic guitars?
Great job! May i ask what grinding wheels you used to get the scratches out of the frets after crowning? Its a nice approach, better than sanding by hand :)
If you use a Stewmac Z file, the frets need so much less work. My levelling beam has 320 and 600 grit on it. I'll manually polish up to 1000 max and then use Auto sol car cutting polish with a buff wheel on the Dremel.
I have an inspired by Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Special. Cost GBP350. Played beautifully straight from the box and you have all-on to hear the difference between it and my mates Gibson '58 special although the more modern finish is the giveaway. Bought in a UK dealer (Anderton's), the backup is there and Epi is actually owned by Gibson. Even if they are made in China, the QC is obviously miles better than the Chibson reviewed.
I not only own an unbranded Chibson, but a Chibson Kit Guitar from Pango. I assembled the guitar and finished the quilted maple cap in a Honeyburst myself. I did not however use Any of the electronics, tuners, pickups or plastics. Everything was upgraded to high quality parts and set up by a professional guitar tech. The kit was $350. The new parts were close to $500. The set up was another $150. The guitar is Awesome. The equivalent Epiphone Les Paul custom is $1300....Which I Also own... And required a fret level and set up, right out of the box.
Loving your style! Yay!! 👍🏼I paid £300 to get my pro 2 Strat set up along the lines of what you did here. Made a significant improvement. Do you not do any set up work? I have a 50s style black squire Strat in need of a set up. One of those guitar guitar short runs black guard Gilmour style but I’ve added hot noiseless pick ups. Needs a proper set up as action is way high. Again. Loving your videos. ❤
Cheers boss. I don't do any work on other peoples guitars actually. I remenber that series on the Guitar Guitar web site. They were a great bargain. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I have seen people buy junkguitars from the late 60ithiies that had the original name on them They payed a lot for them!The guitarindustri havent always been up to good quality?Why did a lot of musicians buy japanese guitars?
I've had my hands on a half a dozen and they are a good deal if you can do some more work on them yourself like in your video. It still won't be worth any more but you will have a good player for cheap. I like light guitars and Gibson does make a few. All the old mahogany Gibson Les Paul's are like boat anchors. I'm still wondering why Les Paul liked them and designed them that way. The old Kay plywood upright basses are sought after because they have more punch than solid wood carved basses.
I watched this video a while back, I've known about the Chibson phenomena for quite a while. I think they're at the point now where they're like an invasive species that has become so well established it's never going away. I stumbled across them on Ebay shipping from sellers in the US, about 32,000 of them in the "unbranded" guitar search. Although I've resisted for years, I bought a Angus Young signature model SG last week to hang on the wall. I have to say, it's pretty nice. Beyond just "playable". I got lucky though, I've seen some that are pretty rough. Anyway it's funny how youtube threw this video back in my feed after I bought one. The algorithm knows all.
Here's one thing: most of these have hair thin headstock overlays. Route off the existing overlay and treat it to a proper 1/16" fine grain hardwood veneer, African blackwood would be handsome without paint. Top it off with custom gold Chibson and Less Paul decals if you want...
I bought a Chibson Peter Frampton 3 pick up Les Paul for the equivalent of GPB 500 2nd hand. Think I am mad read on. I replaced 2 of the PUPS with Gibson pickups (not the middle) and bined the tuners and was starting to sound good. After proper set up it plays like you would not believe ! I had a 2008 legit LP tribute and sold it real quick as the neck was like a log .Sounded great but the Chibson necks are much more playable. I bought 2 more legit ones after this and they still do not match the Chibson playing wise. All up I have spent around AUD 2,000 and more than happy as this had a perfect neck and fret job so my tech did not need to touch it or the nut. I have never forgotten one gig I played all right now and during the solos I got some applause as it sounded so good. I knew that after discounting as a fake I would have a great guitar. Anyone that sees it does not argue. FYI to order a "Gibson" Peter Frampton Les Paul prepare to shell out AUD 11,799 , FYI I own a variety of guitars 😀 which includes 4 Gibsons.
Rock- A- Doodle-Doo! I Question. What price point gives a reasonably low risk of a duffer? I.E at what point do they actually put some effort in at th factory?
From what I can tell, there's only 1 or 2 factories making the husks and countless outfits buying and finishing them. That's why quality isn't guaranteed.
I have a "Chibson" Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway w/P90 in the bridge in the TV yellow with a fat 1950's neck profile. I bought it from the previous owner. The main reason I got it is because I love Johnny Thunders and he played an old Gibson model. It plays and sounds great however it weighs a ton...lmao
So a friend bought one very similar to the one in your video, not as dark red on the burst, first time i saw it, I thought it was real, the only tell is the headstock is a tiny bit thin, he wanted it as a shelf queen but eventually moved into a small unit so I bought it and just like this video it needed fret level, I put a bone nut, grover tuners on sale $90 I looked for a while and eventually scored, locking tones pro bridge and tail piece $77 because some guy didnt realise the difference between nickel and chrome vs nickel on nickel = a more golden nickel than chrome, I waited a bit longer and just recently new tonerider nickel covered Alnico 4 humbuckers $140 with cts pots, orange drops together with switchcraft toggle and jack, all on sale, aprox $60 .. Personally I hate thick gloss necks, I sand, sometimes aggressively, the necks on my guitars, there's no way I would do that to a $3000 plus dollar Gibson, which my chibson is a copy of, I chose to go this route because I work on guitars all the time, to a semi professional level, I wouldn't risk money buying one online for any amount of money because I've had people bring these ali express copy's to me, hoping I could fix them, Ive seen Rickenbacker copys made of foam and of corse the necks twist, Ive seen Gretsch copy’s with photo copied ( yes paper photos of flame tops ) that were glued to the guitar and spray painted over, thin tin foil stuck to guitar's and sprayed over with translucent paint to make it look metallic, guitars with no truss rods and some that have wires soldered in the back cavities that don’t actually go anywhere, wires that are soldered to pickups that lead nowhere, simply there for show lol 😂 The only way to buy a decent copy is if you know how to spot any and every issue a guitar can have, but unfortunately this seems to be the case with most guitar’s sold on line these days no matter what company makes them, especially overseas, more and more companies are selling inferior products with less quality control. After having said all that, I’m extremely happy with my Les Paul copy and doubt I would ever sell it, but I knew exactly what I was getting, buyer beware.
Man you did the complete overhaul. I've enjoyed the outcome of this video for comments like these. It seems the only way to get the whole picture. I have so many spares in the workshop that I think I'm going to have to do something similar. If the veneer is on top of actual maple I'll sand through and refinish like a bound studio...Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
can tell it's not a real gibbo, it's still got the headstock attached :P
Easily the most controversial comment so far 🤣... Pinned for giggles.
Yeah, that's original. FFS.
@@stevedocherty1816 if that really bothers you, you can easily mod it.
Personally, for me, if I were to get one, KNOWING it's not a real Gibson, then I am taking the name off. But here in the U.S, most of the Chibsons coming that I heard about, they are in pretty bad shape. Now, if you want to get it for a modding project, I don't see why not. But like I said, I am taking the name off of it.
I recently disposed of a Chibson I purchased almost a decade ago. (It having major problems combined with being a fake made me choose to dispose of it so it would not be re-circulated). Anyways before it went in the trash bin, I tried to break the headstock. I dropped it multiple times, threw it across the garage, I put it on a concrete floor and stood on the neck like a skateboard bouncing my weight. It just would not break, absolutely wild.
I really can’t get over the quality of content on your channel. The knowledge sharing is ace, the workmanship is ace, the humor is ace, the production and editing are ace. I can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers. Where is everyone?!?
Wow, thank you! I only started this year...Onwards and upwards. Those are very kind words. Thanks again.
I have a genuine cherry red Gibson SG and you can clearly see a centre join in the body. Even the grain in the wood looks different, so the two sides don't appear to be matched from the same piece of wood. It also shows a colour mismatch between the two sides caused by the mismatch in the grain. So Gibson have nothing to brag about re finish quality.
I've noticed that a lot on SG's. I actually prefer an SG to an LP myself. Angry beasts.
@@Milehousestudios Yeah, I prefer the SG and they're much lighter. LP too heavy. Although I criticise the finish quality I still like playing it.
So why did you buy it?
@@mit1346 I bought it online. The problem is you don't get to see it until it's delivered. I didn't return it because I still like it. It plays very nicely. I reckon next time I'm in the market for a new guitar I'll go shopping at music stores. Hey we live and learn.
@@Milehousestudios I bought a Chibson SG.
i have a Chibson and it's great. 8 years so far and no issues. stays in tune and howls like a beast.
Dam rights, I have a few and they are awesome play great sound great feel great, love em
Thanks for sharing, I also have a Chibson and it plays like dream. People are missing a lot. Chibson FTW!😄
Loved the video. I got a chibson lp a few years back from a local guy for stupid cheap, he even threw in a really nice hard case. I was curious to see how bad it could be and also I wanted it to practice some mods on. Changed the pickups for a set of tone riders, changed the tuners as they were a bit crap and changed the toggle for a switchcraft. Played ok, and gave it to my luthier as a few dead spots on the frets and the nut was rubbish. Bloody thing plays amazing now, best neck of any guitar I’ve got including high end Gibson’s. Everything you said in the video is right. Bones of many of these knock offs are actually pretty good, but you gotta spend some money to get it there… was it worth it.. hell no, but I enjoyed the journey and it did come in a very nice case 😅
@@stevejenner6838 very inspiring story mate🔥, you and video uploader are absolutely right "Bones of many of these knock offs are actually pretty good" - just change the pieces of hardware coupled with a great pro setup will transform your Chibson into something even better than the super expensive "original" if only the Chibson owner knows how to UPGRADE with the perfect specs - like tuners, pick-up, switch and especially the plastic nut to (bone nut). I wouldn't trade my $280 Chibson to any guitar below $2,000 w/o set-up. That's how good it is after the set-up.👌
@@2good2betrue3 cheers for your comment. I think you also need to have a bit of luck on your side too. There are chibsons and there are other chibsons, as they are all made in different factories to varying quality control. I could tell right away the cheapy I picked up was from one of the better builders as apart from crappy hardware and indifferent fret job, it was a decent LP, so worth putting some money into
Who says you need to pay someone to do a fret job? Or any work on your guitar?
No one. No man or woman should be afraid to work on their guitars, and there’s no better way to learn than on a 200$ guitar. Everything you need to know you can find on RUclips. And once you’ve done it well you got that skill forever.
No guts no glory. Live by it
100% true that
Amen, brother!
That’s wasted time and money. Best to save for a real Gibby.
This is how I learned to level and crown frets.
Start with a cheapo and now im doing some higher end.
@@ahf5471literally the stupidest thing to do nowadays is save up for a Gibson. They are mediocre guitars for a shit ton of money
You're very pragmatic, mate. No buzzwords to confuse the average person, telling things like they actually are. I needed you when I started playing in 2003.
Holy fuckin shit I love your video. Finally someone that doesn't bore me to death with the details of ohms and shit. Straight and to the point. Immediately subscribed a minute in and I am off to binge watch everything else.
Holy shit ... My next video is all about ohms 🤣 just kidding, I'm too thick to get into that. Welcome to the family boss.
I was having my morning Coffee. It immediately exited my Nose when I heard the line..."The fretboard is drier than Gandhi' Flip Flop". You earned a Subscriber. :)
This was an excellent video... very informative & not boring.
Glad you enjoyed it! Make sure you subscribe for part 2 then boss. 😉
Thanks for the guitar class!🤘🖖
Thanks Doug. That's very unexpected and kind. All the best
Chibson, Chibanez, Chender.......they're not going away.
Even more correct now...The fact that there in the news makes more people want one
Don't forget Chickenbacker.
I bought a plexiglass Chan Armstrong. That turned out to be better than the original
Don't forget the CCPRS....
And chackson
Good informative channel especially on fret levelling filing👍good humour made me laugh your comments😂 interesting info on this piece guitar wooden top cheers🎉❤🇬🇧
First time viewer here. You do a great job. I too restore , repair, buy , sell, and trade guitars.
I have a small studio. I write songs, play, record them , and make CD’s and give them away.
I’m an old codger and have had some high end guitars during my life. Some took me years to pay for. But, once I learned how to work on them , I do what you just did.
Since I’m getting on in years and do not perform in public anymore. I have sold most of my name brand vintage guitars, and have bought cheap replacements for them. Since, when recording people do not know if you’re playing an expensive or a fixer upper. If you record it properly , use eq, and have the right attitude know one can tell a 57 Name brand Tele style guitar from a fixer upper.
I sold 12 last year and took the money that was left from buying the replacements and bought stock.
I however have never bought a guitar that has a fake logo. The ones I upgrade all have the actual brand on them .
I feel out of all the guitar manufacturers or regardless of nation of origin , in this time in history, Indonesia are the best craftsman. The ones made there are much more superior than China or Korea.
There is one brand in particular which I have the most of . I have to do very little work to them and actually have them to be better than the instruments they copied.
I will not advertise for them , but they are sold through a distributor in Germany.
Keep up the great work. If anyone is interested, my music is on RUclips @LarryBuckBarker Original Songs. I hope all have a happy and healthy day. Cheers!!
My first time watching one of your videos , and i gotta say .... I'll be watching more !!
You made me laugh once or twice !
Sweet. Welcome aboard boss.
I'd gladly pay 250$ for a Gibson copy instead of giving another dime to this company. There are loads of manufacturers making better instruments at a better price.
Both Fender and Gibson have gotten too greedy and one can't rely they care about customers anymore.
Besides, the innovation along with right price is to be found elsewhere.
I completely agree, just get one without branding on the headstock. Save yourself the hassle of being told your Gibson is fake, because it's not a Gibson and doesn't need to be. It's a perfectly working good looking alternative that's a fraction of the cost, it doesn't look $1000+ cheaper but it is.
You should build your own guitar, it’s not that hard. I bought authentic materials (one piece Honduras Mahogany body blank and neck, aniline dyes, nitrocellulose lacquer etc., components worth about a grand and build one from scratch. Most I did, I did with hand tools. ( Topcarve with French scraper for instance) I got the plans online, the mandatory tools from stew Mac and build my own templates. It’s based on a ES 336 but a bit smaller body size and thinner, since it’s a solid body instead of a hollow body ES-336 and it weight slightly less than my CS ‘59 Les Paul, around 3,4kg. It looks cool, sounds unbelievable and strays in tune perfectly. It was my first electric and I already have all components for an authentic ‘59 replica. 😂
@@scoobydoo936 Someday I'll get into it, just for the fun of it, no matter if it plays well or not.
@@PaddyMc5th I've got one too. It was well made and played sort of OK. I set it up, put in Seymour PAFs and it sounds just like the old "real" ones used to. I tried to get my name on the headstock but they had already built it and it would have been a custom order. I don't give a rat's arse that it isn't genuine - I'm not selling it. $400 AUD with case delivered to your door can't be beat for value.
Just discovered your site...love it! Honest with a sense of humour. I retired about 10 years ago from teaching cabinetmaking and took up guitar. Looking at your shop makes me want another one!! ..nice workspace . Keep up the good work and thanks.
(Ps..I had a similar horror story with a Harley Benton strat about 5 years ago...I got it playing fine but by then it was close to the cost of a Fender Player, plus all the hours put in.)
Cheers Bob... The workshop is definitely a happy space. Thanks for the support.
I bought a Chibson during Covid lockdown. Put some nice Dimarzio pickups in it and had a local tech run it through a touch up, much like this video, and restring. Three years later it's a great guitar and even stays in tune longer than my authentic Gibson Les Paul.
Such a familiar story. I think the Chinese builders must have upped their game. Most people are happy like you. Thanks for watching boss.
Great vid... It was straight up and to the point! 👍
Thanks buddy. That was the angle.
Right , you've convinced me...I'm off to buy a Chibson.
Oh fuck....That wasn't my intention 😂
@@Milehousestudios God moves in mysterious ways...
@@plantagenant 🤣
@@plantagenant hells yea, don’t give Gibson a dime, freakin overpriced 💩 crap 💩
You should buy👌, I have one, and it's amazing ONCE fully set-up'd. You won't regret it.😉🤘
The 9 pounder I just got for just under $200US actually has a maple top, luck of the draw! Full fret level right away then replaced every single thing but the pickguard and the strap buttons. Myself though. All by myself! I love it!
I’m an engineer and all around tinkerer. Taught myself how to do fret work and already had soldering and electronic skills. I like taking less expensive guitars (not fraudulent copies with illegitimate brand names) and making then play well, as long as the “bones” are good a good playing instrument can be had for much less $$.
Agreed, and its fun bringing a guitar back to life.
Excellent vid and honest words, mate.
Glad you enjoyed it
i think the best thing is no fret lips , no fret lips is a upgrade to me, but now some chibson getting better, got the lips and omatic bridge, to be honest your chibson finish looks great to me, not every chibson build from same factory , there some good and some bad , lot of chibson the finish doesn't looks right ,but this one i think is ok, in my opinion most people buy chibson mainly for the body or basic construction ,people like to modify it for your own taste, because not a real deal,is ok if you messed up ,and if you got a bad one, not a bad way to learn to fix guitar too, and have some fun on the process .
I have one that started its life as a Freestyle LP copy. The inlaid fret markers are not consistent with genuine LPs - although the dimensions are - and the original owner did not try too hard to make it look like a LP: the brand and 'LP Model' logos on the headstock are decals and no attempt was made to add a fake serial number. However, after a quick, basic setup, it plays very well.
Bought a P90 Gibbie SG. Plekked, etc, but the neck pickup hadn't been screwed in so the strings lay on it. How could that have been tested? Bought a Chibbie Byrdland - a model no longer made by Gibson, so I could justify it that way. Just needed a fret polish and a neck oil. Plays and sounds beautiful. Chibbie was 1/6th of the cost of the Gibson. Which would I buy again? Let me think...
Great video. As a "project" or opportunity to learn, these seem to be a good choice.
I have a Chibson Lemon Burst 1959, the beauty was shockingly good for $280. Everything is great, the only thing I don't like is sharp frets, so I took it to a Pro Luthier for full set-up, and I was really surprised that even the luthier at first glance thought it was a real Gibson and only when he inspects it, he realized it's a copy.😮Now it plays like a dream with ball end frets, low action, bone nut, the stock pickups sound great so I did not replace it. All the labor just costs $150, so overall it's worth $400 with the change to bone nut as the only upgrade, and it NEVER stays out of tune.👌 All my friends admire it and thinks it's a $5,000+ Gibson so that really put a smile on my face.🤭 Because I was NOT scammed in buying the overpriced, very expensive "original" that doesn't stay in tune especially the G-string😆 and at the same time I get the same admiration because it has the "iconic logo" without me busting the bank.🤘hahaha.😈😁
I just laugh at elitist gear snubs who are guarding their imaginary "elitist gear club", they take pride of their very expensive, bank busting $5,000 to $20,000 Gibson that doesn't stay in tune.😂Chibsons are the equalizer (with Professional Full-setup) Thanks for this video, I got to express how satisfied and happy I am with my Chibson.😅💯
@@2good2betrue3 fuckin A, I feel the same way about mine, it’s a 59 with a awesome tiger striped body, can’t remember what the finish is called, it’s a very nice axe, its beautiful and hanging on my wall so I can see her everyday, 🤣🎸🤘
@@jmangi6221 Haha, nice to hear that mate, We both have the best "Les Paul" according to "experts"- the legendary 59.🤭 probably it's the same Lemon Burst with Tiger striped👌Enjoy your guitar and be proud of it - we have the $20,000 Murphy Lab equalizer hahaha.😂 I'm gonna buy another one soon. Cheers!
@@2good2betrue3 I’m getting one soon too brother
If she's got a good neck, level frets and good intonation she's going to be a banger. Thanks for watching buddy.
@@jmangi6221 Great!😀 you choose the seller with "store" on the name followed by lots of numbers. The one with lots of positive review at AExp__ (my comments don't show up whenever I type it in full.) 👍
I fully plan to buy several of them. But no gibson on the headstock. Love your sense of humor and honesty. Very happily subscribed. You conffirmed to me what was essentially common sense, though i was seeing it under represented: Its not as if the necks are coming out of the body at some exteeme angle, and corkscrewing. Every corner, particularly the HUMAN HANDS ON fit/finish is gonna take a ding. BIG DEAL, fron my standpoint. I would do EXACTLY as you did, drop in a graphtech tusqxl or earvanna nut, select from my personal surplus of extra humbuckers ranging from burstbuckers to invaders, rewire it, put in some quality pots, then have a guitar costing a quarter of a real gibson that plays better. Loved the vid, man.
I used to sell Gibson guitars. I was very embarrassed by the junk we got from the US. I remember when my boss yelled at a hesitant buyer: "Can't you see this is a genuine American guitar? Now buy it!". But it had a crappy fret job, the nibs were crap, and we even got brand new guitars with cracks in the heel-neck joint. When our first shipment of Chinese Epiphones arrived in the late 1990's, all necks were bent/warped/twisted. We sold them at cost to unsuspecting buyers...or fools...as my boss used to call them. Gibson are pricks and boast about their poorly-made guitars. "Play Gibson. Play genuine crap". Gibson evidently stole headstock and body design of the Les Paul from O.W. Appleton. Appleton approached Gibson a decade before the Les Paul came out with his prototype that looked exactly (more or less) like today's Les Paul. Therefore, even if I wouldn't stand on-stage with a fake myself, in my view, anyone should be able to make copies but NOT put the Gibson (Shit-son) name on it.
Wow. Brutal bit is insight there. I think I prefer Shitson to Chibson 🤣
At that point, why even care if they DO put the Gibson name on it? I mean, if the design is practically stolen to begin with... the Chibsons are copies of copies!?
Maybe it does the guitar a disservice to write "Gibson" on the headstock.
@@465marko Sadly, Mr. Appleton is long dead and any challenge to Gibson in court would have probably failed as the Gibson Les Paul is sufficiently different to Appleton's design for Gibson to get away with the theft of the idea. However, I still don't think that people should misrepresent a product by putting the Gibson name on a fake guitar. But the body and headstock shape are all up for grabs as they existed long before Gibson even existed but it is not their design. It's like Musicman who they threatened to sue the company that I worked for years ago for releasing a guitar with a headstock design that had 4 and 2 machine heads. The fact that the 4 - 2 design was already around decades before Musicman made it popular didn't bother Musicman. They sent their cease and desist letter and my management crumbled.
@@Anonymous-si6py The Musicman thing is craziness to me. As an outside perspective anyway - I don't know how this stuff all works.
But like, not only because the design was already around.
But because something like a 4-2 headstock seems like such a broad thing to have a monopoly on - if you know what I'm trying to say?
I can (almost) understand if it was exactly the same shape, exactly the same everything. Or if it was some novel invention.
But then, people were doing it decades before Musicman anyway. It's nuts.
For the fake guitars, I think anyone who would try to make money by passing them off as the real thing, is a POS. That's fraudulent.
But selling it cheap when everyone knows it's fake - I don't really have a problem with that, tbh.
I guess maybe it messes up the used market a little. Because the more fakes there are, the more people ARE going to try and sell them as real Gibsons. But also, the more buyers become cautious, having to scrutinize everything (so it'll be harder to defraud people, but it's a pain in the ass as a buyer knowing there are fakes out there).
But besides that, I don't think I fully understand the hate. Unless you're Gibson lol.
I bought a Squier sonic by fender... the neck is astubby wood without even matching the image on the fender site. They replied to me that it is not specified whether the truss rod is recessed or not therefore you keep it because it is not a defect. The three-way switch a piece of crap, while guitars made in China thomann or fazley are practically prefect for 169 euro...
My Chibson is a beast. Replaced everything that can can be replaced. Level, fallaway, Crown and polish. 21 tone JP setup. My real on now sits in the case permanently
OK then. First video iv ever seen of yours. Fuckin loved it. I don't have a want to build guitars but you can bet English ass imma be watching some more. Underrated
Thanks buddy. That's very kind. Welcome to the family 😄
Cool video !!!....just goes to show that if the bridge is in the right place and the neck isn't warped, then any guitar can be made to play better with a proper detailed set-up... Cheers !
Amen to that
That packaging is better than what some guitar shops send out expensive guitars in. My Schecter KM7 (£1200) came in a box that shape but next to no packaging inside... The thing was free to bounce around and luckily had nothing broken on arrival....
Just got my bull’s-eye Zakk Wylde not everybody has 10 grand to go spend on a gutiar mine is absolutely amazing it even came with active pick ups. I had to sell my EVH Frankie a couple of months ago and bought this to have something to play for the time being well, I’m keeping it I’m not changing the thing. It sounds great plays great feels great. Measurements are right on, etc. all for under $300 and it got to me in seven days from overseas and now I’m buying the Frankie relic for 240 to hell with fender and Gibson….. for the price you can’t beat this so complain all you want for those of you who have the real Les Paul are a real fender. Go ahead and call the company up when you have a problem and see how much they help you for . for me I’m more than happy with my purchase and making a RUclips video showing it. God bless.
I look forward to seeing your video on the Chibson you bought and like.
I've thought about buying an Ace Frehley Les Paul Chibson, but afraid I'll get one that won't stay in tune.
I can't justify spending thousands on a real one. There's really no money in music anymore.
I’ve never bought one one of these copies but after seeing one on scar my guitar and then on this channel,so I think imma buy one just to see what they are selling
Wylde Audio is not Chibson, a Chibson is a counterfeit trying to pass off as a Gibson. Some of Zakk's designs are quite crazy and none of them try to be what they aren't.
Rock that Wylde for what it is
@@MuscleCarLoverI think they mean a counterfeit "bullseye" print Les Paul
@@AndrewGlitchMasterBalaschak Eh, I personally associate the Bullseye with Zakk anyway and I think a lot would
I bought a Chibson Greeny a few months ago and was duly surprised by the quality. The only thing it needed doing to it out of the box was a bit of fret polishing on the 3rd and 5th fret.
I bought it as a project guitar and my first time doing handywork on guitars. It was slightly reliced, but still needed a lot more doing to it so I’ve been slowly sanding it and working on it. Ive changed the magnet of the pickup and will eventually replace the hardware as well.
Good guitars for a bit of fun and games.
Another drawback to consider: The alloy used in the frets of these guitars is super soft. Even after a good level/crown/polish, you will quickly see divits form from playing.
Yeah, those Chibson manufacturers save a ton of money specing out soft metal frets to build their guitars with.
They’re soft, because they have LEAD in them. Lead is poisonous.
Watch Max’s video on it from last year.
I was going to buy one for my son, but I don’t want my son purposefully poisoned by China.
Great video! Learning how to do my own level/crown/polish has saved me serious amounts of money, and the tools to make it happen cost about the same as one good setup. There aren't many guitars that are unredeemable - I think I've had one that I gave up on out of about 20 setups.
The one disappointing thing I've seen is that no one is able to do a good fret dress. The two best ones I've had from the factory are Harley Benton and Yamaha. Had issues with Charvel, PRS, Mooer, Fender.
Happy to pass it onto you for a more proper evaluation 😉 I know you're not a fan.
not every body feels the need to sand the finish off the neck. I like it shiny and smooth.
That’s what she said.
😂
You sold me on this. I'm gonna have to get me one now. Nice Guitar.
It's a gamble but from what I can tell, the odds aren't bad as long as you're handy.
I paid 500 euro for a top end Chibson has full flame maple top, nitro finish, one piece body and neck, bone nut and fret end nibs. I jut gave it a light fret level and crown. I did change out the electronics but the original stuff was actually good enough so didnt really need to be done. After 6 years couple of very fine cracks in the binding just how a Gibson woud do after time. Neck is perfect no twists and buzzy frets. All the haters were wrong.
That sounds like a belter..
Where did you get it from?
same as me. I paid 435 dollar, over 500 with tax. Same specs, same fret issues. xD
I bought a X-plorer. I've replaced all electronics and hardware. The nut is plastic and maybe someday I'll replace that. The frets needed polishing. The figured top is veneer, not panel, and the fingerboard is synthetic (which I happen to prefer). It wasn't shielded. It doesn't have "Gibson" on the headstock (I wouldn't have bought it if it did). I've lightened the body by routing and cutting part off (which I never would have done to a real Explorer)(I also wouldn't have screwed the strap into the back of it either, which I did to reposition where the guitar hanged on my body). I'm very happy with the end product, and it cost me about 1/3 what a new Explorer would. Also, because it wasn't a real Gibson, I could modify it however I wished, and I did. The finish is perfect. The construction is perfect. It played perfectly right out of the box. The parts weren't even close to perfect; that is their weakness. But for $250, plus about $500 put into it? Wow.
I keep telling people that any guitar can be good, just as long as the foundation is decent to start with.
Would be interesting to put the chibson and epiphone sude by side to compare the quality.
I've got a Zakk wylde LP from the 90's. I'll have a crack at that
@@Milehousestudios 90s epi will have an unfair advantage 😂 but would definitely be interesting!
I allways say that they can better look for an 80ies Aria Pro, Westone or everything build by Matsumoku.
The westones and aria's can be found for a friendly price and build to last.
I’ve bought various Chibsons, a Chender Jazz-Mastur, and a Chofner Paul McFartney bass… lot of business I have with Union Jacks since I’m from Texas, lmao..but the Union Jack looks cool AF lmao.
I seem to have extraordinarily better luck than some, as I’m pleased with them all. Bought them over the past 10, 12 years. They generally need wax-potting (if humbuckers), and a general setup by my man at the single music shop we have in this remote small town, and after a little coddling, they’re perfectly fine. One Chibson advantage is you can order them in colors which don’t occur in “Gibson nature”. Some kids that came knocking cos they heard me making noises, this one fetal-stage little girl saw my neon-pink “Res Paul Custom” and literally gasped in awe. She was all, “Like, oh my gawiid, that is SO COOL”, lol.
When I took my Chofner bass up there to be sorted, someone was all, “Wow, you have that; that’s a limited edition, you lucky dog”. Then when I told him it was a Chinese fake, he didn’t believe me. I was allowing him to plug it up and noodle, and he thought I was lying. That Chofner is a very good copy.
I just buy one occasionally because they’re stunningly inexpensive, not because I’m a monster. Tbh, I don’t give the issue of “counterfeit” much thought.
That’s a “rock & roll” attitude, I think. Rockers are supposed to be rebellious, and all that. lol. I wish good luck to anyone seeing this who may order one. Look at the store ratings; I suggest paging past any stores within DH Gate which don’t rate at least 95%. That may be one of the factors involved in the good luck I’ve been having. Cheers, and no offense to the Chibson haters; you do have a point I suppose.
I have a chibson 'R9' in plain Top Honeyburst (I specificly asked for that), payed $300 in 2020. Fret nibs, period correct headstock, and also all measurements are true to the historic 59, I checked that multiple times. I changed pups, electronics, strings, tuners, bridge and knobs. And it needed a good setup and fret leveling and all the fretwork. I have a friend whith a real Gibson R9 and we both played the two guitars intens. We both find mine the better one. Mine is $700 now. (I did all the work myself) So how on earth can a Gibson be like $8000?? So all the people who cry about the 'not real', you're ok with the Gibson scam because of a 'real' decal ?? Every time I pick up that guitar, I smile. It's a great time to be a guitarplayer.
My argument would be for 700 you could get a better guitar, it wouldn't say gibson but you aren't fooling anyone who would be impressed with a gibson anyway. I can pick up a studio or an epiphone standard for 550 and 250 respectively and they will both play great.
I have a couple Chender Strats. The bodies and necks are pretty darn good on both. Electronics and pups were trash but dropped Fender loaded pickguards in both and off I went.
I bought a neck from Ali express a couple of years ago to check out how horrible it was. It was spot on. Gutted 😂
Yeah as someone who likes to build a couple partcasters a year I've had really good luck just sourcing bodies and necks off eBay from China. I haven't been disappointed yet.
Further conformation that while I would not give up my '86 Les Paul Studio for anything, I would gladly shell out $300 for a Chibson, and then bring it up to speed, rather than dumping $5-10K on a new Gibson factory model (that is chambered, prone to poor wiring (among other things), and bad finishes).
To be fair, I feel pretty much the same way about Fenders today - I'll buy a Squire Tele and spend a little sweat on it, rather than thousands for an "official" one that doesn't sound or play as well.
Yeah I've owned a few Strats over the years ranging from £300 to £3000. I can't see a reason to buy anything more expensive than a Mexico guitar. Literally the same as a USA in the hands.
Great video, this guy tells it how it is. I bought a Chibson Firebird expecting to have to spend time and money and I'm really happy with it. Steinberger banjo tuners, graphtech nut, D'Urbano pickups, Gotoh bridge and a really good wiring harness, CTS pots and Switchcraft jack and toggle. Hours of fretwork and setup but really enjoyed it. It's probably cost £700 plus my time and for that, it's a great guitar which I gig regularly. It's fooling nobody and I'd probably get peanuts if I sold it but that was never the point.
Absolutely. The process is often more valuable than the outcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment boss.
R.I.P. China Guitar Sceptic.
What happened to that guy? He still has a channel, but I heard Gibson sued him.
Nice vid, Paul. I ordered a gold top 'Les Paul style' guitar from DHGate, naively (perhaps semi- consciously 🤫) that is wasn't a knock-off. There were no pics of the full headstock (a clue!) and I just thought, if at the very least it's a couple of nice looking bits of wood glued together, I can sort the frets, set it up, change the wiring and pickups at a later date for a couple of hundred quid and have a decent looking, playing and sounding guitar. The good old boys at Coventry Airport customs had other ideas, seizing it and ultimately destroying it. I got the money back from my credit card company as the listing did not say or say anything Gibson related. I was pissed off at the time, but actually glad it happened. There are a bunch of shop own brand guitars for a similar initial price (c. £200-250) and I can still do all the stuff I wanted, resulting in a nice guitar and a clear conscience.
My Chibson Les Paul plays better than my friends Gibson Les Paul Supreme 😁👍
Goes to show a straight neck and level frets are where the money's at.
I have a lot of Chibson guitars and everyone of them are really great instruments especially for what little money I paid for them I actually love my Chibson guitars and I gig and record with them DAILY. Nothing wrong with saving a few bucks.
I have a Chibson LP Standard for 4 years. Replaced tuners with Gibson tulip style kluson, switched out bridge with Gibson Abr-1 bridge. Awesome!!
It’s ok for us to buy everything else Chinese except guitars? Walmart is full of Chinese shit.. I personally enjoy buying them and fixing them up. They play great. You bought this guitar the same reason as the rest us. To fix it up save some cash and have a nice jammer. Most people hating on chibsons just don’t have a clue. Which is normal. Most people don’t know shit.
Then why do they put Gibson and Made in the USA on the headstock? That's the rub.
You dont have to buy a fake Rolex to learn how to work on watches.
@@bobmanners8624 Because USA is the greatest country obviously and nobody buys a fake Rolex unless it says ROLEX.
@billallengo Yes, Walmart is full of Chinese shit, but it's not counterfeit. They don't sell fake Gucci bags and fake designer jeans. Chibsons are counterfeit. If you wanna buy an inexpensive guitar and fix it up, you could get a Firefly, a Harley Benton, a Cort, an AIO Wolf, or any number of guitars that are better (and often less expensive) than the counterfeit Gibson's out of china. You can learn just as much about modding guitars on any of those brands, and it's not a counterfeit. So, as an example, you can learn the same amount about watch repair on a Timex as you can on a fake rolex - but one is authentic and the other is a fake.
@@bobmanners8624 Sone of the fakes are much better than some of the “authentic’s”. This is my point. Some people just can’t accept that. Im ok with that…They don’t sell chibsons under some disguise. It’s known to the buyers. Get over it.
@billallengo Bill, I'm over, under, around, and thru it. I don't care if people wear fake Rollex watches or want a guitar labeled Gibson when it isn't. But to justify a counterfeit just because it makes a good project is a bit of a stretch. Any of the brands I mentioned before would make just as good a project - but it wouldn't say Gibson, which I think is the prime motivation for people to buy them.
When I l moved New Zealand I needed a cheap guitar to tide me over so I ordered one of these. I ordered no Logo and P-90's. At the time it cost me $250 US. Unfortunately came with Humbuckers and a Gibson logo. Have to say it was a very nice quality guitar. Pickups were from Epiphone Frets were respectable as far as level and no fret sprout. Biggest surprise was the body was a single piece mahogany and the cap was a solid piece of maple. I scratched some paint off in the pickup rout to confirm. It's a gold top so cant say anything for the grain. There is a small blush in the gold paint but who cares it's small. I can't say it is the guitar I pick up the most but not a fan of Les Pauls and same goes for humbuckers plus I don't like the weight. Mine weighs 9lbs 2oz. but it's a solid player I have stamped X's over the made in USA and number on the back and would love to get rid of it but am afraid to sell to some unscrupulous person who might try to rip some one off. So there she sits.
Here's my two cents. If you can't afford a Gibson, don't buy something with a Gibson logo, buy something with its own logo instead. It's what I see as the ethical thing to do.
If there's a local luthier you like that makes a guitar you like at an affordable price, give THEM your money instead of those that do forgeries, the honest ones could do with the business
I have an LP59 copy...amazing for the price...very solid...correct weight...all I need.
Skipping the Chibson thing for a moment, you should never buy a LP style guitar without playing it. They are all so radically different. I played 250 getting the 2 Gibsons I have. I searched for the ones I loved and guess what, I am keeeping them forever~!
I agree totally. The internet age of guitar buying makes it even tougher.
I bought a Squier sonic by fender... the neck is astubby wood without even matching the image on the fender site. They replied to me that it is not specified whether the truss rod is recessed or not therefore you keep it because it is not a defect. The three-way switch a piece of crap, while guitars made in China thomann or fazley are practically prefect for 169 euro...
Any company can make a guitar with better QC than gibson.
Sadly you're correct. I do love their humbuckers though 😉
I must get lucky with the quality of the Gibsons I've bought. Repeatedly lucky....
I've only owned one Gibson LP studio, bought it new and it was perfect. Nicest humbuckers I ever played. Sold it for a Jet joiner/thicknesser 😂.
Just got myself a chibson. I didn't know it was a chibson when I got it, but not that I really care. According to the guy i got it from, this here is pretty old, and I'm the 4th (and last) owner already. Based on my needs as a musician, it does great! I'm not even ashamed to say it's a chibson. Seems to me they seem to be better than expected of fakes. Note: I did not buy it from a retailer. I bought it from some dude who wanted to sell his old guitar on facebook.
Anyway, awesome video! Might have mine checked for a set up soon. Thanks!
No different than a 700 dollar Epiphone!
It seems to be the luck of the draw but this one at least, seems to be a good one.
Thank you - loved that!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I don't care if it's as good as the finest PRS Private Collection guitar built by the best craftsmen at PRS. You just do NOT buy Chinese knockoff copies, EVER.
You do if you hate america
Absolutely - the counterfeiters are also funding other forms of organised crime.
I would buy counterfeit Gibson anytime. It is the same company or partners that makes Epiphones. It's much cheaper and with a bit of setup, it works great.
Absolutely agree! Stealing intellectual property is a crime…not a marketing tool!
That's why I am done and blocking this channel
Excellent review dude. Where do you stand on Harley Benton Les Paul's my friend?
Hopefully getting one in soon to review from HB.
Love your style man 😂 and Guitars of course new sub here, from Ireland...
Cheers boss. Much appreciated... The next builds are getting interesting.
Nice video. I bought a Chickenbacker from China and it's much better than what I hoped for. There is only one fret that rocks a drop and I was surprised at how good the mini humbuckers are. Only think I would change out is the pots because I think the volume pots are linear? Is that the right term? You turn them a bit before anything happens. Other than that is pretty nice.
I've got a Chickenbacker 4003 bass. It rocks!
Just the name alone is worth the purchase. Chickenbacker 😂
My main problem with these counterfeits is that they put the brand logo on there. If they simply labeled it with some other brand or even "Chibson" literally, I think more people would be fine with it.
For what it's worth, I agree with you about steering people clear of counterfeits. There are great (non-counterfeited) guitars that can be had for similar money or less (if counting a tech to do this type of work). Highly recommend picking up used Yamaha guitars 🙂
What a refreshing take on the reality of a cheap guitar, no real surprise it’s not going to be perfect. At least you can afford to fix it , break it and fool idiots, well done and brilliant delivery
“Skinny feelers - definitely not my nickname”.
Class!!
Great stuff! Highly entertaining as well mate. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thumbs up just because I like your humor lol. I do have my own Chibson Explorer that I like, full disclosure 😎
Right on! No complaints from here. Thanks for watching boss.
I bought a chib and did all the work to properly set it up. I did add a bone nut and a roller bridge. The bridge on mine was wonky. Now the action us super low and sounds amazing. One of my favorites of all my guitars now. Which is up against 3 real Gibsons, 3 fenders, and schecter. It plays as good as any I have. Mine, including the upgraded parts, was around $330. My 2 cents.
Nice work!
Its nice to have a story to tell about any guitar. Bringing a Chibson to life works for me.
That knob placement is what got to me the most!
Drier than Ghandi’s flip flop 😂, brilliant. Glad I stumbled upon your channel. Subscribed. Utube is good for something!
😂 welcome to the family boss.
@@Milehousestudios 👍
I have three. Awesome after a good setup
Totally agree with the falling in love bit. You know when it’s right, just gotta be touchy feely. Really enjoying your no nonsense videos. As for opinions, there like arsholes, everybody got one. Rock on Paul
Cheers mate
How refreshing to hear someone who comes from my part of the world. And totally agree we don't want to be supporting the rip-off industry. Entertaining video. Glad to have found your channel.
You've got to love our neck of the woods... Thanks for watching boss.
I think you get the guitar that makes you happy. Whatever you feel is all that matters
Probably the most logical answer yet. A man after my own heart. Welcome to the channel.
I bought a AliExpress guitar and the fret work was shocking. The good thing is, it gave me the opportunity to buy the tools and teach myself to do a fret level and crown. I'm sure a proper tech would be horrified at the job especially with cheap tools I did but it actually plays now and doesn't fret out everywhere. I've since done a few fret levels and crowns on other cheap guitars I've bought as my confidence grows. I like the look of that Z file though! Think I need to invest in one of those for sure. I'm not too keen on my current fret crowning files.
I loved this video 😂 you sound ex-forces. Subscribed
Thanks for the sub! Just an old carpenter with a dark streak of humour 😉
I got my Chibson "Old Black" LP replica about a year ago. Swapped out the electronics, leveled and polished the frets, and replaced the trem with a real Bigsby that I already had. Plays better than the Gibson LP Studio that it replaced.
OK, several years back, I bought a Chibson Hold Top thru DHGate. Being a life long Fender guy, I never thought I’d fork out $2500 for a real Les Paul. That said, I wanted to try something Les Paul-ish.
When I got it, I spent a few hours doing a very thorough set-up, including a fret level/crown and polish, like this guy did in this video.
After a couple years. I also put a set of Epiphone humbuckers, full sized pots, push/pull coil splits, etc. I bought the new electronics, thru Amazon, as a solderless kit for something like $150.
And I’ve got yo say, now that guitar plays/sounds/looks amazin. I love it!
In fact , I love it so much, about 6 months ago, I bought a REAL Gibson Les Paul, new from Sweetwater, for that $2500 I previously mentioned! In other words, in a round-about way, my choice to buy a Chibson LP actually lead to me buying a real Gibson guitar. Having played for over 50 years now, I’m quite certain that is something that would not have happened, without that initial purchase. 🤓🎸
That's an interesting journey. Lots of valuable lessons learned. Real Gibson humbuckers are dreamy aren't they.... I love them.
I have a Chibson, right fake, wood work was fine, but everything else needed to be redone. 100 for the guitar and 500 in parts and another few hundred for labour...great guitar now.
this guy should be famous as a comedian of talk show host- he's perfectly entertaining !
Mrs Richards found that one funny 🤣...
I have a Yamaha Pacifica 112v and a Jet JTC 350 (Tele Style) guitars. Both come in at around £300 give or take a few quid. I've had them both set up by a local guitar tech and I'm 100% happy with them both.
What's your opinion on the Gretsch Electromatic guitars?
Great job!
May i ask what grinding wheels you used to get the scratches out of the frets after crowning?
Its a nice approach, better than sanding by hand :)
If you use a Stewmac Z file, the frets need so much less work. My levelling beam has 320 and 600 grit on it. I'll manually polish up to 1000 max and then use Auto sol car cutting polish with a buff wheel on the Dremel.
I have the same problem. 25 or so in my collection. Fun to play around with, but they are unsalable in the used market.
25 Chibsons? Blimey.
I have an inspired by Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Special. Cost GBP350. Played beautifully straight from the box and you have all-on to hear the difference between it and my mates Gibson '58 special although the more modern finish is the giveaway. Bought in a UK dealer (Anderton's), the backup is there and Epi is actually owned by Gibson. Even if they are made in China, the QC is obviously miles better than the Chibson reviewed.
I not only own an unbranded Chibson, but a Chibson Kit Guitar from Pango. I assembled the guitar and finished the quilted maple cap in a Honeyburst myself. I did not however use Any of the electronics, tuners, pickups or plastics. Everything was upgraded to high quality parts and set up by a professional guitar tech. The kit was $350. The new parts were close to $500. The set up was another $150. The guitar is Awesome. The equivalent Epiphone Les Paul custom is $1300....Which I Also own... And required a fret level and set up, right out of the box.
Blimey you went full in on that one. I'll bet it's a cracker
Loving your style! Yay!! 👍🏼I paid £300 to get my pro 2 Strat set up along the lines of what you did here. Made a significant improvement. Do you not do any set up work? I have a 50s style black squire Strat in need of a set up. One of those guitar guitar short runs black guard Gilmour style but I’ve added hot noiseless pick ups. Needs a proper set up as action is way high. Again. Loving your videos. ❤
Cheers boss. I don't do any work on other peoples guitars actually. I remenber that series on the Guitar Guitar web site. They were a great bargain. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I have seen people buy junkguitars from the late 60ithiies that had the original name on them
They payed a lot for them!The guitarindustri havent always been up to good quality?Why did a lot of musicians buy japanese guitars?
I've had my hands on a half a dozen and they are a good deal if you can do some more work on them yourself like in your video. It still won't be worth any more but you will have a good player for cheap. I like light guitars and Gibson does make a few. All the old mahogany Gibson Les Paul's are like boat anchors. I'm still wondering why Les Paul liked them and designed them that way. The old Kay plywood upright basses are sought after because they have more punch than solid wood carved basses.
I watched this video a while back, I've known about the Chibson phenomena for quite a while. I think they're at the point now where they're like an invasive species that has become so well established it's never going away. I stumbled across them on Ebay shipping from sellers in the US, about 32,000 of them in the "unbranded" guitar search. Although I've resisted for years, I bought a Angus Young signature model SG last week to hang on the wall. I have to say, it's pretty nice. Beyond just "playable". I got lucky though, I've seen some that are pretty rough. Anyway it's funny how youtube threw this video back in my feed after I bought one. The algorithm knows all.
🤣 something's listening to you....
I had one , with active pickups , they were not very active I can tell you . Sold it to some other shmuck . Got myself a real les paul now 🤘🏻
That's the one common story that folks agree with, Ali express active humbuckers are wank.
Here's one thing: most of these have hair thin headstock overlays. Route off the existing overlay and treat it to a proper 1/16" fine grain hardwood veneer, African blackwood would be handsome without paint. Top it off with custom gold Chibson and Less Paul decals if you want...
Can we not talk about thin hair? Too close to home 😂
I bought a Chibson Peter Frampton 3 pick up Les Paul for the equivalent of GPB 500 2nd hand. Think I am mad read on. I replaced 2 of the PUPS with Gibson pickups (not the middle) and bined the tuners and was starting to sound good. After proper set up it plays like you would not believe ! I had a 2008 legit LP tribute and sold it real quick as the neck was like a log .Sounded great but the Chibson necks are much more playable. I bought 2 more legit ones after this and they still do not match the Chibson playing wise. All up I have spent around AUD 2,000 and more than happy as this had a perfect neck and fret job so my tech did not need to touch it or the nut. I have never forgotten one gig I played all right now and during the solos I got some applause as it sounded so good. I knew that after discounting as a fake I would have a great guitar. Anyone that sees it does not argue. FYI to order a "Gibson" Peter Frampton Les Paul prepare to shell out AUD 11,799 , FYI I own a variety of guitars 😀 which includes 4 Gibsons.
Sounds like she's a belter. AUD 12 000....staggering amounts
I fell out laughing when you said "Gibson wouldn't let that go". 🤣🤣🤣
You got me there 🤣 I spoke way to soon.
Rock- A- Doodle-Doo! I
Question. What price point gives a reasonably low risk of a duffer? I.E at what point do they actually put some effort in at th factory?
From what I can tell, there's only 1 or 2 factories making the husks and countless outfits buying and finishing them. That's why quality isn't guaranteed.
I have a "Chibson" Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway w/P90 in the bridge in the TV yellow with a fat 1950's neck profile. I bought it from the previous owner. The main reason I got it is because I love Johnny Thunders and he played an old Gibson model. It plays and sounds great however it weighs a ton...lmao
So a friend bought one very similar to the one in your video, not as dark red on the burst, first time i saw it, I thought it was real, the only tell is the headstock is a tiny bit thin, he wanted it as a shelf queen but eventually moved into a small unit so I bought it and just like this video it needed fret level, I put a bone nut, grover tuners on sale $90 I looked for a while and eventually scored, locking tones pro bridge and tail piece $77 because some guy didnt realise the difference between nickel and chrome vs nickel on nickel = a more golden nickel than chrome, I waited a bit longer and just recently new tonerider nickel covered Alnico 4 humbuckers $140 with cts pots, orange drops together with switchcraft toggle and jack, all on sale, aprox $60 ..
Personally I hate thick gloss necks, I sand, sometimes aggressively, the necks on my guitars, there's no way I would do that to a $3000 plus dollar Gibson, which my chibson is a copy of, I chose to go this route because I work on guitars all the time, to a semi professional level, I wouldn't risk money buying one online for any amount of money because I've had people bring these ali express copy's to me, hoping I could fix them, Ive seen Rickenbacker copys made of foam and of corse the necks twist, Ive seen Gretsch copy’s with photo copied ( yes paper photos of flame tops ) that were glued to the guitar and spray painted over, thin tin foil stuck to guitar's and sprayed over with translucent paint to make it look metallic, guitars with no truss rods and some that have wires soldered in the back cavities that don’t actually go anywhere, wires that are soldered to pickups that lead nowhere, simply there for show lol 😂
The only way to buy a decent copy is if you know how to spot any and every issue a guitar can have, but unfortunately this seems to be the case with most guitar’s sold on line these days no matter what company makes them, especially overseas, more and more companies are selling inferior products with less quality control.
After having said all that, I’m extremely happy with my Les Paul copy and doubt I would ever sell it, but I knew exactly what I was getting, buyer beware.
Man you did the complete overhaul. I've enjoyed the outcome of this video for comments like these. It seems the only way to get the whole picture. I have so many spares in the workshop that I think I'm going to have to do something similar. If the veneer is on top of actual maple I'll sand through and refinish like a bound studio...Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.