A 3K ish Gibson custom shop is worth its weight in gold. A few of mine feel near luthier-built. And no, I don’t find many Gibson guitars below this price range fit that description. They’re expensive, but in the 3/4K range, they’re totally worth it to me personally. When we start talking tens of thousands, and it’s not an archtop, you’ve lost me. Not that a mere mortal like me has access to such wild amounts of money.
You can get a team built guitar from Jol Dantzig (Hamer luthier/founder)starting at about 4k. To have Jol build one is is 30k and you got to put half up front then wait two years. I think ESP might be closer to buying FMIC as well, given that they're starting to build some Schecters at Fujigen - what's funny is that anyone's US custom shop is more than Gibson's, so I don't know why everyone keeps complaining about Gibson. ESP USA is charging near entry level Murphy Labs prices - 5k list for a plain ebony single cut and you don't get to choose anything; I'd expect it goes up from there.
You only had to pay that much for a good one because it's Gibson. They won't even perfect their $20k custom replicas so you can't expect them to QC the "cheap" models properly lol but you can get better designed/sounding guitars for $1k-$2k from reasonable brands. Gibson just has that historical tax locked on one last wave of dentist and doctors cause these days buying a gibson to play guitar is like buying a musket for the practicality. I've tried so many expensive instruments over the years but nothing that felt like it justified a price over $2k, after that you're paying aesthetic or history, maybe both
I’ve a couple of older (1997) and newer (2019-2023) Les Pauls including a couple of the Adam Jones models. To me, they just simply play and sound better than other brands. Build quality is impeccable. I hope to have to never part with them but if I do I know there is a market for them
If you would have asked 5 years ago if I would spend more than 3k on a guitar I would have told you no. Well, I have 3 Gibson custom shop guitars. Trinni Lopez M2M, 58’ Les Paul, and bb king live at the regal 59’ 335. I consider myself very fortunate to own these and they are all a pleasure to play. In my opinion they are worth it.
Damn right Swaffy. How many hundreds and hundreds, thousands of hours have you put in to learn a very difficult musical instrument. Don't you think you deserve it. Its a very difficult thing to do. People who have learned to play guitar should be very proud of themselves. People have told me they would give their left nut to play guitar. You are obviously good, proficient at it. Then you're going to play on some two hundred dollar guitar. I don't think so. Play the best you can lay your hands on. I also have 3 very expensive guitars. A R-59, ES 339, and a P.R.S. Worth way more, then my car. My car might last 10 years. My guitars will last for generations. I've also been playing for over 4 decades. I'm not wealthy by any means. But I'm rich with musical abilities. That brings me more joy than if that money was pissed away on stupid shit. And when you buy the best, most of the time, it's an investment. So when you're long gone, the money isn't. Your kids will either play it and cherish them. Or they will make a lot of money. While my car, for example. Will break down and suck the money down and show nothing for it as it steadily decreases in value. You good sir have made a wise decision. And you have a staple of great American history. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. Rock on, bro, and with those guitars. You'll be doing it with class and a smile on your face.
@@robertwillett4122 That is one of the most kind comments I have ever received ever on UA-cam, and I thank you. Your explanation and reasoning behind why we invest our money into something like this is so much better than mine, lol. My dad who I miss dearly, raised me on guitar. He would never spend that type of money on a guitar, but he would be happy if it made me happy. I remember when I was young he bought a guitar (1965 Gibson SG Special) which I still own, he snuck it into the house hiding it from my step mom. I think he had it home for over a week before he told her lol. I remember him saying to her, “How upset would you be if I spent $2000 on a guitar?” Her, “Very!” Him, “Well you are only gonna be half as upset because it was only $1200.”
@@robertwillett4122 Agree. I have what I consider some 'trophy dream' instruments after many years, a 2014 ES335 Cherry Dot Gibson, a Gretsch Jet G6128T, a Martin D12-28 and D35 and a J50. There are more but those fill every space sonically. I play every day and will until I can no longer do so. I have some guitar player nephews who will get very lucky indeed in due time.
As far back as I can remember, Les Paul’s tend command a higher price than Strats. I’ve never owned a custom shop from Fender or Gibson and probably never will. Peter Green’s LP wasn’t some custom shop piece of magic. Had it not been owned by Peter and then Gary Moore, a bunch of the drive behind the crazy price tag simply wouldn’t exist. Why are the old Strats and LPs worth so much more than the new? Because they were made “back then”. While I do find them appealing, I also recognize that a big portion of what inflates their value is just perception and definitely not tangible reality.
It may well be because Les Pauls look like musical instruments, like pieces of artwork, while Strats look like electrical appliances. Gibson is a company which had been crafting mandolins and archtop guitars before they started making electrics (or gradually started developing electrics from archtops), while Fender was a company founded by and named after an electrician that had been making speakers and amplifiers and then decided to start making guitars to play through them. Same reason why new Les Pauls cost more than new Strats, let alone Teles: because they cost more to make. Sculpted tops rather than planed down chunks of wood, set necks rather than bolt-on. All takes more man-hours and that means the customer pays more, new or used.
True, but the Fenders are more roadworthy and have lower cost of repair because of their design. I like Gibsons and am in the market for another but ya gotta call a spade a spade.
The rumor is that Fender has approached John Fruciante several times about doing an artist model and he isn't interested. Supposedly he said it was too much of a "rock star thing to do." His playing hard to get is just making me want it more... 😂
I sill have my 'first run' 1968 LP Custom so in no rush for another Gibson but, as always, I follow what's out there and have the opportunity to try a lot of stuff coming thru the main Epiphone / Gibson Flagship here in HK. There are 2 or 3 Custom Shops I have tried and would love to own, in particular a 2011 'Long Island Iced Tea' Standard . . . for Xmas future! Lovely instrument listed at USD 6.5K but I can get a significant discount. There are a few Murphy Labs in there but I just can't reconcile paying for a 'distressed' guitar any more than 'distressed' jeans etc. I understand the 'visual authenticity' appeal but I fail to see why the prices from 'Light Aged' to 'Heavy Aged' rise incrementally depending on how much damage some guy has done to a Custom Shop piece with chisels and razor blades etc. - just seems a bit cynical to my value system 😃
The only Gibson guitar I have is a Les Paul Jr. with a P90. I love it because it’s such a simple guitar. I’d take that over one of those new Modern Studio’s they’re making now. Gibson’s are usually more expensive then I want to pay, or more that I’d rather have my John5 Tele that was almost $3000, then spend $3k on some LP Standard. But that’s just a personal choice. Gibson charges so much for their stuff because people pay for it…it is probably that simple when it comes down to it.
I was told a loaf of bread used to cost a nickel, and I do play so much better on my two custom shop J45’s and my 59 Murphy lab Les Paul. After playing for 45 years, the progression from a close to cardboard acoustic to these has been awesome. I am totally enjoying them.
I am curious at everyone's opinion about how Heritage stands up against Gibson. I've only tried a couple of those and I thought they were considerably better quality than the Gibson model, but I tried a new one and a 2002 so I don't think that's a big enough sample size.
I bought a brand new 2022 ultra heavy, aged Murphy lab 60s les Paul standard, that absolutely love. However, I do wonder if it will appreciate and value or stay the same or even go down. My guess is with this economy probably will go down a little bit because it’s not limited, but it is a work of art in terms of aesthetics and playability I just wish the pick up weren’t so noisy, but they’re not potted that’s why
In a nutshell it’s “collector mentality”. A Gibson Standard is more than up to the job for ANY average to higher level player. In my opinion customer shop is not about playing, it’s owning and convincing yourself it’s needed.
Especially when it comes to the guitar hobbyist. If you ask how many Harley Benton's (and the like) the average bedroom player has in their collection, it's prob averaging 4-6 guitars.
Playing for years… just got my first custom guitar today and it’s superior to all my production USA Strats and Teles. Like my Hamstead amp… magical tonal qualities. No regret. Bought used though… and lefty.
After watching the Andertons Gibson shop tours I actually feel more interested in a Standard line LP over a Custom Shop. So much of the build process is identical, and you're mostly paying for nicer tops, theoretically better pickups, and a few fancy pants vintage build appointments, like the Hyde glue and longer neck tenons, plus access to the Murphy Labs aging options. But really, the new Standards are great instruments. Everything getting a PLEK treatment out of the factory is A+ stuff.
I don’t understand buying a ‘59 Les Paul custom shop that costs 6 to 8 thousand dollars that looks like someone dragged it down a gravel road then splashed a little battery acid on it just for good measure! Play the dumb thing and let it age naturally.
Can’t blame Gibson, the reason they’re able to command such high prices is because they found suckers willing to pay it. I guarantee that if they made those expensive guitars and nobody bought them, you’d start to see those prices go down.
9:47 I think Vin Diesel, The Rock, and Jason Momoa did it but they didn't know how fragile Gibsons are so when the guitar vault slammed into a concrete pole during their grand escape all the headstocks broke and became identifiable/worthless.
If you are a fanboy (-girl) of either an artist or a brand and you’re willing (and able) to spend a 5 or even 6 figure amount of money for a guitar that’s absolutely fine with me. Do I understand this craving? No, I don’t. For this amount of money (actually a lot less) I would go and find me a luthier and have him build a one of a kind instrument just for me. Because you’re not the artist whose playing made the guitar famous and there always will be more than one (if we’re talking reissues). I’m not talking about originals played by the artist or vintage instruments. Collectors are even more crazy IMHO. The journey of having an instrument built is very special. The bond one has with this kind of instrument can’t be achieved with picking it up in a store even if it is done in a first class setting. I would rate myself as an intermediate amateur player, but I did this journey twice. One for an 6 string acoustic-electric and one for an electric guitar. I wouldn’t miss this experience for the world and I highly recommend going this route as a enthusiast player if the financial means are available.
I have a Les Paul R8 Historic reissue from the Gibson custom shop, built in 1998...and just picked up an ESP Japanese Custom Shop Eclipse Andromeda. Both are highly resonant and sound great. The Les Paul is a pain in the ass to keep the neck straight. Also have a George Lynch Kamikaze 1 from the ESP Custom shop.....Al three sound different. I think the ESP Custom shops are better than the Gibson custom shop guitars. But 5K is my price limit for guitars, after that price point.....I don't think they get any better just because a name is attached to it.
I got a murphy ultra aged 59 on sale at guitar center for 7k, was it worth it....YES I've played hundreds of les pauls, these are some of the best i've eve played.
Baxter, I believe Frusciante has been seen with what looks like a proto-type of his beloved 62 strat and I have mentioned this before but I hope and it would not surprise me that it will be made in Mexico. I could be wrong, But since the McCready turned out so well AND I am hoping that John would want his fans to be able to get a replica of his guitar alot easier and cheaper. I could be wrong, but I MAY be RIGHT! (but probably not)
I feel like the PRS Private Stock are intrinsically better guitars than the top range Gibsons'... not that the Gibsons' are beyond dope, but that the PRS are apex guitars, and usually for a lot less ... $$13-16K average.
A Les Paul in the fifties was 350.00, about a months wages for a middle income worker, today, that same worker makes 4000.00 mo, now you could by a Les Paul and have money leftover for an amp…
It's because their marketing has ramped up so much. It's all marketing. I think there's so much confirmation bias in these types of things. If you're paying $50k for a guitar, you're going to be so excited etc. you're unlikely to say you got ripped off.
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario The marketing would be OK if they didn't have all these repeated QC problems. It's been 5 years since Henry's gone. They said that was the big priority, so they shouldn't be shipping stuff with these problems anymore.
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario I spent around $5k over 10 years ago to get an LP and an special edition SG. The LP had sanding marks across about 2-3 inches of the fretboard and tuning issues even after being serviced. The SG wouldn't stay in tune if I stood up and moved around. This one went in for service as well. If I could have afforded to take that kind of loss, I'd have broken them up like Pete Townshend.
2 things: 1) Gibson realized sooner and more fully that there IS a market for very expensive versions of their classic guitars. It’s the Boomers, who are now retiring and therefore have a fair amount of wealth. 2) Why Boomers? Never before or since did so many young men learn to play guitar in a single generation. And that group WANTS the guitars of its adolescence. (1960s-1970s)
Admittedly, I'm a boomer who was born in '64. I've earned my own money since I was 15. My slave days will end in a few years. Hard work, saving and real estate investing means I can quit working in a few years with cash to splash. I won't feel guilty or stupid when I buy the Gibsons of my dreams in the near future after years of learning on Teiscos, Kramers, Epiphones and possibly the biggest piece of shit single P90 SG Junior ever. I earned these MFers. Nobody gave me anything. I paid my dues. Time to reap the rewards! 😅👍
Gibson has shot themselves in the foot before, but they hide it. By the time the Collector's Choice series was finished, Gibson had a lot of unsold guitars, particularly from the not-so-well-known artists. They decided to repurpose them into other "less expensive" models in order to get rid of them. The majority of this took place in 2017. The aged ones were over-aged to hide their original identity. Some were simply restamped without any changes beyond the COA. I bought my repurposed CC29 for half of it's original price.
Exactly! I paid $2899 for a used very limited edition Gibson Custom Shop 336 with P90s in August 2021. It has since gone up in value but that is the most I have ever paid for an instrument.
The high end Epi's play just as good as a Gibson imo. Most of them have Gibson pickups, wiring, and parts. I purchased the $999 Epi 1959 Les Paul and sold my Gibson.
I have first Waylon Jennings’s tele will be 30 years old 2025. John page made who started custom shop at fender they want 25 k now still has original 10 50 gauge steel strings. On the guitar
May be a snob but custom shop Fenders, Gibsons, prs cores or higher are all ill buy from now on. Ive had many guitars over the years starting with a silvertone in 72. If a guy is happy with a mim or eastern guitar good for them. I do have a price limit, so some of the 50k greenies are not for me but neither is a squire bullet...js Even some of the USA, like the american pro 2 strat I had, imo sucked. Same with the gibson tribute stuff. Good thing my wife is a business owner and makes the money to keeps me in a buying mode 😂 Even though a prius is a car its not my chevy SS or the Roush mustang I had.
Why would you get an artist guitar. The artist guitar was usually an off the shelf guitar that worked for him b4 he got famous. It might not work for the average guitarist
I can’t imagine ever paying that much money for a new guitar unless it’s some insane arch top carved from the wood of someone 1000 year year-old tree. For 50 grand, go buy a black guard or a 50s Strat.
I don't understand why buy a guitar that pretends to be the guitar that "XXX" plays. I love Michael Schenker but I'll never play a flying V... I buy a guitar that says "ME". Perhaps if you are in a GnR cover band you'll want a Slash model to mimic your show.
Funny Gibson N 'ashville, Tenni-shoe charges XTRA for making guitars like Gibson Kalamazoo, Michigan did in the 1950's & 60's despite their buy / move / save the name (again) was to be a better company, yuk, yuk.
In 1973 I got a '72 Gibson 335. Had it for 28 years, sounded great but had a ton of issues. I'll stick with my Asian beauties. Yamaha, G&L Tribute, Ibanez and PRS SE.
Gibson makes good guitars. A high end PRS is a much better musical instrument, hands down, objectively. Life is short but long enough to own one of each at the same time.
Because of the name on the headstock. They are otherwise just wood and hardware like any other guitar. Oh, and American laborers think they are worth more for some reason.
The only way to get a John Frusciante signature model would be to produce a Josh Klinghoffer model instead and then replace it abruptly and without warning. 😂
I personally don’t think it will but with the rise of other genres of music the bottom could fall out of this market real quick. I’m a guitar lover and believe there will always be enough of us to keep this going but when you think of why certain models sell for so much is that our heroes played them and are associated with those holy grail models. People use laptops now maybe we should be collecting MacBooks 😂 I say we I cannot afford these models I collect cheaper versions not to make money just for my pleasure.
I dunno man.. Im such a fender fan boy.. I just can't imagine even buying a less paul even at a good price.. But at the absurd price range.. Damn.. Just don't care enough about the Les Paul to give it a chance. Id rather just buy a fender. For example.. Lets say you dump your guitar on the ground.. Snap goes the head stock... On a fender.. I buy a new neck back in business..> But what the hell do you do for a GIbson...? I mean.. Wood glue? Yuck. That's not gonna be pretty. I like the Humbuckers of course.. Bad ass sound.. not gonna say it's not.. But guess what.. A pick guard for a fender comes in HSH...
Baxter: Your microphone needs tweaking. Too dark. It may need to be installed outside the suit. Or peeking out the flap. Also it clicks for some reason. Get real mics, you won’t regret it.
I have 3 Gibson electric guitars. All incredible. My custom shop was $3k. I don’t have a clue what you guys are talking about. Just go back to your Fender worship. I have a couple of Fenders but I don’t worship guitars.
I think us humans get stuck in nostalgia mode a little too much. Or, call it a bittersweet longing if you will, for guitars & amps of the "past", and in away it's ridiculous. I see people trying to sell old Harmony Stella's (clearly a beginners guitar back in the 60's) for $600 to $900 WHAT ? That's crazy ! Owning an expensive guitar from the past might make ya look cool, (maybe) but are you really ? How many guy's ya see walking around with their Fonzie leather jacked and white T-shirt, trying to look cool in 2024, besides Mark Agnesi ? Whose NOT cool. INMHO
because they are overpriced, overhyped and people will pay the price. gotta hand it to gibson. their marketing bullshit is good at suckering people into paying those prices for mediocre instruments. ill never own another one.
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario Gibson seem to have become a corporation. No longer making instruments young people can afford to make music with. I hope with the way the world is headed, young people will be less willing to accept greed as the status quo?
@@keestoft250 What kid back in 1959 could afford a ES335TD @ $2,967.59? What kid back in 1959 could afford a LP Custom @ $4,186.42??? Those the ACTUAL retail prices (in todays dollars) of what they retailed at back in '59...where is this disconnect in understanding this coming from????
@@keestoft250If that is your interpretation then that is your interpretation...whatever it may be. But let's be truthful when making claims like "No longer making instruments young people can afford to make music with". Gibson offer a wide range of price points...for every stage😉
A 3K ish Gibson custom shop is worth its weight in gold. A few of mine feel near luthier-built. And no, I don’t find many Gibson guitars below this price range fit that description. They’re expensive, but in the 3/4K range, they’re totally worth it to me personally. When we start talking tens of thousands, and it’s not an archtop, you’ve lost me. Not that a mere mortal like me has access to such wild amounts of money.
You can get a team built guitar from Jol Dantzig (Hamer luthier/founder)starting at about 4k.
To have Jol build one is is 30k and you got to put half up front then wait two years.
I think ESP might be closer to buying FMIC as well, given that they're starting to build some Schecters at Fujigen - what's funny is that anyone's US custom shop is more than Gibson's, so I don't know why everyone keeps complaining about Gibson. ESP USA is charging near entry level Murphy Labs prices - 5k list for a plain ebony single cut and you don't get to choose anything; I'd expect it goes up from there.
You only had to pay that much for a good one because it's Gibson. They won't even perfect their $20k custom replicas so you can't expect them to QC the "cheap" models properly lol but you can get better designed/sounding guitars for $1k-$2k from reasonable brands. Gibson just has that historical tax locked on one last wave of dentist and doctors cause these days buying a gibson to play guitar is like buying a musket for the practicality. I've tried so many expensive instruments over the years but nothing that felt like it justified a price over $2k, after that you're paying aesthetic or history, maybe both
You can get a vintage sg or 335 for that lmao
Well there are a lot of lawyers and dentists out there
I’ve a couple of older (1997) and newer (2019-2023) Les Pauls including a couple of the Adam Jones models. To me, they just simply play and sound better than other brands. Build quality is impeccable. I hope to have to never part with them but if I do I know there is a market for them
If you would have asked 5 years ago if I would spend more than 3k on a guitar I would have told you no. Well, I have 3 Gibson custom shop guitars. Trinni Lopez M2M, 58’ Les Paul, and bb king live at the regal 59’ 335. I consider myself very fortunate to own these and they are all a pleasure to play. In my opinion they are worth it.
Damn right Swaffy.
How many hundreds and hundreds, thousands of hours have you put in to learn a very difficult musical instrument. Don't you think you deserve it. Its a very difficult thing to do. People who have learned to play guitar should be very proud of themselves. People have told me they would give their left nut to play guitar. You are obviously good, proficient at it.
Then you're going to play on some two hundred dollar guitar. I don't think so. Play the best you can lay your hands on. I also have 3 very expensive guitars. A R-59, ES 339, and a P.R.S.
Worth way more, then my car. My car might last 10 years. My guitars will last for generations.
I've also been playing for over 4 decades. I'm not wealthy by any means. But I'm rich with musical abilities. That brings me more joy than if that money was pissed away on stupid shit. And when you buy the best, most of the time, it's an investment. So when you're long gone, the money isn't. Your kids will either play it and cherish them. Or they will make a lot of money. While my car, for example. Will break down and suck the money down and show nothing for it as it steadily decreases in value. You good sir have made a wise decision.
And you have a staple of great American history. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. Rock on, bro, and with those guitars. You'll be doing it with class and a smile on your face.
@@robertwillett4122 That is one of the most kind comments I have ever received ever on UA-cam, and I thank you. Your explanation and reasoning behind why we invest our money into something like this is so much better than mine, lol. My dad who I miss dearly, raised me on guitar. He would never spend that type of money on a guitar, but he would be happy if it made me happy. I remember when I was young he bought a guitar (1965 Gibson SG Special) which I still own, he snuck it into the house hiding it from my step mom. I think he had it home for over a week before he told her lol. I remember him saying to her, “How upset would you be if I spent $2000 on a guitar?”
Her, “Very!”
Him, “Well you are only gonna be half as upset because it was only $1200.”
@@robertwillett4122
Agree. I have what I consider some 'trophy dream' instruments after many years, a 2014 ES335 Cherry Dot Gibson, a Gretsch Jet G6128T, a Martin D12-28 and D35 and a J50. There are more but those fill every space sonically.
I play every day and will until I can no longer do so. I have some guitar player nephews who will get very lucky indeed in due time.
As far back as I can remember, Les Paul’s tend command a higher price than Strats. I’ve never owned a custom shop from Fender or Gibson and probably never will. Peter Green’s LP wasn’t some custom shop piece of magic. Had it not been owned by Peter and then Gary Moore, a bunch of the drive behind the crazy price tag simply wouldn’t exist. Why are the old Strats and LPs worth so much more than the new? Because they were made “back then”. While I do find them appealing, I also recognize that a big portion of what inflates their value is just perception and definitely not tangible reality.
It may well be because Les Pauls look like musical instruments, like pieces of artwork, while Strats look like electrical appliances. Gibson is a company which had been crafting mandolins and archtop guitars before they started making electrics (or gradually started developing electrics from archtops), while Fender was a company founded by and named after an electrician that had been making speakers and amplifiers and then decided to start making guitars to play through them. Same reason why new Les Pauls cost more than new Strats, let alone Teles: because they cost more to make. Sculpted tops rather than planed down chunks of wood, set necks rather than bolt-on. All takes more man-hours and that means the customer pays more, new or used.
True, but the Fenders are more roadworthy and have lower cost of repair because of their design. I like Gibsons and am in the market for another but ya gotta call a spade a spade.
The rumor is that Fender has approached John Fruciante several times about doing an artist model and he isn't interested. Supposedly he said it was too much of a "rock star thing to do." His playing hard to get is just making me want it more... 😂
I play partscasters to make ‘‘em all feel better about their greenies
Gibson is turning into a lifestyle brand. Selling bags and perfumes soon.
I sill have my 'first run' 1968 LP Custom so in no rush for another Gibson but, as always, I follow what's out there and have the opportunity to try a lot of stuff coming thru the main Epiphone / Gibson Flagship here in HK. There are 2 or 3 Custom Shops I have tried and would love to own, in particular a 2011 'Long Island Iced Tea' Standard . . . for Xmas future! Lovely instrument listed at USD 6.5K but I can get a significant discount. There are a few Murphy Labs in there but I just can't reconcile paying for a 'distressed' guitar any more than 'distressed' jeans etc. I understand the 'visual authenticity' appeal but I fail to see why the prices from 'Light Aged' to 'Heavy Aged' rise incrementally depending on how much damage some guy has done to a Custom Shop piece with chisels and razor blades etc. - just seems a bit cynical to my value system 😃
The only Gibson guitar I have is a Les Paul Jr. with a P90. I love it because it’s such a simple guitar. I’d take that over one of those new Modern Studio’s they’re making now. Gibson’s are usually more expensive then I want to pay, or more that I’d rather have my John5 Tele that was almost $3000, then spend $3k on some LP Standard. But that’s just a personal choice. Gibson charges so much for their stuff because people pay for it…it is probably that simple when it comes down to it.
I was told a loaf of bread used to cost a nickel, and I do play so much better on my two custom shop J45’s and my 59 Murphy lab Les Paul. After playing for 45 years, the progression from a close to cardboard acoustic to these has been awesome.
I am totally enjoying them.
You can get outrageous prices if you reign supreme.
Gibson has established and controlled the collector market. Where people expect their instrument investments to hold or increase in value.
The manufacturing process of making a Les Paul is just more time intensive and expensive than making a strat style guitar, that alone adds to the cost
Plus they are usually 1st in line for mahogany wood from the supplier
I am curious at everyone's opinion about how Heritage stands up against Gibson. I've only tried a couple of those and I thought they were considerably better quality than the Gibson model, but I tried a new one and a 2002 so I don't think that's a big enough sample size.
I bought a brand new 2022 ultra heavy, aged Murphy lab 60s les Paul standard, that absolutely love. However, I do wonder if it will appreciate and value or stay the same or even go down. My guess is with this economy probably will go down a little bit because it’s not limited, but it is a work of art in terms of aesthetics and playability I just wish the pick up weren’t so noisy, but they’re not potted that’s why
Les Paul Bursts.... only 1000 ever made, and only 1500 left...
In a nutshell it’s “collector mentality”. A Gibson Standard is more than up to the job for ANY average to higher level player. In my opinion customer shop is not about playing, it’s owning and convincing yourself it’s needed.
The 'collector' mentality has definitely had a profound effect on the way electric guitars are produced and marketed.
Especially when it comes to the guitar hobbyist. If you ask how many Harley Benton's (and the like) the average bedroom player has in their collection, it's prob averaging 4-6 guitars.
Playing for years… just got my first custom guitar today and it’s superior to all my production USA Strats and Teles. Like my Hamstead amp… magical tonal qualities. No regret. Bought used though… and lefty.
I like the way you guys geek out about Dune. I think I'll have to re-read the book, as well as see the movie. Have an excellent day!
After watching the Andertons Gibson shop tours I actually feel more interested in a Standard line LP over a Custom Shop. So much of the build process is identical, and you're mostly paying for nicer tops, theoretically better pickups, and a few fancy pants vintage build appointments, like the Hyde glue and longer neck tenons, plus access to the Murphy Labs aging options.
But really, the new Standards are great instruments. Everything getting a PLEK treatment out of the factory is A+ stuff.
I don’t understand buying a ‘59 Les Paul custom shop that costs 6 to 8 thousand dollars that looks like someone dragged it down a gravel road then splashed a little battery acid on it just for good measure! Play the dumb thing and let it age naturally.
Can’t blame Gibson, the reason they’re able to command such high prices is because they found suckers willing to pay it. I guarantee that if they made those expensive guitars and nobody bought them, you’d start to see those prices go down.
9:47 I think Vin Diesel, The Rock, and Jason Momoa did it but they didn't know how fragile Gibsons are so when the guitar vault slammed into a concrete pole during their grand escape all the headstocks broke and became identifiable/worthless.
If you are a fanboy (-girl) of either an artist or a brand and you’re willing (and able) to spend a 5 or even 6 figure amount of money for a guitar that’s absolutely fine with me. Do I understand this craving? No, I don’t.
For this amount of money (actually a lot less) I would go and find me a luthier and have him build a one of a kind instrument just for me. Because you’re not the artist whose playing made the guitar famous and there always will be more than one (if we’re talking reissues). I’m not talking about originals played by the artist or vintage instruments. Collectors are even more crazy IMHO. The journey of having an instrument built is very special. The bond one has with this kind of instrument can’t be achieved with picking it up in a store even if it is done in a first class setting. I would rate myself as an intermediate amateur player, but I did this journey twice.
One for an 6 string acoustic-electric and one for an electric guitar. I wouldn’t miss this experience for the world and I highly recommend going this route as a enthusiast player if the financial means are available.
I have a Les Paul R8 Historic reissue from the Gibson custom shop, built in 1998...and just picked up an ESP Japanese Custom Shop Eclipse Andromeda. Both are highly resonant and sound great. The Les Paul is a pain in the ass to keep the neck straight. Also have a George Lynch Kamikaze 1 from the ESP Custom shop.....Al three sound different. I think the ESP Custom shops are better than the Gibson custom shop guitars. But 5K is my price limit for guitars, after that price point.....I don't think they get any better just because a name is attached to it.
I got a murphy ultra aged 59 on sale at guitar center for 7k, was it worth it....YES I've played hundreds of les pauls, these are some of the best i've eve played.
I am seeing a ton of new Brazilian rosewood les Paul’s online. I don’t think they are selling too well.
Didnt Fender had jimmy pages tele the dragon handpainted in a bundle with the same Tele in its white mirror state? They charged 50k for both i think
They made CS versions and production versions. The CS limited run went for $5k for the mirror one and $6k for the dragon.
After seeing a stylus, for a record player, that costs $300,000, not much shocks me anymore with high priced musical gear.
Diamond? Sapphire?
@@johnbriggs3916 well there are diamond tips on these things but I don't know what makes the crazy expensive ones cost so much.
Baxter, I believe Frusciante has been seen with what looks like a proto-type of his beloved 62 strat and I have mentioned this before but I hope and it would not surprise me that it will be made in Mexico. I could be wrong, But since the McCready turned out so well AND I am hoping that John would want his fans to be able to get a replica of his guitar alot easier and cheaper. I could be wrong, but I MAY be RIGHT! (but probably not)
I feel like the PRS Private Stock are intrinsically better guitars than the top range Gibsons'... not that the Gibsons' are beyond dope, but that the PRS are apex guitars, and usually for a lot less ... $$13-16K average.
A Les Paul in the fifties was 350.00, about a months wages for a middle income worker, today, that same worker makes 4000.00 mo, now you could by a Les Paul and have money leftover for an amp…
It's because their marketing has ramped up so much. It's all marketing. I think there's so much confirmation bias in these types of things. If you're paying $50k for a guitar, you're going to be so excited etc. you're unlikely to say you got ripped off.
" It's all marketing" I guess the same could be said about...weeeell everything.
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario The marketing would be OK if they didn't have all these repeated QC problems. It's been 5 years since Henry's gone. They said that was the big priority, so they shouldn't be shipping stuff with these problems anymore.
@@Scott__C No one is forcing ANYONE to buy them. BTW, How many Gibsons do you own that have QC issues???
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario I spent around $5k over 10 years ago to get an LP and an special edition SG. The LP had sanding marks across about 2-3 inches of the fretboard and tuning issues even after being serviced. The SG wouldn't stay in tune if I stood up and moved around. This one went in for service as well. If I could have afforded to take that kind of loss, I'd have broken them up like Pete Townshend.
2 things: 1) Gibson realized sooner and more fully that there IS a market for very expensive versions of their classic guitars. It’s the Boomers, who are now retiring and therefore have a fair amount of wealth. 2) Why Boomers? Never before or since did so many young men learn to play guitar in a single generation. And that group WANTS the guitars of its adolescence. (1960s-1970s)
Admittedly, I'm a boomer who was born in '64. I've earned my own money since I was 15. My slave days will end in a few years. Hard work, saving and real estate investing means I can quit working in a few years with cash to splash. I won't feel guilty or stupid when I buy the Gibsons of my dreams in the near future after years of learning on Teiscos, Kramers, Epiphones and possibly the biggest piece of shit single P90 SG Junior ever. I earned these MFers. Nobody gave me anything. I paid my dues. Time to reap the rewards! 😅👍
@traviesoarcefan3063 Heck yeah! I'm a year older than you and feel the same way. Rock on brother! 👍🎸
@@paxchristi2014 Same to you Bro! 💯👍
I love my Gibson Les Pauls, I thank Lord Jesus constantly for blessing me with them!
Gibson has shot themselves in the foot before, but they hide it.
By the time the Collector's Choice series was finished, Gibson had a lot of unsold guitars, particularly from the not-so-well-known artists. They decided to repurpose them into other "less expensive" models in order to get rid of them. The majority of this took place in 2017. The aged ones were over-aged to hide their original identity. Some were simply restamped without any changes beyond the COA.
I bought my repurposed CC29 for half of it's original price.
Some would call it marketing genius. I call it disgusting. I’m likely going with Heritage, possibly Knaggs.
I just can't bring myself to pay more than $3K ish for a guitar. Why? Because you can get an excellent quality guitar for that much money.
Exactly! I paid $2899 for a used very limited edition Gibson Custom Shop 336 with P90s in August 2021. It has since gone up in value but that is the most I have ever paid for an instrument.
The high end Epi's play just as good as a Gibson imo. Most of them have Gibson pickups, wiring, and parts. I purchased the $999 Epi 1959 Les Paul and sold my Gibson.
What gibson did you have?
Year and model please! Very curious
@@doc_matter me too...
I have first Waylon Jennings’s tele will be 30 years old 2025. John page made who started custom shop at fender they want 25 k now still has original 10 50 gauge steel strings. On the guitar
Now that Gibson has announced a new collaboration with Jimmy Page, expect the most expensive Gibson custom shops yet!
To me, no production guitar is worth the insane prices they're asking for em.
Imagine spending thousands on a custom shop gibson and not just putting that money towards a vintage gibson. Sad!
Heritage Guitars is the way to go!
Meh...they are just ok IMO.
May be a snob but custom shop Fenders, Gibsons, prs cores or higher are all ill buy from now on. Ive had many guitars over the years starting with a silvertone in 72. If a guy is happy with a mim or eastern guitar good for them. I do have a price limit, so some of the 50k greenies are not for me but neither is a squire bullet...js
Even some of the USA, like the american pro 2 strat I had, imo sucked. Same with the gibson tribute stuff.
Good thing my wife is a business owner and makes the money to keeps me in a buying mode 😂
Even though a prius is a car its not my chevy SS or the Roush mustang I had.
Why would you get an artist guitar. The artist guitar was usually an off the shelf guitar that worked for him b4 he got famous. It might not work for the average guitarist
Credit cards. That's how most people afford them. Not too difficult getting 10 to 15K credit on a card.
I can’t imagine ever paying that much money for a new guitar unless it’s some insane arch top carved from the wood of someone 1000 year year-old tree. For 50 grand, go buy a black guard or a 50s Strat.
Gibson,,, making corporate lawyers feel like rock stars is our business
Hey- don’t forget about the Dentists!
@@brianhansen-hj3ml that's PRS lol
To be honest Gibson and the dealers say they’re the best you can ever buy every year when there’s a new name for the same guitars.
I don't understand why buy a guitar that pretends to be the guitar that "XXX" plays. I love Michael Schenker but I'll never play a flying V...
I buy a guitar that says "ME". Perhaps if you are in a GnR cover band you'll want a Slash model to mimic your show.
Ok, Gibson Custom Shop 59 VOS starting at $6699 list, PRS 594 Core, $4660, Heritage H-150 Custom core, $4099. Collings, $7200. Pick your poison. Oh yeah, Fender Custom 1950s (relic) can run you $5000
And you can get a custom Martin for $4,000
A fool and his money?
Funny Gibson N 'ashville, Tenni-shoe charges XTRA for making guitars like Gibson Kalamazoo, Michigan did in the 1950's & 60's despite their buy / move / save the name (again) was to be a better company, yuk, yuk.
In 1973 I got a '72 Gibson 335. Had it for 28 years, sounded great but had a ton of issues. I'll stick with my Asian beauties. Yamaha, G&L Tribute, Ibanez and PRS SE.
I bet with all those newer guitars you still miss your 335 though..
It had an incredible sound when playing live. Nothing like it.
Play a Knaggs Guitar!!
Why?
Gibson makes good guitars. A high end PRS is a much better musical instrument, hands down, objectively. Life is short but long enough to own one of each at the same time.
Because of the name on the headstock. They are otherwise just wood and hardware like any other guitar. Oh, and American laborers think they are worth more for some reason.
The only way to get a John Frusciante signature model would be to produce a Josh Klinghoffer model instead and then replace it abruptly and without warning. 😂
I personally don’t think it will but with the rise of other genres of music the bottom could fall out of this market real quick.
I’m a guitar lover and believe there will always be enough of us to keep this going but when you think of why certain models sell for so much is that our heroes played them and are associated with those holy grail models.
People use laptops now maybe we should be collecting MacBooks 😂
I say we I cannot afford these models I collect cheaper versions not to make money just for my pleasure.
Get a USA made Hamer now, before it's too late.
Two Words: dentist cabal
I dunno man.. Im such a fender fan boy.. I just can't imagine even buying a less paul even at a good price.. But at the absurd price range.. Damn.. Just don't care enough about the Les Paul to give it a chance. Id rather just buy a fender.
For example.. Lets say you dump your guitar on the ground.. Snap goes the head stock... On a fender.. I buy a new neck back in business..> But what the hell do you do for a GIbson...? I mean.. Wood glue? Yuck. That's not gonna be pretty.
I like the Humbuckers of course.. Bad ass sound.. not gonna say it's not.. But guess what.. A pick guard for a fender comes in HSH...
Keiesl builds a LP style guitar that blows anything Gibson has ever made, I know-They built one for me. Ya I used to own Gibson. Never again.
Baxter: Your microphone needs tweaking. Too dark. It may need to be installed outside the suit. Or peeking out the flap. Also it clicks for some reason.
Get real mics, you won’t regret it.
Soooooo many butt hurt bedroom players far too concerned with what OTHER choose to pay & play.
I have 3 Gibson electric guitars. All incredible. My custom shop was $3k. I don’t have a clue what you guys are talking about. Just go back to your Fender worship. I have a couple of Fenders but I don’t worship guitars.
I think us humans get stuck in nostalgia mode a little too much. Or, call it a bittersweet longing if you will, for guitars & amps of the "past", and in away it's ridiculous. I see people trying to sell old Harmony Stella's (clearly a beginners guitar back in the 60's) for $600 to $900 WHAT ? That's crazy ! Owning an expensive guitar from the past might make ya look cool, (maybe) but are you really ? How many guy's ya see walking around with their Fonzie leather jacked and white T-shirt, trying to look cool in 2024, besides Mark Agnesi ? Whose NOT cool. INMHO
Resale. PRS resale is S-t.
Why? Boomers with too much money.
Price it high and it's a luxury brand.
I almost unsubbed when I saw that MGK monstrosity behind Baxter’s shoulder…😉😎
because they are overpriced, overhyped and people will pay the price.
gotta hand it to gibson. their marketing bullshit is good at suckering people into paying those prices for mediocre instruments. ill never own another one.
Kids, go buy a cool squire, a used fender pro junior, turn it up to 11 and make songs about stupid rich people.
Why?
@@WhyAlwaysMeMario Gibson seem to have become a corporation. No longer making instruments young people can afford to make music with. I hope with the way the world is headed, young people will be less willing to accept greed as the status quo?
@@keestoft250 What kid back in 1959 could afford a ES335TD @ $2,967.59? What kid back in 1959 could afford a LP Custom @ $4,186.42??? Those the ACTUAL retail prices (in todays dollars) of what they retailed at back in '59...where is this disconnect in understanding this coming from????
I love talking about guitars, and your point is valid but your dialogue seems pretty aggressive whether you intend it to be or not?
@@keestoft250If that is your interpretation then that is your interpretation...whatever it may be. But let's be truthful when making claims like "No longer making instruments young people can afford to make music with". Gibson offer a wide range of price points...for every stage😉
Uh,.....greed??
Greed…… their really NOT AT ALL WORTH IT !!
Only a fool would drop that much money on a guitar. Make that only a rich fool.😂