Bought my first ever Gibson

[Littlewyan]

It is a bit unfair I can't deny that but if I dont like it I will return it all to stock spec. In fact I actually repaired some bad soldering that Gibson did!

[rp]

But once you start opening it up and working on it and swapping out parts and so forth, as far as I'm concerned, you've bought it, you own it, and you don't get to just decide you don't want it after all and gimme all my money back. You've changed if from a brand new, straight from the factory, guitar to a modified, used guitar, and it's not fair to stick the shop with it, in my opinion.

Oh come on, stand by out fellow TAGer and close one eye. I'm sure our man Littlewyan is capable of soldering all back up without out the slightest sign of mad tweaker. It'll probably go back better than when he got it.

[Littlewyan]

Thanks for the support rp

Well I am a bit stuck here. I could send the guitar back but I don't want any of the Gibsons in the 2015 lineup and can't really afford an Historic. I could keep the guitar but I will have to change the pots and may possibly end up changing the bridge (Currently has a Nashville). Bit stuck. I do need a new guitar as my Epi LP is looking a bit tired and I'm pretty sure it needs a few new frets.

[sliberty]

At the end of the day, tone and playability are what matters most. But don't mistake a poor setup with a bad guitar. Even a factory fresh Gibson could have some minor setup issues and still be a great guitar waiting to show its stuff. Its sad that a brand new guitar isn't always in perfect playing condition like back in the 70's when I started buying quality gear. Back then, the dealer (local of course) would correct any setup issues before you took the guitar home. Not so anymore. And with mail/web ordering today, it can be a real pain in the ass to send a guitar back for a little tweak that became necessary due to shipping through multiple climates / time zones. Your tech can usually clear up these small issues. And tone is generally a matter of pickups, pots, and caps. They can be changed. Should you have to? No. But you won't find the perfect guitar anywhere. Many many LP buyers change the electronics. its not the most important part of a guitar purchase since you have that option.

I also don't like what Gibson has done in 2015, but I wasn't really in the market for a high priced guitar anyway. But while I was at the store a few months ago, I discovered an Epiphone Les Paul whose neck really spoke to me. It was much bigger than the others hanging on the rack, and I love a big neck. The pickups sounded good in the store, but without my own amps, I couldn't decide if they would be keepers or not (they are!). So I got lucky - I am enjoying having a LP again after selling my early 70's LP Custom a couple of years ago, and it didn't cost me too much. As far as I am concerned, the current Gibson line doesn't exist, so either used Gibsons. left overs from prior years, or Epiphones are the only games left in town.

Due to your travel limitations, you are a bit stuck. Ideally, you would play a guitar before buying it. But if that is not an option, trial and error is all that is left.

[Phil_S]

Don't keep a guitar you don't like, particularly an expensive one.

If you believe setup is the only issue, take it to a competent luthier. For those who have never seen it done, you'd be amazed at what a pair of experienced hands can do in just 30 minutes with some files and a proper gauge and rule.

I can understand the appeal of the LP, but there are lots of other great double humbucker guitars out there. If the LP just isn't what it once was, maybe it is just time to move on.

[Zippy]

I can understand the appeal of the LP, but there are lots of other great double humbucker guitars out there...

Lots! And many of them are much better than Gibson has been in a long time. The last new Gibson I bought was in '73. Here's a current sample sleeper:

[IMG:900:621]http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l53 ... faceII.jpg[/img]

Custom shop quality for less than a new Gibson.

[JoeCon]

Instead of the Gibson I'd go for a PRS McCarty like one of these...

[martin manning]

Heritage, anybody?

[Littlewyan]

Well I just played the guitar real quick and it does have a lovely sweet unplugged tone. Looked at the tailpiece and it can be lowered a tad which could help with the string tension. I will admit that I do rush decisions sometimes and just then when I played the guitar it did feel right. Have been a bit down last few days as I can't go out much which hasn't helped my thinking. Before I make a decision I'll solder in some 510K Resistors for the pickups to see what the tone will be like with 500K Pots and I'll go over the setup again.

Another way of looking at it is I can't quite afford an Historic R9 but with a 2014 Trad I could get close. Its not weight relieved and has the correct pickups, so I'd just need to replace the bridge, tailpiece and nut. Sure it won't have the long neck tenon or the exact construction of the body, neck and headstock but it'll be close.

I looked at Heritage and some custom guitar builders. Heritage I wasn't sure I liked the look of and the issue with custom guitars is if you ever want to sell them in future you could struggle. PRS make very nice guitars but I do love the look of a Les Paul. My Epiphone LP isn't a bad guitar but after 3 years (maybe 4 can't remember) it is looking a tad tired. Needs a few frets replaced, the plating has come off of the screws for the bridge and both the bridge and tailpiece are badly tarnished. If I keep it I will probably replace the bridge, tailpiece and nut.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one guys. Its good to talk these things out with others.

[martin manning]

I don't own one but a local shop is a Heritage dealer. They are fine guitars, and their history makes them more authentic than the modern G brand.

[sliberty]

Another way of looking at it is I can't quite afford an Historic R9 but with a 2014 Trad I could get close.

Well, no, not really. The Historics are so good and so consistent its stupid. And they are very different in key ways. Neck profiles, hardware and electronics are all based upon how they used to be made. No Nashville bridges or flat back necks from the Historic line. And the production line stuff is hit or miss - many have real problems (for instance, I've seen tilted bridge posts on several USA examples), some are very good, and everything in between. My VOS Junior and VOS Special are 2 of the finest instruments I've ever played, including some nice vintage pieces. They kill anything I've played from the 70's through current production in Gibson USA's line.

But having said that, Gibson USA guitars can be beautiful looking instruments, and if you bond with the neck, the rest can be replaced.

[Littlewyan]

Yeah I read about how Heritage started. It was when Gibson moved their factory to Nashville the old workers stayed behind, started up Heritage and built guitars the same way they used to, whereas Gibson changed a few things when they moved.

I think I have bonded with this guitar. I soldered in 510K Resistors tonight instead of the 300K Linear Pots and it sounds much better. Also feels really good to play, the neck is so comfortable compared to my Epi LP with a slim 60s neck. All it needs now is a bit of tweaking with the pickups, the tailpiece on the guitar, fretboard oil, new strings and it'll be all good I reckon.

What do you guys think about CTS Log Pots? Looks like they have a good taper according to the website but also looks like they come on a bit late. Shame the Alphas don't fit very well as they have an excellent taper and come on just before 1 on the volume knob.

[sliberty]

CTS makes great pots from most points of view. I like their resistance and their longevity, but their taper varies wildly from batch to batch that I have gotten. But I put them in all of my guitars.

[Structo]

Make sure to check the intonation when you change strings.

Yes, brand new strings can be defective right out of the package.

Yesterday I checked out the 2015 guitars on Gibson's site.

What a load of horse shit.

Robo tuners? They will probably leave holes if you replace them with real tuners.

An ugly attempt at a zero fret. What the hell is that thing?

No nibs on the frets.

Ugly guitar case.

The pickguard is a joke.

Hologram on the back of the headstock.

The Les Paul 100 sig on the headstock looks like a child drew it.

Allen head screws on the bridge, blah blah blah.

And the colors are fugly as hell.

Only the Cherry seems passable.

Henry should retire before he totally ruins Gibson.

My 2012 was supposed to be Plek'd but the strings were high at the nut.

Overall, I am very glad that I bought a 2012 LP.

[Reeltarded]

It's much worse than that. This is the end for all brands married to GC.

They cast their lot. They deserve to sink.