Which Gibson to buy?

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Superhuman

Shagaholic
I have up to $1500 to spend on a new guitar and have been thinking of getting a Gibson. I don't mind going second hand if it's a nice guitar. If you know about Gibson guitars and have informed opinions about various models, I would welcome some advice.
I play instrumental guitar music, lots of fast runs with a bit of neo-classical thrown in. I've also got an Ibanez Jem and a Prestige, this will be my first guitar without a trem system. The looks of the guitar do count but the most important things for me are the overall tone, quality and long term value of the guitar.
Which models should I look at/keep away from? How about pickups? Other tips?
Thanks!
 
One of the biggest things I learned to look for when buying mt les paul was to look at the necks. Most either have the '59 rounded or the '60s slim. They are very different feeling. I decided to go with the 60's slim since it felt most comfortable for me.
 
Hmmm, I pulled my ES 150D off the market - realizing the mistake of selling it. My friend is selling her ES 175 though I think she wants a bit more than $1500.

It depends on what you want; solid body, semi hollow or hollow. I would definitely look at used over new and that way you should be able to cover all your investment if you sell down the line.
 
Tele The Truth said:
One of the biggest things I learned to look for when buying mt les paul was to look at the necks. Most either have the '59 rounded or the '60s slim. They are very different feeling. I decided to go with the 60's slim since it felt most comfortable for me.
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DITTO!! I play the slim 60's necked Gibsons (whenever I get to borrow from a friend) because it's closest to feeling like my Ibanez. I would be eternally happy with a Les Paul Special for $750. I could mod the pickups if I didn't like the stock ones.
 
kq300325 said:
Flying V Flying V
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flying V's suck when you play them sitting down.

only way that can work is if you play them classical style, which is somewhat annoying because of the long neck.
 
Dude - I just got a Les Paul Studio brand new for $1350 - AWESOME. Plays fantastic (as nice as my Custom), looks and sounds great. Highly recommended.
 
I'd say to check out Explorers and SG Standards. Flying Vs if you dont mind that you cant really play it sitting down. I wouldn't recommend a les paul to someone who wants to shred based on the lack of upper fret access. With an Explorer and especially an SG you can reach every fret very easily. Both have the thinner 60's style neck, and a thinner body, though the explorer might take a bit of getting used to sitting down it balances nicely when standing. either one can be found new for less than your budget, and the extra cash can be used to upgrade the pickups to something like a Seymour Duncan full shred (neck) and custom/custom 5 (bridge) which would most likely suit your style of music much better than any gibson pickups.
 
You should definitely talk to Hard2Hear on this forum. Not only would I consider him a Gibson expert, he's also got ready access to some great deals. Very cool guy to do transactions with as well. (After all, he did start the Good Guys list with my name in the first post... ;) )
 
Sweet...

Purge said:
You should definitely talk to Hard2Hear on this forum. Not only would I consider him a Gibson expert, he's also got ready access to some great deals. Very cool guy to do transactions with as well. (After all, he did start the Good Guys list with my name in the first post... ;) )
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There are a lot of good Gibsons out there in the $1500 price range.. And when you have narrowed it down to a few models. Emails the guitar at www.guitarsetc.net and the'yy give you a asmoking deal ( they usually save me around 12% which ends up being a few hundred bucks!!)
 
You could get a used Les Paul. If you want a new Gibson, you may want to think about an SG Standard or an SG Supreme. There's also the Gibson X-plorer and the Firebird. They all sound nice, especially through a tube amp.
 
If I had $1500. I'd buy me a Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop!
 

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I buy Gibsons that are in the $200 range. Last one I bought was an SG standard, for $200.

It played good and sounded excellent, but, Im just not into SG's.....A hate the way they are balanced...they hang from the strap weird... and the neck is too long.

Rarely played it.

I sold if for $250.
 
Well I would have to say a Les Paul but then I am biased cos I just ordered one myself... (I ordered a Studio model) Hopefully I can finish paying it off soon :)

But as for why I got one... versatility.. good tone, but it can be used for nearly anything.

Well good luck whatever you choose!
 
SGs are my absolute favorite, but Beez is right, MF has a great deal right now on those LP Deluxes. You should definately look into those! But you have to like the sound of mini hums. you can get a SG and have money left over for other stuff.

ps, thanks Purge for the kind words :)

H2H
 
jimistone said:
I buy Gibsons that are in the $200 range. Last one I bought was an SG standard, for $200.

It played good and sounded excellent, but, Im just not into SG's.....A hate the way they are balanced...they hang from the strap weird... and the neck is too long.

Rarely played it.

I sold if for $250.
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Deals in 1942 aren't the same as now.. As are deals in a small pawn shop in the far reaches of Nepal :D
 
if you have 1500$ to spend on a guitar and you have no idea about gibsons but you wanna buy one? Go try them out. See what you like. There are tons of great brands besides gibsons.

Also ibanez's and gibsons are completely different animals. You need to try things out.


I would recommend used because you can sell it for how much you bought it. Gibsons now adays have serious qaulity control issues too. You can play one Lp special and it be awsome and play another lp special and it be dud.


Dont limit yourself to anything.Its ounds like you need to do a lot of
homework before you make any moves.


Good luck :)
 
custom>standard said:
Gibsons now adays have serious qaulity control issues too.
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I'd like to address this one real quick. I think this has become popular banter on the internet 'cause of Gibsons bought at MF and GC. Any decent dealer will either take care of "issues" (stuff like bad action or wrongly cut nuts) or just send them back and not sell them. I know I sure as heck do. When you're ordering sight unseen from a website you just don't know what youre getting. Thats part of the weight you must measure yourself as to if its worth it to you. If you can't find a dealer close to you who will sell at the same price or better than MF, then they suck. Especially if they're letting poor playing or looking guitars hang on their walls, or worse yet, get out their doors.

H2H
 
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