I see you are a Sadowsky owner. Now that is a real exercise in frugality.
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I see you are a Sadowsky owner. Now that is a real exercise in frugality.
Long scale SG? Short scale is the appeal of the SG.
Well, my two experiences with Gibson basses was not the best from a QC standpoint (and spanned 20 years!). I owned a black 1993 Gibson Les Paul Bass with active bartolini pickups/pre. Beautiful bass and sounded amazing. However, it was distorting badly. I had it "fixed" under warranty, but the issue persisted. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but the issue was never resolved. I eventually traded the bass for an '82 Fender Jazz. I still regret letting that bass go.... A few years ago I bought a Goldtop LPB with the passive pickups. A few months into owning the bass (which never left my house, btw) one of the pickups just randomly stopped working. I had it fixed under warranty and the issue was resolved. I ended up selling the bass last year. All said, I love Gibson LP basses, but my experiences just speak to the QC issues at Gibson.
I'm a big fan of the acoustic guitars they make up in Bozeman, MT. This is the one area where they have gotten better! The Songwriter Deluxe Studio EC was in the "Top Three" when I was shopping around for a new acoustic.
Never been impressed with their electrics and I would never pay the exorbitant price they are asking for one!
And why is it that so many of my LP wielding buddies have repaired headstocks? When was the last time you saw a Stratocaster with a busted headstock?
So far as basses go, they simply do not have anything that appeals to me aside from the Epiphone (not Gibson) Jack Casady bass that kicks butt and is reasonably priced. Not interested in a Thunderbird but would really like to get my hands on a "Fenderbird" some day (or build it myself).
My point is a Gibson 335, has a big, rough, ugly knot on the fretboard that any craftsman who isn't blind, stupid, spiteful, or lazy should have caught. I also own a 72 Les Paul and a 55 Es-125 that are awesome. For a new guitar that's over $3k after taxes, "handmade by Americans" or whatever, that's lame and I can't help but brand that brand as questionable and shop elsewhere. I've looked at all the other guitars in the shop, and didn't see such a glaring materials error in any of them. I have a Profile shredder guitar that I paid $3 for at the Dump Store, a store where you can buy stuff the staff at the local landfill finds, and the fretboard on that is nicer than that 335, both the quality of the rosewood and the fact it doesn't have any damn holes in it. Sure, the fretwork on a Squier Affinity isn't as good as the Gibson, and many of the new Gibson Les Pauls are totally legit, and argue argue argue, but I'm only pointing out that that's a pretty major oversight.
Not exactly
The thing is, if im gonna pay for a Rolls Royce, I expect a Rolls Royce/Sadowsky, not a Volksvagen/Gibson. 
Don't blame you for that one bit. I've seen some pretty slick archtops with knots in the top. But the fretboard?
Not exactly
I have an opinion also. I'm sitting on it.
Oh, they're definitely nothing fancy, but it is justification for not needing a more verbose set of Fiat offerings.
IDK - when was the last time you saw a Gibson with stripped out or snapped off neck screws or a 1/8" gap in the neck pocket or a POS bent plate bridge with cheap self adjusting set screws on the saddles or an output jack that likes to fall out on its own? All very common Fender issues, some of which I've personally experienced.
I'm not aware of any Gibson bass headstocks just exploding all on their own. Tilted headstocks in general, yes even those with volutes, are much more prone to breakage when dropped vs a flat Fender headstock. Come to think of it, dumping a beer down your amp probably isn't good for it either. If the thought of treating your basses and gear with a modest amount of responsibility isn't for you or your buddies then I guess you'll be surrounded by broken and repaired gear.
Your point is that it's cool that the company is trying to sell an expensive guitar with a major flaw that's in plain sight for a crudton of money, and I should just try harder to find a better one? Or is your point that you love Gibson unconditionally and have no point?
Don't get your panties in a wad. It's cool that you didn't buy it and moved on. You would have a complaint if you actually bought it and found the flaw. Otherwise you are just stirring the pot.
I can't believe I fell for the troll when just offering an observation on the topic of the thread. Later dude.
The last few years have seen me buying my first,and 2nd New Fiats. (A 500 and 500L),as well as my first ever Gibson bass,a 2013 EB. I've been very happy with all 3. (Although my bass did require some fret filing,i consider that a fairly easy fix). The bass sounds killer,is a joy to play,and was a MF SDOTD,and a real bargain. I've never really gotten into other Gibson bass designs,though i did own an '67 Epiphone Embassy once that was awesome.
Both the Fiats have been pretty reliable,except early on the L had an electrical drain problem that the dealer denied until there started being multiple examples of it. When they figured Out it was a matter of reprogramming the car's computer,it was resolved immediately. The cars were leased,so they are going back eventually,but the negative (and i think undeserved) consumer reports of the L actually are damaging it's resale value,which thankfully i don't have to deal with.
Both the Fiats have been pretty reliable,except early on the L had an electrical drain problem that the dealer denied until there started being multiple examples of it. When they figured Out it was a matter of reprogramming the car's computer,it was resolved immediately. The cars were leased,so they are going back eventually,but the negative (and i think undeserved) consumer reports of the L actually are damaging it's resale value,which thankfully i don't have to deal with.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I guess it's time to buy a used Fiat then. I got a used EB for dirt cheap and have been very happy with it. The frets were completely level when I got it, with no intonation issues or buzz problems. The only fretwork flaw was unpolished ends that were noticeable to my hands at first. No fret sprout, just slightly sharp ends. Either my hands have grown tougher or the fret ends have started to smooth out nicely. I could quibble with some of the oddly shaped contours between the horns and neck, but even the finish that offended people so much is wearing in and burnishing very nicely. I was expecting it to wear quickly and develop holes. Instead, it seems to be a very durable finish that is getting a patina and even a glow of its own. The white maple neck isn't darkening much, which is too bad, but its finish wasn't sticky and still isn't. The pickup covers are a bit ugly, and if they could be swapped out for chrome or something similar, I would like them better. But that's about it. For the price, it's pretty tough to beat.
Can we keep the fanboy cheerleading to a minimum? I'm sure we all know an Epiphone isn't a Gibson. But that's not necessarily a good thing either from what I've seen recently. And I go back a long long way with Gibson.
FWIW you can't run a business with justifiably unhappy employees. I think you're starting to see some of Gibson's "managerial" practices beginning to bear bitter fruit.
Wow! why so offended? Are you a Gibson rep or something and my comments hurt your feelings?
First of all, an idiot of you choosing could muck up any sort of guitar despite it's prior awesomness (or lack thereof).
A Fender in the condition you have described is easily fixable. As I am not an expert Luther, I would pass right by a Gibson of similar state of disrepair as it is probably still cost-prohibitive anyway!
The headstock on a Gibson LP (or SG, 335, Etc.) is easily prone to breakage due to the tilted design. We are both aware of this. It is usually not due to irresponsible handling, just a fleeting moment of inattentiveness - not putting it back on the stand correctly or some other similar unfortunate mistake. It is almost like it is not a matter of if but when. Hopefully it is repairable otherwise I have no idea how much it is to replace a set neck on a $3,500 Gibson.
Fact of the matter is that Gibson guitars (aside from the acoustic models I mentioned) are overrated and overpriced! If you see the value in a $3-4K Gibson then more power to you! I wouldn't kick you out of my band for owning one - unless you otherwise sucked at playing but that is a different issue entirely!
I really think it's the fault of their CEO. He seems to have WAY too much pride in their offerings.
Employee morale has been suffering under that guy, and it seems his micromanaging is getting in the way from what I've read about them. He seems to be from an old school management mentality that just doesn't work in the workplace anymore. Why work for them when you can go actually enjoy your job somewhere else and work less for similar pay?
Their profits are taking a dive too (Check Hoovers). Like everyone they had a low point in 2008 but Fender recovered from it. Gibson is still on the decline. So I guess, as a business, they are suffering for their mistakes.
One of the big critiques I have for Gibson is their ridiculous pricing scheme. They don't offer many of their instruments people want at price points most of them can afford. Epiphone does the budget range well but the intermediate range is completely barren most of the time. You either fork up 1.2k or more or you don't get a Gibson. Fender has this down, as they offer instruments people want at every price point they can afford.
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There probably WILL be some deals on the L!
What you're describing with your frets is pretty much exactly what mine were like. I agree about the look of the pickups,never been a fan of the look of MM pickup's exposed pole pieces,but the EB's pickups DO sound really great.
