Any Gibson Gear Heads?

[RiversFox]

Disclaimer: Since the dawning of time I have never played anything except a Fender guitar. (okay maybe once or twice I played something else) But I own three Strats. I just landed a new job. And want to "reward" myself.

The only other strat I would like to have in my collection is 57.

However I have been considering buying a Gibson. (AHHHH)

I do respect Gibson as a brand.

I have been hearing a lot of chatter dissing Gibson guitars that were made after 1970 or something??? I was looking to get the Gibson Custom. It is steeply priced roughly around $4,000. I don't want to spend that cash on junk.

So... Is there any Gibson Gurus out there that can help me through this troubled time in my life?

Thank you and God speed.

[Flaw]

i purchased a Gibson studio and its one of the best guitars i have ever played. I can only imagine what a custom would play like. I would make the buy if you have the extra cash around.

There maybe a little difference in the feel from the Fender and a Gibson. I would probably hit up a dealer somewhere to sit down and play one for a little bit to make sure you like the feel or its something you can get used to.

when you get one throw some pics up.

[lonewolf]

I like Gibsons very much, but if you are going to lay down that kind of cash, you should get a Paul Reed Smith. If you are partial to Strats, you might want to look for a collectible KL 380 korina model online (only 100 made, buy for around $2000 new)....you also might like one of these 305:

http://www.prsguitars.com/305/index.php

[BloodyFingers]

A friend of mine bought a $3000.00 les paul and it is very nice and plays very well. His paul has pickups that pop out the back and you can change them in like 2 minutes. Came with 2 double's and 2 single coils.

But to me my Ibanez SZ and Dean Vendetta both play just as nice.

[RiversFox]

Thanks for the info. Is Guitar Center the closest place where I can possible test a PRS and Les Paul Custom?

[Flaw]

Thanks for the info. Is Guitar Center the closest place where I can possible test a PRS and Les Paul Custom?

rainbow music? i know they had gibson guitars not sure if they still do or not.

[Slothkill]

Seek out the wisdom of Jason Feathers

[RFBuck]

I don't even know if I'd test your Gibson at a Guitar Center. They're notorious for selling B stock merchandise...factory seconds. I've played several guitars there that were set up horribly, or had faulty electronics. That can sway your decision. I've gotten two guitars there that proved to be problematic later, and the staff (at least at the one in Monroeville) are very inept or are in the wrong section. Every time I asked about a product, I got someone who was from pro sound or drums...never a guitar guy. Where are they at? In basses?

If you're going to travel to Pittsburgh, find all the stores and call ahead. Pianos N' Stuff is, IMO, the best music store in the 'Burgh.

[BloodyFingers]

If you want to know where all the good guitars are hanging. Sweetwater. He bought his les paul custom there and he bought a $2800.00 epiphone willshire. Both guitar were set up perfect and played flawlessly...

[hicksjd9]

There is a great used market for Gibson gear. Costs about half what it would new. There are sweet spot years for Gibson guitars, and pretty much none of them are in the past 10 years. I would try some 90's les pauls via craigslist.

I love fender guitars (and own a few), but Gibsons do things that fenders cannot. You will find that they inspire you musically in totally different ways than fenders.

As for PRS, I'd like to have one, but I've never been able to get myself to pony up the cash. If I was looking at buying a similarly priced Gibson or PRS, I would probably go with the PRS (from limited guitar shop playing of PRSs, they seem to be on a slightly higher level.)

[RiversFox]

Again-thanks for the advice. I heard from another source that Guitar Center has morphed into a money hungry machine...

Funny story...I was on Musicians Fiend last night...for fun I filled out the Credit App....They won't sell it to me because I have no credit!

Just turned 24 today....never had a credit card or anything...booo.
So I guess I'm gonna have to wait till I can store up some CAAASH

But once I buy I will post some pics!

Thanks again.

[lonewolf]

Rainbow Music in state college carries PRS and Gibson. 234-5860.

[RiversFox]

Cool! Maybe I can plan a trip down there next weekend. I remember driving past that place...

[gibson980]

I lived in State College until about 3 months ago.. Rainbow doesn't carry Gibson and there PRS aren't the best... They've been sitting on the shelves for 4 years and their all dusty and the strings haven't been changed. IMHO the staff is complete assholes. They changed pickups in my old fender and did a horrible job. i'll never go back there... Take your time and go to Piano N' Stuff, you'll definitely be more satisfied with the variety of guitars and a much more professional staff.

[bassist_25]

IMHO the staff is complete assholes.

+1 Due to my own personal experience and the experiences of other musicians whose judgment I trust, I will not deal with Rainbow for that very reason. It's a shame too, because they do carry some nice stuff.

I'd suggest trying out as many Gibsons (as well as some Epiphones) as possible. Gibson's quality control seems to have gotten spotty - much like Fender's QC - so two identical guitars hanging beside each other may not play the same.

[Amystika]

Never owned a gibson personally myself, however my dad owned a white gibson les paul custom it was somewhere around an 88 and id still smack him for selling it

The ebony fretboards are something wonderful to play on
the action was low with 0 buzz he owned this guitar clear till like 2001 and the neck stayed straight on it the frets held up, never had it refretted and its seen alot of practices and shows

Its the tuxedo of guitars!

[floodcitybrass]

Stevie B's in Johnstown (Inside old Value City in Richland now called Value it).

http://www.steviebs.com/

He has several prs and pauls as well as strats and others.

Very nice shop and he lets you play any guitar in the store.

[lonewolf]

Since I got that KL 1812, I am pondering selling my PRS Mira Korina. It plays like butter, but I don't like the control layout because its more like a Strat with the blade switch below the volume control. Being a Strat guy, you might like it better. They only made these Mira Korinas one year and they go for hundreds more than the regular Miras. Its not a collectible as its seen some stage time and has a little rash. Haven't thought about a price yet, but somewhere around $1300. Something for you to think about.

[hicksjd9]

+1 on the rudeness of the staff (and owner) at Rainbow. They have nice stuff, but I thought Bill was rude years ago when they had the little shop--that hasn't really changed. There is one guy there that treats customers with respect, but I can't remember his name.

I do take my amps there to be worked on by Dave Sarge, who is AWESOME and a really nice guy to boot. That's the ONLY reason I go in there.

Robert M. Sides in State College is great by the way. Employees are nice and they will match ANY price (sometimes even Ebay deals!!!) They used to be Gibson dealers, but not anymore, which is a real shame.

[bassist_25]

+1 on Robert M. Sides. I've always loved dealing with that store, and it was my primary source for Dean Markley strings.