Why New Bands Don't Play Gibson Guitars
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Gibson is one of the most legendary guitar brands out there, and has been making guitars for over 100 years, but after some rocky years in the past decades, have they finally lost their appeal with young musicians?
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I sold guitars for years and our company got into Fender because Gibson expected us to carry what they said we should carry and it had to be a certain amount and Fender just made it so much easier to get in business with them . We just sold more because of simply the price point and variety. Gibson has a history of getting in their own way
And this will be why Fender will continue to gain market share and Gibson will continue losing it. I love both brands, but I do tend to pick up Fender's when it is time to play. Gibson could make it easier for dealers and therefore make it easier for consumers to buy Gibsons. When Fender f*cks up, you do not notice it because of all the models and price points. Gibson, however... two words: Theo Dore.
My favorite shop here in Phoenix ran into the same situation as far as Gibson goes. They ended up not being an authorized Gibson dealer because of it, but then once the re-organization happened they signed another deal with them. They absolutely get in their own way, at least back in the day they used to. I don’t know what the future holds.
That less sentence ! Once I've got to know store owners in the past this always comes up.
@Magic They do it's called charvel & Jackson
Heard basically the same from all my music-store friends, back in the days before GC took over everything.
For what it’s worth, fender gave free guitars to a ton of bands at this years Coachella as a targeted marketing push and it worked super well.
Smart marketing!
Fender gave guitars to people I know in moderately successful indie bands (that already played Fenders mind you) and it really surprised me, I think they have good artist reps and push their brand that way. Seems smart to me.
Gibson has terrible, out of touch ownership. They wouldn't even think of doing this.
@@SimoneProvencher Yeah even back in the day they would day this. They would offer 1 or 2 custom shop guitars to smaller bands that were up and coming (but signed).
Also, those bands if they didn't play Fender, likely will now. When a company gives you a guitar, ots rarely what's on the wall if you're a major artist. It's gonna have a little more there. Fender has always marketed better than any guitar manufacturer, just look back to the "You won't part with yours, either." shtick. It was a major point in how the brand ever became so popular.
It feels like every week I see a young indie / pop artist around my age (I’m 22) post their brand new guitar that Fender have given them for free no strings attached, and it definitely makes a world of difference in how the brand is perceived. Fender is showing themselves to be supportive of young artists and in turn young artists want to play Fender. I couldn’t tell you an artist I listen to regularly who plays Gibson (a couple play Epiphone tho)
You said "No strings attached"... kinda funny.... what's a guitar without strings.
@@kevinrinehart Beat me to it.
This, yes, I've noticed it. Take some young new band, look at what they play in their old videos vs. what they play on their 'first US tour' or whatever. One old interview with Flaming Lips talked about how the Fender rep came to their shows and was like "Oh, you have Squier? No, no - we're going to hook you up" Its nothing new for Fender.
To be fair though you really can pick up a mexican made fender and get an amazing guitar for like 500 bucks that'll serve you forever. They win in terms of both the cool factor AND the value factor.
I'm pretty sure the strings are attached to the guitars...
I work in a guitar store, I would say about 50% of the high end Gibsons we get in need to be returned for various defects. Their quality control and fit and finish just aren't up to scratch for the cash they're asking. Just my personal experience, but I think that's the issue again particularly for the absurd amounts of cash they're asking.
This is huge insight. Thanks for sharing.
I think it's also because when they relocated their factory, a lot of their best luthiers and artisans chose to stay behind and founded their own high end guitar company instead called Heritage Guitars.
Which store?
Exactly. If you're willing to drop Gibson money, just get a PRS
@@fartexplosion4480 or Ibanez, Yamaha, Charvel etc. etc.
Gibson is nice but fairly expensive and not the only thing going. Others make great instruments. Maybe better. Gibson is like Harley Davidson, cool looking and loud with good resale. That's cool but not the only answer to instruments.
Funny you mention that, I recently had a conversation with someone and we compared Gibson to harley Davidson.
Actually great analogy!
I love my Harley-Davidson guitars Germany sends them to me LOL
@@Reportageandart same. Gibson tried to be a lifestyle brand and missed the mark big time.
Gibson - Harley Davidson
Epiphone - Honda
Fender - Ford
Ibanez - Toyota
Jackson - Kawasaki
Dean - Indian
Yamaha - Yamaha
This vintage SG of yours you were holding almost throughout the video was a silent yet blatent hint about a simple-to-manufacture-and-iconic guitar that Gibson could market more to younger players. Does make a lot of sense.
Yup, they just need to add a volute onto the back of the headstock to strengthen that weak point.
@@ChrisJimenez2010 But a volute will remind the blues lawyer crowd about the dark ages of the Norlin era! Volute bad! Change bad!
I’ve always loved the SG, S-style guitars are really popular these days and with good marketing and artist endorsements, Gibson can be a more popular choice in the modern music landscape.
@@ChrisJimenez2010 I’ve spoken with some fairly reputable guys over at the Dean custom shop and volutes are pretty much just a placebo. The way those headstock breaks happen is due to the wood the guitars are being made out of being lower quality and the headstock angle. I know I appreciate a volute but it won’t save a Gibson’s headstock if it’s in conditions where a headstock break will happen like an airline or shipping.
While that's a cool and versatile guitar, SGs are largely associated with AC/DC, which is as boomer rock as it can get. So probably not what younger players really want.
At rock & metal shows and festivals, Gibson and ESP seem to rule the day. Jackson, Charvel and Ibanez are also doing well. But you rarely spot a Fender at those shows.
John 5 is the exception
You also rarely see people younger than 40 years old on those kinds of boomer festivals.
@@prkp7248I wouldn’t really label all of rock and metal as “boomer” stuff. That’s just not accurate at all
@@prkp7248You are wrong, go to tech death metal shows and most people are under 40.
you don't need to and they don't need to be there . they're doing fine without having to bs their way into getting anybody to buy . fender delivers the goods at reasonable prices
A lot of good points in this video. I also rarely see young artists playing Gibsons. SGs are the most common if anything, and they are often on the cheaper side of Gibson.
I have an epiphone SG I love, I do want to buy a Gibson though just to have the name in my collection haha that's all anyone cares for now
I think the Jr and the special is the two best sounding designs they have and I think they should tackle that market a bit more
@@jeebusyaweirdo3733 I think the junior double cutaway could have a model with 3 pickups, different wood ( not mahogany) say swamp ash and even made with a bolt on neck in maple and rosewood fingerboard. Ibanez Les Paul’s in the late 70’s had maple necks and sounded great. They just need to adopt a different approach to what they do to include a lot of todays younger generation. Fenders have always been preferable for clean tones. Mahogany guitars have less snap to them. Paul Reed Smith has branched over to fender territory, why can’t Gibson?
I'm about to pull the purchase trigger and buy a SG Junior
The only Gibson I’ve ever owned in 24 years of playing was an SG (had to sell it to afford an engagement ring, but that’s another story). Every guitar I’ve owned before or since has been Fender.
I’m glad that Squier has upped the quality so much. I’ve seen touring bands with Jazzmasters and Jags slightly modded and they sound amazing.
Never would have guessed ten, fifteen years ago.
I have a Squier Affinity Strat, definitely sounds a lot like the higher priced Fenders and it looks and feels good to play. Plus there's so much room for upgrading parts for not much money if I want to.
Yep! I have a Squier CV Jazzmaster with custom pickups, staytrem bridge and wiring and it is by far the best guitar I own! Squier guitars are awesome.
Steve Rothery (Marillion) have used Squier for many years
The CV's are really nice at €400.
Squire's are severely underrated. They are good basis for a beginning guitarist. Particularly after a luthier or hobbyist makes some adjustments
PRS and Mesa boogie actually gave a lot of gear to a bunch of nu metal and pop punk bands back in the late 90s and early 2000s, and that def helped them gain a big following
Everyone in the late 90's-early 2000's pop rock nu metal scene had a prs with a mesa haha. That was back when Santana was the big PRS/MESA endorser.
Pretty sure silverchair was one of those bands
Rick from Goose used this setup too
How could you forget Primus?
@@Podcastforthewin The PRS Daniel Johns used the most was a gift from one of the guys in Helmet. He probably did eventually get some freebies, but I know the one that had all the stickers on it was from Helmet.
My first electric guitar was a made-in-Mexico Strat. It looked cool, and was affordable for a high-school kid. I still have it and it's still awesome!
Some Mexican strats are as nice as American strats! I love mine too!
My first one was a m. Strat too
I have a Mexican Telecaster in sunburst, its my favourite guitar.
@@nickmitchell6443 My Strat is Sunburst too. Still one of the coolest guitars ever. I have other, more expensive guitars now too, but I still love my Strat!
Absolutely love my Mexican Strat!
I ended up going to Fender after being a Gibson fanboy and a big factor in that was literally just the fact I could buy a Mexican Tele for $1000 and out of the box it played fabulous and in the same shop I saw a 5k Les Paul where the finish had melted on the hanger. Not to mention the finish quality on things like the fretboard. Fender is just the place to go.
I ended up buying 2 Mexican Fenders and subsequently modified both to my liking to make them unique for not a lot of money
The finish melting on the hanger was due to the type of finish, a lot of brands had that happen..
@@Tulsaghost1 then thats poor ass quality control for an expensive tool.
1000 dollars for a Mexican tele seems an awful lot. I have squires that cost under 300 bucks that play very well and I dont need to do a thing to them
Kids today are like: Good Fender: $600 Gibson les Paul $3000. Rent $1500. It's a no Brainer.
How could that possibly be figurative
Went to a sweetwater store and was guided through the store to find the right guitar for me. after some playing around with some guitars that were aestetically interesting, i found a love for the PRS Custom SE 24 in a Turquiose finish. I am a gemstone collector and i listen to all kinds of music from southern gothic to djent, but i dont listen to much country. Versatility was a major focus that needed to be addressed and it was addressed properly with my needs as a beginner guitar player. I dont have it yet, but once i get my financial aid back, im going to pick it up at the location and get to work with it. I am really hyped and excited and i cant wait to delve deep into the world of guitars. I think my AD(H)D can appreciate it as well.
You got help from some at sweetwater ? Wow that’s crazy lol . I live in ft Wayne and hate going in there . Salespeople standing around computers . Gotta beg someone to buy something . In used area I get help .in the new area hardly ever . I ordered my last item from there . As I went In and couldn’t get help lol. So free shipping went home and ordered. Made me miss guitar center really .
Hey kev, yeah i did!
I called them up and told them about my experience and that what was said was not exactly met with the same action. I saw the same thing you say as well but i did get the help i needed. I ended up pulling the trigger on a different guitar though and it was the PRS SE Custom 24-08 in faded blue with a boss katana 100 mk2.
So far I have been having a blast learning and am looking forward to where else this takes me in my journey through learning this awesome instrument! :D@@kevinroulette
in fairness - the Epiphone line is REALLY well made and have entry level models that are terrific - very competitive with Fender's terrific value guitars e.g. the Classic Vibe line
I know that for bass, Epiphone has far better reputation than Gibson. They definitely are a better value, and offer a wider variety of instruments. The Jack Casady in particular is one that I'm always surprised isn't a Gibson.
Yup...I was going to make the same comment. The increased quality of Epiphones has made them the best bang for the buck IMO. I'm currently on a waiting list for a P90 equipped TV yellow Epiphone Les Paul.
I’d go for an epiphone over a Gibson any day, I’ve hated the neck of every Gibson I’ve played but have no problems with their epiphone counterparts. Gibson should giveaway a load of epiphones to music schools and colleges to try and get younger people back
was gonna comment the same thing. Epiphone is seemingly more popular than gibsons nowadays. For someone like me especially it's nice to be able to have those guitars at surprisingly nice quality. I bought a brand new epiphone Es 335 this year and it[s killer and I would never have been able to know how much I love to play that kinda guitar had it been a $4000 Gibson
Gibson need a guitar to rival the MIM Fender and actually put Gibson on the headstock though. The name carries weight.
I love my Gibsons. And I think they have done a lot of great improvement and development in the Epiphone space for the more entry level or younger player - I think the headstock change was a fantastic start.
But in that sub-$2000 USD bracket, I think there's more work to do for the 'working' musician who just wants a decent meat and potatoes Gibson version of their Mexican/Japanese Fenders. I really think it's time they opened a 'Gibson Mexico', starting with focusing on decent quality and fun P-90 Les Pauls and the like.
And actually OWN and LOVE the fact these would be made in Mexico - community initiatives for the workers, educational initiatives for underprivileged kids south of the border and to signify a Mexican Gibson, a subtle 'Eagle & Snake' watermark somewhere on the instrument. Create folklore, much like Fender Japan has done!
That is, like Fender with Mexico and higher end Squiers, you create a range of guitars customers just 'want' for something different with fairly negligible outlay, rather than 'need' via big spending.
A really great idea! 👻
Gibson's and great guitars 🎸 ,no doubt! But they are extremely overpriced? For anyone just trying to make ends meet?
fuck that, they could do it and A. PRS S2 series would crush them in value and quality, and B. they wouldn't be any better than the Chinese guitars epipohnes were seeing, which are really really good. Its a niche they cant do without either bumping their USA stuff up or cutting the quality standards of Epiphone.
Uhm Bro, American Strats start at $1200 new the ultra Luxe tops out at $2400 and that is fenders top of the line modern guitar, what is gibson? 3-4k almost double for the modern design....... and I am not talking about SG standard or LP studio..their actual top of the line modern guitar.
Gibson is a sham on this one, I'd rather buy an S2 PRS and swap the pickups and wiring and still be way cheaper and an American Made guitar with much better quality....by miles.
@@nocturnal101ravenous6 100%
Hi. I own a few Fenders and Gibsons. I would say that I have modified all the Fenders to get the sounds I want and to play like I want them to. I have rarely had to do the same to the Gibsons.
Gibsons are heavy and sound like toot
@@psplayer1344 I assume by 'toot' you mean 'bad'. I have 7 Gibsons and all are awesome. Perhaps you can't appreciate quality?
@@psplayer1344 ...and SGs are not heavy
@@robw9994 they’re top heavy 😂😂😂
What is the average all in cost of your Fenders and Gibsons?
Can't forget about Ibanez, the most popular guitar players of the internet(Ichika Nito, Tim Henson, Manuel Gardner Fernández), all of them have their signature Ibanez guitars and they are the main reason my first electric guitar (bought a year ago) is an Ibanez
When I was growing up I literally thought that if you make it big as a guitar player Ibanez will make you a guitar. All because literally everyone played an Ibanez accross genres.
Idk who any of those guys are.. lol
Yvette Young as well, I’m tryna save up for her YY10. I think Scott LePage might have an Ibanez custom too.
Steve Vai⤴️
Ibanez has a low entry point for new players, and that builds a brand relationship. The cheapest Gibson is a professional-level price and they refuse to call anything cheaper 'Gibson' as a means to shame the player. That's why Ibanez stays strong... they build brand loyalty early.
What I think Gibson should do is to make very wacky guitars based on their current guitars, but at decent prices. Anything that would make young guitarists want to buy them and create or experiment with new sounds. I imagine a baritone SG with a single filtertron style pickup on a NYC cab yellow color. Maybe a 335 style guitar with 3 P90s, and a bright green color. Just weird stuff that is different enough to be interesting, but doesn't entirely alienate current customers.
You can get all of that with Reverend and have a guitar that is built extremely well and owned by someone who loves the up & coming musicians.
That would defeat the whole purpose of having epiphone
I really dig my Epiphone Les Paul. Swapped the pickups for Seymour Duncan's and pots for coilsplitting. It has not let me down
I don't see the point in spending more on a Gibson, Epiphones are just as good.
I didn't even change the pickups in mine, it's a beauty.
With a bit of fret dressing and a proper setup, That Epi plays just as nice as it's big brother.
Especially since doing a collaboration with Gibson's custom shop on their Epiphone 59' with Gibson Burstbuckers Switchcraft switch & jack.
Thing's a beast.
I play a 90s Korean made Epi Les Paul, swapped pickups for Seymour Dunkins. Love it, I have some other more expensive guitars, buy I play my Epi the most
Saw Rick's video showing how guitar was getting more prevalent in music again. Very good video.
I have seen some cool guitars not from Fender or Gibson.
Miyako Watanabe plays her Dean Signature V among other Dean's she has. She's a multi-instrumentalist. She recently picked up a Gibson Flying V. She does have a Les Paul she uses for a couple songs.
Miku Kobato plays her Zemaitis Signature Flappy Pigeon guitar. She may be primarily a rhythm guitarist and back up/co lead vocalist, but she's the brains behind her band.
Dimebag Darrell Abbott (RIP) used Dean.
When I saw The Who in the late 70s Pete Townshend had 4 guitars on stage. They were all black Les Pauls, and they were numbered 1 - 4 with large white numerals (I guess so the sound crew could see which one he was playing?). That & the fact that Jimmy Page often played Les Pauls made them utterly iconic to me. Now I tend to see Strats as the most iconic, and that's partly thanks to Jimi Hendrix.
Fun fact: Fender was all set to retire the Stratocaster, then Jimi Hendrix played Woodstock and Fender decided to change their minds.
His Les Pauls were numbered for different tunings.
Page used Teles on the first Zeppelin album, and I'm pretty sure the solo on "Stairway to Heaven". All the stuff with "The Yardbirds".
@@peteywheatstraws4909but page live. Past 70, the tele was not on stage
Fun fact is that Leo was never too concerned about the quality, but luckily the musicians themselves established the standard and definition of a good guitar, otherwise he would have cooperated with IKEA and teles/strats would have been made it out of cardboard today.
Jimmy's Telecaster sold a lot of Les Poops.
It’s also because Fender has soooo many different options and choices. I mean look at their parallel universe series. They are a modifier players guitar. So many colors, pickups, and options. I am so glad jazzmasters, Jaguars, and mustangs are popular. I remember when I was in high school over 10 years ago trying to find an affordable offset fender and couldn’t find any until my first year of college in 2011/2012. They are truly listening to the players
The new player series duo sonics sound really good
fender is a shitty ONE trick pony.......I remember my first beer too!
@@94SexyStang how
@@MinorInfluence92
He doesn't know. Just a hater.
I was just remarking on the same thing to my jam buddy. I went to a small music festival recently and saw exactly one Gibson (a Les Paul) and like a dozen Telecasters (even a Jaguar appearance). Fenders play well, they're affordable, they're bomb-proof, and the company has all kinds of really well-designed educational material out there for people to learn from.
Great video, though I feel you brushed over the 'overpriced' part a bit. Yes, they cost more to build than Fenders, but Gibbys routinely go for 3-5k..that Adam Jones model was what, £10k?..that amount of money is ultimately inaccessible for the vast majority of young artist, and frankly considering the alternative options on the market, is a bit nuts - or atleast, very out of touch with a long term plan for viability. Fender all the while releases great quality guitars for under 1000 and excellent quality guitars for just a little more.
Also it's hard for me to ignore the idea that Gibson price their guitars *relative* to the cost of their vintage models on the used market.
This!
Not to mention the Squier Classic Vibe series with about $50 in electronic upgrades is better than most MIM Fenders. They are shockingly great.
@@jezmez68 Depends on what era MIM I find the 90s and some early 2000's to be great guitars.
Good points. PRS has dipped into the Gibson market quite a bit I am sure. Fender def makes solid gig worthy guitars for much less and the fact that we have access to pretty much everything vs 20-30 years ago when you bought what was at the music store or pawn shop you could get to.
Agree. Yes, carved top and set neck make them more expensive than a bolt on with no comfort cuts. But while Fender's don't have carved tops, they do have a lot more in the way of comfort and access carving than does a Gibson. At $2300 you are at the top of the Fender production lineup. At that price with Gibson, you are about in the middle of the lineup. Plus, in 2017 a buddy bought a LP Studio for about $750. The guitar most comparable today is something like a LP Special Tribute, which is $999. That's a big price jump in 5 years. And it points to the bigger issue, which is that Gibson doesn't make affordably priced instruments with the Gibson name on them. Much like Apple laptops started at $1000 because Apple didn't make an entry level model, Gibsons start at a $1000 because they don't have an entry level model, exactly. They have a handful of models under $2k. Fender has like 500 models under about $1200.
From my point of view, Gibson needs to start inventing and innovating again. Like they did with LP and SG and FB etc. Not replace, but extend the product range. I also would love to see more Epiphone originals, not "cheap gibson copies", as the brand is as strong as Gibson is, historically.
I really want that '66 reissue Wilshire. Epiphone make some great guitars.
Um, that attempt at "innovation" just about killed Gibson, and Fender frankly. 95% of guitars sold are older designs. Its ain't broke, no need to fix it, and innovation for the sake of innovation is a sure path to bankruptcy.
The new "Inspired By Gibson" Epiphones are excellent. Check out the videos on the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul. I just got one, and it's awesome!
Btw, I have a "More Paul" (an Epiphone DC PRO - basically a DC LP) and an "Inspired by Fender" (an Epiphone strat from 80s) and I love them both. One probably wants this kind of "almost classics" in the middle-age crisis...
Unfortunately they tried that back in 2015 and absolutely tanked. I feel like anyone who interested in paying for a Gibson wants the classic style setup. I will say this though, my number one player is my 2013 Gibson les Paul studio futura, after I took the etune off first….
All valid points ! I also think that the majority of the fender players that you are adressing in the newer generation play indie music that is highly influenced by bands who played fenders for their ability to sound cleaner and stack up well with pedals. We’re in a pedal heavy era … Gibson’s are much more plug and play for the players with less pedals. Also … fender sound more polite. And the popular music genres are not heavy hitting and loud like the old school rock bands . Look at the overall standard for stage volumes … a lot of the young kids don’t really know what it is to see a real live rock & roll band. And the volume and agressivity that comes with it. Like led zeppelin ! Not super distorted but heavy , loud and agressive ! I feel that rock is not the leading genre of music now a day’s and Gibsons are rock’s main guitar. For me it will always be Gibson 🖤 Long live rock !!
Once again, the genius of Leo Fenders designs comes through. On top of the accessibility, the modularity of those designs means that is really easy to mix and match to get what you want. Set-neck guitars are limited, mostly to pickups. For this boomer, since I got my first Strat (MIM) almost 25 years back, my Gibson “The Paul” has, largely, gathered dust.
I'll buy it off you 👀🤪
I have always been a Fender player. And I have to note that they have really been doing some impressive things with options and technology that covers a lot of ground. As a result I picked up some new Fenders in the last year and I am very pleased with both the quality and the price points they are offering.
Modular. That’s the whole point of Fender solidbodies.
As it should. I always maintained that no self-respecting player would go onstage with a guitar called "The Paul". It was a budget guitar aimed at the Ibanez players, but it failed because of the dorky name. I mean: after a lifetime in music I have *never* heard anyone call their Les Paul: "The Paul" . . never ever in my 50 years as a guitarist. So what was Gibson's motive in making The Paul? It seemed to me that they were thumbing their noses at players who wanted a Gibson but didn't wanna pay for one. So they made a cheapie and gave it that abominable name, as if to say: Here's your cheap Gibson, you skinflints. Take it and play it in good health, if you can stand the ridicule you're gonna get!
But was it Leo Fender's design or was it Paul Bigsby's design?
The faded cherry series that they produced in the late 90's for $600 was fantastic for young players. When I was see a kid playing an epiphone in a shop, I'd talk to them and then get them to try one of those that was only $50 more in some cases. A lot of times that would be the guitar they would walk out with. And I didn't even work at a guitar store!
Agreed - my first Gibson was an SG faded in worn brown I bought used for the price of a new Epiphone
Same. My first Gibson, cool brown SG with crescent moon inlays for $500. Wish I never sold it. And I didn't worry about scratching it.
part of it to me (as a gen z person who chose to buy an american Ultra strat), is the numerous "quirks" of gibsons that also turn me off of buying one as well from others experiences. I dont want to worry about my expensive guitar going to waste because one single drop snapped the headstock. I want long sustain. i want to feel comfortable. I want my g string to stay in tune. I don't want neckdive. I paid for a guitar that is supposed to just work, not a luxury display item that doubles as a guitar. My point is, fender also is doing a better job in making guitar playing accessable thru the design of their guitars and similar that Gibson is not. Now, is Fender the leading pioneer in this? No, I think they could definitely do better. As it stands though, I feel they have a leg up in almost every departmentr
ooof the headstock comment hurt me.
I got a SG for my 16th bday back in 2008 after playing a strat a few years. Took it to it's first gig which was a sweet sixteen party. Somehow it slipped off the on stage stand and broke the headstock lol....
i cried but now i play a Ibanez THBB10 which is also an expensive custom guitar but its so much more solid.
Facts.
I think another overlook the aspect is the fact that Gibson under the former leader ship, really treated their dealers like crap. Several guitar stores that I normally go to in the Pittsburgh area that have sold Gibsons for decades do not have one in the store as of now. They’ve just now started talking with Gibson again about actually selling their products.
As a bass player, the main aversion to gibson I've always had is that most of their basses just sound bad, plainly. A mud machine is cool if you're running it through a big muff but that's a micro niche of music. They're making good steps with the new thunderbirds(epiphone and gibson) and the rd artist, or maybe the grabber, but every thing else they've done is either just "meh" or outright bad. Tbh I can't even remember the last time I saw a gibson bass on stage. I believe the fact they all cost well north of $1500 is a factor.
I actually got to borrow (frequently) a Gibson Victory bass many years ago. You could get a HUGE sound on it but that thing felt like 20 pounds around my neck 😂
That was when I was like 19-22 or so. I’m 46 now. My neck and back aren’t what they used to be. I now play a nice, very light weight, import Jazz bass lol
The grabber and ripper are good instruments. Good luck finding one though.
If you ever get a gibson bass just give it to me
i mostly agree with this, the sg basses ive tried are just extremely dull sounding even before you plug them into an amp, i even got to play a flying v bass once but its wasnt too great sounding either even though it looked really cool.
but i recently found a gibson eb-5T and its not a mud machine like the others, isnt too heavy either! i had to mess with the controls on the bass and the amp a bit to finally get a useable tone with clarity but now its a firebreather! especially with some dirt it comes alive, if you can find one like I did used for less than a grand i'd snatch it up quick
Just get a Sterling Stingray and be done with it. Or an Ibanez Soundgear.
As a professional musician who just came up in the last decade with a band I can say this firmly: Fender has done a MUCH better job with outreach to young musicians in the industry. As soon as I was signed I was getting artists discounts with Fender. I don’t know any young artist’s sponsored by Gibson in any way. There was *one* guy but I wonder if nepotism played a part haha. I actually played Gibson sponsored events, with loaner Gibson’s…… yet no deals offered! 😂 If you want your brand to be cool, get it in the hands of emerging artists. Also Brett: the SG will always be cool. Always. That’s the forever hip Gibson in my book ;)
Gibson is greedy thats why I just buy Harley Bentons if i want a Gibson style guitar.
Honestly the lack of "new models" is one of the issues... its like LPs are vanilla ice cream and they only sell "vanilla + toppings". Fender has the strat,tele, jaguar, jazzmaster, mustangs, the weirdos like the cyclones, meteora,coronado,etc... also, Fenders are way easier to "customize" you just swap the pickguard and get a different beast.... also, some Gibbys have killer neck dive (i have been told to change to light tuners but that's not something they list generally)
Gibson may do better in the future, after they get bought out by fender.
Grace bower ?
@@richardlecomte6839 strong words
i work at a guitar store and apparently in order to be a certified vendor for Gibson, one of the criteria is the orders for guitars have to amount in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range (either that or around a million, some ridiculous number). that made me dislike them cause i work at a guitar store on a small island where we’re literally the only music store around. we carry Fender, Taylor, Martin, PRS, Jackson, Ibanez, Music Man, and Gibson’s criteria to be a dealer is that for every order you must pay an amount that exceeds what our little music shop doesn’t even make in a year.
I love seeing the computer set up, the amp heads and this guy just holding his guitar even though he’s not playing anything while he’s talking about instruments. It looks beautiful!
Agree 100%. Amp heads just have a presence, excuse the pun, and regardless of brand these heads are just iconic-whether classic or new releases.
@@callum5392 I actually just bought the iridium from strymon so I no longe ruse an amp… the sound so much better! Digital amps are getting too good man. I hate playing through my amps now lol
yeah... it's almost like Rhett is some kind of professional youtuber who has been doing this for awhile and understands framing and focus... almost
im 33 and still very much in love with my sunburst gretsch 5120, been using it now for over a decade.
Gretch Guitars are seriously overrated
@@samc4451 I'm still gonna play em 👍
I have five electric guitars and my Gretsch is my favorite. And the company has been around for 140+ years. Kind of hard to do if they are "overrated".@@samc4451
I think if you make a guitar that is prone to headstock breaks, and has trouble staying in tune, then you're telling potential customers that you don't really care about them. These are easy fixes, but Gibson seems committed to preserving the past at all costs.
I think they need to develop a modern line of guitars that is committed to fixing ALL the design errors, make them forward looking instead of looking to the past. Contemporary musicians need to contemporary instruments. If you want to repeat the past, then use instruments/designs from the past. If you want to make something new, then new instrument designs will help you get their. The guitar is a fertile ground for improvement and innovation. One last thing, guitars that are uncomfortable to play (too heavy, no comfort cuts, etc.), usually don't get played.
Yes, my custom guitar builds always include a solid volute, which helps prevent headstock breaks.
You are describing something Gibson has already started when they separated into making the original and modern collection. With a brand as big as Gibson they are never gonna please everyone. Factoring the business side of things it’s not as easy as we players think. But it’s nice to see them take our suggestions into consideration and making changes as gradual as they may be for some.
Agree
They're a nostalgic company, it's just the way they roll.
I think Epiphone is the farm league for new and improved designs.
I actually think gibsons are overpriced. I've tried some entry level gibsons which are kinda same priced to middle priced Gretsch (which I own) and the gretsch just felt like a much better quality guitar and was way comfortable and detailed than the Gibson. Also I think a good part of fender's success right now is that opposite to one guitarist singlehandelly geting attention to the brand (like your slash example) fender has gotten into artists of so so so many different music styles from today and yesterday (like the just released Nile Rodgers hitmaker)
Yea that point in the video doesn't make much sense. Value comes from how much something can sell for in a market, not how much time or money was spent on it.
I'll take lower end Les Pauls over standard Fenders. They're cheaper but better guitars. I guess this is an unpopular opinion though, so far as I can tell.
I’m in the Gretsch area, too; wanted a semi-hollow that could take whatever I dish out, tried everything from Oscar Schmidt and Firefly up to a Gibson 335 and a Silver Falcon, and found the best option for comfort, versatility, build quality, and value to be an Electromatic G5622. If I could’ve gotten any of them for the same price, I’d have still gone with that one.
I have this mid-2000s Gretsch ProJet retrofitted with TV Jones Classic and Classic+ pickups. Sounds as good as an ES-335 but for well under $1K.
When you price entry level American made Gibson’s vs Fender guitars the Gibson is cheaper by far!!!
I’m 59 years old and maybe I am a Gibson fan boy but check the prices for yourself.
I've been playing for 35 years and think that it's easier to find a Fender/Squire that sounds and plays well. The sound and playability of Gibson products is to hit and miss for me. The boutique prices don't help either.
exactly.... I started with an SG & while it was very playable , it was also quite limited in sound. I've found WAY more sound options on a newer Squire Strat than I EVER had with the SG. Gibsons sound muddy under straight amplification while my Squire and Mustang have the unmistakable clean Fender sound. I can make the Strat sound like a Les Paul but you can't find a Les Paul that sounds like a Strat. Ever play a Gibson amp...?- I've yet to find one that didn't suck. They all needed pedals to sound workable........
Strat's are also pretty light and sit close to the body when you hold it. I feel a huge difference in how far I have to reach when swapping between mine. I've been playing for 30 years and this isn't a problem for me, but I could def see why this would appeal to new players.
Your a 100% right. Owner of a Les Paul and start here for decades and although I much prefer the sound of the Les Paul, its soooo much heavier than the Strat. I could see that when people play a lot every night that it can become a burden. Maybe Jimmy Page, Peter Frampton, Angus Young and Slash are just so much stronger than me :)
Companies like ESP make LP style guitars that are thinner than the full size LP
True.
Also, Gibson is mostly (even though they make great guitars with P90s) a Humbucker guitar maker. And a lot of the "new" music is possibly better suited for a more all-round guitar with single-coils, like a strat. Possibly also a factor?
Younger players in the heavier styles are also focusing on more modern style guitars like Strandberg, Aristides, Kiesel, etc. But in regards to Gibson, I don't know if their target market will ever be the youngest players. They already have Epiphone for entry level sales. But do you think Mercedes-Benz is extremely concerned with the teenage/early 20's market? No, they're selling to people with money that are looking for quality. I think it is as it should be.
I think another issue with Gibson and touring musicians is that they break more easily. Spending almost 3k on a guitar and you're worried about the headstock?? And if you're touring in just a van, it'll get stolen and that feels even worse...
The Headstock just looks scary.
A top of the line assembly line fender is half the price of the Gibson counterpart hence more fenders in use. But there's something about that Gibson sound!
Exactly why my unbroken 50 year old les paul stays home - damage and theft
Punters cant hear the difference, anyway
@@dragan4658 There is. But the new Yamaha Revstars will probably get you there too for a much lower cost. And the mid- and high-end versions also come with stainless steel frets.
@@syntaxlost9239 Exactly, ever since I bought a Revstar, I think this the only Humbucker guitar I want. I don't use my Epiphone Les Paul anymore and I might sell it.
my main guitar is a Stratocaster and before that it was a jaguar, and my inspiration was the arctic monkeys who use fenders mostly (actually the es335 is used a lot in that band). Fender is definitely catching everyone, but something that would push Gibson quite nicely is making the Theodore cheap, if they had a £500 version of a brand new guitar, that would help. I also love Les Pauls and if there was a cheap one in the right colour I'd be all over it. And actually more colours and features would also help Gibson, because I get tired of seeing 10 gold les pauls on the wall next to each other.
When I read "my main guitar is a Jaguar" I thought okay I bet he loves AM
They should put more work and offer more Epiphone versions of their guitars. When I was considering buying a Thunderbird or SG bass, there were basically 2 or 3 colors to choose from (black, cherry, white). Compare it with Squier, which offers something for everyone (price and model wise) and you have the answer why Fender products are way more popoluar among begginers. And for some reason they don't want to reissue Grabber/Ripper bass, even though many bass players have been begging for it for years now. Gibson, as a company, seems unimaginative and lazy - rehashing the same ideas over and over again.
They could sell the Theodore for $50 and nobody would buy that ugly turd
@@IndyRockStar That's what could be called a false equivalence, he is requesting options for fair priced models and improved designs. Not completely changing the entire field of work into a different profession not related to instruments. Quite a terrible analogy. However since we are to make comparisons to other fields of work, why is the lack of innovation accepted and almost encouraged in the guitar industry? Because vintage/legacy? No other industry really does this. Imagine if the automobile industry just went with the 1908 Ford Model T and went that's it, this is perfect and there is no need to improve on anything else.
@@simonebergamo97 I hate to be that guy… Alex plays a jazzmaster not a jaguar.
I work in a big music instrument retailer and there's several reasons imho:
1.- Gibson happened to produce very low quality guitars for a few years, which hurt brand awareness and trust.
2.- The competition is much, much, MUCH stronger than it was a couple decades back. Not only stablished brands but also an increase of quality in knock-offs.
3.- It's marketed as a "classic rock" brand.
4.- A perception on part of the public of value for money. Why buy a 2k guitar when you can buy a great 1k Fender or other brand or spend 800 on a high end Epiphone.
My issue with Gibson is that they don’t sound like I expect them to until they get into the very top price bracket.
Why pay thousands for a “cheap” dark, muddy, physically heavy, hard to play LP, when there are so many other options that sound better and don’t physically get in the way of the upper register.
Gibson are a fetish brand now, like classic cars.
Agree. Their quality control is still a problem. Shouldn’t have to start having things done well from the +$2000 range.
Also agreed, but, V's & SG's are really good for getting to the upper register.
Agree. If they continue to survive, they'll be a boutique brand for, as Rhett stated, Boomers and Gen Xers who have the money to buy them and want one because their heroes played them way back when. Even then, will they get played or kept in a pristine condition (hardly played) as an investment like art or classic cars?
So true. I had plenty of crappy lower end LPs, and until I bought a Custom Shop model, I never realized what an amazing instrument it could be.
Depends almost entirely on what Amp you use with it.
It’s related to tone, IMO. 25.5 scale vs 24.75 (Fender & Gibson respectively). The longer scale lends itself to brighter, more jangly and cleaner tones like you hear in modern pop/rock. Gibson guitars still have much love from those who go play crunchier and want darker tones.
That is something I want to hear with the same Guitar model in both scales....
@@bluematrix5001 pickups make way more of a difference, but the looser strings of a shorter scale are discernibly darker to my ears. I was able to test that on 2 PRS SE semi-hollows with the soap bar pickups: one a 25 inch scale, one a 27.7 inch scale, and the longer baritone, playing identical notes, sounded brighter. The reason I mention pickups is because Rickenbackers are also 24.75, but are known for that bright, jangly tone. Pickups make way more difference, but scale factors in.
You’re right. Fender never has and never will be a serious option in metal circles.
@@NoNameForThisGuy vthe sacle difference is so tiny that I am sure there are so many other variables that make a way greater difference
scale length really has nothing to do with tone. It's more of a feel thing, longer scale guitars play stiffer and the frets are wider apart, not good for anyone with shorter fingers
Since im a left handy. In my student years I bought a Hagstrom. They have their version of LP that plays really well for around 500, 10 years ago.
I have a Hagstrom. I think they're underrated.
Another great video, Rhett, thank you!
I'm a Gibson guy, specifically a Les Paul guy. Not a knock on other brands or models, just my preference.
Having said that, the inconsistency is beyond frustrating. I have played far too many LPs that just didn't speak to me -- not that they were bad, just not the "right" one -- as opposed to Fender instruments that, while not right for me, fell within a much narrower range of feel, sound, and vibe. I know where a Strat or Tele lives, and most of the ones I've played are in their zone. Again, just my opinion.
I agree that current Gibson leadership has done a lot of good things, but they're not perfect. The new McCarty "lost design" release is a curiosity at best, but to only build a handful of them means 99+% of us will never even get close, making it a waste of time, effort, and money for the broader guitar market. Same with all of the other super-limited pieces, what is that model accomplishing in the big picture? How many people are looking at those items and saying "It's out of my reach, but I'll go out and buy a different instrument, unrelated to that special model"?
Another thing I wish Gibson would do is open a mid-tier facility. Fender brings their players along from the inexpensive Asian models to the MIMs and on to USA-made instruments. Whether it's true or not, a lot of people think Epiphones aren't on a par because of their provenance, while a fair number of others scoff at paying at or about $1000 or more for an Epi. If Gibson shuffled the deck and introduced a mid-level set of instruments that sat between the overseas production and Nashville, I think they'd find a willing customer base.
You're correct about youth marketing -- why isn't Gibson working with H.E.R. type of artists, why does it feel like the company has just given that battlefield to Fender?
Finally, there's the price. Again, it might just be perception, and it's hard to make this an apples-to-apples comparison, but it seems like your dollar goes a lot farther in California than it does in Tennessee. Even for people who can pay the price, it's a consideration, so imagine what those on a tight(er) budget are thinking.
Another thing is, if you're on a tight budget, but you want a cool LP guitar, you could literally buy a decent quality single-cut, kit or pawn shop, and do a few weeks of RUclips tutorials on wiring and painting and make a killer guitar with that style, hell if you know where to look, and are patient enough, you could even add full binding and still be about $4000+ cheaper than an okay Gibson name brand.
What style of music do you play? Are you over 40 years old?
@@KenTeel If you're talking to me, I am 30 years old, if you're talking about Bruce, who we are both replying to, I have no clue. (And for the answer just in case, I'm just a hobby player who mostly plays bass, and I like several different genres of music)
I'm a Gibson guy, specifically a Les Paul guy - as well. I have all kinds of guitars, but I fall back to the LP constantly. My Strat is the only guitar I will never sell, it's that good. I'm 60 and have owned a little of everything imaginable. Guitars are awesome.
Yeah, you can pay $2300 for a Les Paul Classic from the "Modern" collection and not get locking tuners! If you want locking tuners, you have to step up to the LP Modern for $3k. But you still won't get stainless frets. I get that the "Original" collection guitars won't have locking tuners because they weren't on a 50s or 60s LP, but no locking tuners for a "modern" guitar that sells for over $2,000? For $2,500 on a Fender Ultra Luxe (strat or tele) I get stainless frets, locking tuners, a compound radius fretboard, and an upper-register access carve.
Gibson also was decidedly a "dad guitar" going into the 60s. Keith Richards took the les Paul from a jazz guitar to being THE rock and roll guitar
No better poster boy for Gibson, IMO, than Jimmy Page.
@@zbqb84a definetely! every time I see an old video of him playing his Tele or his Danelectro I just think to myself:"Put that thing away and play YOUR guitar" XD
@@zbqb84a Which is also funny, considering most of his studio work was done on Tellies, or more off the beaten path instruments.
I think Clapton had more to do with that than Keith
@@gofastly9989 stones started in 62, cream started in 66. but I can see that. clapton was more of a guitar god than keith ever was
You're right on all points. I'm 39 and used to work for Gibson assembling guitars during the Henry era. The standard models were OK but they churned out a ton of crap (the robot, the mirror guitars, the LP BFG, the LP GT). Fender has prce points for everyone, and the quality and most of them are fantastic. You can get your foot in the door with a non American model and work your way into the nicer versions of the same model. Plus, the variety of styles and configurations is great. Gibson is firmly stuck in the past and keeps catering to them. Plus, in our current economy, even if a kid wanted a Gibson he couldn't afford one, but he could buy an entire awesome rig for the price of 1 Les Paul.
I worked at Epiphone around 2012 and got a Gibson LP with our discount. Worst piece of shit guitar I’ve ever owned.
hilarious and accurate- a midlevel gibson is the cost a mid level fender and a very nice amp
Agreed. I feel like as a beginner who seeks to further his gear there's a psychological barrier at around the 1000 $/£/€ mark, up until that point Gibson offers nothing too appealing... Some outlet/B-stock Les Pauls, while there's dozens of stratocasters and telecasters with all types of PU configurations, often far under the 1000$ mark too
I don’t know. It’s a matter of preference. I’ve hated every Fender I’ve ever played except the telecaster.
I don't think it has to do with Gibson being "your dad's guitar" but with a Gibson Junior going for 1700€ in EU. Studios for 2k, Standards for 2.5 to +3k etc.
I teach Guitar class in a middle school. I asked everyone, "what guitar would you get if I gave each one of you $5,000".
Answers I got included " Ibanez PIA, Custom Shop Starts/Tele's, PRS Core Models, ESPs, and I even got a Gibson 335.
Virtually no one said "Les Paul". I found that very interesting. But it seems like the Japanese guitars are killing it even more now, and it's well-deserved. They know how to make great guitars. Hell, they know how to make amazing instruments in general. I'm a piano player first and foremost and I would be completely happy with a Yamaha piano. Would I prefer a steinway or a Bösendorfer? Hell yeah. But Yamahas are amazing as well.
I love Gibson guitars, but when companies like Ibanez and PRS basically offer what people need for a pretty nice price (MIJ RG550 for about $1000). It's pretty difficult for people like me who love Gibson stuff but just can't really afford one. That's why I'm going for an Epiphone SG custom instead, looks killer but still affordable.
I truly believe that great tone and outstanding playing comes mainly from the musician. Find a quality guitar that fits your budget and learn to play it well. Listeners will be blown away by your talent, not your gear.
I have an Epiphone Elitist SG from '05 or '06. It is AMAZING. And like 1/3 the price of the "proper" Gibson. I believe the newer Epiphone SG Customs are trying to do the same thing. All that to say... I hope you enjoy your Epiphone as much as I've enjoyed mine.
I still see Chinese guitar manufacturers who put out Chibson's that are higher quality than Gibson - and at a fraction of the cost. Who doesn't know you are paying a premium price for the word "Gibson" on the headstock? It has become an investment grade guitar for boomers and gen Xers - but that is a problem. You don't play clubs with investment grade guitars - because any nick or ding kills the value of investment grade guitars. And forget about just practicing with your friends over beers!
Epiphone IS Gibson, just their bidget brand. But they are really well made these days and an excellent choice. So go for it!
@@jeffthompson1869 Wow, just about everything you said is totally incorrect. But hey go right ahead with your BS biases and make ignorant comments. Its the internet after all!
My son had been learning on an acoustic for a couple years when he finally convinced me he was serious enough to invest in an electric, so we went guitar shopping. He spent several hours trying all kinds of guitars (thank you, Chicago Music Exchange). He had literally no clue about any guitar brands, much less who was playing them. He just listened to the sound. The one that he fell in love with was a Gibson Les Paul Studio that was, thankfully, seriously reduced in price, although obviously still a very expensive instrument for a 13 year old. But I had a background in classical music and I knew how expensive those instruments can get, so it didn’t seem outrageous to me. I also knew that I wanted him to have an instrument that his playing wouldn’t outgrow-or that his ear wouldn’t outgrow. So I made a deal with him that that guitar and an amp would be Christmas, birthday, and every other conceivable present for at least a year. He’s heading to college in the fall and he now has a MIM Strat to complement the Gibson. He plays both and uses them to achieve different colors for different songs and music styles. But his heart belongs to the Gibson.
This is a good point about price. When I went shopping for a nice pro-grade flute for my GF's 40th birthday, I suddenly realized what a bargain electric guitars are.
You’re a great parent
❤❤❤
Loved this. If his happiness is the tone of that Gibson, you did an awesome job. My parents got me a Fender Stratocaster MIM at 15. I’ve played USA models which can be fairly expensive as well, but I always fell back to MIM and not because of price. I do recommend for good Strat sound is getting better pickups. I recently installed Fender CS Texas Specials and you can’t go wrong with those things. Excellent saucy blues tone.
When i was 13, I was obcessed with electric guitars and could only afford the toys'r'us electric guitars. Almost bought myself that thing, thank God my dad was like "nah, well get you a real guitar", which was a Epi SG G-400 $350 at the time. I think if it wasnt for the fact i had a stunning guitar that felt and played great, Idk if id be playing still today.
Fast forward 15 years, music is my life, guitar is my life, and left my engineer job to become a luthier.
I trust your decision to get your kid a nice guitar will go a LONG way and impact his life in ways you cant even fathom today!
Side note, your kid is 13 and hes going to college next year?! Smart kid eh? crazy....
One anecdotal data point from a Gen X'er. When I started playing in the early 80's, Les Pauls and Strats were what we aspired to buy because they were "real" guitars that would play in tune and sound like all the bands we loved. In my case, it took delivering a lot of papers and other jobs to save up enough for my first Les Paul , which was a wine red Standard that I still have and love. I paid less than $300 for that guitar (1983). In the latter part of the 80's, the price differential between a Les Paul Standard and an American Strat was maybe $150 with the Gibson costing more. Since then, the Gibsons have gone into the stratosphere (pun intended) as far as price is concerned while their quality went south. Fender got more expensive, but not out of line with what a musician can afford (one of you points in this excellent video). Disclaimer: I haven't compared guitar prices or the quality of new guitars for over 10 years.
This video is excellent and I will continue to enjoy my 2 Les Paul Standards (early 80's and early 90's), my mid 80's Strat and my 90's Parker Nite Fly (great guitar). Thank you.
The Band Camino are getting real popular and they play Gibson and in a recent interview with premier guitar they talked quite a bit about how awesome Gibson has treated them and continues to expand on that relationship. I personally don’t like Gibson at all. I’ve played a ton and it’s just totally not for me at all - but they absolutely have their place in the market and I hope they never go out of business. They’re truly a staple!!!
I think it’s price point. Most musicians I’ve talked to was price point and quality. There’s some really great guitars out there for a great price plus you won’t feel bad for modding your guitar. Which I think is cool and may make it more personal in a way
100% this. Too much $$$. I was a kid playing in garage bands during the height of the Grunge era 30 years ago when basically everyone in grade school was forming bands and everyone was playing Mexican Strats which were $300 new at the time with maybe a few who could afford the American Standard ones or a Japanese Mustang. I knew 1 person who had a Gibson. Way too much money to even consider. Also they weigh a lot more.
Leo also designed the "Broadcaster" to be readily and affordably REPAIRABLE. Instead of having to heat or apply solvent and pressure to the neck/body joint as one has to do to remove a Gibson set neck, all one needs to remove and replace a Fender neck is a Phillips screwdriver. I repair ALL of my things myself, so the Fender design is preferred. ☺️
As a younger guy, I think Fender has really adapted well to this new era of young and up-and-coming musicians very well. They send tons of free guitars out to new artists and show tons of support, and overall are just a lot easier to fit in with this generation. Their guitar shapes are timeless, and they're significantly more experimental and adaptable. Take for example the Squier Contemporary series or the Jim Root signatures. The biggest thing for me personally is how much more customizable Fenders are. The bolt on necks and removable pickguards make modifications SUPER easy and makes it really easy to put together your own unique guitar. The ability to sort of build your own signature guitar in my opinion makes creating music and learning the instrument so much funner and encouraging.
Lol how? By doing different color combinations on the same two guitars they have been selling since the beginning?
@@xaphan8581 I guess you haven't seen the new models they've drop out to the market lol
Also, it's not like Gibson has done better than Fender if we talk about innovation, and that comes from a guy whos favorite guitar models are precisely from Gibson.
@@rafaelconstanzovicens9094 I’m not saying Gibson or fender is better. I actually like them both the same I’m just saying Gibson is doing just fine
It’s not that deep their just more affordable and more versatile
I'm 28 and have been gigging in the local Indie rock and punk circuits for about ten years. I don't think I've ever been to a gig where there wasn't at least one person playing a fender, and oftentimes over 50% of the guitar players at a gig will be using fenders. However it's very rare for me to see a gibson, I'd say I see one every 2-3 shows. Part of that is I think the genre I play in, indie players and midwest emo style people definitely prefer Tele's and Jazzmasters. But still it's undeniable how big a lead Fender has, they are the biggest brand name I see by a mile where as I honestly I see more teisco's and rare oddities than I see GIbsons.
I think ripping on Gibson is so 2016 but that being said I agree with you for one reason fender has some of the best tone out there
I can understand why guitar sales are up since it appears to be mandatory to have at least one of them in the background for a RUclips channel.
Really good analysis of the role of the guitar in the music scene as it stands. I like that you've made this extrapolation to things like the Grammies and modern musicians outside the 'rock' genre. Fender noticed this shift in culture and is riding the wave.
Growing up in the Bay Area in the 90s and early 2000s there was a local band called Wasting Time, and their guitar player had two gibson les Paul customs. Newer models at the time in black and alpine white, both with gold hardware.
Back then it was the 1st time I ever saw one in person. As a guy in his mid 30s now it always stuck with me how beautiful the guitars were to see in person.
While I agree that their price is explained by the cost of production it's moot when it comes to the end user. If you can spend 2/3 of the price on other brands and get better features its just really hard to justify a Gibson. I seriously looked at a Les Paul Std a couple of weeks ago but ended up choosing PJD instead. That was a hand build boutique instrument and it cost me £300 less than the Gibson price. Explaining cost is one thing. But translating that into value for the end user is a whole different story and when competition is this fierce its really hard to see how Gibson is going to make a serious comeback.
I don’t know where you bought your guitar, but at Anderton’s a PJD Carey with a mahogany body and a maple cap is £2800. A Gibson Les Paul standard is £2400. The PJD is a bolt-on neck, has single tone and volume pots, doesn’t have a carved top and uses the Fender scale length. I’m not saying which is better, but even for the most directly comparable instruments, they’re different beasts and the Gibson is less expensive.
Because a Les Paul holds its value or goes up man. The one you bought is probably worth half what you paid for it now. I have 3 Paul’s and a bunch of Jackson’s and ESPs,I only play one les Paul but I’ll keep the other 2 till I retire and double my money on them.
@@MikeSmith-ey7ku yeah that's a good point, I was going to say the same thing. Resale value is something ppl vary rarely take in to account, and I'm not just talking about guitars. For instance I just upgraded my PC. The old CPU cost me 500 new and I sold it for 250, so it only actually ended up costing me 250, it's deffo something to consider when buying stuff.
@@chrisdann8937 This is precisely my point. The Gibson price is explicable in terms of the specific construction and so forth that they use. I understand it costs more to do it there way. I don’t think they are unreasonable asking the price they do. But at the same time I also don’t think that the specific construction method or the features that make it expensive translate into much of real value that makes the price worth it.
I’m only really speaking for myself here. But when I’ve been in the market for higher end guitars, I’ve just found much nicer options for better value prices. The PJD is absolutely not the same thing as a Gibson and I’m not trying to pretend otherwise. Mine’s a St John Jazzmaster type. It’s a VERY different guitar. But when I can get a boutique instrument of that quality (and oh by does it feel quality) for a price that is less than a Les Paul Std, it makes the latter a very hard value proposition.
You can explain that it costs a lot to make the Gibson, and so on and so forth. And I appreciate your point. It’s a good point! But so what? Unless that also translates into good value for me, then I don’t care. I just want a great instrument, and the competition is hot these days. Way more than it ever has been before. I just don’t find the Gibson offerings to be at all compelling when I put them up against what else that money can purchase in todays market.
@@MikeSmith-ey7ku First, I’m not purchasing guitars as an investment. I’m purchasing them to use and play. If I want to invest money, I put it into property or an index fund. I never understand this argument. Do you really go to a guitar store and focus on which instrument will accrue value rather than which one you like the feel and sound of?
Second the idea that Gibson hold their value is a myth. The old vintage ones do for sure. But modern ones are not special in that regard and lose value just like every other guitar. They’re mass-produced instruments made in large numbers. And if I or anyone else wants a new one we can walk right into a store and have one today. There’s no reason to pay more for one second hand. Like all other things it’s simple supply and demand.
Some special editions or sought-after variants might be worth a bit. I had that with a Japanese Fender Jazzmaster in sea foam green. Good luck getting one of those new! And so I sold it for over four times the price I paid new. But that was absolutely the exception to the rule.
Right now I can see a range of Les Paul Stds for sale on Reverb for between £1400 and £1500 if in excellent condition. Which is around 2/3 of their new price. About the same depreciation on all new mass-produced guitars for which there is no issue getting a new one.
For me it's mostly about the price. Entry level on Gibson is almost twice the price of entry level on a Fender (about $1300 vs $800). Unless I am able to pony up that kind of dough, I'm probably going to pick the one I can afford, and even get two of for about the same price, and by the time I'm able to afford a Gibson and justify the price tag from a playing ability perspective, I'm probably already invested in another brand that I was able to afford and I'm more likely to stick with what I'm used to.
When I was a teenager my dream guitar was a Gibson Les Paul, but there was no way I could afford that. I started with a super cheap Epiphone LP, but when it came time to upgrade I ended up going with a MIM Tele and and SE PRS, buying both for less than one Gibson.
Now after 20-something years of playing with more gear upgrades along the way, I've amassed a collection of about 20 electric guitars. I did eventually buy a Gibson Les Paul, but I rarely play it and it's the only Gibson I own whereas I have several each of Fenders and PRS in my collection that I play all the time- because they're what feel right now after all this time playing them.
I still have this romantic idea of Gibsons in my head, but practically they've lost me as a customer. Unless I win the lottery, I doubt I'll ever buy another Gibson again.
you should buy yourself a japanese les paul- an orville by gibson, burny, greco or tokai. great guitars.
Someone who has 20 guitars while talking about the overpricing of a Gibson has lost me immediately 😂
@@phil8528 no matter how much of a guitar collection anyone has the point brought up about fender having more mid-priced stuff and cheaper entry level guitars remains true. it's just way easier for a musician who is just dipping their toes in or is try to just come out in the green while touring in their car to grab a decently made fender that can be a long-term workhorse for them than to save up 2 or 3 times as much for a gibson
@@hsmoscout2x4 times for Gibson is not really true though. As a matter of fact, currently the cheapest offering from each brand is exactly the same price $1300. Assuming you did not actually mean Mexican made Fenders, in which case - lol. You can't compare real USA made production models to cheap imports. For MIM Fenders you will have to bring in Epiphone in consideration, which is just as competitive in price. The only difference is that Gibson marketing prefers not to "dirty" their name with cheap import models, while Fender lets people pretend they've got a real fender for $700. I'd say it's Fender who got crazy with prices in the last few years by raising the price on their actual entry (performer) series by $300-$400 dollars, for the same bolt-on, no innovation bullshit (no roasted necks, no stainless steel frets, no locking tuners... nothing, $300 worth of prehistoric bolt on tech for $1400. Btw this is coming from Fender and Esp player, I never even owned a Gibson only a few Epiphones back in the day.
@@stansid3326 full-size squires start around $200 which is cheaper than all but a select few of epiphones' entry guitars. there are tons of international touring acts who use squires (the j mascis jazzmaster is a favorite of tons of indie acts right now), and that's even a tier below the mexican guitars. the existence of squire and mexican fenders (which are about half the price of a gibson) and the way gibson dare not put their name on anything under 4 figures is part of why fender has a better image among younger players. i've never spoken to a touring musician who has cared whether they have a fancy american fender or a mexican one and most of the ones who play american guitars had them provided by the brand for free and had been using mexican fenders. and i don't know why you're knocking the "no innovation bullshit" when one the one hand the cheapest gibsons don't have anything special going on and on the other that is the exact draw of the mexican fenders you guffaw at. don't have the fancy urethane finishes or greasebucket tone systems or special pickups, they're just tried and true guitars that sound great, get the job done, and are made across the border. touring musicians need a workhorse, not the newest best technology and fender has made the better case that they can provide that, as evidenced by the sales and by what gear you see at venues of all sizes.
Gibsons are really the “someday” guitars. Sure, they’re really cool and most people really like them. However, they’re so expensive for the nicer and vintage spec models that it’s going to take forever to save up to buy one for a lot of musicians. Other brands just have better value.
This is so true. I just turned 30 this year and bought myself a Les Paul standard to usher in my next decade. However I have owned like 5 fenders over the years because I could afford them
I don't think value is the word I'd use. I would buy an Epiphone that feels great to play, before I'd resort to anything Fender.
@@Dude_Slick I'm not sure your comment makes sense, or I'm just not understanding your view point. He was saying other brands offer more value for the money than Gibson, but then you said you would buy an Epiphone over anything fender? Wouldn't a high end Epiphone with nicer specs cost you 600-800? That's right around a player series fender which is a very good value for the money.... Mid range fenders and epiphones seem very similar to me on the quality for the money scale.
@@dakotamorgan6594 Value is subjective. I find no value in playing a Fender Guitar. The best Strat feels nowhere near as good to me as a $400 Epiphone Dot.
@@dakotamorgan6594 The difference between the two brands has nothing to do with the name, price point, or even build quality. The difference is how it feels to play. And that (at least for me) comes down to scale length. Some people prefer the long scale length of a Fender, while others like the shorter Gibson scale. A buddy of mine swears by PRS, which sits right in the middle. Hope that clears up my feeling on the matter.
Having once been a guitar teacher I often noticed that women found Gibson's easier to play because of their shorter scales, even more ergonomic in the case of the Les Paul Specials and Juniors. That could be a selling point for the company, what with all the up and coming girl bands and singer-songwriters.
Shorter frets often as well.
Maybe, but if scale length is a selling point, then Fender has the Jaguar and Mustang with a 24” scale.
@@TenaciousPrawn true, but no one considers those guitars the frontline of Fender's catalog. In contrast, Les Pauls and SGs are short scale.
Women like short scale guitars only if they don't weigh a ton.
@@brunolalanne9106
Any Sg, Les Paul junior, and the es-339 are all fairly lightweight options. there have also been many runs of thin body Les Paul’s with standard specs
The Gibson SG like the one you have in the video is often closely related to AC/DC and kids are always rediscovering that form of driving Rock & Roll. But short of a full revival of 70s rock, I don't think kids will find their "voice" in that guitar. One reason, I think, the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar are the go-to Indie guitars is because they just look bonkers with the number of switches and knobs. It looks way older than it really is. The design aesthetic is like an ENIAC computer (1940s) crossed with a Ford Thunderbird (1950s). If Gibson wants to compete in that market, especially without testing out dozens of new models, they can reboot the LP Special for a new generation. I know Joan Jett popularized the inexpensive Melody Maker, but if you merged both concepts into a new model, for example a flat top, alder (lighter), double cut LP/MM body, with a choice of 2 P90s or 2 split coil HBs, a dash of weird 60s Teisco controls, and give it a new identity (yet still have a vintage-y vibe) like Gibson DeVille or Gibson Bel Aire. I think it would be a hit and not take anything away from the LP Boomer/Weekender or high end collector market.
There are plenty of younger players playing Gibsons. Dirty Honey, Rival Sons, etc.. A lot of rock bands still play Gibson guitars. Coachella is a pop festival. Go to a rock or metal festival and you will still see Gibson represented very well.
I go to a lot of metal concerts and it is rare to see a Gibson. In ten years, I saw two and both players were in their mid-40's. Of course Fender is equally rare.
Fender just has a marketing strategy focused on pop stars.
idk man, the old school metal guys seem to be embracing the return of BC Rich, namely Blood Incantation, Frozen Soul, Sanguisugabogg, Outer Heaven (I think), and Tomb Mold. The stoner doom crowd (namely Sleep and Ahab) love their Gibson's (and I think Mizmor too but he's definently not stoner doom). ESP, BC Rich, Dunable, Ibanez, Jackson, Schecter, PRS on occasion, and maybe ECG are what the metal guys play these days. I would know, I play two Ibanezes and two PRSes.
Lmao. No metal bands under 55 use Gibson. Like literally none.
I think you are right. It is a guitar to aspire to.
For me I was fortunate enough to own a gibson les Paul supreme when I turned 16 I am currently 26. I still have this very guitar it’s an absolute beast. It’s got actually relicing from use and playing over the years as it’s a 2004. I honestly must just be an odd man out as I grew up listening to classic rock and older blues and metal mostly 60’s to 80’s. I do listen to some modern stuff but all of my major idols played gibsons. People like angus young ace frehley jimmy page billy gibbons slash were some major players for me. Granted there were others that weren’t gibson players like Hendrix and srv but for me nothing beats the sound in my personal opinion of a gibson into a tube powered Marshall amplifier it’s just that classic sound of an era and I personally think I will always love and play my gibson.
Your in a minority with good taste. Keep it up
Gibson is my go- to when it comes to gear. And I'm 27. Now you mentioned KISS and GNR, yes i am a huge fan of them and also AC⚡DC. I worked my first job out of high school, saved up, and bought my first Gibson which is a 2016 SG standard. Its still here. I never parted with it.
I was a “Fender” guy! It was all I bought until I watched your channel. That SG you are holding made me look at Gibson. Seeing Charlie Starr made me look at Gibson. I bought a Les Paul Jr. DC used for $800. It’s the best sounding guitar I own. There are plenty of affordable Gibson guitars and MIM Fenders are $1200.
I'm an older player and for my first expensive guitar I so wanted a Gibson Les Paul, but to be honest every time I picked up a Fender it just felt better, so I ended up with a Telly. Not sure why and maybe one day I'll get a Gibson but for now I'm happy with what I've got.
Teles rule. I have a Baja tele with a soft-v neck and I play it 90% of the time. It feels and sounds great. The rest of that time I split between a strat, a Les Paul Tribute and an epiphone Dot (335). If I could only keep one guitar, it would be the Tele, hands down.
The standard SG is not that expensive, a bit alternative, and with P90s sounds fantastic. They should start there.
or les paul junior is excellent as well
Yes, this comment. Love my SG with p90s
Yea the SG is a great guitar that goes for surprisingly low in the used market.
I purchased my first brand new Gibson Les Paul Deluxe in the Spring of 1976, I was 16 years old.
I worked multiple jobs to save up and make that purchase. If I can do it anyone can.
I also love my Fenders, apples and oranges and I don't like to eat either every single day.
LP or SG Special are fantastic guitars that can last a person a lifetime.
Couldn't agree more! I always thought they should build more alt-looking SG/Melody Maker/SG Jr style guitars. Even if they have Epiphone on the headstock.
As a bass player, I’ve never really been attracted to any Gibson or Epiphone basses. The iconic Ripper and Grabber don’t seem to be available now (I might have considered one of these) and the Gene Simons signature is a THUNDERBIRD which I never recall him playing. Off target? I think so.
I absolutely love Les Paul's and respect the heck outta Gibson. Beautiful instruments. I like them so much that I almost hesitate to criticize them at all. But being honest, the prices are insane. What kid, or college age player, or struggling artist can afford thousands of dollars for a guitar? Fender is basically now the people's guitar, because the people can afford them. Gibson has a real challenge, because you want to maintain quality but if the people can't afford your products. That is not a good thing. Having said that, Gibson's have always been super expensive and they've made it this far. So who knows.
Come on! First of all, Gibson has always been expensive. When you adjust for inflation, the Gibson USA Les Paul Standards and Traditionals are at virtually the same price point as 1950s Les Pauls. They make plenty of budget instruments, though; for example, a USA LP Special Tribute is $999 and an SG Standard Tribute is $1199. For their budget import line, you can get an Epiphone Melody Maker for $159! Anyone with a job can afford these - even more so if they buy used.
Hey to be honest, when the new management took over Gibson's prices actually dropped. They are higher now due to the higher cost of, well everything, right now. But they are not insane considering how complex they are and how they are made.
Hey to be super honest, Gibson can eat shit. Just buy Harley Benton or Wolf or Epiphone (if you must). LP style with a significantly more affordable price tag.
@@ChristopherGwinn absolutely agree ppl keep forgetting Gibson own epiphone.
Yes, they're expensive, but I think they just need fresh popularity. I know players are willing to spend a lot of money if their idol plays it (John Mayer and his Silver Sky). Gibson's too old school, like most of their artists are older players. Compare that to Fender; while they do have older artists (SRV, Hendrix, Clapton), they've also got new(er) players like H.E.R, Shawn Mendes, Corey Wong.
Fender just has everything. Strats and teles are great, but under the Fender umbrella is also Charvel, EVH and Jackson. So everyone from Indy to death metal has something cool to choose from.
Fender also owns Guild, and makes, markets and distributes Gretsch instruments. They definitely have a lot of stuff they can sell you.
@@reubenpickering7777 totally forgot about guild
@@reubenpickering7777 Guild is not longer owned by Fender since 2014, when Fender sold Guild to Cordoba Music Group.
Even if you just stick to Fender, with the contemporary series and parallel universe series, you can do anything you want with their brand.
@@OllieWales Yep, and even their humbuckers sound much better than the (newer) Gibson ones.
I like the look and feel of a Les Paul.... which led me to looking up alternatives. I settled on a Schecter Solo II Custom. For a grand I got a guitar that would have cost me 4 times as much from Gibson. My Schecter plays and feels great.... and I get loads of comments on it at gigs.
Hey Rhett, I am growing tired of the out of touch Boomer, blues dad meme. Boomers are not a monolithic block. There are actually two cohorts; namely, the 1946 to 1955 leading-edge Boomers (known to many as the Beatles or Howdy Doody generation) and the 1956 to 1964 trailing-edge Boomers, which are commonly referred to as Generation Jones because they have so little in common with leading-edge Boomers. I have zero affinity for the Beatles. I was three years old when they came to the U.S. I was a kid in the sixties. I was still a kid when they broke up. The music world was radically different when I picked up guitar in 1976 and guitar was changed forever when Van Halen's debut album was released in 1978 while I was still in high school. Generation Jones ushered in modern electric guitar and were pretty much responsible for putting a fork in Gibson. No other group of American guitarists has reached the same level of technical proficiency as Generation Jones. It is not even close. We are Super Strat players with most of us playing the HSS configuration, which has to be the most flexible pickup configuration on the planet. We moved rock guitar from being grounded in the blues and pentatonic scales to fusing classical with rock, soloing in diatonic scales and modes. We were also responsible for punk and progressive starting in the late seventies and continuing on into the eighties; therefore, to lump all Boomers into the same bucket is a serious Millennial blind spot. Most Millennials are the offspring of early Boomers, much like the early Boomers are the offspring of the Greatest Generation. My parents were part of the same Generation as the Beatles (a.k.a. the Silent Generation). Like Rick Beato (born in 1962), my children are part of Gen Z; therefore, I am completely aware of modern music.
A couple of things here. As much as I love Epiphone, I feel that Gibson needs to go the route that Fender went and put Gibson on the headstock of the Epiphones and market them as Gibson like Fender did the MIM models. Also, the SG and the Firebird are two models that are currently in production that have a modern, not Les Paul or "square" old man, dad, your great uncle, look. When I see someone with a Firebird, that just looks rock and roll. Gibson needs to readdress the Les Paul marketing strategy. Go with some advertising line showing a beautiful Les Paul standard, or classic Model with the tag line, "There's nothing like a Les Paul" or something similar. Lastly, they need to get these guitars in the hands of the young musicians. They desperately have to sign a current younger player to Gibson and throw their guitars at him. I think the Firebird has that Jaguar appeal. Not a regular Gibson, not a Les Paul, but a Gibson none the less. Go with the When You Play A Gibson, Not Only Are You Playing A Piece of History But You Are Making Your Own History. Or something.
Martin done the same thing with their Mexican made guitars.
Look at the artist roster for ESP/LTD, Schecter, Fender, Reverend, etc. They're all miles long. I'm not talking about signature artists...just working musicians in bands that have a factory sponsorship. Gibson has never had to do that before. When Rick Beato is the only youtuber I can name with that's sponsored by Gibson, that's a problem. Not hating on Rick Beato. He's got more musical knowledge than I ever will...but he's an old dude. That's not selling guitars or an image to 14 year olds.
The MIM brand of Fenders are marketed and resell for the same amount rn. A lot of people think this is recent when fenders have been making great MIM guitars since the early 2010s. My main guitars are a MIM strat from 09 and these new MIM guitars are still leaps ahead. They though smarter and made their cheaper guitars way better and sold them for less which means that more people would want to buy them. No other mass guitar company except maybe PRS has that kind of reach and certainly not Gibson. They’ve dropped 5 individual Slash guitars since he’s came back to Guns and Roses mind you we haven’t even received any new music from them
I agree. Gibson needs a line between the USA models and the Chinese Epiphones. Something like Epiphone = $200-$600, Import Gibson $700-$1500, Then USA Gibson $1600+
@@Dram1984 The Gibson brand is so associated with Made in America, it'd be a mistake to start import Gibson models. I think it makes more sense to have low end Epiphones with weird headstocks. The MIM Fender equivalent Epiphones would have Gibson the headstock shape and then Gibson USA/Custom are the ones branded Gibson.
Gibson: overpriced, poor QC, 60s heyday "tradition" "play authentic" boomer marketing strategy.
Fender: solid build, accessible price tiers, forward thinking marketing with artists of diverse genres.
Also, If I had the money to spend on a Les Paul, I'd rather spend it on a PRS, and I did.
To be fair, Fender QC is kinda hit or miss too out of the box, but the price tiers made it seem forgiving towards personal upgrades. But I'll be damned with the price increase these days.. making $2k+ used boutique guitars & amps felt reasonable
I really think it depends on the type of music a guitarist plays. I've had a lot of guitars through the years. Example I really like Gibsons. I've had SGs even a for really 61. didn't like it. But I really like Les Paul Standards. Honestly had a pre-cbs fender stratocaster 62. Did not like it
But have a 2021 strat with medium jumbo frets. 11" radius and I really like it. Ever guitar has it's owe personally. I like Les Paul Standards. But have had ones I liked and ones not as much. It's not black and white. Just try as many as you can. And don't limit yourself.
Back in 1975 I owned a 1961 ES 345, man what a beautiful sounding guitar, I really didn’t know what I had, I sold it and bought a new Les Paul, what a letdown that was, It sounded like shit, I know own a couple of PRS’s some Fenders and a Carvin.
Id still rather buy a boutique than a chibson
@@davidw3036 Precisely... if it feels right it is right.
I’ve been a fender player since I was 11 and got my first guitar. So I’m very biased. Love their guitars. MIM fenders costs 1/4 of what a les Paul costs. I think they’re also significantly more rugged for a touring and constant use. I think the brighter, imo more articulate and responsive sound of single coils is also more fitting to the indie and alternative today than the darker, better with distortion sound of humbuckers. And for some reason even though the designs are 60+ years old I think something like a Jazzmaster, looks way more current than a Gibson, which conjures up those 80’s cock rock bands.
The jazzmaster and mustang never really had significant sales compared to teles and Stratocasters, but are widely available now
that’s the thing that amazes me about fender’s designs. those things were originally designed in the 50s and the look has barely changed yet they still look fresh.
Kinda funny that you see Gibsons as the “80s cock rock” brand- very few of those bands were playing Gibson, and actually, most of them were playing what basically amounted to hot-rodded Stratocasters. Some of them played straight-up Stratocasters, like Yngwie Malmsteen for example. Like Rhett said in the video, the only bands of that kind playing Gibsons were GNR and AC/DC, really
Jazzmasters look cool as shit and have indie cred but they are a super pain in the ass from everything that I have heard.
@@MrWill9894 Yeah, like Rhett mentioned, it really wasn't until Slash came onto the scene that Les Paul came into the vogue again. I remember in the early 90s Les Paul was THE guitar.
Grace Bowers is all the rage these days on TV, at festivals, and on RUclips (with good reason.) She’s 18, and she plays Gibson SG’s with P-90’s.
Gibson is the Harley Davidson of the guitar would, period.
When i was a teenager i really wanted a gibson les paul. I was a huge Gn'R fan, so i went to the music store with my father and started testing. What i noticed pretty quickly is that the gibsons sounded, well, inconsistent. Of course the 6k€ models sounded amazing but even there you could really feel the differences in quality. Funnily enough the les paul that i ended liking the most wasn't even from Gibson. It was a Tokai. Made in Japan, these instruments were monsters. Way cheaper than gibson and every single one sounded great. I ended up with a 1800€ 59 Reissue model from Tokai and that guitar has been my favorite ever since. That was 10 years ago and i have yet to play a gibson that is better or even as good as my Tokai imo.
Tokai's are great and older the better. I have Tokai Paisley Tele which is exceptionally good...no idea of the exact year tho probably mid-80s
It's my opinion that any guitar in any store has to be set up by you for your own taste.
I think to many people rely on a so called Professional, to set up your guitar like you want it. This bit of adjusting bridge height, pickup and fret adjustments must be made by you, which is why you should start out with good but inexpensive guitar and begin getting comfortable with the guitar.
In today's world, you have RUclips and you can look up others that have the same issues and how they resolved it.
So as it is, When you walk into Guitar-R-Us and the giraffe lets you play the guitar hanging on the wall, then you decide to buy it, and they tell you to come back after 3 days so they can set it up, because no guitar on the wall is setup and they come with a cheap set of "get me out the door strings" on them.
Now the guy setting up your new guitar doesn't know you from Adam and can't possibly set it up to your liking. He can make it playable, but it's really up to you to put a little thang on that ying yang.
you got a €2000 guitar as a teenager?
Tokai guitars are KILLER.
Love them too 😁
@@Wardell43 100% agree! I have heard so much crap about Gibson's being riddled with defects 'straight from the factory' which in all likelihood are simple adjustment issues.
I think a lot of people hear about Gibson QC issues and just repeat it as a known fact. People need to actually play them
I was chasing tone for years, going through all kinds of manufacturers and models.
Ended up with a MiM Fender Tele. It feels and sounds absolutely amazing.
Intelligent, nuanced analysis, carefully thought out and well articulated. Top-flight content as always.
He needs his TED talk
What’s old is new again… me & most of my indie/grunge/punk loving friends also snubbed Gibsons in the mid/late 90s & embraced Fender & Pawn shop guitars (a lot of non strat/tele Fenders were pawn shop guitars in the 90s) We saw Les Pauls as ‘rich guy’ guitars & honestly to us Slash was only marginally cooler than Don Dokken. Not saying we were right & I totally play a Les Paul…. but this tension pokes it’s head like every 10 years.
The Epiphone "inspired by Gibson" line is a sensational value. Excellent guitars for less than half the price!
Don't get me wrong, I can't afford the overpriced Gibsons, but I'm also a slave to aesthetics and Epiphone's headstock is ugly af.
And they sell better, especially with customs (which they have plenty) for guys like Matt Heafy. Some may argue the build quality is just ass good too (it sure as hell didn't used to be).
@@jackbuchanan6441 that new Epi headstock is so similar to the Gibby I find it acceptable.
Epiphone, Squier, Ltd, etc. those were all good and super affordable guitars back when I was young.
But people never took you for full when seeing the 'kock off' name on the guitar. Even when they were much better quality then today.
@@jackbuchanan6441 What if Epiphone had won the race and had become the number one brand of guitars instead of Gibson? Don’t you think your idea of the Epi headstock as ugly is a prejudice based on the assumed coolness of Gibson? We all know that Gibson is overestimated, no matter how wonderful some of there guitars are. Most of them are quite ordinary…
I think the problem is more so the traditional appearance of the guitars. Leave the specs the same as vintage but change up the look. They need to get rid of the pick-guard on LP's for example, thats the one design element IMO that dates it to dad rock. It should be optional not factory installed. If I'm spending $3k on a guitar, I don't want there to be two holes in it when I change the look.
I agree. They look so much better without the pick-guard. Plus, since the wood curves away, the pick-guard isn't even really necessary. PRS guitars don't have pick-guards, and they look sleek. I've left the pick-guard off my LP for the nearly the last 15 years.
I want to pick up on your point about Gibson not being over-priced due to the work that goes in at the factory. I have a 2008 Gibson gold top, it cost me US$1,100 (used) a few years back. I later bought a Chibson - a copy of the Gary Moore '50 Les Paul. It cost me US$240 including shipping. They sound almost identical, though the Chibson is noticeably quieter. So I turn the knob up. More importantly, the build quality - the finish, the binding, the fret end finish, all the good stuff, is identical between the two guitars. So where I have a problem is that, in this day and age of CNC machines etc, if the build is bad it is inexcusable. More importantly, clearly you can build a guitar of equal quality to a Gibson for (let me guess) US$150. So the difference in price - I think - can only be attributed to a) historic brand ownership and b) corporate profit requirements. My own opinion - and it is only my opinion - is that they are seriously gouging on both a and b. And of course the reason they want to close down the clone market is because of this very point - the clones are as good as the genuine article. I would like to hear your view - and the views of others - on this perspective. And, as a final note , I'm a Brit, so the argument of "buying good ole US of A' isn't a selling point for me, particularly when it appears to be an inferior product.
You really cannot compare a genuine USA made Gibson against a Chibson. For the employees making the guitars, do you think the Chinese guy is going to be paid the same as someone in Nashville? Gibson will have far more overheads than a factory churning out fakes. Marketing, design, development, etc. They've done all the hard work in the background only for a factory in China to copy it all. You'll never get away from the fact that wages in the far east can always undercut those in the US. For Fenders, why do you think Mexican made ones are cheaper than US while Squiers are even cheaper still
@@anthonycraig1458 sorry, but I DID compare genuine Gibson against Chibson. Approximately equal. You are comparing production costs. Apple is a good example of an American company dealing with the problem you described. They produce in China - under highly dubious conditions I might add that doesn't appear to concern anyone in the good ole US of A. But to address your point directly; it's not much of a sales pitch to tell your market that your product is substantially more expensive only because your workers demand higher wages, longer holidays, more benefits etc. Basic economics will favour the cheaper guy. The other aspect which I believe is the nub of the whole argument is that after a certain price point you are paying for nothing more than the hype. I don't support rip-offs like Chibsons, but I whole-heartedly support companies like Firefly and Harley Benton who clearly illustrate that Gibson is either a) piss-poor businessmen or b) gougers. For context, I own 3 vintage Gibsons (1947, 1949 and 1964), a Firefly and a Chibson. I wouldn't harbour a modern Gibson unless it was given as a gift - then I would most likely sell it on eBay and buy 5 or 6 Harley Bentons. And a new car. But...to each his own.
@@raslolayton2152 workers demanding higher wages and more holidays? I suspect that employees at Gibson are paid the going rate for that line of work, same as anywhere in the world. Wages will naturally reflect the cost of living and I'm sure it's far more expensive to work and live in Nashville than China. Of course Gibson could offshore all the production elsewhere, lower prices and then sack all the workers. I respect Gibson for standing firm and keeping manufacturing in the US. No they're not cheap, they were never meant to be and never have been and probably never will be but they have an unrivalled heritage that they naturally will want to keep going. I've never regretted buying a Gibson ever.
@@anthonycraig1458 if you have never regretted then hats off to you. At the end of the day I honestly believe that if the guitar feels good to you then it is good. And you will play better. I am neither superstitious nor religious, but mojo is mojo and if the guitar has it then the world remains in equilibrium. A most pleasant exchange, Mr. Craig, thank you. And thanks to Mr. Shull for another interesting and informative vid.
I had a 50s Telecaster. It was my favorite guitar, passed down from my grandfather. He passed away 3 days before I left for basic training in the Army. When I came back, my dad had given the guitar to my uncle who exclusively plays old religious and bluegrass songs on a dreadnought. It was one of the most unforgiving guitars I've ever played, but I loved it. Maybe I'll get it back one day.
Wow, thanks dad. Did it ever come to his mind asking whether you want it happen, that maybe his kid needs it more than an old man who can use any other tele to serenade his biblical fairytales? 🤔
Wow, man.
That’s rough. I don’t know if I’d be able to forgive that one.
It’d be different if it was a random axe. But a 50’s tele passed down to you from your grandfather?
Ouch.
I like both. It helps that fender has always made excellent instruments with great, diverse tone. LPs can do it all too, but they’re don’t feel as comfortable for the live performer imho and that’s important. With that said, the modern LP is an improvement.
Edit: many people mentioned Squier and all the options. I agree. I have a couple squier telecasters, one bullet and affinity. They’re my main guitars lol
The player who rebooted my interest in Gibson guitars is Arianna Powell. She plays Fender and Gretsch, too, of course, but she very often wields an SG and plays so tastefully and with such an amazing sense of harmony and melody. I hope Gibson sees this and pushes her forward as much as possible.
Gibson Nighthawk is an amazing guitar and very versatile! Don’t see them very often, I sold one in the early 2000’s and I regret it more than any guitar I’ve sold. It had a really nice feel and the build quality was superb!
I'm 60 and just bought a Les Paul 60's. I wanted one 40 years ago but they were to expensive and I bought a strat. When the Musicman Majesty came out I had the money and wanted the Les Paul I still wanted. But Les Pauls were stil expensive and I had the idea that I could buy only a "not so good" Les Paul for a lot of money, like a sort of budget Les Paul for 3000 euros. So I bought a Majesty.
A few weeks ago I saw a video over the 2023 Les Paul collection and I liked it how the collection was right now and saw a factery tour on you tube and now bought one. And I love it. It was brand new and 2500 euro. I'm impressed by the build quality and how it sounds and plays. But I also was thinking Gibson should do something because almost everybody who plays one is my age or older. I still have my Fender ans also watched some videos about the Fender collection and if was even worse for Gibson as 40 years ago. They make a nice collection in very affordable guitars without giving the customer the idea that you need to buy a custom shop model if you want quality. Because that is still the point for Gibson.The modern looking Les Paul with push/pull switches etc is cheaper as the standard 60's. So I had to pay more to get less. (I wanted a gloss paint, you know, the shiny stuff that is on every 500 dollar guitar)
Great segment Rhett. I was just in Righteous Guitars today and your name came up in conversation. I think what really hurt Gibson was PRS. For many years the Les Paul was seen as a work of art and a status symbol in the minds of inspiring young guitarists. Then PRS burst on the scene with higher quality, arguably better materials, superior attention to detail and a level of consistentcy Gibson could only dream of. PRS is what Gibson should have evolved into but never did.
I wonder does the Gibson humbucker sound take up too much space in modern mixes which are not guitar driven? If it's the band's main instrument that broad-spectrum sound can be nice to drive the sound but maybe the less-bassy (and imho less complex) Strat sound just lets the guitar poke up in its place in a modern mix - sounds a bit more raggedy than a Gibson but takes up less frequencies?
Good point. Gibsons filled the space in 70's one guitar rock bands, but modern 200 track mixes are different.
This is dead on. Along with the aforementioned move towards less distortion in general
Yup. When I play in church, if I want a humbucker type sound and need to cut a very busy mix, I use a Gretsch (with is like somehow connected to Fender…)
You're right, to a point. With more than 4 instruments in the recording, that Les Paul needs to be panned pretty hard left or right, with everything else going the other way.
I love my lp and grew up playing humbuckers but I play a telecaster, a guitar I frankly hate the look of, with my band/sessions, because it just sits way better in the mix
When you say “Slash played Gibsons”, worth recalling the Appetite guitar was a fake. There’s also a tendency for younger musicians to pick up the gear that’s cheap on the second hand market, and so grant it caché that way. See jazzmasters for Sonic Youth, J Mascis and MBV. Or Kurt Cobain’s various offsets. All cases of grabbing affordable, odd gear and exploiting its oddities/living with its flaws.
Ironic that "Play Authentic" Gibson's brand ambassador got big off of playing a fake Gibson lmao
MBV 👀
@@ggthewhale problem? I find looping „loveless“ an excellent stress reliever. And no-one sounds like Kevin Shields.
@@ggthewhale my love is unironic. „Loveless“ on loop is a great chillout; the live brown notes are slightly less appealing.
@@bobbler42 everyone loves Loveless
Great video. I bought my Gibson Les Paul early 90’s cause of Slash. You’re so right. Today I have fenders, ESP, Gretsh, schecter and others. I have to say- My Les Paul is far superior. There’s some sound that beats the other one. Idk what it is. I hope they get back on it 🎸
For me and my friends we have played Fender because they are affordable and customizable. I love Epiphone for similar reasons, but i can't justify buying a Gibson when the only guitars that appeal to me also price me out.
The thing with choosing a guitar mostly come down to price and what guitar one’s guitar hero play. I remember when I bought my first electric guitar in my teenage years, it was a fender strat because that’s what Hendrix played. Couldn’t afford an American made back then so I opted for the most expensive Mexican model I could afford at the time. I would have loved to own a Gibson LP or ES335 back then but the prices was unobtainable for an average teen.
Fast forward to today I have gradually acquired over a dozen electric guitars from Gibson, fender, prs and epiphone from all price ranges. The high end custom shop priced gear is fantastic but there’s a great deal of diminishing return. A $6000 custom shop Gibson is not gonna be $4000 “better” than a $2000 Gibson. We really are in the new golden era of guitar making. There are so many options and the quality today is so much better than guitars of old.
Fender have done a great job at marketing to the youth of today and it’s a popular choice for more mainstream music. Just take a look at the jazzmaster, extremely popular today but think of how many guitar heroes you know that played jazzmaster in comparison to strat and les Paul’s? Gibson is doing just fine. Ever since the new leadership they are making all the right decisions and directions. Gibson prices have always been positioned this way, it was never meant to be priced for beginners. But that’s what I love about Gibson. It’s iconic, and owning a Gibson should feel that way. But whether something is worth it or not comes down to how much you are willing to pay and personal taste whether that’s brand, form, aesthetic or sound of an instrument.
Personally it’s all the more satisfying when you can finally afford the guitar of your dreams. So for all the new players and collectors out there, be patient, enjoy the process.
Followed similar path, bought my first guitar and it was cheap, a Framus 12 string. A few years later bought a J-50 with my tax return check. I was into the acoustic folk scene in the Chicago area. Steve Goodman, Fred and Ed Holstein, Flatt and Scruggs. That kind of stuff. 1970's
Later started trading some guitars and moving up, gradually increasing the "genetics" of the herd. Eventually the dreams were made real but it took many years and much patience waiting for the opportunities to come.
The J-50 is still on the wall. Along with a D-35, ES335 and a G6128T Players Edition Jet. There are a dozen others too from a variety of makers. Those were the dreams made real.
I have played enough crappy guitars to really enjoy playing good ones now.
But play what you have and can afford. Move up as opportunity and finance allows.
Most of important of all, Play Your Axe, whatever it is. Play, Play, Play......