Gibsons and Martins will always be popular. They’re classic designs that sound amazing. For the people who complain about the price, they should give a LP Tribute a try. They’re fantastic guitars for the same price as some Mexi-Fenders. They’re the best deal going. By a lot.
You know, ive had 20 or so Gibsons in the past couple years, ranging from Tributes and Studios to CS R9s. The Tribute and Special p90 Satin are some of my favorites. The satin finish feels great, and they are just all around terrific to play. Not to mention, they're lighter than a standard and dont do the body dive thing.
Specifically, the 2018 all mahogany Tribute honeyburst 😊 I have one and it's outstanding! I also dig it not having binding around the frets... I like feeling wood alot more. 😊
Because they’re friggin’ awesome sounding, playing and looking instruments, that’s why. My 2006 Les Paul Standard is probably the nicest guitar I’ll ever own.
I’ve always been so grateful for that most American of products, rock and roll, its precursors as well as its children. Not to mention the tools of the trade Gibson and Fender. Thanks neighbour from 🇨🇦.
People rag on Gibson quality control. Then in the next breath, they’ll say, “But mine is fantastic. I must have gotten one of the good ones!” They’ll say, Gibson is on the way out. No younger players can afford them. Then you ask a younger player what guitar they want. Most of the time, it’s Gibson. Trends come and go. People keep (re)discovering Gibson. It’s not going anywhere.
I love Gibson and Fender so much in part because most of my favorite artists throughout popular music history used their instruments and amps. There are other guitars that maybe have better playability and comfort, but Gibson and Fender have the sound I want. And they are comfortable enough to play.
Among the Fender Custom shop, PRS Core and ESP Custom guitars in my collection, my Gibson Les Pauls and SG's are the "go to" guitars for my playing. When a keeper is found among the average ones, the results are magic and worthy of being a lifelong instrument.
Solid body electrics, hollow and semi-hollow body electrics, archtop and flattop acoustics, electric basses, banjos, mandolins - even lap steels at one time... Gibson has produced genre-defining instruments in all those categories, played by professional musicians at the highest level for over 100 years, helping cement, if not define, the sound of multiple styles of music - jazz, rock, r&b, blues, bluegrass (Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe both played Gibson instruments), folk, country... no other American stringed instrument company can touch them for the sheer range of great instruments that they have produced across multiple genres, or for the impact they have had on popular music for well over 100 years Gibson has a long tradition in my family - my oldest uncle bought his first Gibson in 1946...literally everyone in my extended family played Gibsons when I was growing up...and through inheritance and good fortune I myself own several...in fact I just bought my 7th Gibson a month ago..(and I have 1 Epiphone for good measure)... the company has had - and still does have - its issues and missteps over the years, no doubt about it...But an argument can be made that Gibson is the pre-eminent stringed instrument company of the 20th century and, even when being legitimately taken to task for their shortcomings, they are simultaneously deserving of our respect...it's a brand that is respected around the world and one that as Americans we can be legitimately proud of Thank you so much for doing this video, guys, it means a great deal to me..Gibson guitars have been in my life since I was old enough to know what a guitar was (I'm 65 now)...it genuinely upsets me when people trash talk Gibson and run them down to the dogs - even if some of the complaints and criticisms are legit and have merit... I really appreciate you reminding everyone of just how special a company Gibson is and what an influential history they have had...long may it continue
A second hand Les Paul might hold its value, if it doesn't fall off it's stand and break it's headstock. A new Les Paul will depreciate the moment you leave the shop.
I remember having a friend that had a real LP Custom, black with gold hardware. It became a goal of mine to have one, and happy to say that I have many more of them now than I need, but they are all special. Nothing else sounds like a Les Paul.
When I was first getting into guitars I never knew there were any other guitars BUT Gibson. Its all I had access to(and old 1950s ES 130). As I grew up I started discovering Fender, Grestch and Rickenbacker, but to me Gibson is always going to have this mythical air about it for me. A Tobacco Burst Gibson ANYTHING will always draw me in because that was the guitar I discovered playing on and associated guitars in general with. I LOVE your question about "If you could only play one brand, what would it be" because you are both SO Spot on. I never really sat and thought about the fact that Gibson/Epiphone is the only brand that has guitars both Accoustic and Electric that are instantaneously known. Fender cannot seem to get into the Acoustic area and Taylor really tried to skirt that line of "This is....kind of electric but not so much so that our Acoustic purist have a meltdown" Gibson made a concentrated effort to create two completely separate divisions with Acoustic and Electric and said "Make them Great". Each areas have works of art(Les Paul, SG, ES335 on one side, J200, J45, HummingBird and Dove on the other). You literally could play anything on a Gibson. Now if you can AFFORD to...thats a whole other story. Thats where it all breaks down. Gibson KNOWS their stuff are works of art...and they want to charge the price of a Rembrandt for it. I honestly believe what a lot of people are saying. Gibson needs to take the Epiphone "Inspired By" guitars and brand them Gibson. Leave the actual Epiphones, like the Casino, alone, but that FLEET of Epiphone Les Pauls? They should say Gibson on them. It should have a GIbson headstock. Once people can get a GIBSON Les Paul for under a grand....Fender needs to watch its back.
Gibson and Fender are the bookends of the guitar market. Fender (especially the Strat) is the thinnest bright sound with a light body, and Gibson (especially the Les Paul) is the thickest creamy sound and weighs as much as small hippo. Everything else is just compromises between the two. I like my PRS, but it isn’t really a replacement for a Strat and Paul. I do like a Gretsch or four however.
They sound and play great. They are iconic. Not sure it’s like to work there, but the level of detail and skill required to build those guitars largely by hand is actually considerable if one stops to appreciate their products.
I love a good Les Paul. But I admit I play a souped up Epiphone with the whole Seymour Duncan pickups upgrade thing. Noel Gallagher played a Cherry Sunburst Korean made Epiphone Les Paul on Oasis's debut album Definitely Maybe using a cheap Marshall solid state head. I recommend watching his recent gear interview in the studio. It was great.
I’ve recently stumbled back on an sg kick. It’s the perfect thing for me to go to as a strat lover. I am really digging the midrange honk and the full chordal abilities. I don’t think enough people try them as a compliment to a strat but…. Gary Clark Jr. Nuff said.
If I had to cover both acoustic and electric with one brand, I'd go Yamaha all the way. Since they don't have to conform to a build legacy like Gibson does for the sake of the market, Yamaha has more freedom to innovate without blowback. I really appreciate that. For instance, I like Gibsons with volutes, but it seems like I'm in the minority there. As a tool, Yamaha's better structural integrity wins me over, even as nice as the Gibson J-50 is. I'd go for a Yamaha LL line acoustic and a Yamaha SG electric.
Yamaha is so underrated. When our son went to University to get his music degree, we bought him a 5-string Yamaha bass. One of the things that always impresses me, regardless of whether it's a musical instrument or a toaster, is the warranty. His bass came with a 5-year warranty, which to me said that the company had faith in their product.
They are iconic guitars that have been played by iconic players. Gibson will never go out of business, I think every serious guitarist will own one at some point.
never say never. I don't see a lot of young signature artists at Gibson. they are know as a boomer guitar to a lot of younger people. Gibson is so busy competing with their own products from yesteryear that they forget that the next generation of players don't feel the same way 50 year old players do. personal I like modern hardware and specs. I don't want something made a certain way just because it always has. that's why I respect Leo fender. he was always trying to make a better guitar.
No doubt the Gibson legacy will endure - from the mid 50's thru till late 60's there was a spirit of adventure and experimentation that gave us the Les Paul, ES series, SG and even the Firebird. I think Clapton, Page, Green and others in the UK played a big part in 're-launching' the late 50's Les Pauls as rock evolved from those blues / rock guys. I got lucky in 1974 when I bought a 2nd hand 1968 Les Paul Custom that I still treasure - used it live thru the 70's / early 80's with my band and still pull it out in the studio. I have been revisiting Gibsons at our flagship stockist here in HK and some of the Custom Shop 59 and 60's re-issues (and Murphy Lab, altho I dislike 'relic' style instruments) are beautiful - not all, I should add, as per any guitar it helps to play it in the shop - I would never order a guitar online. So hope they can maintain quality across the whole range for years to come! Thanks for vid!
There is also a power and tone from Gibson guitars that isn’t matched in the other brands. In addition to the fact that they typically are the highest quality feeling guitar in a physical shop. They are sort of the Ferrari of guitars, though, which brings pros and cons.
Love the show guys!!!! I’m also liking the new finished just released. Gotta say though if I’m dropping $3500 on a USA les Paul, I’ll just save the extra $1500 and get a les Paul custom. Keep up the great episodes guy
I have 2 PRS acoustics, one an SE, one a custom, and they are fantastic. I know PRS isn't known for their acoustics but they do make a damn fine acoustic guitar! I honestly would put them up against Taylor.
I own 12 Les Pauls, 1 firebird, and 1 Flying V - and nothing else - they are the market leader….amazing instruments…amazing designs and amazing sounds! And NOTHING sounds better than a Les Paul and a Mesa Boogie
To add to the line up of rockers and their guitars, Allen Collins played Firebirds and Explorer's - just want to show some love for those models, too. Steven Seagal plays second fiddle to your First Act, Baxter.
And Joe Walsh I consider to be one of the greatest ambassadors of the Les Paul. He was like the Johnny Appleseed of Gibsons. Honorable mention to Rick Nielsen of cheap trick
Over here - across the pond - the ambassadors are fairly reasonable. Peter Green and Danny Kirwan, Paul Kossoff, Peter Frampton and Gary Moore. All LP legends
Those that always say ‘You’re paying a premium just because of the label on the headstock’, well yeah, Prada and Louis Vuitton charge 1800.00 for a ladies handbag that without the label would cost 400.00, and yet they sell a ton of them…
I posted on the live show about the "Gibson Hate" that still lingers a bit. I could understand during the latter part of the Henry J Era. There was some absolute dogs coming out of that place; the redesigned V's they displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2018, and the Firebird X come to mind. You could tell he was just throwing ideas to the wall and see what would stick. To me, they're far beyond that now, and Gibson has only gotten better, along with their outreach to players.
Minnesota weather made us all pretty much agree that a Michigan made guitar was worth it's weight in gold. Michigan winters similar to Minnesota winter. Especially when compared to the warm weather, sunny & light California instruments. Fenders were fun for the beach....but. you accumulated Fenders until you could sell them all for one good solid Gibson. Then too, Gibson was made by craftsmen. Fender by mostly unskilled factory labor. Different now. I own a bunch of both.
Was just in Japan and hit several guitar stores, and what shocked me was that all of them had on their walls more used 70s 80s and 90s Gibson Les Pauls and SG for sale than any American shop I’ve been into. another thing that surprised me, was my buddy with me, bought one and flew back with it, and other than going through passport control, There was no other Customs, declaration or inspection or duty, he picked up his guitar at the luggage carousel and walked out of the airport. No questions.
My brother was stationed in Okinawa and he was my Fender Japan hook-up. He would buy them there then send them back to me. No duty fees. He knew what I liked and would send me messages about good ones he would find, or just some really cool off the wall Japanese stuff and then I’d say yay or nay. I’d flip them or keep them. Fender Japan is fantastic. Comparable with custom shop lots of times.
9 year old Baxter gets woke by his lovely Mother with a "Good Morning Baxter it's School Pictures day. Baxter suffers through an hour and a half of his lovley Mother combing and adding more and more gel and blow dryer time. Baxter has the Perfect Haircut and is off to school. He looks like Elvis ! Taking extream care not to muss his hair, Baxter sits in the seat for the Photographer, "Okay Baxter" 1, 2, ..Hachoo Baxters Hair returns to it's natural state.
I own no real Fenders, two Squier Basses., I do have five USA Gibsons and a Kalamazoo Epiphone. My first Gibson was a ‘66 EB-0 that I used in high school in the late 60s. I love the way they play and sound. Seems I’ve always loved them.
‘The Paul’ - my 1st electric sounded like ^ss..think the pickups were mostly the issue. I’d put Gretsch electric & acoustic up against Gibson. My Boxcar resonator and Jim Dandy are pretty fab, yeah!
They're actually pretty nice. Not without flaws, but they're great. Both Martin and Gibson. And I have not seen much for flaws on Martin. The Gibson flaws are really from demanding them now and hurried work.
Jonathan said it all ...Jimmy Page or some other guitar hero with a Les Paul in front of a Marshall stack!!.. Iconic!.. With all the all the quality control issues they had in the past .. A nice Les Paul with a beautiful top is in my opinion a work of art.
Up to a few years ago I didn’t own any Gibsons. Always was a Fender Strat guy. In 2019 before the pandemic I came across a killer deal on a Gibson SG. Bought it and was totally knocked out by it even though it took a little to get used to the feeling that the neck was too long. Came across another Deal I couldn’t pass up and bought another. 2 months ago I found another deal on a Les Paul Studio. Now I have 3 Gibsons in my 20 Guitar collection and I’ve been playing since the 80’s.
People hate to hear this but they sell well because they are really good guitars. No, you're $14 Harvey Bently isn't "just as good" no matter what you tell yourself or hear from your favorite UA-cam shill.
I’ve got a Michael Kelly LP style guitar. It’s better than a les Paul I’m my opinion since it has push/pull pots to split the humbuckers giving it 8 voices. Once Gibby introduces a new set of electronics that have more versatility, I’ll buy one. Until then, I’ll stick with the smaller manufacturers that take chances and try new things.
@@southernpanda33 you can’t buy any new Gibson for $800. That’s not a Gibson problem, that’s a budget problem. You can buy the same models from Epiphone though with basically the same features in the $600-$900 range.
back in 2015 I finally saved enough money to buy a LTD EC-401 VF. In the Store, the employee gave me a handfull of other guitars to compare and even thou the LTD sounded and played amazing, I ended up with a 2014 120th Anniversary LP Studio (Brilliant Red Burst). The guitar was outside of my budget thou, but luckily they could give me a discount due to competition having them on sale as it was from the last year lineup. After haggling around my Mom gave me the still missing 70€ as a loan and up until today it is my favourite guitar. It's been modded to hell and back and the years of gigs and abuse tell stories of their own.
Started on a Gibson, stopped playing them for about 10 years in favor of PRS for the less weighty instrument, but after back surgery returned to Gibsons. I actually used one of my old PRS for a gig this weekend and hated it, felt like a toy. Granted I play all RD models, but still, completely different feel and sound. Try as he might, Paul still hasn’t quite emulated a Gibson. The acoustics are amazing too, rich and full.
Until I get it, my dream guitar is forever an R9. I hope plenty of guitars pass my hands before that day, because once I get it, I will never put it down.
A: ...because when i want to go into the studio by myself and plug straight into an amp, nothing sounds better than the right Les Paul with the right pickups. LOUD!
Wow that was some honest stuff there. When he said he made a left turn at success, all left things arent very good...expect hendrix everything else left sucks
I own exactly one Gibson, a 95" Les Paul Studio (I think) that I purchased used in 98'. I broke both the neck and head on two separate occasions during gigs - both accidentally. The rest of my guitars are Fender because you just cannot beat a Jazzmaster, sorry Gibson.
Because of the sound. The set up can be A nuisance, and there are some hit or miss ones ( Just my opinion) But if you can get past that nothing sounds better nothing. My main stage guitar is a Gibson Explorer. Because it's got gibson tone with the tuning stability of a tele with the six in line tuners
Gibson looks so good and so many of my favorite guitars play them .... I buy one or two a year and always sell them......they are too heavy, too expense, never stay in tune, bridge that kills sustain, etc, etc..... I just bought another one and I know I will end up selling it.... form over function.... I have a partscaster that outplays all the Gibson guitars I have owned and I bought it used for 600 bucks....and it only weighs 5 pounds.....not 100 tons like a GIBSON!
Gobson guitars are some of the best in the market. I have a few and they’re awesome. I particularly love their acoustics, they’re the best sounding acoustic guitars in the market bar none. I got a B-45 that i treasure cos it’s so easy to play, like butter. I will say tho that if you’re looking at Gibsons as resell value good luck with that. If you buy a Gibson at $2k, you will sell it at about $1400, $1500 if you’re lucky. First , Gibsons are expensive guitars, can’t sell them too cheap which brings me to my second point which is you’re going to have to find someone willing to drop that kinda cash which isn’t easy. I’ve seen guitars for less than market value listed for months with a bunch of watchers but no one dropping the cash. I bought my Gibsons for keeps, knowing full well i wouldn’t be getting nowhere near what i should be getting for them. Excellent guitars for sure, some of the best in the biz.
No one actually copies them properly at a competitive price. Is the copy nitro finish? Is it an actual carved flame top, or a veneer? I rest my case. Sure, you can get a Collings, but it’s even more expensive. I know there are exceptions, but the exemptions cost real Gibson money, or damn near.
I’m a little older than you guys are. I was born in 1958. I started playing drums in the fifth grade and guitar in the eighth grade. A Les Paul has always been the guitar I wanted to play. You can get a Strat sound from a lot of guitars but a Gibson Les Paul has a sound all its own. I’ve owned a lot of copies but none of could play, sound or feel like a Gibson Les Paul.
it's simple. they are iconic, have history, are all different, feel different, and have character that as guitarists, we look for. SOUL. Some are great some are not it's the hunt that drives us. there's a Gibson to suit every musical style
I got my first Les Paul in 89 which was an awesome guitar but unfortunately I had to sell it. Then in '01 I bought a Les Paul Classic which the workmanship was for shit. I could always express myself better with a Strat so I traded that shit Paul for an American Hwy 1 Strat. I took a loss on that but I never regretted it. After 20 years and about two dozen Strats (Currently at 12 including my '86 Kramer Pacer) I started yearning for that Les Paul snarl again. Nowadays being that the quality control at Gibson is substandard I decided go with Epiphone (Boys and ladies! good one) which I was quite apprehensive to do. Now I have two Epi 50's Les Pauls (One stock, one SD JB, SD Jazz pu's), an Epi Les Paul Special, an Epi Flying V (Dimarzio PAF Pro, Tone Zone), and an Epi (black, gold) SG (SD Pearly Gates). I couldn't be more happier with my Epi's. They look great, they sound great, and they feel great and that's all that matters. I don't have to have that Gibson logo on the headstock to say "hey everybody look at me!" "Play authentic." (What a laugh that was.) There seems to be a certain arrogance and "know it all" attitude with the Gibson tone snobs. Ever wonder why Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck switched to Strats? Think Gilmour, Blackmore, SRV, Malmsteen, Johnson, Trower, Hendrix. Ok rant over lol!
No, they moved to Nashville in 84. Heritage launched after Gibson left. Same factory and many original key employees. I have several Heritages and they’re fantastic.
It sort of almost dumb luck for Gibson. The Les Paul was too heavy for a lotta people so they replaced it with the SG then by the mid 60s people discovered they sounded great distorted and it was off to the races. My own go to electric is still my 2 p90 melody maker.
Yeah.... I am going to go on record as saying Gibson has made some of the best guitars I have ever played. I have also played some bad Gibson guitars, but holy hell are there some good ones out there too.
I think of how great it was to hear Les Paul play, as well as Chuck Berry, Alvin Lee, Jiohnny Winters and Frank Zappa all playing Gibbys. They are not the best bang for the buck but If you got a good one keep it.
I learned guitar on a borrowed ES-335 clone (a Sears Silvertone). The Gibson scale length paired with a bridge humbucker is a somewhat unique tone, well suited to hard rock and heavy metal. Then there's the fact that many of them are absolutely beautiful. Is it just me or do they really just make one guitar with a bunch of different bodies? Gibson scale length, twin humbuckers, T-O-M, stoptail (usually), 3x3 tuners (typically). And then they do different bodies: LP, LP Jr, Explorer, V, SG, semi-hollows, etc. I suspect the history of the company explains a lot. Flakey musician sells venture capitalists on a carved top acoustic that looks great and sounds awful. Within a year, venture capitalists give flakey musician the boot. Venture capitalists are now at the helm of one of the most famous guitar companies ever. But they don't know about guitars, so they just build more of the same. At least that's the way Ken Parker tells it in his lecture on the history of the archtop.
"Les Pauls are hard to make," but Epiphone will sell you one for 1/10th the price of a Gibson. The fit and finish isn't perfect, but neither is it on a Gibson. Guitars costing over 3k should have solid heel joints and scarf jointed headstocks. Those design flaws should be ancient history, just like the exposed pushrods on Harley Davidson engines.
@@user-jd3vi2pg1g I'd like the option. If your headstock breaks, you can get it fixed but your resale value will be tanked. I'd like a guitar costing several thousand to be a bit more robust. Do you really think a scarf jointed headstock will sound or play any different?
Legendary name and quality craftsmanship. I'm a Fender man, but there's no comparison in the difference in quality between a Stratocaster and a Les Paul. I grew up a half hour from the old Kalamazoo Gibson plant. ❤️
Well, when I grew up I was almost completely oblivious to Jimmy Page and I guess most of my "heroes" were playing Fender Strats or Teles when I finally started noticing the actual guitars in music videos instead of radio or casually seeing live performance TV things, LP was not at the top of my list. But a couple years later I started noticing the holllow bodies a bit more even though I thought they must be super expensive or very fragile compared to what the surf guys had or the metal guys shredded and finally got an Epiphone but I thought the SG was nowhere near perfect when I finally got to check one out at GC even though obviously it has a couple famous guy examples.
Fender intentionally changed the neck construction to save time, so I don't know how much money the consumer saved, but we all know that has advantages, too, and isn't just "cheap" laziness.
I thought Kurt Cobain looked cooler than Slash, so I guess I should still like Jaguars more by default even if I'm going by 90s instead of 60s and 70s? [but not the Jag-Stang or the Mustang].
Yeah, I don't need to comment much on acoustic guitars. I have a cheap one from Sam Ash that has held up incredibly well for eighty bucks or whatever it was. Or was likely more like $120 at the time, which may be closer to $300 now?
Gibsons and Martins will always be popular. They’re classic designs that sound amazing. For the people who complain about the price, they should give a LP Tribute a try. They’re fantastic guitars for the same price as some Mexi-Fenders. They’re the best deal going. By a lot.
You know, ive had 20 or so Gibsons in the past couple years, ranging from Tributes and Studios to CS R9s. The Tribute and Special p90 Satin are some of my favorites. The satin finish feels great, and they are just all around terrific to play. Not to mention, they're lighter than a standard and dont do the body dive thing.
@RByrne glad to hear others like LP tribute. I love the finish and lack of binding
Specifically, the 2018 all mahogany Tribute honeyburst 😊 I have one and it's outstanding! I also dig it not having binding around the frets... I like feeling wood alot more. 😊
@@fordhammieI have a les paul jr bass I paid $700 for used and it's simply incredible, one of the absolute best values on the used market
@@jasondorsey7110 That's awesome 😎
Because they’re friggin’ awesome sounding, playing and looking instruments, that’s why.
My 2006 Les Paul Standard is probably the nicest guitar I’ll ever own.
I’ve always been so grateful for that most American of products, rock and roll, its precursors as well as its children. Not to mention the tools of the trade Gibson and Fender. Thanks neighbour from 🇨🇦.
People rag on Gibson quality control. Then in the next breath, they’ll say, “But mine is fantastic. I must have gotten one of the good ones!”
They’ll say, Gibson is on the way out. No younger players can afford them. Then you ask a younger player what guitar they want. Most of the time, it’s Gibson.
Trends come and go. People keep (re)discovering Gibson. It’s not going anywhere.
I love Gibson and Fender so much in part because most of my favorite artists throughout popular music history used their instruments and amps. There are other guitars that maybe have better playability and comfort, but Gibson and Fender have the sound I want. And they are comfortable enough to play.
Among the Fender Custom shop, PRS Core and ESP Custom guitars in my collection, my Gibson Les Pauls and SG's are the "go to" guitars for my playing. When a keeper is found among the average ones, the results are magic and worthy of being a lifelong instrument.
Solid body electrics, hollow and semi-hollow body electrics, archtop and flattop acoustics, electric basses, banjos, mandolins - even lap steels at one time... Gibson has produced genre-defining instruments in all those categories, played by professional musicians at the highest level for over 100 years, helping cement, if not define, the sound of multiple styles of music - jazz, rock, r&b, blues, bluegrass (Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe both played Gibson instruments), folk, country...
no other American stringed instrument company can touch them for the sheer range of great instruments that they have produced across multiple genres, or for the impact they have had on popular music for well over 100 years
Gibson has a long tradition in my family - my oldest uncle bought his first Gibson in 1946...literally everyone in my extended family played Gibsons when I was growing up...and through inheritance and good fortune I myself own several...in fact I just bought my 7th Gibson a month ago..(and I have 1 Epiphone for good measure)...
the company has had - and still does have - its issues and missteps over the years, no doubt about it...But an argument can be made that Gibson is the pre-eminent stringed instrument company of the 20th century and, even when being legitimately taken to task for their shortcomings, they are simultaneously deserving of our respect...it's a brand that is respected around the world and one that as Americans we can be legitimately proud of
Thank you so much for doing this video, guys, it means a great deal to me..Gibson guitars have been in my life since I was old enough to know what a guitar was (I'm 65 now)...it genuinely upsets me when people trash talk Gibson and run them down to the dogs - even if some of the complaints and criticisms are legit and have merit... I really appreciate you reminding everyone of just how special a company Gibson is and what an influential history they have had...long may it continue
Whether the haters admit it or not, Gibsons are guitar that will always appreciate in value and sound better with age and use
A second hand Les Paul might hold its value, if it doesn't fall off it's stand and break it's headstock. A new Les Paul will depreciate the moment you leave the shop.
@@Mikey__RI’ve seen a lot of budget Gibson’s that sell for more used than they did new, like the dog ear P-90 Melody Maker. Those were $300 new.
Nothing more iconic than a Gibson Les Paul. They are rock n roll and still Made in USA. 🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I remember having a friend that had a real LP Custom, black with gold hardware. It became a goal of mine to have one, and happy to say that I have many more of them now than I need, but they are all special. Nothing else sounds like a Les Paul.
When I was first getting into guitars I never knew there were any other guitars BUT Gibson. Its all I had access to(and old 1950s ES 130). As I grew up I started discovering Fender, Grestch and Rickenbacker, but to me Gibson is always going to have this mythical air about it for me. A Tobacco Burst Gibson ANYTHING will always draw me in because that was the guitar I discovered playing on and associated guitars in general with.
I LOVE your question about "If you could only play one brand, what would it be" because you are both SO Spot on. I never really sat and thought about the fact that Gibson/Epiphone is the only brand that has guitars both Accoustic and Electric that are instantaneously known. Fender cannot seem to get into the Acoustic area and Taylor really tried to skirt that line of "This is....kind of electric but not so much so that our Acoustic purist have a meltdown"
Gibson made a concentrated effort to create two completely separate divisions with Acoustic and Electric and said "Make them Great". Each areas have works of art(Les Paul, SG, ES335 on one side, J200, J45, HummingBird and Dove on the other).
You literally could play anything on a Gibson. Now if you can AFFORD to...thats a whole other story. Thats where it all breaks down. Gibson KNOWS their stuff are works of art...and they want to charge the price of a Rembrandt for it.
I honestly believe what a lot of people are saying. Gibson needs to take the Epiphone "Inspired By" guitars and brand them Gibson. Leave the actual Epiphones, like the Casino, alone, but that FLEET of Epiphone Les Pauls? They should say Gibson on them. It should have a GIbson headstock. Once people can get a GIBSON Les Paul for under a grand....Fender needs to watch its back.
Gibson and Fender are the bookends of the guitar market. Fender (especially the Strat) is the thinnest bright sound with a light body, and Gibson (especially the Les Paul) is the thickest creamy sound and weighs as much as small hippo. Everything else is just compromises between the two. I like my PRS, but it isn’t really a replacement for a Strat and Paul.
I do like a Gretsch or four however.
Yup, having a strat and a les paul in a mix is just chef's kiss.
I had to have a Les Paul because my heroes had one!❤
They sound and play great. They are iconic. Not sure it’s like to work there, but the level of detail and skill required to build those guitars largely by hand is actually considerable if one stops to appreciate their products.
they have been exposed - and I think it's hilarious
@@davidrice3337 exposed for what?
I love a good Les Paul. But I admit I play a souped up Epiphone with the whole Seymour Duncan pickups upgrade thing. Noel Gallagher played a Cherry Sunburst Korean made Epiphone Les Paul on Oasis's debut album Definitely Maybe using a cheap Marshall solid state head. I recommend watching his recent gear interview in the studio. It was great.
Gibson + marshall...epiphone + valvestate...you as a player can do alot to make up the difference
Gibby acoustics are art.
I’ve recently stumbled back on an sg kick. It’s the perfect thing for me to go to as a strat lover. I am really digging the midrange honk and the full chordal abilities. I don’t think enough people try them as a compliment to a strat but…. Gary Clark Jr. Nuff said.
I just ordered a Les Paul Standard Goldtop!
P90s or Hums? You love it? I got a P90 Gold top in 2020 after management changed and it’s great. Wish I had the HB one too!
@@PickupsAreNotTrucks I got humbuckers. I kept going back and forth between them and P90s, but decided the on humbuckers.
They are iconic. Fender and Gibson arent going anywhere.
If I had to cover both acoustic and electric with one brand, I'd go Yamaha all the way. Since they don't have to conform to a build legacy like Gibson does for the sake of the market, Yamaha has more freedom to innovate without blowback. I really appreciate that. For instance, I like Gibsons with volutes, but it seems like I'm in the minority there. As a tool, Yamaha's better structural integrity wins me over, even as nice as the Gibson J-50 is. I'd go for a Yamaha LL line acoustic and a Yamaha SG electric.
Yamaha is so underrated. When our son went to University to get his music degree, we bought him a 5-string Yamaha bass.
One of the things that always impresses me, regardless of whether it's a musical instrument or a toaster, is the warranty. His bass came with a 5-year warranty, which to me said that the company had faith in their product.
I'd be torn on that one because I have both. My electrics are Gibson LP's and my acoustics are Yamahas. Love both for what they do.
They are iconic guitars that have been played by iconic players. Gibson will never go out of business, I think every serious guitarist will own one at some point.
wrong, owning a gibson doesn't make someone a serious guitarist😂
I'm a serious guitar player - I own 18 or 19, I think - anyhow I wouldn't own one unless someone gave me one & I would trade it off
@@drsrsv8884it doesn't make them a serious guitarist but most of the time it does mean they are a lawyer or a doctor lol.
never say never. I don't see a lot of young signature artists at Gibson. they are know as a boomer guitar to a lot of younger people. Gibson is so busy competing with their own products from yesteryear that they forget that the next generation of players don't feel the same way 50 year old players do. personal I like modern hardware and specs. I don't want something made a certain way just because it always has. that's why I respect Leo fender. he was always trying to make a better guitar.
No doubt the Gibson legacy will endure - from the mid 50's thru till late 60's there was a spirit of adventure and experimentation that gave us the Les Paul, ES series, SG and even the Firebird. I think Clapton, Page, Green and others in the UK played a big part in 're-launching' the late 50's Les Pauls as rock evolved from those blues / rock guys. I got lucky in 1974 when I bought a 2nd hand 1968 Les Paul Custom that I still treasure - used it live thru the 70's / early 80's with my band and still pull it out in the studio. I have been revisiting Gibsons at our flagship stockist here in HK and some of the Custom Shop 59 and 60's re-issues (and Murphy Lab, altho I dislike 'relic' style instruments) are beautiful - not all, I should add, as per any guitar it helps to play it in the shop - I would never order a guitar online. So hope they can maintain quality across the whole range for years to come! Thanks for vid!
There is also a power and tone from Gibson guitars that isn’t matched in the other brands. In addition to the fact that they typically are the highest quality feeling guitar in a physical shop. They are sort of the Ferrari of guitars, though, which brings pros and cons.
Love the show guys!!!! I’m also liking the new finished just released. Gotta say though if I’m dropping $3500 on a USA les Paul, I’ll just save the extra $1500 and get a les Paul custom. Keep up the great episodes guy
Got me a Gibson Flying V a few years back, just picked up the new Adam Jones Les Paul Standard. Love them both.
I pretty much play straight Gibson. Only my amp is an Epiphone. It was built in Kalamazoo, though.
I have 2 PRS acoustics, one an SE, one a custom, and they are fantastic. I know PRS isn't known for their acoustics but they do make a damn fine acoustic guitar! I honestly would put them up against Taylor.
I own 12 Les Pauls, 1 firebird, and 1 Flying V - and nothing else - they are the market leader….amazing instruments…amazing designs and amazing sounds! And NOTHING sounds better than a Les Paul and a Mesa Boogie
a rickenbacker and vox
a jaguar and a deluxe reverb
a tele and princeton
Les Paul and 5E3
To add to the line up of rockers and their guitars, Allen Collins played Firebirds and Explorer's - just want to show some love for those models, too. Steven Seagal plays second fiddle to your First Act, Baxter.
And Joe Walsh I consider to be one of the greatest ambassadors of the Les Paul. He was like the Johnny Appleseed of Gibsons. Honorable mention to Rick Nielsen of cheap trick
Over here - across the pond - the ambassadors are fairly reasonable. Peter Green and Danny Kirwan, Paul Kossoff, Peter Frampton and Gary Moore. All LP legends
Those that always say ‘You’re paying a premium just because of the label on the headstock’, well yeah, Prada and Louis Vuitton charge 1800.00 for a ladies handbag that without the label would cost 400.00, and yet they sell a ton of them…
I posted on the live show about the "Gibson Hate" that still lingers a bit. I could understand during the latter part of the Henry J Era. There was some absolute dogs coming out of that place; the redesigned V's they displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2018, and the Firebird X come to mind. You could tell he was just throwing ideas to the wall and see what would stick. To me, they're far beyond that now, and Gibson has only gotten better, along with their outreach to players.
Think it’s a combination of feel and the music we love and want to emulate/enjoy - just shows that these elements can trump build quality!
Minnesota weather made us all pretty much agree that a Michigan made guitar was worth it's weight in gold. Michigan winters similar to Minnesota winter. Especially when compared to the warm weather, sunny & light California instruments. Fenders were fun for the beach....but. you accumulated Fenders until you could sell them all for one good solid Gibson. Then too, Gibson was made by craftsmen. Fender by mostly unskilled factory labor. Different now. I own a bunch of both.
Was just in Japan and hit several guitar stores, and what shocked me was that all of them had on their walls more used 70s 80s and 90s Gibson Les Pauls and SG for sale than any American shop I’ve been into.
another thing that surprised me, was my buddy with me, bought one and flew back with it, and other than going through passport control, There was no other Customs, declaration or inspection or duty, he picked up his guitar at the luggage carousel and walked out of the airport. No questions.
My brother was stationed in Okinawa and he was my Fender Japan hook-up. He would buy them there then send them back to me. No duty fees. He knew what I liked and would send me messages about good ones he would find, or just some really cool off the wall Japanese stuff and then I’d say yay or nay. I’d flip them or keep them. Fender Japan is fantastic. Comparable with custom shop lots of times.
Simple...they are great sounding beautiful instruments.
My on high, most holy, dream guitar is a Gibson Super 400 😍❤️🔥
Doubt if I will ever be able to afford one if I could ever find one.😢
They mention Les pauls and sg’s. Chuck Berry and Alvin Lee - ES-335. Johnny Winter - Firebirds
9 year old Baxter gets woke by his lovely Mother with a "Good Morning Baxter it's School Pictures day.
Baxter suffers through an hour and a half of his lovley Mother combing and adding more and more gel and blow dryer time.
Baxter has the Perfect Haircut and is off to school. He looks like Elvis !
Taking extream care not to muss his hair, Baxter sits in the seat for the Photographer, "Okay Baxter" 1, 2, ..Hachoo
Baxters Hair returns to it's natural state.
9 year Old Jonathan is next and his beard is perfect.
Gibson guitars are still my favorite guitars. I've got an Explorer, Flying V, very old Les Paul jr and a les Paul Traditional. Can't beat em man.
Just curious if PRS will do for the LP what they did for the Strat with the Silver Sky... could happen, I suppose.
I got a Les Paul for my 16th birthday !!!
I own no real Fenders, two Squier Basses., I do have five USA Gibsons and a Kalamazoo Epiphone. My first Gibson was a ‘66 EB-0 that I used in high school in the late 60s. I love the way they play and sound. Seems I’ve always loved them.
LOL I love you guys. Great show guys.
‘The Paul’ - my 1st electric sounded like ^ss..think the pickups were mostly the issue. I’d put Gretsch electric & acoustic up against Gibson. My Boxcar resonator and Jim Dandy are pretty fab, yeah!
One thing I have discovered lately is that when Gibson gets a guitar right it’s REALLY right. The downside is finding those ones can be hard.
They're actually pretty nice. Not without flaws, but they're great. Both Martin and Gibson. And I have not seen much for flaws on Martin. The Gibson flaws are really from demanding them now and hurried work.
Also a lot they rotate staff due to poor working conditions, apparently, so the staff never really ages into great luthiery talent.
I love my all solid wood Fender Malibu. And my Elvis Clambake Fender Kingman. Don't hate on Fender acoustics (still love your channel).
Jonathan said it all ...Jimmy Page or some other guitar hero with a Les Paul in front of a Marshall stack!!.. Iconic!.. With all the all the quality control issues they had in the past .. A nice Les Paul with a beautiful top is in my opinion a work of art.
I LUV my Gibsons. I had 4, sold one 10,000 and I will keep the 3 I have left. Great Guitars.
Up to a few years ago I didn’t own any Gibsons. Always was a Fender Strat guy. In 2019 before the pandemic I came across a killer deal on a Gibson SG. Bought it and was totally knocked out by it even though it took a little to get used to the feeling that the neck was too long. Came across another Deal I couldn’t pass up and bought another. 2 months ago I found another deal on a Les Paul Studio. Now I have 3 Gibsons in my 20 Guitar collection and I’ve been playing since the 80’s.
Interesting that you guys didn't mention Firebirds by Gibson. Eric Clapton played one when in Cream. Johnny Winter's primary guitar.
The older I've become, the more I appreciate the beauty that is a Gibson. I throw Epiphone into that too
People hate to hear this but they sell well because they are really good guitars. No, you're $14 Harvey Bently isn't "just as good" no matter what you tell yourself or hear from your favorite UA-cam shill.
I’ve got a Michael Kelly LP style guitar. It’s better than a les Paul I’m my opinion since it has push/pull pots to split the humbuckers giving it 8 voices. Once Gibby introduces a new set of electronics that have more versatility, I’ll buy one. Until then, I’ll stick with the smaller manufacturers that take chances and try new things.
@@southernpanda33 they do have models with color splitting, phasing, etc… the LP Modern, Studio and Classic all have stuff like that.
@@Dram1984 for $800? Cause that’s what I paid for the Michael Kelly. With a hard case.
@@Dram1984 I should also specify it’s gotta be left handed.
@@southernpanda33 you can’t buy any new Gibson for $800. That’s not a Gibson problem, that’s a budget problem.
You can buy the same models from Epiphone though with basically the same features in the $600-$900 range.
back in 2015 I finally saved enough money to buy a LTD EC-401 VF. In the Store, the employee gave me a handfull of other guitars to compare and even thou the LTD sounded and played amazing, I ended up with a 2014 120th Anniversary LP Studio (Brilliant Red Burst). The guitar was outside of my budget thou, but luckily they could give me a discount due to competition having them on sale as it was from the last year lineup.
After haggling around my Mom gave me the still missing 70€ as a loan and up until today it is my favourite guitar. It's been modded to hell and back and the years of gigs and abuse tell stories of their own.
Started on a Gibson, stopped playing them for about 10 years in favor of PRS for the less weighty instrument, but after back surgery returned to Gibsons. I actually used one of my old PRS for a gig this weekend and hated it, felt like a toy. Granted I play all RD models, but still, completely different feel and sound. Try as he might, Paul still hasn’t quite emulated a Gibson. The acoustics are amazing too, rich and full.
Until I get it, my dream guitar is forever an R9. I hope plenty of guitars pass my hands before that day, because once I get it, I will never put it down.
A: ...because when i want to go into the studio by myself and plug straight into an amp, nothing sounds better than the right Les Paul with the right pickups. LOUD!
Wow that was some honest stuff there. When he said he made a left turn at success, all left things arent very good...expect hendrix everything else left sucks
Gotta let Baxter Boogie woogie. Cause it's in him and it's gotta come out.
that really was a great Steven Seagal impression.
I own exactly one Gibson, a 95" Les Paul Studio (I think) that I purchased used in 98'. I broke both the neck and head on two separate occasions during gigs - both accidentally. The rest of my guitars are Fender because you just cannot beat a Jazzmaster, sorry Gibson.
Because of the sound. The set up can be A nuisance, and there are some hit or miss ones ( Just my opinion) But if you can get past that nothing sounds better nothing. My main stage guitar is a Gibson Explorer. Because it's got gibson tone with the tuning stability of a tele with the six in line tuners
Gibson looks so good and so many of my favorite guitars play them .... I buy one or two a year and always sell them......they are too heavy, too expense, never stay in tune, bridge that kills sustain, etc, etc..... I just bought another one and I know I will end up selling it.... form over function.... I have a partscaster that outplays all the Gibson guitars I have owned and I bought it used for 600 bucks....and it only weighs 5 pounds.....not 100 tons like a GIBSON!
Gobson guitars are some of the best in the market. I have a few and they’re awesome. I particularly love their acoustics, they’re the best sounding acoustic guitars in the market bar none. I got a B-45 that i treasure cos it’s so easy to play, like butter. I will say tho that if you’re looking at Gibsons as resell value good luck with that. If you buy a Gibson at $2k, you will sell it at about $1400, $1500 if you’re lucky. First , Gibsons are expensive guitars, can’t sell them too cheap which brings me to my second point which is you’re going to have to find someone willing to drop that kinda cash which isn’t easy. I’ve seen guitars for less than market value listed for months with a bunch of watchers but no one dropping the cash. I bought my Gibsons for keeps, knowing full well i wouldn’t be getting nowhere near what i should be getting for them. Excellent guitars for sure, some of the best in the biz.
I have an original Dean V and Dean Z(Explorer). My preference.
Thanks for the Gibson Love! While there are so many other amazing brands, Gibson is .. just.... GIBSON!! Thanks again!
If you wanted to stick to just one manufacturer for both electrics and acoustics you could look to Collings.
No one actually copies them properly at a competitive price. Is the copy nitro finish? Is it an actual carved flame top, or a veneer? I rest my case. Sure, you can get a Collings, but it’s even more expensive. I know there are exceptions, but the exemptions cost real Gibson money, or damn near.
I’m a little older than you guys are. I was born in 1958. I started playing drums in the fifth grade and guitar in the eighth grade. A Les Paul has always been the guitar I wanted to play. You can get a Strat sound from a lot of guitars but a Gibson Les Paul has a sound all its own. I’ve owned a lot of copies but none of could play, sound or feel like a Gibson Les Paul.
it's simple. they are iconic, have history, are all different, feel different, and have character that as guitarists, we look for. SOUL. Some are great some are not it's the hunt that drives us. there's a Gibson to suit every musical style
I just wish Gibson would bring back at least a couple of their hollow body archtops like the ES-175.
Ministry. five dudes with black cowboy hats, sunglasses, and black SGs. rawr
It's them headstocks!
Jonathan, you asked, "What's more rock n' roll than a Les Paul and Marshall?" How about a Fender Stratocaster and a Twin Reverb or Marshall.
I got my first Les Paul in 89 which was an awesome guitar but unfortunately I had to sell it. Then in '01 I bought a Les Paul Classic which the workmanship was for shit. I could always express myself better with a Strat so I traded that shit Paul for an American Hwy 1 Strat. I took a loss on that but I never regretted it. After 20 years and about two dozen Strats (Currently at 12 including my '86 Kramer Pacer) I started yearning for that Les Paul snarl again. Nowadays being that the quality control at Gibson is substandard I decided go with Epiphone (Boys and ladies! good one) which I was quite apprehensive to do. Now I have two Epi 50's Les Pauls (One stock, one SD JB, SD Jazz pu's), an Epi Les Paul Special, an Epi Flying V (Dimarzio PAF Pro, Tone Zone), and an Epi (black, gold) SG (SD Pearly Gates). I couldn't be more happier with my Epi's. They look great, they sound great, and they feel great and that's all that matters. I don't have to have that Gibson logo on the headstock to say "hey everybody look at me!" "Play authentic." (What a laugh that was.) There seems to be a certain arrogance and "know it all" attitude with the Gibson tone snobs. Ever wonder why Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck switched to Strats? Think Gilmour, Blackmore, SRV, Malmsteen, Johnson, Trower, Hendrix. Ok rant over lol!
Kalamazo stopped all production in 65?
No, they moved to Nashville in 84. Heritage launched after Gibson left. Same factory and many original key employees. I have several Heritages and they’re fantastic.
@@bluzzjazz thanks blue
I want a J200
My Gibson Les Paul Custom really is a cut above any other guitar I've owned. That includes a Custom Shop 330L.
It sort of almost dumb luck for Gibson. The Les Paul was too heavy for a lotta people so they replaced it with the SG then by the mid 60s people discovered they sounded great distorted and it was off to the races. My own go to electric is still my 2 p90 melody maker.
I didn’t know there were so many Gibson haters until the dopey internet. Go figure.
Other reasons: Explorers, Firebirds, mini humbuckers, P90s, wrap bridges..
Yeah.... I am going to go on record as saying Gibson has made some of the best guitars I have ever played. I have also played some bad Gibson guitars, but holy hell are there some good ones out there too.
I think of how great it was to hear Les Paul play, as well as Chuck Berry, Alvin Lee, Jiohnny Winters and Frank Zappa all playing Gibbys. They are not the best bang for the buck but If you got a good one keep it.
The Les Paul Slash used on Appetite for Distruction wasn't a Gibson. It was a copy
Gibson has classic designs, they've been around for well over a century, and they are well marketed.
Steven Segal is a 7 degree black belt in martial arts.
i gotta find time to leave Raleigh and drive down there.
I learned guitar on a borrowed ES-335 clone (a Sears Silvertone). The Gibson scale length paired with a bridge humbucker is a somewhat unique tone, well suited to hard rock and heavy metal. Then there's the fact that many of them are absolutely beautiful. Is it just me or do they really just make one guitar with a bunch of different bodies? Gibson scale length, twin humbuckers, T-O-M, stoptail (usually), 3x3 tuners (typically). And then they do different bodies: LP, LP Jr, Explorer, V, SG, semi-hollows, etc. I suspect the history of the company explains a lot. Flakey musician sells venture capitalists on a carved top acoustic that looks great and sounds awful. Within a year, venture capitalists give flakey musician the boot. Venture capitalists are now at the helm of one of the most famous guitar companies ever. But they don't know about guitars, so they just build more of the same. At least that's the way Ken Parker tells it in his lecture on the history of the archtop.
It’s simple. Gibson guitars are iconic pieces of art.
Oprah loves the flying V. She puts one under every guest chair.
I’m too afraid to buy a Gibson because of all the horror stories online with QC. No guitar stores around me either so not something I can go try out.
"Les Pauls are hard to make," but Epiphone will sell you one for 1/10th the price of a Gibson. The fit and finish isn't perfect, but neither is it on a Gibson.
Guitars costing over 3k should have solid heel joints and scarf jointed headstocks. Those design flaws should be ancient history, just like the exposed pushrods on Harley Davidson engines.
the gibson fans wouldn't tolerate that though.
@@user-jd3vi2pg1g I'd like the option. If your headstock breaks, you can get it fixed but your resale value will be tanked. I'd like a guitar costing several thousand to be a bit more robust.
Do you really think a scarf jointed headstock will sound or play any different?
I have 4 LPs and 1 H150...all are cool
Legendary name and quality craftsmanship. I'm a Fender man, but there's no comparison in the difference in quality between a Stratocaster and a Les Paul. I grew up a half hour from the old Kalamazoo Gibson plant. ❤️
Slash played one of those other manufacturers 2 pickup guitars🙁
335,les Paul, and SG. Not a mention of the founder of the metal standard, flying V!! Common man!
The 58 Explorer is the most valuable guitar model. Half a million roughly.
Nothing sold more Les Pauls than Jimmy Page’s Tele
Well, when I grew up I was almost completely oblivious to Jimmy Page and I guess most of my "heroes" were playing Fender Strats or Teles when I finally started noticing the actual guitars in music videos instead of radio or casually seeing live performance TV things, LP was not at the top of my list. But a couple years later I started noticing the holllow bodies a bit more even though I thought they must be super expensive or very fragile compared to what the surf guys had or the metal guys shredded and finally got an Epiphone but I thought the SG was nowhere near perfect when I finally got to check one out at GC even though obviously it has a couple famous guy examples.
Fender intentionally changed the neck construction to save time, so I don't know how much money the consumer saved, but we all know that has advantages, too, and isn't just "cheap" laziness.
I thought Kurt Cobain looked cooler than Slash, so I guess I should still like Jaguars more by default even if I'm going by 90s instead of 60s and 70s? [but not the Jag-Stang or the Mustang].
[Is it easier to pick out Gibson custom options or hunt for vintage models?]
Fender has 30 neck styles to choose from but Gib just has one?
Yeah, I don't need to comment much on acoustic guitars. I have a cheap one from Sam Ash that has held up incredibly well for eighty bucks or whatever it was. Or was likely more like $120 at the time, which may be closer to $300 now?