Gibson Quality These Days?

[Mark Stone]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

You can choose to believe what you like, but doing so doesn't change the facts.

The fact is that Gibson's fit and finish quality has always been somewhat variable. That you haven't experienced it, doesn't alter that.

With all due respect, until I switched to Taylor recently I've used Gibson acoustic since the early 1970s. Additionally, many of my friends and co-conspirators have used Gibson in bands I've played in, and other circumstances. Through the years I have real-world intimate experience with probably 30 Gibson acoustics. Every single one of them was well-built and solid, with no "QC problems" or finish/build issues. The AGF has a longstanding bent against Gibson that is legendary, undeserved and unnecessary except to bait Gibson users.

[Humbuster]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

With all due respect, until I switched to Taylor recently I've used Gibson acoustic since the early 1970s. Additionally, many of my friends and co-conspirators have used Gibson in bands I've played in, and other circumstances. Through the years I have real-world intimate experience with probably 30 Gibson acoustics. Every single one of them was well-built and solid, with no "QC problems" or finish/build issues. The AGF has a longstanding bent against Gibson that is legendary, undeserved and unnecessary except to bait Gibson users.

Well put and agree as well.
Between the AGF and TGP, there is a long standing prejudice of Gibson guitars.

My suggestion for both the TGP and AGF is set up a separate Forum category and call it “Gibson haters”. This way all of us that play, enjoy and appreciate our Gibson guitars can ignore the mostly misguided rhetoric

Another suggestion is to avoid both forums as well.

So...I will gladly follow my advice and shut up and play my guitar.

See ya.....

[dwasifar]

Originally Posted by tomcstokes59

I don't have vast experience with Gibson but I am more than pleased with 2020 J-50 I bought. I would rate the guitar A+ on fit, finish and of course the tone. Absolutely no complaints.

I take it you have little kids around the house.

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

The AGF has a longstanding bent against Gibson that is legendary, undeserved and unnecessary except to bait Gibson users.

Originally Posted by Humbuster

Well put and agree as well.
Between the AGF and TGP, there is a long standing prejudice of Gibson guitars.

My suggestion for both the TGP and AGF is set up a separate Forum category and call it “Gibson haters”. This way all of us that play, enjoy and appreciate our Gibson guitars can ignore the mostly misguided rhetoric.

There are the "usual suspects" in these threads time and again. My recomendation is to use the "ignore list" to your advantage like I do.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I’m giving up the discussion about Gibson and their QC.
I choose not to believe most of these drastic comments. I have played and seen a ton of Gibsons and I too have not personally witnessed any of this horrific stuff...ever.
I have heard a lot of stories about Martin binding issues tho’ and neck resets out the wazoo.
Somehow that doesn’t seem to generate the same kind of highly negative commentary about their QC.
Whatever, folks.

I quoted myself on purpose.
Incidentally, someone else’s “facts” don’t seem to align with a lot of other folks’ facts. Maybe let’s not impose unproven negativity and limited personal experiences as facts in general... fair enough?

[tomcstokes59]

"I take it you have little kids around the house."

yes I do. All of the guitars are on wall hangers out of the reach of small hands. I guess I could always case them, but I find I play/practice more if they are readily accessible.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Incidentally, someone else’s “facts” don’t seem to align with a lot of other folks’ facts.

We live in a time where "facts" and "opinions" have become synonymous, with the distinction between the two largely lost.

Maybe let’s not impose unproven negativity and limited personal experiences as facts in general... fair enough?

How does one "prove" one's negativity so that it is valid to impose it? It's a serious question.

I've seen, and repaired thousands of Gibson guitars over the last four decades. Is that enough "personal experience"? In my youth, I thought they were the bee's knees.

I get that many people like the brand name, the history, the culture, the sound, the aesthetics and playability of Gibson guitars. That's great. I get that many people feel the same way about Martin guitars, who has similar brand-recognition, history, culture... That's great too. Many are willing to overlook shortcomings in order to partake in that. I try not to go into the specifics of that on either brand so as not to be seen as being a "insert-brand-here hater", that is, one who finds objective issues with aspects of their products.

[tommieboy]

Originally Posted by Ozarkpicker

One thing about Taylor...like or dislike them, you’ll hardly ever find one with anything but a perfect build.

True, but I have owned and seen many Taylors with clouded and/or delamination of the finish itself. In my case, since I was not the original owner, Taylor did offer to refinish the body of the guitar at their factory, but the cost including the shipping costs would be on me, as I expected it would be.

I still own a Taylor 555 12 String (Hog/Sitka) from the mid 90's with no finish issues and consider it to be the best 12 string I have ever owned.

Tommy

[ZeroFretWear]

I once owned a beautiful looking and sounding J-185. Probably the best guitar I'd possessed in my lifetime. However, knowing the reputation that Gibson has online for poor quality, I decided not to trust my eyes and ears and sold the guitar.

[Brucebubs]

After just over 5 months of ownership I can honestly say the 'orange peel' Gibson SJ-200 I waited 50 years to buy and 8 months to be delivered sounds absolutely amazing.

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

After just over 5 months of ownership I can honestly say the 'orange peel' Gibson SJ-200 I waited 50 years to buy and 8 months to be delivered sounds absolutely amazing.

That sure is a beautiful guitar Bruce. Something to behold! And I bet t sounds amazing. What do you have planned for the next 50 year anniversary?

[dwasifar]

Originally Posted by tomcstokes59

"I take it you have little kids around the house."

yes I do. All of the guitars are on wall hangers out of the reach of small hands. I guess I could always case them, but I find I play/practice more if they are readily accessible.

Oh, it had nothing to do with the wall hangers:

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

After just over 5 months of ownership I can honestly say the 'orange peel' Gibson SJ-200 I waited 50 years to buy and 8 months to be delivered sounds absolutely amazing.

I love it every time you post pics of this beauty, Bruce. Such a sweet guitar. I can practically hear it.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

I love it every time you post pics of this beauty, Bruce. Such a sweet guitar. I can practically hear it.

Thanks Rev Roy, I play it every day and I swear I can feel it getting more responsive every time I play it.

[Sundown52]

My 2020 Southern Jumbo Original looks amazing and sounds just wonderful. Sound and beauty are very subjective. I can see why there is such a large difference of opinions.