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Gibson Apparently In Trouble.
- Thread starter Colbert Vape
- Start date
Keep it up sparky, I'll check back when it's nap time and you can Gibson-bash me to sleep.
On topic: I've owned a few Gibson guitars and have generally liked them. My first electric guitar was an Epiphone LP which was ok for the price. Since then I've tried a Marauder and S-1 (interesting bolt-on neck attempts by Gibson to compete with Fender) and recently bought a 2013 LPJ Pro which I like a lot. The finish isn't perfect (though it's still a good looking instrument), but the price was right, and it has a great setup and electronics. If I were looking for signs of trouble in Gobson, it would be their abandoning the LPJ and SGJ lines in 2015. I obviously don't have access to their sales figures, but they seemed like great ways to make Gibson affordable, and dumping them seems like a mistake insofar as many who buy a cheaper Les Paul or SG will eventually want the prettier versions.
I only have one Gibson, a short scale TBird. Would love to have one of the new Memphis short scale Les Pauls. But I'm not spending $3,500 for one even if it is one of the best looking basses I've seen in a long time.
My TBird has a good neck, needed a setup desperately. The tuners are just average, the pickups are the ceramics like the other TBirds and sound good. I replaced the electronics with high quality parts. The finish is barely second rate. I hate the matte black. Just looks cheap. Didn't even bother to use sanding sealer on the wood as the grain holes are very prevalent. I was talking to a Gibson salesman at my local store and he was told I have one of the SS TBirds. Asked me how I liked it and told him it was mostly good except for the finish. His comment was they had to do that to bring it in at the $1,500 price tag they wanted to list them at.
My luthier told me the other day when he was making a nut for my Les Paul sub scale bass that they are having a harder time selling the new Gibsons because of the price and the need to be completely gone over before they are playable.
My TBird has a good neck, needed a setup desperately. The tuners are just average, the pickups are the ceramics like the other TBirds and sound good. I replaced the electronics with high quality parts. The finish is barely second rate. I hate the matte black. Just looks cheap. Didn't even bother to use sanding sealer on the wood as the grain holes are very prevalent. I was talking to a Gibson salesman at my local store and he was told I have one of the SS TBirds. Asked me how I liked it and told him it was mostly good except for the finish. His comment was they had to do that to bring it in at the $1,500 price tag they wanted to list them at.
My luthier told me the other day when he was making a nut for my Les Paul sub scale bass that they are having a harder time selling the new Gibsons because of the price and the need to be completely gone over before they are playable.
All I know about Gibson is what i see with my own eyes at stores and looking at my friend's guitars. What I see isn't impressive. But they seem to like them. Even with finish flaws and wiring problems unacceptable on a SX. But to each his own.
As far as me and Gibson basses? I think the four best basses they make are the Epiphone thunderbird pro, the Alan Woody, the Jack Cassidy and the Viola bass. The last I'm biased, I own that one. Those just seem to have the most consistent finish, and the best frets. Especially the Sig models. I don't see how Epiphone can get their basses from Korea and wherever else with their frets in good shape but Gibson can't shipping from the U.S.
I've read they are horrible to work for. I don't know anyone who has personally worked there. All I can say is that most companies suck to work for now due to the complacency of the American worker, but i digress.
It's funny how opinions vary so widely on the any given bass.
As far as me and Gibson basses? I think the four best basses they make are the Epiphone thunderbird pro, the Alan Woody, the Jack Cassidy and the Viola bass. The last I'm biased, I own that one. Those just seem to have the most consistent finish, and the best frets. Especially the Sig models. I don't see how Epiphone can get their basses from Korea and wherever else with their frets in good shape but Gibson can't shipping from the U.S.
I've read they are horrible to work for. I don't know anyone who has personally worked there. All I can say is that most companies suck to work for now due to the complacency of the American worker, but i digress.
It's funny how opinions vary so widely on the any given bass.
Like I said earlier I just received a new '13 Gibson, the setup was good compared to some/not all new G basses I've played. I've only played one other one like mine and luckily the one I received is better in many ways.
The serial number has a production date of a monday,
looking at this bass it looks like everyone had a good weekend!! Also haven't researched it yet but looking at the serial I believe it was the last one made of this model!
I did get a chuckle when I took the case out of the box and saw Gibson USA emblazoned on the side of the case. No sh@
if it's a Gibson it's USA. Yes I believe in Gibson and I am a fan
The serial number has a production date of a monday,
looking at this bass it looks like everyone had a good weekend!! Also haven't researched it yet but looking at the serial I believe it was the last one made of this model!
I did get a chuckle when I took the case out of the box and saw Gibson USA emblazoned on the side of the case. No sh@
if it's a Gibson it's USA. Yes I believe in Gibson and I am a fan
I watched the live transmission of a Paul Weller gig on Yahoo last week. The bassist spent most of the set on a Rickenbacker 4004, and was largely inaudible. But
when he switched up on two occasions to a Jack Cassidy, he not only became audible, but sounded absolutely great -- fat, tubby, authoratative. I think the Cassidy and also the recent EB Bass are both excellent-sounding Gibsons,
and if I hadn't spent literally years hunting down great Fender P bass specimina, I would be tempted to explore across the aisle.
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The good news is that they made a pile of really good instruments that will be around until the electric guitar is no longer considered a musical instrument.
Not that I live in the past, but just pointing out that there is not a shortage of quality Gibson's for sale.
Not that I live in the past, but just pointing out that there is not a shortage of quality Gibson's for sale.
fine (bass) guitars are like fine antique violins.
you don't own it forever, you are simply using it until you are not here any longer. then, it finds a new user...until the same thing happens to them. think of how many loving owners those 300 year old Stradivarius violins have had! this is why you should always treat good examples with absolute respect; they outlive us!
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Everyone pays more for the name on the headstock.
And no, people aren't paying an extra grand for the Rickenbacker name.
Questionable business ethics/QC aside, i think Rics are pretty well-priced for what you're getting.
A MIA Fender will run me for £1230, whereas the new Rickenbacker 4003S is £1499! Seems like an easy choice to make, all things considered.
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