Are Gibson Guitar's Best Days Behind Them? A Les Paul Jam and Honest Review

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Are Gibson Guitars' best days behind them? In this video, I kick things off with a rocking jam on my 2012 Les Paul Traditional, setting the stage for a deep dive into one of the most iconic guitar brands in history.
From my extensive use of Les Pauls, I'll share my experiences and insights, discussing:
The quirks of Les Paul guitars, including tuning stability and that cumbersome neck heel
A comparison between Gibson and PRS, focusing on new innovations and design improvements
The pros and cons of owning and playing a Gibson today
Is Gibson still the king of electric guitars, or has the crown slipped? Let’s find out together. Share your thoughts in the comments - do you think Gibson's best days are behind them, or are they still leading the pack?
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#GibsonGuitars #LesPaul #GuitarReview #PRSvsGibson #GuitaristLife #RocknRoll #MusicGear #GuitarComparison #GuitarInnovations #guitarist #guitarguitar #slash #maryford #vintageinstrument #gibsonceo #guitar #guitarreviews #shred #fullsend #jeffbeck

Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 106

@ibuiltthesky 17 дней назад

Your playing is epic dude !! Love your videos keep growing this bad boy RU-vid channel of yours, it’s all great stuff ✊

@badbrad 17 дней назад

Thanks a ton!

@danthegeetarman 3 месяца назад

Yeah I agree 100%. In the early 00s when prices were on par with the economy, I put my money all in American Fenders which I’m glad I did, because those are my favorite guitars. I do regret not buying one Gibson les Paul back then when they were affordable on a reasonable salary, but budget constraints just bred a new ingenuity for me. I learned how to do my own luthier work, and got some great 90s Korean made Epiphones that play like a million bucks. Also my big thing is getting used now. It’s hard to purchase something new knowing the second I open the case it’ll only be worth 60% of what I paid. On the flipside, there’s some killer used deals so with some luthier skills, I’m able to take someone’s forgotten guitar and turn it into something I love and use all the time. Player grade has never bothered me so if I find one with a couple little scratches or a small dent, if it saves me $500 and still plays like a champ, I’m good with it. But I agree 100% with what you said about Gibson, they’re alienating their working-class clients. They need to seriously rethink their pricing strategies or come up with some other budget lines again like the LPJ series and stuff. But as you said, only time will tell

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Yes indeed brother.

@jarhead3038 3 месяца назад

I've been playing since1963 and these days, Gibson is a life style guitar that's cool to own. Way out'a line. Fender ain't far behind. That's why when you get good ones that are paid for keep them.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Man this comment hits hard. You are so right!

@GuyNarnarian 3 месяца назад

I have an old Epiphone Les Paul from 1996. Has a great top like that guitar. It was my first electric guitar. When I walked into the store, it looked like Excalibur on the wall, but was probably around $500. Made in Korea. Since then I have tried a bunch of different LPs, and recently tried a few at a great music shop outside of Albany. NY. I think I'd need to spend $2,500 or more to get a guitar that is as good as my Epi. Just after trying a bunch, that's around where I noticed an increase in workmanship. Yes, I had to eventually change the pickup switch on the Epi, and I did change the tuners from the cheap Kluson clones. But that is about it and it is still a great guitar.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I do believe the Korean craftsmanship back then was excellent. You would def have to spend alot to match that. It sounds like a killer guitar.

@markjohnson6485 3 месяца назад

I like the video really liked your L P Paul from prs is an innovator he will go down in guitar history as the Leo of his time my problem is I am a guitar head I like em all Gibson included my opinion PRS covers a lot of ground they have guitars for 499. That play and sound great all the way up to 10m and more but the quality all thru the line is good on all the ones I’ve played and owned

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thanks! Yes Paul Is a true innovator and he has an ear for tone. I demo the $499 SE and it was a great guitar.

@NJSonye 3 месяца назад

I’ll keep my Heritage thank you very much.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

They make a great guitar!

@GaZonk100 3 месяца назад

great tone and face-work!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

🙏

@Smart-Alex 3 месяца назад

I think it sounds great, to me!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I'm sure it does!

@malthus101 3 месяца назад

I like Les Paul tops which don't have much figuring, I like them subtle, and checquered, hints of tiger-striping but sort of faded into the background... I seem to only seem them on real 59s! I either have high taste or I'll be able to get a "shitty" top and love it! (what I really dislike is when the grain looks new and immature, like the tree was grown for 20 years then felled. Kind of like lumber, like a plank of wood! I see that a LOT on new LPs, even the $6,000 custom shop ones)

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

It is tough to find the perfect guitar, does it even exist?

@malthus101 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad Probably not - but I think one has to get off the train at the first station that is 90% good enough! ;) The rest is up to the player, right?

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@malthus101 Absolutely bro! Heck I'm happy with does it make sound and stay in tune...the rest is a bonus.

@malthus101 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad haha yeah... all guitars get better with age and playing anyway... today's shitter is tomorrows classic. ;) 👍

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@malthus101 lmao

@harrisbeatsfrankou6304 3 месяца назад

For 40 years…people are just giving them break after break. Great playing and tone btw

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thank you!

@mschafft1358 3 месяца назад

Had one in ebony from the same year, should have held on to it! Another great vid!!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

We all have stories of the one that got away. Thanks so much for tuning in. I really appreciate it.

@jasonlee8497 3 месяца назад

You were getting some there!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thank you!

@cwness4587 2 месяца назад

I started playing in the 60's. Gibson was big because they were only real good players. I had a chance to play many of the late 50's Gibson guitars. To be honest they were hit or miss also. I ended playing a 1957 Jr. I put a LP Deluxe pickup in to cut thr feed back, Then in the early 70's Ibanez came out and I quickly changed to one of there V's. Great guitar. The one thing that I just laugh at is the reissues and their high prices. They are only a LP Standard that Gibson uses to charge way to much money for. PRS, Suhr (great necks) And couple custom shop Fenders (EC & EJ) that are alot cheaper and they are worth what I paid You will never be able to tell the Reissue guy's any different. Yes I do have reissue and play my 86 Studio more. Plays great (payed $400 for it). The reissue I got cheap helping a guy who needed some extra cash or I wouldn't have bought it. I have found if I want a good giutar out of the box I buy Suhr. They spend a lot of time on the neck before they send them out. PRS quality is top notch. I was looking for a standard in the Minneaplis area had to do a lot of looking to find a good one.

@badbrad 2 месяца назад

Yes PRS and Suhr are great out of the box. Gibson and Fender can be hit or miss...

@jessefillmore 3 месяца назад

I agree with a lot of your video . Gibson needs to innovate . I think since Gibson has gone after every small builder who has improved their products , they would see revenge from these small builders if they used their ideas . I bought 3 guitars out of the first batch (late 2018/early 2019 ) that were sold under the new ownership . They have all been great . I recently bought 2 , 2022 made Gibson's and sold both . They were not great , they were good but not like that first batch . Prices are too high now . I'm priced out of that market . They recently drop their prices from $3k to $2700 to $2500 . Still too high IMO . I bought my 2019 Gibson Explorer for $1599.99 . They discontinued that model and only offer the 70's & 80's style Explorers for $2500 . I don't know about anybody else but my wages haven't increased to keep up with all these price hikes and inflation . I don't want an Epiphone either , I can't justify spending over $1k on a foreign made Epiphone . I work hard for my money and some make what I make a week in a day doing little . When money comes easy , they can justify $10k on an overpriced guitar . MAKE GIBSON PRICES 2019 AGAIN LOL

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Amen brother! You nailed it!

@User58747 3 месяца назад

I totally agree with you, but.... a Les Paul is a Les Paul - nothing really like it. It's gotta be the most beautiful electric guitar in the world IMHO!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

There is something about a good Les Paul for sure!

@Steve.Cutler 3 месяца назад

A traditional is basically a standard.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

That’s what I thought….

@BarDog57 3 месяца назад

Seems like Gibson is always on the brink of collapse. The price of being #1. I still love the product, but hate what the company has become.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Man I totally agree....

@prd004.2 Месяц назад

Gibson is in a tough place. Have they lacked innovation? Absolutely. But people want Gibsons because they want the guitar that their hero played. When they have tried new things it hasn’t been successful, in part because it wasn’t all that great but mainly because their legacy is rock n roll. People want a Les Paul because that’s what Jimmy Page played… they want an SG because that’s what Angus played. I don’t think there is any where for them to advance and develop

@badbrad Месяц назад

That is the huge problem....

@MrPinkStrat 3 месяца назад

Ask yourself How many Celebrity Guitars Have Gibson Brought out This Last 3 Years ? It's Lots Because they can charge 5 to $10,000 for them .. Gibson seem to be More Interested In RICH Collectors Than actual Players !.... They Think they are Selling Lamborghini's not Guitars ...They need to face Reality , Things Have Changed There are Now Better Guitars out there For LESS Money

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Man I couldn’t agree with you more and that’s why I make these videos. Trying to wake them up.

@Panic42000 3 месяца назад

The custom shop guitars cost that much just like every other brand’s custom shop guitars. I watched a video where Sweetwater said something like 3 out of 5 guitars they sell are Gibsons.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@Panic42000 Ok

@MrPinkStrat 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad Thanks ..Great Playing by the way Plus Sounding Sweet !

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@MrPinkStrat Thanks so much.

@rveurope 3 месяца назад

Killer sound and jam, woow !! Now that is fantastic man, keep on rocking❤

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thanks RV I appreciate it!

@NoCoverCharge 3 месяца назад

I have a plain top 99 std been playing it bands since 99 until I wore the frets down ..then it sat there for a few years whirl I played other guitars mainly teles and jazzmaster …about a year ago I had it regretted with stainless frets and put lollar imperials in it and now I’m back to playing it all the time ….recently got a novo so I mainly use those two guitars now…I paid $900 for my 99 in 99 it had slightly been used

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I love to hear stories about old guitars like that. I wonder why Gibson never tried stainless steel?

@Michel-r6m 3 месяца назад

Gibson is for me way too expensive, regardless of quality. Got a Gretsch G5421 hh and Sire S3 hss for €339 & €389. For an amateur like me, Gibson is not even on the radar. The problem with Gibson 9and Fender) to me seems the volume and targets they need to comply to. Big spiel between manufacturer and resellers (Theeman 😉) and quality suffers. A set up is no longer a set up but a reject that needs...a return. Small shops suffer from this and reject big brands, and rightfully so. This brings in smaller brands with their $300-1500 guitars and pull it off. The manufacturers tried to screw the resellers but the resellers are now in control...sick!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Yes it is amazing how good the less expensive Electrics are. Gretsch and Sire are 👍🏻

@fumanpoo4725 2 месяца назад

I got a LP Standard at a Pawn Shop in West Covina in 1982 for $300 it was born in 1970. Great guitar, but weighs about 120 pounds and left my neck and back crippled. Let us pray.

@badbrad 2 месяца назад

Yes let us 🙏

@TheBassPlayer100 3 месяца назад

Gibson said a short few years ago that they were going to change into a “lifestyle” brand, I.e., guitars for lawyers and the rich - at least if you want their top shelf guitars and not working musicians. They just couched the language to not alienate the working musician customer base but that’s what they said. When someone tells you who they are - and their actions match their words - believe them.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Yeah that’s tough.

@johnd.williams3477 3 месяца назад

BadBrad - - you ROCK it. Best guitar player that I know. Great information on the guitar industry, keep the videos coming.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

@greggrant502 3 месяца назад

Love the tone

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thanks bro!

@danthegeetarman 3 месяца назад

Absolute shreddage bud 🤘

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thank you! I’m thankfull to still be able to turn up the heat from time to time.

@danthegeetarman 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad you’re definitely cookin’! 💪

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

🙏

@joshs3905 2 месяца назад

Love the finish of that LP, I just picked up a 60s standard in cherry burst. I agree that the older LP's were much more affordable and I should have got one much earlier. I've even noticed the quality control has been a little iffy, I went to my local store and opened up 3 brand new standards out of the box and found a different flaw with each of them (blemish on fretboard binding, sensitive toggle switch, and crooked pickguard). Thankfully I found one without flaws, but I also paid $4600 CAD and am in a 1 year finance which I think is absolutely absurd. Nonetheless it's a beautiful guitar that I hope to pass down to my kid someday. Great playing as well btw dude! Sick video

@badbrad 2 месяца назад

Wow Canadien prices are off the chain. Yes that will be a great thing to pass down for generations. Glad you found a good one. Thank you!

@jimmyjames2022 3 месяца назад

Awesome intro! Your LP Trad has pretty, unique grain flare I wouldn't want to damage it. Got both a 2013 LP Studio Tribute and 2019 LP Special Tribute P90 cheap before the price hikes. I love them but the SG Special is more fun to play. Touring winter in Canada, keep your guitar in the sleeping bag with you. One winter we had -64F, and our whole town's heating gas supply froze for two days!

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Yeah the SG special is such a cool guitar. We got pretty lucky on our Canada run only hit one really bad snow storm.

@andrewjohn47 3 месяца назад

Just picked up a ‘ lowly’ 07 std. After dialing it in, I’m super impressed. Chambered. 7.6 lbs! Love it. Very musical sounding Lester. Awesome vid, man 👊

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Man now that sounds like a killer axe. I had one of those light chambered Les Pauls for a bit and wish I still had it. That's like the perfect weight....hard to find! Thanks so much!

@hansvandenhurk7497 3 месяца назад

Who wants innovation? The product is depending on the configuration perfect.... And I do have PRS, MM and Fenders..

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I think younger players want innovation.

@jackbyrd4921 Месяц назад

I love Les Paul's but the prices man who can afford them Dr's lawyers executives. They shot themselves in the foot when they started doing away with the budget lines. Epiphone is good but it's just a cheaper rendition of the latter. I love Gibsons my heroes played them. But most of my heroes are now ghosts .

@badbrad Месяц назад

I wish Gibson would listen to your voice.

@shanewalton8888 3 месяца назад

Gibson became crap the day they left Kalamazoo to find a place they could pay their workers less.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I didn't know they did that....

@bryantrockfield9865 3 месяца назад

I couldn't agree more !!!.... Currently looking at a Heritage H150 with Bigsby.......

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@bryantrockfield9865 Heritage is very tempting.....

@Panic42000 3 месяца назад

Wrong! I have a couple early 2000s les Paul’s that are great.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@Panic42000 ok.

@alexdoyleguitar 3 месяца назад

What’s the amp for the jam? Thanks for the wiring idea, any reason why you switched out the classic in the bridge? I have a pair from a CS explorer which I was thinking to switch into my LP but they are abit microphonic, not sure if you had the same experience…..thanks and fun channel 🎸👍

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I used the new Line 6 Pod Express on the "lead setting". I switched out the classic just to try the Bar Knuckles pickups. It was a choice to try and improve the stock guitar. I'm not sure it made much of a difference....

@alexdoyleguitar 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad I’ve had similar experiences with BKP. Although I just bought one for a tele as I have fond memories from a friends. Anyway thanks! BTW, Marshall’s are pretty reasonable here in England but we get shafted by Mesa Boogie etc etc just a location thing. Not sure why Gibson’s retain a high cost everywhere, glad I have a couple already

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@alexdoyleguitar absolutely love Marshall’s. A Gibson in the hand is worth two in shepherd’s bush.

@alancovert5088 3 месяца назад

My Cherry Burst Les Paul 2018 Traditional sounds great. I put Ron Ellis pickups in it and it sounds like a truckers mid summer’s night dream…!…

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

I need to try some Ron Ellis pickups I’ve heard good things….

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Now the real question does a truckers mid summers night dream involve lot lizards?🦎

@alancovert5088 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad they are expensive! But, they are nice!

@Quinton-zu6hy 18 дней назад

I think Gibson is living off its old reputation

@badbrad 18 дней назад

It certainly feels that way...

@franniefromvenice 3 месяца назад

"Are Gibson's best days behind them?" My 2024 custom shop R9 (non Murphy Lab) says no

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

That sounds like an amazing instrument.

@franniefromvenice 3 месяца назад

@@badbrad it truly is, the maple top is insane and it’s so resonant. Are there duds from Gibson? Absolutely, but since the bankruptcy and the new direction, Gibson has vastly improved and is putting out amazing instruments

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@franniefromvenice That certainly is absolutely possible. I know they have made great instruments all through the decades, and some of what they are doing now is certainly very good. I'm just a little concerned with the lack of innovation to appeal to younger players.

@Quinton-zu6hy 18 дней назад

Awsom playing Brad!

@badbrad 18 дней назад

Thank you.

@patrickkelly9721 3 месяца назад

Lost me before you ever git around to the subject of the video. Clickbait

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

To each his own.

@emartinezr 3 месяца назад

Bye Felicia.

@patrickkelly9721 3 месяца назад

Not criticizing your playing. But that's not why I clicked the link.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

@@patrickkelly9721 I hear ya and no problem, you can skip ahead to the message.

@emartinezr 3 месяца назад

Wow that guitar still looks amazing for being over 10yrs old and having toured etc. Sounds great too. Love it. Suits your playing really well. I think Gibson plays with the tops a little. In the sense of not making all of them super flamey or plain because some people like flames, others like a more plain top. They have both options, but yeah, you have to see it to see the actual top you're getting which maybe adds to the artisan-ship kind of feel.

@badbrad 3 месяца назад

Thanks so much. Yeah it has stayed in great shape despite the frigid temperatures it still hasn’t checked. I was much harder on my Strats though so there’s that. Yeah some people like the plain tops but I love those over the top flames or quilts.