I have a REAL American Gibson Les Paul 2013 Traditional. I take great pride in owning this American product. I paid $1,500 for it, which is not a lot of money for a guitar that is legend in the world of rock and roll music. I do not make a lot of money, though I work full time. While many people cannot afford a REAL Les Paul, have you ever stopped to wonder why? We have outsourced a lot of our manufacturing plants and (consequently) jobs to China. Coming out of World War II, America used to manufacture over 50% of the worlds goods. It was the greatest period of economic prosperity the United States has ever seen. Those days are long gone. Now we import cheap crap from China. And essentially we can't afford anything else because all the good jobs have been eliminated and we are stuck employed in the low-paying service industry. Wake up people.
Its the same with most western economies guys. I'm in Australia, we hardly manufacture anything now. Our local guitar centre (Allans) sells Gibson Les Pauls for upwards of $5000 which is about 2.5 times what you guys pay. That really sucks. No way they are worth that. You can get American (i think they are American) Gibsons for around $1500 here, but they are those ones that look like they have been painted with house paint. Those guitars are a disgrace. I decided to buy afew second hand guitars recently, i think they represent the best value. The Japanese Matsumoku guitars are great, as are American guitars like Peavey (US ones in particular) and Ovation. As for the Chibson, i'll pass on that, No way do i want to buy a guitar and then have to start changing parts out. The finish looks nice on them however, anyway, if i was in the market for a gibson les paul shape guitar, I'd be hunting down a nice gibson marauder or S1 or sonex. May even get change from $1000 and have a rare beast as well.
my friend most people cant afford the guitar because there priorities are fkd up i personally can tell you and anybody the harder you work the luckier a person gets
i worked 2 years to be able to Buy 2 of my favorite GUitas. A brand new Gibson Flying V 70s Antique Natural and a brand new Gibson Les Paul 60s. Both together 5200 € / $.. My aim was to get these 2 and im now satisfied with it for quite some years thats for sure, and the Quality of these GUitars are top notch ane will last many years before i have to do some tweaking / repairing on them...
Dude....You crack me up and have inspired the hell out of me to practice my ass off. I'm 50 and have been playing the same old Blues licks and song riffs since I took lessons for 2 years between the ages of 25-27. I thoroughly suck, but you have really motivated me to spend every kid-free moment trying to learn something. Thanks man.
Somehow this video just popped back into my feed. I remember watching your videos probably a decade ago and this was a nice channel to rediscover. Glad to see you're still making content.
I bought one 10 years ago.....2005 Les Paul Custom in cherry burst....they been around for some time....ive gigged and recorded with it once i replaced the pickups and machine heads,....it sounds great and plays better than my 98 standard...bit thinner on sound but still has that LP growl, once i set it up the action was the lowest ive ever seen without a single buzz on any guitars ive ever played and ive had a lot of Gibsons...but i made it higher as my fingers couldnt get hold of the strings to bend them, i bought mine under the guise of a real Gibson going for real cheap...the guy told me he didnt know wether it was authentic or not....but you could see straight off the bat it had that Epi abr copy bridge on it....i gave him the few hundred quid he wanted and i got a nice guitar. Now its in public that they are being copied.....but they always have, its just that these Chinese have broken the golden rule... they threw a Gibson logo on there....lol
Hey pixy, I've been watching your channel, ever since you bought this guitar all that long ago. I've seen ever episode since, multiple times. Just wanted say can't believe it's been 3 years. I've always been a fan always will be. Keep rocking!
Before the Chinese copies existed, there were the Japanese Gibson copies. I owned a "real" Les Paul and the Japanese Burny and Greco. The Japanese ones were superior in every way. Awesome necks, amazing pickups with super vintage tone. I will NEVER buy a Gibson again unless I develop an allergy to having money in my pocket.
real thing, us. musicians cantón stand the fact that people in japan built those grecos, hondo guitars, cheaper and well crafted , the current les paul is dar from that.. a friend of mine bought a black custom from aliexpress. it sounds and plays amazing..sorry Gibson lovers. cheers
just picked up an edwards lpc105 john sykes custom (japanese esp)and it is amazing.the quality is like you said,flawless and beautiful. owned a 69 lp custom for about 20 yrs and broke the headstock off 2 times.it wasn't abuse either,one time it was on the stand and i went to play it,it was broken.the next time it was in its case,went to play it,it was broken again.fuck.... sold it and bought 4 guitars and a new amp,lol....
Japan makes awesome guitars. Some of the best Fenders ever made are from Japan. Chinese knock off guitars, on the other hand, are nowhere near the level of quality that is standard for Japan. China wishes it could compete with Japan, sadly they aren't even worthy of holding Japans jock strap.
Chinese quality is improving quickly - even week by week - I have seen improvements. There was a time in the 1960s-1970s when Japan made many crap guitars also.
Three years later - 750,000 views! Wow that's impressive bro. It sounds nice from here. That first clean tone almost sounded like the coils were split. Well, back to work... rock on!
Love your videos man! I picked up one of these and had it modded by a buddy of mine! It's one of my main guitars I use out now! You are a great player btw! Keep up the good work! Mike
it's sad with quality and playability that good that they just don't take a week to properly brand themselves. no reason to pretend to be a knockoff when your direct retailer is Chinese websites anyway. like these guitars honestly look and sound good, if they had a unique brand, they would likely be very well respected in an American market.
Well not exactly. They are terrible at naming and it really devalues the perceived quality when the guitar has a name like Axelady or something similar. They should consult with an English speaker cause what they perceive as cool English words is almost always very very lame sounding to a real English speaker. So with that said most of us would rather buy unbranded and use a water slide to make our own logo or put on a "real" logo.
Now the Chinese make most with no scarf joint , one pc body, fret binding and you can get metric bridge that look like the Gibson. They have gotten closer in the last year...
Wow... That thing shreds! I'm surprised at the harmonics you hit with this thing! This makes me almost positive that the only reason I've ever been against chibson is because I've never heard a great player play with one. Thanks for the insight!
I’ve been a Gibson guy since 1962. I had a Gibson Stereo (ES 345) as well as a 1961 Les Paul Standard now called the SG. Up until about 8 years ago I would never have even pick up an Epi to look at. Things have changed. Gibson has come to realize the $3,000 dollar market for guitars has shrunk considerably. You can have an Epiphone Les Paul, or Epiphone 400 SG Pro sound every bit as good, or sound better than a Gibson just by doing the following. It will cost you about $200.00 for the upgrade on an Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus, and about $500.00 on an Epi 400 SG Pro if you replace the stock pick ups. First, guitars are no longer made by hand. They are made by CNC machining. Whether the CNC machine is sitting in the U.S. or in China the machining is the same. Okay the Epi has a veneer finish. So what ? There is something to be said for veneers. Veneers usually have less flaws and are specially selected because of the quality of the wood grain. So there is nothing wrong with a veneer finish. When a veneer is properly glued, it’s not coming off. The woodwork on the Epi is excellent and is done to Gibson specs. For the Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus do the following. Remove the strings and level the frets using a FRET ROCKER, not a level bar. You remove less metal from the frets and get a better result with a fret rocker. Next remove the tuners and replace with vintage Grover, or Schaller tuners. Remove the stock junk plastic nut and replace with a Graph Tech Tusk XL nut. Keep the 57 Classic Humbuckers but rewire them to 2 wire pickups. Get rid of the stock pots and the stupid push pull knobs which are worthless. Buy a Les Paul pre-wired kit off eBay with Bourns (not CTS) pots with K40Y-9 Paper-in-oil caps (15uf neck/ 33uf bridge). This electronic component upgrade is better than anything Gibson puts out. The difference it makes is remarkable. The guy that makes the best pre-wire kits is “Huddy’s Guitar Shop”. You can find him on UA-cam. Great guy that does super quality work. I added a roller bridge as I play a Bigsby. I’ll put my Epi Les Paul up against any Les Paul Gibson makes regarding sound, tone, etc. Do the same thing with the Epi 400 SG Pro. Just replace the stock pick ups with 57 Classic Humbuckers. The bridge pick up being a 57 Classic Humbucker Plus. I added a Wilkinson roller bridge as I play a Bigsby. I’ll put my Epi Les Paul up against any Les Paul Gibson makes regarding sound, tone, etc. Do the same thing with the Epi 400 SG Pro. Just replace the stock pick ups with 57 Classic Humbuckers. The bridge pick up being a 57 Classic Humbucker Plus.
Seriously folks, Chibsons might seem like a good deal, but for all of you folk looking for a great gibson copy, look into Agile. They have the best specs for about $300-450 depending on what you're looking for (Les Paul models of course).
Well, people buy these Chinese Gibsons because they want a Gibson replica. Agiles are nice (I have a first generation Ghost), but they don't have the Gibson logo or headstock. The hand-made Gibson replicas that many pros use cost thousands of dollars. These Chinese fakes are inexpensive replicas.
OddTimeMan I know this. But if you knew anything about Les Paul copies, you would recognize the fact that Agile uses: 1. Better woods 2. Better electronics 3. Better pickups 4. Stuff like stainless steel frets, real abalone or MOP inlays, ebony fretboard, graphtec nut and saddle, triple binding, real AA maple cap, etc. etc. etc. Chinese Gibsons are a waste of $$ if you take these into consideration, for about $300-400 you can get an Agile and it's totally worth it without having to upgrade anything really. But if people don't know about Agile and go spend $$ that's their problem!
OddTimeMan Yes, but they buy it more because it is the cheapest and most affordable. Did you ever put 2+2 together? They also do it because THEY DON'T KNOW about guitar makers like: Agile, Vintage, etc. etc. Then, when they find out their chibson REPLICA as you put it is a complete piece of shit and the woods and tones are utter shit, and that they spent all of their $$ upgrading a stale playing but beautiful guitar, they are still left wanting the real thing or at least value for their $. Then they either: 1. Give up. 2. Save up for a Gibson or 3. Smarten up and go Agile.
socialdef3 Uh, where are you getting your so-called "facts" from? There are MANY videos & blogs about these fakes and the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY are impressed with the quality. In fact, many become repeat customers because they were satisfied with their first one! And many own other brands too, including Gibson. I assure you, people do know about other guitar makers like Agile, Vintage, Epiphone, LTD, Ibanez, Dean, Hamer, Hagstrom, Tokai, Greco, Burny, Edwards, Orville, etc. etc. etc. How can you claim the fakes are "utter shit" when SO MANY owners say otherwise? What makes YOU the authority? People don't become repeat customers if the product is "utter shit." Genuine Gibson owners don't leave their delicate & expensive Gibsons at home and then gig with their fakes if they're "utter shit." So why should anyone ignore THEIR claims, and accept YOURS? If you want people to believe you, then you need to put out a hundred or so videos to counter the ones that are out there now.
That's pretty awesome Steve. Say check out the chrome covered EMG 57/66. I have a set (in gold) and they keep that covered pickup look with one row of pole pieces.. And sound like a listed if pair of vintage PAFs. They sport some serious mojo for active pickups. Keep those in mind. :) Thanks for the update on the Chibson
Hey man , Love your videos, you are right on point about these being Epi,s with gibson headstocks. I have bought a bunch of these Chibsons, and i love them, a little tweek here and there, and you have a killer axe. thanks bro.
relicsunIF YOURE GUITAR PLAYER WITH OVER DECADE EXPERIENCE YOU WOULD KNOW ,OWNING LESS PAUL IS PRICELESS EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THE LESS PAUL WAS INVENTED BY AN AMERICAN GUITAR PLAYER , WITH CUSTOM PARTS BUILT IN AMERICA ,WITH AN ESPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR DIFFRENT PLAYERS,2 ME GOING TO THE GIBSON FACTORY IN NASHVILLE WILL ALWAYS BE THE REAL DEAL EXPERIENCE OF OWNING CUSTOM ONE , IM NOT SAYING IS NOT NICE GUITAR IM JUST SAYING BECAUSE IM GIBSON PLAYER I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETHINGS IN LIFE ARE PRICELESS AND CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED BECAUSE IS HISTORICAL LANDMARK NOT PIECE FURNITURE !
gibson isnt that good lol , they just have a name , much like apple products are about half as good as their samsung counter parts but cost 30% more lmao
I mean i can't get a tone like the Les pauls out of any other "cheaper" guitar can i? My Epiphone les paul is $320 and it sounds so fkn awesome to me atleast!
You are so right about what you said concerning the squier vintage modified guitars. I had a squier vintage modified telecaster custom with dual p-90 Duncan design pickups. I paid a little over $200 and that thing blew away most any of my friends guitars when it comes to tone and even the volume the pickups put out. Most of my friends thought the pickups were after market hot wound or something. I mean it played and sounded better than most stock American made telecasters. I sold it not too long ago and now have a bad case of sellers remorse. I'll probably buy another squier vintage modified guitar though now that I know what's up. Peace out, N8knox
Orieus I've never owned an epiphone but I would really like to get one. They make some really nice looking guitars especially for the price. I want to get one of the epiphones that looks like the old gretsch's.
I have a Chibson '69 in Black that I paid $385 shipped for off a seller on Ebay. The seller had installed Gibson Burstbucker Pickups and solderless board. This thing smokes any guitar I have ever played. The reason the original seller modded was for gigging. He did not want to tour with his real '69 LP and risk damage or theft. So he modded this one and sold it after using for a few years. Yes the body is dinged a little but it has the mojo look to it.
Most people can't afford Gibson and Fender. I bought a Squier Classic Vibe 50's strat and Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Pro used on ebay. Excellent guitars. Squier and Epiphone are good alternatives
Anyone can afford something if they save their money, 10 dollars here, 20 bucks there, so many young people have no clue, I saved for 5 months and proudly bought my Gibson les paul , Saved again a year later for 4 months and bought a Nice fender deluxe telecaster, In the long run you will have a nice guitar you can be proud of, just my 2 cents.
+Chad Johnson , Most of the chinese like that one are fake printed veneer glues on 4 or 5 pieces of glues up chinese pine . Don't buy this immitation piece of chinese firewood.. you will regret it. My neighbour got one and its not musical instrument grade to say the least. Buy an Ibanez if you want a good Japanese guitar.
Well Pixxy can play this great. This one is musical grade. For the price its pretty fucking good! Gibson are a fucking rip off even though we buy them.
Sure? when is the last time you can get that for $2 in China? that was when Mao was around Bro. Chinese are paid better than India and many S american and african countries and pay keeps going up. It is the way the economics work and time hopefully will sort things out. In 30-40 years China could be a bigger economy than US : )
I couldn't agree with you more about the Classic Vibe series, what an amazing deal for those exceptionally well made guitars. I own 3 of them and want more.
I'm pretty sure it was that big video about this guitar which had me find your channel, I love looking at knock-off videos and the Gibson Les Paul knock-offs are very curious to see. Here in Oz for a real Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013 you will be up for $4000. Yet at the dark markets a knock off will sell for around $500, some have them for up near $750. Just saw a Ace Frehley Les Paul on that web site you spoke about for $423..Or a Jimmy Page Tele for $365.. I bet the legals would like to take a close look at the business model there. I notice they have blurred out the makers name on the guitars...made me laugh
These guitars are okay if they didn't fucking steal and put a Gibson or Fender name on them... Shame on all of you for buying a counterfeit guitar with a Gibson or Fender or any other brand name on them... You're part of the problem bringing these things to America... Some poor shit's eventually gonna get screwed out of their money thinking they are buying a legitimate Gibson when they hit the open market..... If you want one of these, put your last name on the head stock. The Chinese will input anything you want....
@@contrabandjoe7974 People from the U.S. who think the U.S. is the only country in the world are always unintentionally hilarious. There's a whole big world out there, you should go explore it!
I love your videos! Could you do a video on electric guitar strings? The plus and minuses of different gauges and vendors, etc. I think that would be interesting.
Well I hope you're proud of yourself Steve, it was partly because of your videos that I got interested in buying Chinese replica guitars, and now have five! First one I bought was an LP59 and I'm currently upgrading lots of parts; by the time I'm finished only the tuners, tailpiece, selector switch and three of the pots will be original! No need to spend a fortune on pickups, mine were only the UK equivalent of $50. By the way, a company called Philadelphia Luthier Tools supplies adaptors that enable you to fit a Gibson ABR-1 bridge (or copy thereof) to metric 6mm or 8mm bushings. Oh, and my Les Paul Custom has fret nibs, I didn't need to ask for them - they come as standard! So you can see these things are getting better and better; you should see my 335!
We can ask all we want...but they speak another Langawich. Chinese. So there’s no way to know what the answer is. I think this is this issue if I’m not mistaken.
I was wondering what happened to that guitar. I remember when you posted the first video when you bought it! Thanks for sharing it. The beard is EPIC by the way. Rock on!
Hi there Steve from Boston I'm Joe from Boston I live in Gothenburg Sweden and I just got one of these don't tell anybody from a music teacher who bought it four years ago I'm so happy it's a great guitar I had to scroll back just to find this you're playing is really awesome and your attitude is down to earth thanks for this one I'm glad I could grow back and find you we are now in 2021 so rock on help is on the way
Ive seen a lot of the negative and positive of these chibsons and I'm going to throw my two cents in. A lot of these (although not all ) of these chibsons have woods as good as what Gibson uses and better than Epiphone. How? Gibson supply of genuine mahogany comes from the pacific rim as do almost all consumers of genuine mahogany. As does the hardware and the electronics with the sole exception of the pickups.(Gibsons supply of CTS pots are manufactured under license in china). There are 3 varieties of mahogany recognized as "genuine" and they are all varieties of the genus Swietenia. All of the other varieties that are called mahogany aren't. They are simply woods that have a similar appearance when finished. All of the Swietenia varieties have heavy harvest restrictions in their native habitats due to the CITIES treaty. There is less than 10 tons available world wide of all 3 varieties combined . So it is farm grown in India, the Philippines, Indonesia and China at less than a tenth the cost and no restrictions on harvest. The same applies to indian rosewood. Very little available from native sources. Lots available from tree farms in the pacific rim. Since China has access to a large share of the worlds harvest of accessible genuine mahoganies without tariffs or penalties., its as simple and cost effective for guitar manufacturers in china to use the correct woods in many of the "better" copies. It does not cost them any more to use it than to use basswood or alternate mahogany substitutes. Of course they are still saving costs on hardware, electronics and- for now- substandard attention in assembly. finish but seeing as a lot of the LP kits made from mahogany/maple available on line are between 200 and 500 dollars for what is essentially some wood cut in the general shape of a guitar and taking into account the amount of work needed to finish them this seems like a better alternative to those seeking a platform from which to modify. As time goes on and the China is introduced to more advanced techniques from American and euro business importing manufacturing to china they are getting better and better. All of the big American guitar makers are heavily utilizing CNC and robotic finishing technology in their guitars right down to the fretwork so as far as those brands being handmade, well thats a long time gone.. For the most part when you purchase a Gibson these days you pay for the trademark and the cost of manufacturing in the USA. There are plenty of offshore guitar makers turning out guitars every bit as well made as anything Gibson, Fender or PRS makes. Just not at 200 or 300 bucks...yet
That's a fine theory, but the woods in these guitars aren't as good as what gibson uses on average. Gibson may use a heavy blank and chamber it because a good quartered blank isn't available, but the chibsons will come with veneered tops and blanks with knots, etc. The chinese guitars don't get plekd. There's a big outcry about finishing guitars with plek, but Gibson pleked an anniversary nighthawk that I found used, and the guitar itself is fantastic. Far beyond the finish level of any chinese guitar I've gotten until you get up into the price range of guitars that are close to the nighthawk (like the higher end ibanez guitars made in china, artist 720, etc). If chinese makers thought people would pay enough for counterfeits to do work as good as gibson's on average, they would do it. They can do it on ibanez contract work (but it's on a $900 guitar, not a $200 guitar). Right now, they figure we're more interested in something made as fast as they can make it for $200 or so. They're probably right. Nobody is going to buy an $800 les paul copy that might get seized. It is true that if you try as an amateur builder to find the parts to make a chibson style guitar yourself, you'll find that china offers a finished guitar cheaper than you'll be able to get the materials. Or at least as cheap, even if you buy the cheapest mahogany blank you can find, a $25 honduran mahogany neck blank that's bad color , and then the hardware from a kit supplier at the relatively low quality that these guitars show up in (the tuners are generally terrible, the nuts are plastic, the fret wire is low quality, the tops are often veneer, and the finishing of the other hardware components is shoddy - but for $200 if you can do that work, it's not too bad).
I put a Gibson Nashville bridge on mine using conversion posts. You can now get a one piece neck as well for about $20 extra. One piece body is also available for a few extra dollars as well.
Great chops ! You actually make it sound like single coils on clean tone. This video helps reminding that it is not the guitar but the man who makes the music in the first place, and you sound amazing on a cheapo copy guitar plugged in a software. Much better than some of us with an expensive guitar through a real tube amp. Scary but necessary at the same time to remind. What string gauge are you using ? Thanks
I own a couple Squire Classic vibe guitars. I swear by them. I bought my youngest son a couple of them too. He loves them. And everyone who has heard my Classic vibe Tele 50s Blonde love the tone and it plays like butter. Thanks for the videos.
Gibson did invent the Les Paul. They also invented the hum-bucker, tune o magic bridge, P90 pickup, stop bar tailpiece, mini hum bucker, and a bunch of other shit
+Rj Bron , Check out the Gibson factory tour video.. then you see why they cost more and play 10x better than any chinese piece of chinese pine firewood with a printed on immitation maple top. I guess if your blind or tone deaf.. the chinese is the same, lol
+green323turbo -- Not true. Japanese Les Paul copies have for years played and sounded better than the "Real" ones. And the Chinese ones can be upgraded to be as good; some of the Chinese ones are as good or better.
Steve in fact there is a metric version of a regular Gibson bridge that you can just unscrew the bridge on your guitar and then just screw the new metric bridge right into the guitar and it will look and work just like the Gibson Tune-O-Matic or ABR-1 bridge. Also most of the newer versions that guys are getting these days no longer have the Scarf joint in the neck/headstock and it's all one piece. Some guys are even getting wax potted pickups on them also. As well as many are even getting them with nibs but as you've pointed out they still don't do it just like on a Gibson. The tell tail sign is that they headstock is all one piece instead of a 3 piece headstock like the real deal Gibosn has. Although you've done nothing to this guitar that you own. To my eyes it still looks freaking beautiful and I'm sure fun to own and play for the bucks. But as you said, there have been some horror stories as guys have also gotten a lot of crap ones too. So yes you've indeed been LUCKY.
I agree about the Squier. You can get a very good one If you're lucky (it is all down to QA I guess). I had a Squier Jazz bass I regret selling ... It was made in Mexico, but sound wise it was up to par with the USA models... On copies: A while ago I took a wild chance and bought a copy. The pickups had a lot of noise until I figured out (comparing actual wiring to the wiring diagrams) that the wiring was just wrong. With my (almost forgotten) soldering skills I managed to correct the wiring, now there is hardly any noise at all. Actually the bindings, mechanics and setup (few minor adjustments) were pretty amazing for the prize, it is almost strange they 'just' got the wiring wrong (that's seems a lot less complicated than neck angle, fret leveling and such...). I did not even change components, just adjusted the ground loop etc ...
I think it's not right that companies such as these can steal the name of a long standing company such as Gibson. If we buy these kinds of guitars we are damaging our own music economy - particularly losing jobs. I have no problems with the Chinese guitars but they should run under their own brand names, not trade on the goodwill of another company. It's called copyright - would you like it if someone stole your ideas and made money from it?
It's called trademark, not copyright. But either way, China does not follow the laws of other countries. By the way, China does have their own brand names (you can see them at NAMM Shows) but not many people outside of China buys them. These counterfeits sell fairly well. They're just giving the people what they want.
Really? Are you aware almost all the parts on a Gibson come from China!!!?? I feel nothing bad about this at all, remeber all those awesome Jacksons and Charvels, Washburns.etc etc if this was the case then they by all rights should not call themselves by these names because IF you can find an American version you are damn lucky and most likely over paid!!
People should appreciate the fact that the chinese Gibsons ( Chibsons) are obviously fake, because the china's have become so skillful at making guitars that they could easily make an exact replica of a Gibson that would fool the Devil himself.LOL.
Good video the newer Chibsons don't have the Scarf joint and are pretty good in comparison with my Gibson. You can change the bridge to an ABR-1. I have done it!!
I tried a Jay Turser les paul copy. Good guitar after you replace tuners and pickups. I did a fret level job and it plays great. I also had to file the string slots in the nut to get it lower. I found a kit with matching ohm CTS pots and wiring kit and wired it like a real 59, not a reissue 59.
Chibsons are a crapshoot, you might get lucky and get one that's as good as a $300 guitar you can buy at Guitar Center or you might get one that is complete garbage, you just never know. One thing for sure is it's probably going to look beautiful regardless if it's a piece of junk or not because all of the effort is placed into the finish on these Chibsons. So if you're going through a midlife crisis and feel you need a Gibson this week, I'd say go for it because all you'll waste is $300 and you'll have a fake Gibson to play with until you get bored with, and if need a few more weeks to get it out of your system you can replace all the hardware and pickups and you'll only be out a few hundred more bucks, but if you're looking for a guitar to actually play spend a few extra bucks and get something you won't regret like a Korean made guitar.
Regarding the scarf joint for the head stock, I don't understand why people worry about breaking their heads off - I've had dozens of guitars over the years & not one broken head stock - just don't throw 'em around like a sack of potatoes & they'll be fine. Also, regarding the grain direction, according to the Gibson factory tour I watched, either side of the headstock is called an "ear", and is glued on after the neck angle is cut, so the grain is straight in either ear, anyway. Plus, the difference in direction compared to the neck grain helps prevent warping. As for the Fender- style "offset" head stock, possibly one of the DUMBEST designs ever, let me just say two words: string trees. These are possibly the worst things ever invented in terms of keeping your strings in tune, ESPECIALLY if you have any sort of floating bridge, which, guess what all Stratocasters have.....
Regardless of YOUR experience, the truth of the matter is this: Gibsons are NOTORIOUS for breaking at the headstock. It is a VERY common repair for luthiers. If you Google it you'll find tons of pics & articles. And Fender necks RARELY break. A one-piece mahogany neck with a severe headstock angle and a large truss rod cavity is a BAD idea...that's why no one else makes them that way.
OddTimeMan I have an 1968 Gibson melodymaker that has broken the headstock 3 times that I know about. I bought it used and it was broken in a box when I found it. And yes, it is Mahogany.
thel1195 Who'd you buy it from - Atilla the Hun? I don't doubt that headstocks may be a weak point for various Gibson products, but it seems to me that if someone does something dumb enough to cause such damage, then they kinda deserve the outcome. I mean, I wouldn't leave my kids out in the middle of the road ( if I had any ), and expect them to be just fine, and I CERTAINLY wouldn't do something so foolish with something REALLY precious, such as my Gibsons! All I know is, of all the guitars I've owned, Gibson & otherwise, I've NEVER had any issues with the headstocks. But, as I mentioned before, I take reasonable care of my belongings, so it's never a problem. BTW - if it's such a "faulty" design, why bother repairing it at all? Just get a Fender & play out-of-tune for the rest of time.
flurng If you read the many stories out there on HOW Gibson headstocks broke off, you'd see that it's not all about people doing "something dumb enough to cause such damage". Sometimes it's as simple as the guitar falling off the guitar stand. It's a common accident on stage and even at home. When this happens with other guitars, the damage is usually minor. With Gibsons, headstocks snap off. I read one story about a Gibson lightly falling over onto a carpeted floor and the headstock snapped off! Other stories include headstocks breaking while the guitars were in their cases. How would you like to arrive at a gig and discover that?
flurng "Just get a Fender & play out-of-tune for the rest of time"??? You're joking, right? Are you saying that just about EVERY pro guitarist in the world plays out of tune? Just say NO to drugs, man!
i personally considered buying a chinese lp but saved and got the epiphone lp standard plus top pro back in 2015. amazing tone and quality. paid about $600 but can buy used around $250-$300 today. The plus top pro comes with the pro buckers that are supposibly equal to gibson burst buckers.
Nice guitar! I have a question, I also own a Chibson bt I can't set up the intonation on the higher strings. The parts on the bridge are as much in the front as possible but the high strings are still under the note at the 12th fret. Is it a contruction failure or is there something I can do about it?
Really digging your channel!! Do you need like a different souncard on your computer to set guitar rig 5 like this or is it just a normal one? Thanks a lot
Hey Steve what's up ? i have followed you for a few years and i am around your age same likes in music taste and guitar players and agree with most every thing you say in your videos i think your so right about what your getting for your money and the quality is much better these days. i have real gibsons and will continue to buy more of them but i have got a couple different guitars from China fender and Gibson copies i like them for me in my house to mess around on them and upgrade them a little. your videos rock and you jam on the Axe so keep rockin. your friend next door in Rhode Island Richard
You should check out some of Guitar Fetish's replacement bridges for 'imported' Les Pauls. They seem to be a pretty massively improved bridge and it is designed to drop right in. The price is so low as to be almost ridiculous.
Thanks for revisiting one of the guitars you acquired several years ago. It seems like a lot of offshore copies have variations from US designed guitars. So on a LP style guitar does it matter where the bridge and string bar are located on the body. AS an example - some of the LP copies seems like the parts are very close to the bridge PU... Just wondering about intonation or any other possible issues that may arrise.
What amp program are you using?? ..I agree the copies are quite good if look them over ...the stores sell then cheap also. Ok my 53 Gibson is much better...but not as much as it would cost today.
I get your point, however.... I bought a Gibson Lp 50's studio. Absolute killer tone and feels great to play. Couldn't give a gnats bollocks how it looks or how worn its got. Love it . Bets use of cash Ever...
I have a lespaul and a 335 (in the profile pic) Chibson here in Brazil. I opened the Lespaul one to chance the pups to some seymours i had and it read Gibson on the pups, i looked it up on the internet and it looks pretty close. Do you know anything about that? are the Gibson pups made in China maybe, or is it just another attempt to make it look legit? Thanks!
Awesome and informative video ( I should say videos, cuz I watched quite a few of 'em...) I too purchased a copy 2 years ago (Purple LP) and I agree with you... Though not a Gibson by far, still a very playable guitar (at least the one I received.) I have played a few nice Epiphones, but the price on those few nice Epiphones was the same as a US made Gibson Les Paul Studio at the time, so I didn't see the point. Every other Epiphone I played was playable, but not any better (some not even close, IMHO) to the Chibson. Now after receiving and playing around with my copy for a week, I did remove the Gibson logo and truss cover and diamond out of pure respect and put my own on it before gigging because I will not be a liar on stage, but to be honest, if I hadn't modified it, NONE of the other "bigger, better bands" would have had a clue it was a fake, because the guitar is only a fraction of what makes you sound good. Skill is most important... You are a great player, so I bet you know that a shitty guitar can sound like the holy grails of guitars if you know what you are doing... Anyways, enough of me rambling... Awesome vids and awesome playing... It was a pleasure watching... Later, dude....
I'd be too afraid to purchase one of the copies... it would either get caught at customs, or it would be delivered with so many problems it wouldn't be worth fixing- I've heard of too many horror stories. You have been lucky, as have others on UA-cam. Most of the others that purchase copies frequently seem to get a good one, or what they actually requested, every few orders- so it's hit or miss. The classic vibes are really good. They have Tonerider pickups, which are seriously good. I picked up a 60's CV Strat for $216 out the door, which was used, but it's absolutely in perfect condition. I also have a CV tele. I have to say that both CV's are better than my mim's. Though, if I changed the pups I'm sure they'd sound just as good (on the mim's). I have one Epiphone Les Paul that I couldn't be happier with. I like the pups enough to keep them. Everything else has stood the test of time so far and are a good bang for the buck. Anyway...
Sorry I accidentally hit send. But I was wondering if you could give me the info about the store you used to get that guitar. I've been looking for that finish in a chibson.I would be grateful. Thx very much
Can i ask what you have your guitar plugged into that then goes into guitar rig. i have a external sound card with guitar input. most of the patches are noisy as hell. constant squeal and hum. have to use the gate on nearly max to cut out the squeal. some patches are quiet while most of the good grit and gain squeaky ones are just a pain. is there a box i can buy to jack into that helps with this. are you using the guitar rig di box as well ?
The early Washburn guitars are nice, warm, mellow guitars with good sustain. If you don't have one, check em' out! The one Paul Stanley played for a long time was nice. That Chinese Les Paul you got there has great tone, I can tell. Great video. Great content! God bless.😁👍
I have a REAL American Gibson Les Paul 2013 Traditional. I take great pride in owning this American product. I paid $1,500 for it, which is not a lot of money for a guitar that is legend in the world of rock and roll music. I do not make a lot of money, though I work full time. While many people cannot afford a REAL Les Paul, have you ever stopped to wonder why? We have outsourced a lot of our manufacturing plants and (consequently) jobs to China. Coming out of World War II, America used to manufacture over 50% of the worlds goods. It was the greatest period of economic prosperity the United States has ever seen. Those days are long gone. Now we import cheap crap from China. And essentially we can't afford anything else because all the good jobs have been eliminated and we are stuck employed in the low-paying service industry. Wake up people.
Its the same with most western economies guys. I'm in Australia, we hardly manufacture anything now. Our local guitar centre (Allans) sells Gibson Les Pauls for upwards of $5000 which is about 2.5 times what you guys pay. That really sucks. No way they are worth that. You can get American (i think they are American) Gibsons for around $1500 here, but they are those ones that look like they have been painted with house paint. Those guitars are a disgrace. I decided to buy afew second hand guitars recently, i think they represent the best value. The Japanese Matsumoku guitars are great, as are American guitars like Peavey (US ones in particular) and Ovation. As for the Chibson, i'll pass on that, No way do i want to buy a guitar and then have to start changing parts out. The finish looks nice on them however, anyway, if i was in the market for a gibson les paul shape guitar, I'd be hunting down a nice gibson marauder or S1 or sonex. May even get change from $1000 and have a rare beast as well.
That is called capitalism...a thing that is made in the US and A. Be proud...lol!
my friend most people cant afford the guitar because there priorities are fkd up i personally can tell you and anybody the harder you work the luckier a person gets
“wake up people” Lol people have been regurgitating the same shit you’re saying for decades lmfao
i worked 2 years to be able to Buy 2 of my favorite GUitas. A brand new Gibson Flying V 70s Antique Natural and a brand new Gibson Les Paul 60s. Both together 5200 € / $.. My aim was to get these 2 and im now satisfied with it for quite some years thats for sure, and the Quality of these GUitars are top notch ane will last many years before i have to do some tweaking / repairing on them...
Dude....You crack me up and have inspired the hell out of me to practice my ass off. I'm 50 and have been playing the same old Blues licks and song riffs since I took lessons for 2 years between the ages of 25-27. I thoroughly suck, but you have really motivated me to spend every kid-free moment trying to learn something. Thanks man.
Somehow this video just popped back into my feed. I remember watching your videos probably a decade ago and this was a nice channel to rediscover. Glad to see you're still making content.
Loving that Tangerine color! Sounds terrific. Good to see you back!
The Korean made Epiphone Les Pauls back in the day were pretty good construction.
+Nealix D. Some of the Chinese Epiphones that were turned out in 2014 and 2015 were actually better than many of the Gibsons.
Funny eh? Play the lotto baby! Lol.
+kc8ntp yes they are i have one
MG 847 I definitely love mine:
soundcloud.com/john-green-3/sad-blues-in-a-minor
I've got a 2003 korean plustop pro, it plays better than the 2015 standard that I had.
I bought one 10 years ago.....2005 Les Paul Custom in cherry burst....they been around for some time....ive gigged and recorded with it once i replaced the pickups and machine heads,....it sounds great and plays better than my 98 standard...bit thinner on sound but still has that LP growl, once i set it up the action was the lowest ive ever seen without a single buzz on any guitars ive ever played and ive had a lot of Gibsons...but i made it higher as my fingers couldnt get hold of the strings to bend them, i bought mine under the guise of a real Gibson going for real cheap...the guy told me he didnt know wether it was authentic or not....but you could see straight off the bat it had that Epi abr copy bridge on it....i gave him the few hundred quid he wanted and i got a nice guitar. Now its in public that they are being copied.....but they always have, its just that these Chinese have broken the golden rule... they threw a Gibson logo on there....lol
theyr selling on ebay...wont be long before they are lining the racks...lol
+krissie riley , What is the brand ? Does it say Gibson on it ?
You have a nice, warm fuzzy vibe with honesty. Appreciate the knowledge and the upload. High rez camera on the closeups at the end. Thx for uploading.
Hey pixy, I've been watching your channel, ever since you bought this guitar all that long ago. I've seen ever episode since, multiple times. Just wanted say can't believe it's been 3 years. I've always been a fan always will be. Keep rocking!
Before the Chinese copies existed, there were the Japanese Gibson copies. I owned a "real" Les Paul and the Japanese Burny and Greco. The Japanese ones were superior in every way. Awesome necks, amazing pickups with super vintage tone. I will NEVER buy a Gibson again unless I develop an allergy to having money in my pocket.
real thing, us. musicians cantón stand the fact that people in japan built those grecos, hondo guitars, cheaper and well crafted , the current les paul is dar from that.. a friend of mine bought a black custom from aliexpress. it sounds and plays amazing..sorry Gibson lovers. cheers
just picked up an edwards lpc105 john sykes custom (japanese esp)and it is amazing.the quality is like you said,flawless and beautiful. owned a 69 lp custom for about 20 yrs and broke the headstock off 2 times.it wasn't abuse either,one time it was on the stand and i went to play it,it was broken.the next time it was in its case,went to play it,it was broken again.fuck....
sold it and bought 4 guitars and a new amp,lol....
Japan makes awesome guitars. Some of the best Fenders ever made are from Japan. Chinese knock off guitars, on the other hand, are nowhere near the level of quality that is standard for Japan. China wishes it could compete with Japan, sadly they aren't even worthy of holding Japans jock strap.
Chinese quality is improving quickly - even week by week - I have seen improvements. There was a time in the 1960s-1970s when Japan made many crap guitars also.
Wabi-sabi8551 here is a delusional weeaboo
Three years later - 750,000 views! Wow that's impressive bro. It sounds nice from here. That first clean tone almost sounded like the coils were split. Well, back to work... rock on!
PDX Guitar Freak I think people want to know the answer that's why
Thanks Steve. I always enjoy your presentations.
Love your videos man! I picked up one of these and had it modded by a buddy of mine! It's one of my main guitars I use out now! You are a great player btw! Keep up the good work! Mike
it's sad with quality and playability that good that they just don't take a week to properly brand themselves. no reason to pretend to be a knockoff when your direct retailer is Chinese websites anyway. like these guitars honestly look and sound good, if they had a unique brand, they would likely be very well respected in an American market.
When you pay someone $20 a week you can charge $300 for this cheap junk.
Yeah, what's the statistic? I think like 40% of consumer electronics innerds are manufactured by Foxconn in developing countries.
Scotty McLean you make a pretty good point there scotty, never really thought of it that way...
Scotty McLean bad cat guitars
Well not exactly. They are terrible at naming and it really devalues the perceived quality when the guitar has a name like Axelady or something similar. They should consult with an English speaker cause what they perceive as cool English words is almost always very very lame sounding to a real English speaker. So with that said most of us would rather buy unbranded and use a water slide to make our own logo or put on a "real" logo.
Now the Chinese make most with no scarf joint , one pc body, fret binding and you can get metric bridge that look like the Gibson. They have gotten closer in the last year...
had to come watch this again Steve. That overstacked setting still sounds badass, and even on this copy guitar. Impressive!
pixxyLixxx really like your videos. one of my fave relax times during the day is catching up with your vids. very cool
Wow... That thing shreds! I'm surprised at the harmonics you hit with this thing! This makes me almost positive that the only reason I've ever been against chibson is because I've never heard a great player play with one. Thanks for the insight!
I’ve been a Gibson guy since 1962. I had a Gibson Stereo (ES 345) as well as a 1961 Les Paul Standard now called the SG. Up until about 8 years ago I would never have even pick up an Epi to look at. Things have changed. Gibson has come to realize the $3,000 dollar market for guitars has shrunk considerably.
You can have an Epiphone Les Paul, or Epiphone 400 SG Pro sound every bit as good, or sound better than a Gibson just by doing the following. It will cost you about $200.00 for the upgrade on an Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus, and about $500.00 on an Epi 400 SG Pro if you replace the stock pick ups.
First, guitars are no longer made by hand. They are made by CNC machining. Whether the CNC machine is sitting in the U.S. or in China the machining is the same. Okay the Epi has a veneer finish. So what ? There is something to be said for veneers. Veneers usually have less flaws and are specially selected because of the quality of the wood grain. So there is nothing wrong with a veneer finish. When a veneer is properly glued, it’s not coming off. The woodwork on the Epi is excellent and is done to Gibson specs.
For the Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus do the following. Remove the strings and level the frets using a FRET ROCKER, not a level bar. You remove less metal from the frets and get a better result with a fret rocker. Next remove the tuners and replace with vintage Grover, or Schaller tuners. Remove the stock junk plastic nut and replace with a Graph Tech Tusk XL nut. Keep the 57 Classic Humbuckers but rewire them to 2 wire pickups. Get rid of the stock pots and the stupid push pull knobs which are worthless. Buy a Les Paul pre-wired kit off eBay with Bourns (not CTS) pots with K40Y-9 Paper-in-oil caps (15uf neck/ 33uf bridge). This electronic component upgrade is better than anything Gibson puts out. The difference it makes is remarkable. The guy that makes the best pre-wire kits is “Huddy’s Guitar Shop”. You can find him on UA-cam. Great guy that does super quality work.
I added a roller bridge as I play a Bigsby. I’ll put my Epi Les Paul up against any Les Paul Gibson makes regarding sound, tone, etc.
Do the same thing with the Epi 400 SG Pro. Just replace the stock pick ups with 57 Classic Humbuckers. The bridge pick up being a 57 Classic Humbucker Plus.
I added a Wilkinson roller bridge as I play a Bigsby. I’ll put my Epi Les Paul up against any Les Paul Gibson makes regarding sound, tone, etc.
Do the same thing with the Epi 400 SG Pro. Just replace the stock pick ups with 57 Classic Humbuckers. The bridge pick up being a 57 Classic Humbucker Plus.
You should post a video of your Epi, Robert!
Guitar sounds amazing on video. Thanks for posting it.
As always, great sound and description. You're a good "DUDE" :)
Seriously folks, Chibsons might seem like a good deal, but for all of you folk looking for a great gibson copy, look into Agile.
They have the best specs for about $300-450 depending on what you're looking for (Les Paul models of course).
Well, people buy these Chinese Gibsons because they want a Gibson replica. Agiles are nice (I have a first generation Ghost), but they don't have the Gibson logo or headstock. The hand-made Gibson replicas that many pros use cost thousands of dollars. These Chinese fakes are inexpensive replicas.
OddTimeMan I know this. But if you knew anything about Les Paul copies, you would recognize the fact that Agile uses:
1. Better woods
2. Better electronics
3. Better pickups
4. Stuff like stainless steel frets, real abalone or MOP inlays, ebony fretboard, graphtec nut and saddle, triple binding, real AA maple cap, etc. etc. etc.
Chinese Gibsons are a waste of $$ if you take these into consideration, for about $300-400 you can get an Agile and it's totally worth it without having to upgrade anything really.
But if people don't know about Agile and go spend $$ that's their problem!
socialdef3 Again, people buy these Chinese Gibsons because they want a Gibson REPLICA. Agiles don't have the Gibson logo or headstock.
OddTimeMan Yes, but they buy it more because it is the cheapest and most affordable. Did you ever put 2+2 together?
They also do it because THEY DON'T KNOW about guitar makers like: Agile, Vintage, etc. etc.
Then, when they find out their chibson REPLICA as you put it is a complete piece of shit and the woods and tones are utter shit, and that they spent all of their $$ upgrading a stale playing but beautiful guitar, they are still left wanting the real thing or at least value for their $.
Then they either: 1. Give up. 2. Save up for a Gibson or 3. Smarten up and go Agile.
socialdef3 Uh, where are you getting your so-called "facts" from? There are MANY videos & blogs about these fakes and the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY are impressed with the quality. In fact, many become repeat customers because they were satisfied with their first one! And many own other brands too, including Gibson. I assure you, people do know about other guitar makers like Agile, Vintage, Epiphone, LTD, Ibanez, Dean, Hamer, Hagstrom, Tokai, Greco, Burny, Edwards, Orville, etc. etc. etc. How can you claim the fakes are "utter shit" when SO MANY owners say otherwise? What makes YOU the authority? People don't become repeat customers if the product is "utter shit." Genuine Gibson owners don't leave their delicate & expensive Gibsons at home and then gig with their fakes if they're "utter shit." So why should anyone ignore THEIR claims, and accept YOURS? If you want people to believe you, then you need to put out a hundred or so videos to counter the ones that are out there now.
hello my name is Alexander all good. I would like to know which dealer you bought this china Les Paul guitar. thanks congratulations on your work
That's pretty awesome Steve. Say check out the chrome covered EMG 57/66. I have a set (in gold) and they keep that covered pickup look with one row of pole pieces.. And sound like a listed if pair of vintage PAFs. They sport some serious mojo for active pickups. Keep those in mind. :) Thanks for the update on the Chibson
Loved this video very informative and very funny you're a funny guy man! keep rocking
Motley Crue, "Too Fast For Love" Spotted in the background. I love you man.
0:03 - Well now that caught me by surprise... clean !!
Dan Harris Yes nice to hear a non metal tone video
could sit and listen to you play guitar all day . Awsome!
Hey man , Love your videos, you are right on point about these being Epi,s with gibson headstocks. I have bought a bunch of these Chibsons, and i love them, a little tweek here and there, and you have a killer axe. thanks bro.
That's a beautiful guitar my friend!
relicsunIF YOURE GUITAR PLAYER WITH OVER DECADE EXPERIENCE YOU WOULD KNOW ,OWNING LESS PAUL IS PRICELESS EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THE LESS PAUL WAS INVENTED BY AN AMERICAN GUITAR PLAYER , WITH CUSTOM PARTS BUILT IN AMERICA ,WITH AN ESPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR DIFFRENT PLAYERS,2 ME GOING TO THE GIBSON FACTORY IN NASHVILLE WILL ALWAYS BE THE REAL DEAL EXPERIENCE OF OWNING CUSTOM ONE , IM NOT SAYING IS NOT NICE GUITAR IM JUST SAYING BECAUSE IM GIBSON PLAYER I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETHINGS IN LIFE ARE PRICELESS AND CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED BECAUSE IS HISTORICAL LANDMARK NOT PIECE FURNITURE !
***** damn man i feel like you're yelling at me through the internet
***** WORDS IN CAPS. EVERYBODY READ MY WORDS IN CAPS. I'M IMPORTANT.
IS GUITAR POST GUITARS ARE LOUD ,BUT IF IM TOO LOUD MAYBE YOURE TOO OLD .
***** YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN SIR
i respect your 1080p video quality man
Most fun guitar guy to watch on the interwebz. Keep it up, man!
Always enjoy your videos.
Is Gibson like the Apple of guitars? They make good products, but you can often get something better for the same or a lower price.
Probably :P
Ive said the same thing on another video. The one plus is the resale value.
you can buy expensive guitars from any brand
gibson isnt that good lol , they just have a name , much like apple products are about half as good as their samsung counter parts but cost 30% more lmao
I mean i can't get a tone like the Les pauls out of any other "cheaper" guitar can i? My Epiphone les paul is $320 and it sounds so fkn awesome to me atleast!
You are so right about what you said concerning the squier vintage modified guitars. I had a squier vintage modified telecaster custom with dual p-90 Duncan design pickups. I paid a little over $200 and that thing blew away most any of my friends guitars when it comes to tone and even the volume the pickups put out. Most of my friends thought the pickups were after market hot wound or something. I mean it played and sounded better than most stock American made telecasters. I sold it not too long ago and now have a bad case of sellers remorse. I'll probably buy another squier vintage modified guitar though now that I know what's up. Peace out, N8knox
+Nate Brenneman squire series def has stepped up their game, epiphone as well, they are doing some of my fav guitars. for the money and quality
Orieus I've never owned an epiphone but I would really like to get one. They make some really nice looking guitars especially for the price. I want to get one of the epiphones that looks like the old gretsch's.
they are awesome man. the pickups used on most epiphones are top notch
I would be stoked to buy one and get an example like yours , it's great, a lot seem to have microphonic pickups, lovely top on yours
I have a Chibson '69 in Black that I paid $385 shipped for off a seller on Ebay. The seller had installed Gibson Burstbucker Pickups and solderless board. This thing smokes any guitar I have ever played. The reason the original seller modded was for gigging. He did not want to tour with his real '69 LP and risk damage or theft. So he modded this one and sold it after using for a few years. Yes the body is dinged a little but it has the mojo look to it.
gameovergt congratz on the buy Lemmy know if you sell it!
he modded it because it suckled ass when he got it.
Most people can't afford Gibson and Fender. I bought a Squier Classic Vibe 50's strat and Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Pro used on ebay. Excellent guitars. Squier and Epiphone are good alternatives
exactly - got myself an epiphone florentine
Anyone can afford something if they save their money, 10 dollars here, 20 bucks there, so many young people have no clue, I saved for 5 months and proudly bought my Gibson les paul , Saved again a year later for 4 months and bought a Nice fender deluxe telecaster, In the long run you will have a nice guitar you can be proud of, just my 2 cents.
+astrobass200 Tonn not everyone has the luxury of spending thousands of dollars on a guitar.
Do you know what a good Violin, Cello, Sax cost? Guitars are incredibly cheap.
It's a shame people buy a ripoff of an American product.
+richardkaplan917 sure, thousands of dollars are considered cheap for everyone. also, if it wasn't an american product, i guess it'd be ok then?
Amazing sound dude!
Appreciate this dudes honesty. Wicket talk
Hey man, your beard deepened your voice :D
Nice one man! So, how's the weight? Is it as heavy as a real Les Paul?
Thanks, Chad! It's about 8.5lbs, which isn't light, but probably a half pound to a pound lighter than the average (non-weight-relieved) LP Standard.
+Chad Johnson , Most of the chinese like that one are fake printed veneer glues on 4 or 5 pieces of glues up chinese pine .
Don't buy this immitation piece of chinese firewood.. you will regret it. My neighbour got one and its not musical instrument grade to say the least.
Buy an Ibanez if you want a good Japanese guitar.
+green323turbo That's OK, I have a real Les Paul, and a 6,500.00 Moonstone Vulcan Hollow Body. I'm good.
Well Pixxy can play this great. This one is musical grade. For the price its pretty fucking good! Gibson are a fucking rip off even though we buy them.
Sure? when is the last time you can get that for $2 in China? that was when Mao was around Bro. Chinese are paid better than India and many S american and african countries and pay keeps going up. It is the way the economics work and time hopefully will sort things out. In 30-40 years China could be a bigger economy than US : )
Very nice up steve !! & its a survivor for shure !! :)
I couldn't agree with you more about the Classic Vibe series, what an amazing deal for those exceptionally well made guitars. I own 3 of them and want more.
My Chibson Les Paul sounds and plays even better than my Epiphone Les Paul, and my Epi is awesome!
I'm pretty sure it was that big video about this guitar which had me find your channel, I love looking at knock-off videos and the Gibson Les Paul knock-offs are very curious to see. Here in Oz for a real Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013 you will be up for $4000. Yet at the dark markets a knock off will sell for around $500, some have them for up near $750.
Just saw a Ace Frehley Les Paul on that web site you spoke about for $423..Or a Jimmy Page Tele for $365.. I bet the legals would like to take a close look at the business model there. I notice they have blurred out the makers name on the guitars...made me laugh
These guitars are okay if they didn't fucking steal and put a Gibson or Fender name on them... Shame on all of you for buying a counterfeit guitar with a Gibson or Fender or any other brand name on them... You're part of the problem bringing these things to America... Some poor shit's eventually gonna get screwed out of their money thinking they are buying a legitimate Gibson when they hit the open market..... If you want one of these, put your last name on the head stock. The Chinese will input anything you want....
@@contrabandjoe7974 People from the U.S. who think the U.S. is the only country in the world are always unintentionally hilarious. There's a whole big world out there, you should go explore it!
I love your videos! Could you do a video on electric guitar strings? The plus and minuses of different gauges and vendors, etc. I think that would be interesting.
Well I hope you're proud of yourself Steve, it was partly because of your videos that I got interested in buying Chinese replica guitars, and now have five!
First one I bought was an LP59 and I'm currently upgrading lots of parts; by the time I'm finished only the tuners, tailpiece, selector switch and three of the pots will be original! No need to spend a fortune on pickups, mine were only the UK equivalent of $50.
By the way, a company called Philadelphia Luthier Tools supplies adaptors that enable you to fit a Gibson ABR-1 bridge (or copy thereof) to metric 6mm or 8mm bushings.
Oh, and my Les Paul Custom has fret nibs, I didn't need to ask for them - they come as standard! So you can see these things are getting better and better; you should see my 335!
Beard for the win my friend.
Chibson in Duck Sauce Orange with a Soy Sauce colored fret board.
He love this guitar long time ( 3 years).
Timothy Harrison Gibson needs to ask China how to make a nice rosewood fretboard that doesn’t look dried up and pink.
Dried up and pink? Are you describing my lady’s privates region?
To be clear i am speaking of Nasty Nancy From Nagansatt.
We can ask all we want...but they speak another Langawich. Chinese. So there’s no way to know what the answer is. I think this is this issue if I’m not mistaken.
Timothy Harrison 😂
I was wondering what happened to that guitar. I remember when you posted the first video when you bought it! Thanks for sharing it. The beard is EPIC by the way. Rock on!
Hi there Steve from Boston I'm Joe from Boston I live in Gothenburg Sweden and I just got one of these don't tell anybody from a music teacher who bought it four years ago I'm so happy it's a great guitar I had to scroll back just to find this you're playing is really awesome and your attitude is down to earth thanks for this one I'm glad I could grow back and find you we are now in 2021 so rock on help is on the way
Steve is proof that the player makes the sound more than the guitar. If he didn't say it was fake, you simply cannot tell by listening.
Ive seen a lot of the negative and positive of these chibsons and I'm going to throw my two cents in. A lot of these (although not all ) of these chibsons have woods as good as what Gibson uses and better than Epiphone. How? Gibson supply of genuine mahogany comes from the pacific rim as do almost all consumers of genuine mahogany. As does the hardware and the electronics with the sole exception of the pickups.(Gibsons supply of CTS pots are manufactured under license in china). There are 3 varieties of mahogany recognized as "genuine" and they are all varieties of the genus Swietenia. All of the other varieties that are called mahogany aren't. They are simply woods that have a similar appearance when finished. All of the Swietenia varieties have heavy harvest restrictions in their native habitats due to the CITIES treaty. There is less than 10 tons available world wide of all 3 varieties combined . So it is farm grown in India, the Philippines, Indonesia and China at less than a tenth the cost and no restrictions on harvest. The same applies to indian rosewood. Very little available from native sources. Lots available from tree farms in the pacific rim. Since China has access to a large share of the worlds harvest of accessible genuine mahoganies without tariffs or penalties., its as simple and cost effective for guitar manufacturers in china to use the correct woods in many of the "better" copies. It does not cost them any more to use it than to use basswood or alternate mahogany substitutes. Of course they are still saving costs on hardware, electronics and- for now- substandard attention in assembly. finish but seeing as a lot of the LP kits made from mahogany/maple available on line are between 200 and 500 dollars for what is essentially some wood cut in the general shape of a guitar and taking into account the amount of work needed to finish them this seems like a better alternative to those seeking a platform from which to modify. As time goes on and the China is introduced to more advanced techniques from American and euro business importing manufacturing to china they are getting better and better. All of the big American guitar makers are heavily utilizing CNC and robotic finishing technology in their guitars right down to the fretwork so as far as those brands being handmade, well thats a long time gone.. For the most part when you purchase a Gibson these days you pay for the trademark and the cost of manufacturing in the USA. There are plenty of offshore guitar makers turning out guitars every bit as well made as anything Gibson, Fender or PRS makes. Just not at 200 or 300 bucks...yet
That's a fine theory, but the woods in these guitars aren't as good as what gibson uses on average. Gibson may use a heavy blank and chamber it because a good quartered blank isn't available, but the chibsons will come with veneered tops and blanks with knots, etc.
The chinese guitars don't get plekd. There's a big outcry about finishing guitars with plek, but Gibson pleked an anniversary nighthawk that I found used, and the guitar itself is fantastic. Far beyond the finish level of any chinese guitar I've gotten until you get up into the price range of guitars that are close to the nighthawk (like the higher end ibanez guitars made in china, artist 720, etc).
If chinese makers thought people would pay enough for counterfeits to do work as good as gibson's on average, they would do it. They can do it on ibanez contract work (but it's on a $900 guitar, not a $200 guitar). Right now, they figure we're more interested in something made as fast as they can make it for $200 or so. They're probably right. Nobody is going to buy an $800 les paul copy that might get seized.
It is true that if you try as an amateur builder to find the parts to make a chibson style guitar yourself, you'll find that china offers a finished guitar cheaper than you'll be able to get the materials. Or at least as cheap, even if you buy the cheapest mahogany blank you can find, a $25 honduran mahogany neck blank that's bad color , and then the hardware from a kit supplier at the relatively low quality that these guitars show up in (the tuners are generally terrible, the nuts are plastic, the fret wire is low quality, the tops are often veneer, and the finishing of the other hardware components is shoddy - but for $200 if you can do that work, it's not too bad).
Hey Steve she sounds great I dig the riff at 9:05 baseball is back!
I put a Gibson Nashville bridge on mine using conversion posts. You can now get a one piece neck as well for about $20 extra. One piece body is also available for a few extra dollars as well.
If your looking for a nice Gibson copy, try TOKAI
Still expensive, $1000
Luck is the big thing. I am not a gambler and will stick with my LTD EC 1000.
That's a great guitar!
The more you play these the better they sound. I have a R Rhodes Custom that is amazing.
Great chops ! You actually make it sound like single coils on clean tone. This video helps reminding that it is not the guitar but the man who makes the music in the first place, and you sound amazing on a cheapo copy guitar plugged in a software. Much better than some of us with an expensive guitar through a real tube amp. Scary but necessary at the same time to remind.
What string gauge are you using ?
Thanks
8:06 - 8:20 Illuminati!!!!!
Motley Crue on vinyl in the background...Cool!
Love your videos. Thanks
I own a couple Squire Classic vibe guitars. I swear by them. I bought my youngest son a couple of them too. He loves them. And everyone who has heard my Classic vibe Tele 50s Blonde love the tone and it plays like butter. Thanks for the videos.
So you can save money by not paying the inventors of the product their money. Wow, never would have guessed that.
They haven't invented anything for decades, so they fully deserve to lose the business of people not eager to encourage the stagnation.
The inventors are long dead.
Gavin Morris - OK, the people who own the rights. How un-American.
Proudly so :)
Gibson did invent the Les Paul. They also invented the hum-bucker, tune o magic bridge, P90 pickup, stop bar tailpiece, mini hum bucker, and a bunch of other shit
Gibson = overpriced.
They are, Never found one I liked...just hype.
The Les Paul is overpriced, I agree on that, the other models are more affordable
+Rj Bron , Check out the Gibson factory tour video.. then you see why they cost more and play 10x better than any chinese piece of chinese pine firewood with a printed on immitation maple top.
I guess if your blind or tone deaf.. the chinese is the same, lol
+green323turbo -- Not true. Japanese Les Paul copies have for years played and sounded better than the "Real" ones. And the Chinese ones can be upgraded to be as good; some of the Chinese ones are as good or better.
+Rj Bron My 2015 Chinese Epiphone Les Paul plays BETTER than many 2015 Gibsons I have played.
Steve in fact there is a metric version of a regular Gibson bridge that you can just unscrew the bridge on your guitar and then just screw the new metric bridge right into the guitar and it will look and work just like the Gibson Tune-O-Matic or ABR-1 bridge. Also most of the newer versions that guys are getting these days no longer have the Scarf joint in the neck/headstock and it's all one piece. Some guys are even getting wax potted pickups on them also. As well as many are even getting them with nibs but as you've pointed out they still don't do it just like on a Gibson. The tell tail sign is that they headstock is all one piece instead of a 3 piece headstock like the real deal Gibosn has.
Although you've done nothing to this guitar that you own. To my eyes it still looks freaking beautiful and I'm sure fun to own and play for the bucks. But as you said, there have been some horror stories as guys have also gotten a lot of crap ones too. So yes you've indeed been LUCKY.
I agree about the Squier. You can get a very good one If you're lucky (it is all down to QA I guess).
I had a Squier Jazz bass I regret selling ... It was made in Mexico, but sound wise it was up to par with the USA models...
On copies: A while ago I took a wild chance and bought a copy.
The pickups had a lot of noise until I figured out (comparing actual wiring to the wiring diagrams) that the wiring was just wrong.
With my (almost forgotten) soldering skills I managed to correct the wiring, now there is hardly any noise at all.
Actually the bindings, mechanics and setup (few minor adjustments) were pretty amazing for the prize, it is almost strange they 'just' got the wiring wrong (that's seems a lot less complicated than neck angle, fret leveling and such...).
I did not even change components, just adjusted the ground loop etc ...
I think it's not right that companies such as these can steal the name of a long standing company such as Gibson. If we buy these kinds of guitars we are damaging our own music economy - particularly losing jobs. I have no problems with the Chinese guitars but they should run under their own brand names, not trade on the goodwill of another company. It's called copyright - would you like it if someone stole your ideas and made money from it?
It's called trademark, not copyright. But either way, China does not follow the laws of other countries. By the way, China does have their own brand names (you can see them at NAMM Shows) but not many people outside of China buys them. These counterfeits sell fairly well. They're just giving the people what they want.
G Hansford
Eastman is a Chinese company that has a good reputation outside of their country. They make good archtop guitars.
Really? Are you aware almost all the parts on a Gibson come from China!!!?? I feel nothing bad about this at all, remeber all those awesome Jacksons and Charvels, Washburns.etc etc if this was the case then they by all rights should not call themselves by these names because IF you can find an American version you are damn lucky and most likely over paid!!
I think it’s a trademark not a copyright.
People should appreciate the fact that the chinese Gibsons ( Chibsons) are obviously fake, because the china's have become so skillful at making guitars that they could easily make an exact replica of a Gibson that would fool the Devil himself.LOL.
Peter Strong I have yet to see on counterfeit from China look 100% but I assume we will see them soon as they are getting better.
Good video the newer Chibsons don't have the Scarf joint and are pretty good in comparison with my Gibson. You can change the bridge to an ABR-1. I have done it!!
I tried a Jay Turser les paul copy. Good guitar after you replace tuners and pickups. I did a fret level job and it plays great. I also had to file the string slots in the nut to get it lower. I found a kit with matching ohm CTS pots and wiring kit and wired it like a real 59, not a reissue 59.
Chibsons are a crapshoot, you might get lucky and get one that's as good as a $300 guitar you can buy at Guitar Center or you might get one that is complete garbage, you just never know. One thing for sure is it's probably going to look beautiful regardless if it's a piece of junk or not because all of the effort is placed into the finish on these Chibsons.
So if you're going through a midlife crisis and feel you need a Gibson this week, I'd say go for it because all you'll waste is $300 and you'll have a fake Gibson to play with until you get bored with, and if need a few more weeks to get it out of your system you can replace all the hardware and pickups and you'll only be out a few hundred more bucks, but if you're looking for a guitar to actually play spend a few extra bucks and get something you won't regret like a Korean made guitar.
Regarding the scarf joint for the head stock, I don't understand why people worry about breaking their heads off - I've had dozens of guitars over the years & not one broken head stock - just don't throw 'em around like a sack of potatoes & they'll be fine. Also, regarding the grain direction, according to the Gibson factory tour I watched, either side of the headstock is called an "ear", and is glued on after the neck angle is cut, so the grain is straight in either ear, anyway. Plus, the difference in direction compared to the neck grain helps prevent warping. As for the Fender- style "offset" head stock, possibly one of the DUMBEST designs ever, let me just say two words: string trees. These are possibly the worst things ever invented in terms of keeping your strings in tune, ESPECIALLY if you have any sort of floating bridge, which, guess what all Stratocasters have.....
Regardless of YOUR experience, the truth of the matter is this: Gibsons are NOTORIOUS for breaking at the headstock. It is a VERY common repair for luthiers. If you Google it you'll find tons of pics & articles. And Fender necks RARELY break. A one-piece mahogany neck with a severe headstock angle and a large truss rod cavity is a BAD idea...that's why no one else makes them that way.
OddTimeMan I have an 1968 Gibson melodymaker that has broken the headstock 3 times that I know about. I bought it used and it was broken in a box when I found it. And yes, it is Mahogany.
thel1195
Who'd you buy it from - Atilla the Hun? I don't doubt that headstocks may be a weak point for various Gibson products, but it seems to me that if someone does something dumb enough to cause such damage, then they kinda deserve the outcome. I mean, I wouldn't leave my kids out in the middle of the road ( if I had any ), and expect them to be just fine, and I CERTAINLY wouldn't do something so foolish with something REALLY precious, such as my Gibsons! All I know is, of all the guitars I've owned, Gibson & otherwise, I've NEVER had any issues with the headstocks. But, as I mentioned before, I take reasonable care of my belongings, so it's never a problem. BTW - if it's such a "faulty" design, why bother repairing it at all? Just get a Fender & play out-of-tune for the rest of time.
flurng If you read the many stories out there on HOW Gibson headstocks broke off, you'd see that it's not all about people doing "something dumb enough to cause such damage". Sometimes it's as simple as the guitar falling off the guitar stand. It's a common accident on stage and even at home. When this happens with other guitars, the damage is usually minor. With Gibsons, headstocks snap off. I read one story about a Gibson lightly falling over onto a carpeted floor and the headstock snapped off! Other stories include headstocks breaking while the guitars were in their cases. How would you like to arrive at a gig and discover that?
flurng "Just get a Fender & play out-of-tune for the rest of time"??? You're joking, right? Are you saying that just about EVERY pro guitarist in the world plays out of tune? Just say NO to drugs, man!
I bought one recently, 59 custom, one piece body one piece neck, unbelievable look and sound
i personally considered buying a chinese lp but saved and got the epiphone lp standard plus top pro back in 2015. amazing tone and quality. paid about $600 but can buy used around $250-$300 today. The plus top pro comes with the pro buckers that are supposibly equal to gibson burst buckers.
Yuck...I would Never buy a China guitar. There are so many better guitars out there made in Korea and Japan for fairly cheap.
+Mike Fu , This guy in the video likes chinese probably because he looks like he's eaten so much chinese food.
+green323turbo What a petty insult
+SShimon Too much chicken Flied rice
+green323turbo Are you trying to be funny or did you mean to come off like an ass?
Chicken Balls..Mmm
Great tone! Sounds like a real tube amp.
Nice guitar! I have a question, I also own a Chibson bt I can't set up the intonation on the higher strings. The parts on the bridge are as much in the front as possible but the high strings are still under the note at the 12th fret. Is it a contruction failure or is there something I can do about it?
I found that raising the tail stop piece made mine feel and sound amazng
Really digging your channel!! Do you need like a different souncard on your computer to set guitar rig 5 like this or is it just a normal one? Thanks a lot
Hey Steve what's up ? i have followed you for a few years and i am around your age same likes in music taste and guitar players and agree with most every thing you say in your videos i think your so right about what your getting for your money and the quality is much better these days. i have real gibsons and will continue to buy more of them but i have got a couple different guitars from China fender and Gibson copies i like them for me in my house to mess around on them and upgrade them a little. your videos rock and you jam on the Axe so keep rockin. your friend next door in Rhode Island Richard
i just came from one of your earlier videos and you look way cooler with a beard. haha
Sounds and looks sweet. Digging the beard, seems to be the look for 2014
You should check out some of Guitar Fetish's replacement bridges for 'imported' Les Pauls. They seem to be a pretty massively improved bridge and it is designed to drop right in. The price is so low as to be almost ridiculous.
Hey, PL! Can you please share the site and specific seller you prefer? Thanks TONS ! V
Thanks for revisiting one of the guitars you acquired several years ago. It seems like a lot of offshore copies have variations from US designed guitars. So on a LP style guitar does it matter where the bridge and string bar are located on the body. AS an example - some of the LP copies seems like the parts are very close to the bridge PU... Just wondering about intonation or any other possible issues that may arrise.
Great LP in the Background ;P
Hey Steve... awesome tone... What's your favourite virtual setup? Guitar Rig 5 or Revalver 4? Maybe you could do a comparison video some day.
What amp program are you using?? ..I agree the copies are quite good if look them over ...the stores sell then cheap also. Ok my 53 Gibson is much better...but not as much as it would cost today.
I get your point, however.... I bought a Gibson Lp 50's studio. Absolute killer tone and feels great to play. Couldn't give a gnats bollocks how it looks or how worn its got. Love it . Bets use of cash Ever...
I have a lespaul and a 335 (in the profile pic) Chibson here in Brazil. I opened the Lespaul one to chance the pups to some seymours i had and it read Gibson on the pups, i looked it up on the internet and it looks pretty close. Do you know anything about that? are the Gibson pups made in China maybe, or is it just another attempt to make it look legit? Thanks!
Awesome and informative video ( I should say videos, cuz I watched quite a few of 'em...) I too purchased a copy 2 years ago (Purple LP) and I agree with you... Though not a Gibson by far, still a very playable guitar (at least the one I received.) I have played a few nice Epiphones, but the price on those few nice Epiphones was the same as a US made Gibson Les Paul Studio at the time, so I didn't see the point. Every other Epiphone I played was playable, but not any better (some not even close, IMHO) to the Chibson. Now after receiving and playing around with my copy for a week, I did remove the Gibson logo and truss cover and diamond out of pure respect and put my own on it before gigging because I will not be a liar on stage, but to be honest, if I hadn't modified it, NONE of the other "bigger, better bands" would have had a clue it was a fake, because the guitar is only a fraction of what makes you sound good. Skill is most important... You are a great player, so I bet you know that a shitty guitar can sound like the holy grails of guitars if you know what you are doing... Anyways, enough of me rambling... Awesome vids and awesome playing... It was a pleasure watching... Later, dude....
hello nice video mate. I have question. How do you connect your guitar to guitar ring 5??
I'd be too afraid to purchase one of the copies... it would either get caught at customs, or it would be delivered with so many problems it wouldn't be worth fixing- I've heard of too many horror stories. You have been lucky, as have others on UA-cam. Most of the others that purchase copies frequently seem to get a good one, or what they actually requested, every few orders- so it's hit or miss.
The classic vibes are really good. They have Tonerider pickups, which are seriously good. I picked up a 60's CV Strat for $216 out the door, which was used, but it's absolutely in perfect condition. I also have a CV tele. I have to say that both CV's are better than my mim's. Though, if I changed the pups I'm sure they'd sound just as good (on the mim's). I have one Epiphone Les Paul that I couldn't be happier with. I like the pups enough to keep them. Everything else has stood the test of time so far and are a good bang for the buck. Anyway...
It sounds better than 1960 Classic Paul I owned. Thanks for the video.
Sorry I accidentally hit send. But I was wondering if you could give me the info about the store you used to get that guitar. I've been looking for that finish in a chibson.I would be grateful. Thx very much
@PixxyLixxx Where did you order this guitar from? it looks and sounds great! Could you send me the info?
Can i ask what you have your guitar plugged into that then goes into guitar rig. i have a external sound card with guitar input. most of the patches are noisy as hell. constant squeal and hum. have to use the gate on nearly max to cut out the squeal. some patches are quiet while most of the good grit and gain squeaky ones are just a pain. is there a box i can buy to jack into that helps with this. are you using the guitar rig di box as well ?
please where i can buy this guitar. did someone found a Link. or did someone found this guitar in aliexpress ?
The early Washburn guitars are nice, warm, mellow guitars with good sustain. If you don't have one, check em' out! The one Paul Stanley played for a long time was nice. That Chinese Les Paul you got there has great tone, I can tell. Great video. Great content! God bless.😁👍