You could hear the difference between the two guitars and the Gibson was definitely recognizable in such a juxtaposition. It has a cleaner sound. Vintage kind of muddies the tones if you listen, but Vintage sounds good nonetheless.
It's a different sound. You can pick the Gibson right away. The Vintage sounds awesome, but it's really bright and plays a different colour. I would find myself getting frustrated with the vintage over time and would do significant setup changes. It's the music store catch. They sound cool and are attention grabbing but do not carry the range and toneability compered to the Gibson. In saying that, the Gibson is for the 0.1% Unless you are playing live regularly or recording the Vintage is the way to go.
I'd rather have ten $350 guitars than one $3,500 guitar. When I was a kid back in the 1970's, inexpensive guitars were crap. Today, you can get very well-made guitars in the $300-$500 range.
I think it depends on who is making the £3500 guitar - if it’s Gibson or Fender, then absolutely look at a cheaper model in their range if not elsewhere. If it’s PRS, Knaggs, Suhr, Tom Anderson etc etc then the quality difference is tangible. I tried several guitars before buying a core PRS Custom 24 and it blew the wheels of any comparably priced Gibson or Fender...
exactly, i started early 90s, and i remember guitars in price range (today) around 500-600 euros were totally crap, hardly you could play. I had a Washburn that was a pice of junk for that price. Now , 600 euros are truly good guitars. agree.
Watched this believing B was the custom shop the whole time. A simply didnt have the clarity and in places sounded harsh. Then went out and bought a Lemon Drop, was so happy with it i now have two, one distressed and one non distressed. Absolutely stunning guitars!
I had A as best sounding to be very critical but the difference was not big, speaking of sound. B had a little "canny like" tone but not bad at all, it was difficult to tell the difference
I agree... i own 3 Gibson's as well and I have been intrigued by these V100's for a while now. Honestly, i gotta say, the Vintage held up very well with the Gibson.
I was thinking about this and realistically, I usually swap my Gibson pickups out anyway. So the reactions here make sense. I normally reinstall their 496R/500T set which to me are like auditory gold.
It was in 1972 or 73 I was 14 or 15. I’ve been playing sense 65 or 66 maybe before but not quite a decade. I went into Watkins Music on Jefferson Ave in Dallas, TX ready to step up my game. That day I learned what I suppose was one of the most invaluable lessons I’d ever learn. Even after going on to get a degree in music. It’s something I rely to musicians new & seasoned. On that day I went in and I was going to buy a Les Paul. Yes it was ridiculously heavy. But the details, the finishes on this very expensive guitar. made this brand new guitar almost seem used. The knobs, the surrounds around the pick ups. Where the neck attached to the body. The tuning pegs bridge all pretty disappointing at that price point. So first the salesman thought it was out of my budget and showed me a SG. It look like it had been put together by A carpenter who built fences or wooden decks. Though I did like it better because it was lighter. By then we had been talking for a bit. And he understood correctly that I really wanted Gibson. Then he said something that change the way I Purchased every instrument ever sense. Close your eyes. How does it feel in your hands? How does it sound when you play it? He had handed me an Aria model 1932A I think it is. This was their SG copy. Heavier than a Gibson SG but lighter than a Les Paul a little bit. It felt great in my hands. And sounded amazing. And when I open my eyes and saw a clear finish opposed to a poorly stained SG or painted Les Paul. She was beautiful as well. By the time the 70s rolled around American Guitar manufactures we’re both having a hard time keeping up with demand. And worse trying to squeeze every nickel a profit they could out of the guitar. Japan took advantage. They had been trying to flood the market with better built better sounding better playing guitars for a lot less money. I no longer have that exact same guitar because someone stole it. But I have one just like it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I bought a Vintage Lemon Drop a few months back and, to be fair, it blew my socks off. The tones you can get from the thing is simply amazing. And i’m not going to use the cliche “for the money” because it’s simply an amazing guitar. If I had heard one before I knew the price, I would easily have paid double what I did!
I did, sold my 91 custom after buying a vintage jo bonamassa lawsuit les paul. The sound and feel were a little different to my gibson but given the price (£100 ebay bargain) i couldn't complain. However build quality wasn't particularly hot. Crack in the body needed gluing, tone pots were crap and the pick up screws kept coming out of the pick up holders. But I actually preferred it to my gibson so i let the Gibson go. Got about £1,700 for it as well.
I recently found my Vintage Les Paul on my parents attic. Not seen it for 10 years. Polished the frets and it honestly plays better than any of my current guitars even after being neglected for so long. Going to enjoy playing it again!
Add me to the list of people who thought B was the Gibbo! But then I’m already a Vintage convert - bought a V6M24 purple meanie a couple of years back after seeing/hearing someone else play one and absolutely haven’t regretted it. Amazing bit of kit for the money. Seriously tempted to get the lemon drop 😎
@@TenPester Haha wise move mate. I've been ripping old unloved guitars apart and learning all about the guts and tricks of making a guitar sing myself. It's cheaper and more fun. Keep rocking 😎
If I send you my address will you send me one of those Les Pauls. I will make sure my grandchildren will still be telling the story of your generosity for generations to come.
I guessed B was the Gib. Imagine my surprise. Much warmer and rounder. I’ve had my hands on one of these and it played perfectly too. Didn’t get to plug it in but sat and played it for a good 15-20 min. Excellent value.
I prefered guitar B for almost every sounds. So i was thinking « yeah Easy B is the Gibson » I was suprised....makes me humble :) Interesting video The same with a Fender custom shop against something?
Me too! I put a Seymore Duncan neck pickup on my Vintage AFD Paradise and it was transformed. But I preferred the sound of the Wilkinson pickups on this video, to my surprise.
On the subject of Fender CS, I have a mate who got his hands on a Fender CS Surf Green Strat. It's a clear standout, one of the best guitars I've ever played. He's on a promise to give me first option if he ever sells. He won't, drat it.
Apparently Gibson sounds better because it says Gibson on the headstock , in reality the Vintage sounds easily as good as the Gibson , chuck an eq pedal on it and go and buy yourself a 1 bed flat in Caerphilly with the change 👍
Well... I can say I have owned both. But, when playing The Vintage, it literally blew my mind!!!! I would recommend a Vintage to anyone looking for a single cut... Believe you me, it will be hard to put down lol :-)
I have a Fender, Gibson, Epiphone and a Vintage PGM. The Vintage sounds better than my other guitars. The Wilkinson pickups are HOT. I play my Vintage more than my other guitars. The out of phase sounds great, RIP Peter Green.
I have a Gibbo Traditional LP and an Epi Standard. Love them both. I did have to install some upgrades on the Epi (pups mainly) for it to stand up with my Gibson, tone wise. Obviously this adds extra cost but little value . So for the Vintage LP to sound that good off off the rack, is a no brainer for me when seeking that 'Gibson sound' on a budget. I am impressed..Nice work
I just recently purchased a Vintage V6 Reissue and love it. Cut heel, Pearloid guard, Wilkinson hardware and pickups, EZ lock tuners, satin finished Canadian maple neck... ALL upgrades for even a player series strat.
I tried every guitar sub £500 in my local guitar shop, and the Vintage was by far my favourite. I knew next to nothing about the brand, but I've had it a while now and its been very impressive. I did like both of these on the drive tones but really did prefer B in all the clean tones, so its really interesting to hear this. It is also a pretty thing! Mick Ronson tribute.
I recently bought a secondhand Vintage VS6 (SG copy) for £100 and it is fantastic! It looks like an SG, it sounds like an SG, and it feels like an SG. Everything about it is quality. The only reason I would by the real thing for six or seven times as much is to have "Gibson" on the headstock.
I think A sounded warmer and B had more clarity. I got the vintage afd paradise with the intention of swapping the pickups to the slash Seymour Duncan’s but 6 years later I’m still happy with the Wilkinson’s they’re remarkable.
Great video! The Gibson pickups have more string/definition and clarity to my ears. I’d wager if you put Gibson pups in the Vintage they would sound almost identical. The real test is how they play and feel to the player because sound and look-wise they’re pretty close. Cheers!
Late to the party but really enjoyed this. I picked B as the Vintage just from the clean tones - brighter, basically. I have been looking at comparisons between the Vintage V100WR Mini-Humbucker from 2021 & the more recent Gibson 2023 '70s Deluxe LP' and have been impressed with the Vintage. I'm actually looking for the bright mini sound, I already have a 1968 Gibson Custom and a couple of Epiphones (1959 Gibson hybrid & Cantrell Wino) so well covered for the more full bodied humbucker thing. After this I'll be paying more attention to the Vintage line for sure, so thanks!
I guessed the blind test right, chose A in all the examples. But for the price, Vintage is a great choice. I particularly still prefer an Epiphone Tribute 1960+ over Vintage. Thanks so much for the video (and for no volume differences between one guitar and another). Cheers!
me: "tsk, the A is the vintage, listen how good sounds the one on the B, you can clearly hear the better pups" *B being literally the Vintage* Me: ooooooooooooh... *opens wallet*
Plus it wouldn't be anywhere near as worrying to gig a less expensive guitar than it is to gig an expensive one in terms of the guitar being stolen, lost or damaged.
I got rid of a v100 recently and bought a les Paul standard. The les Paul was truly awful for a guitar that was £2000. Going to sell it and get a v100 lemon drop. These v100s are superb guitars for the money. Can’t believe how much better this one sounds on the video
Proof that a good guitar is a good guitar no matter what the name it is on the headstock. I preferred the sound of guitar B and was blown away that it was the Vintage. For far too long my Vintage V100 MK1 has been left in it's case while my Epi and Gibson Studio gets all the glory. It is about time the Vintage got it's fair share of the limelight.
I have a Vintage V100 and played more than just the one I own, so I'm pretty familiar with the sound. I instantly picked B to be the Vintage, but I'm incredibly amazed by everyone thinking B was the Gibson... Just goes to show! I absolutely love the Vintage brand, got 4 Vintage guitars as of now (out of the 6 guitars that I own!), and my V100 is the one I often refer to as "my baby". It's easily my favourite guitar!
Unless you’re playing sell out concerts at Wembley then just concentrate on perfecting your art with the guitar. There’s no point in spending stupid amounts of money as 99.9% of people that are listening wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference. I once saw a guy who didn’t have a lot of money and had a “cheap” guitar but played it like he was an angel from heaven. It’s like the things between your legs - it’s all about what you can do with it that counts - not how impressive it looks.
Really interesting video, Adam. I found the split screen technique and the use of the same riffs on each section of the tone-test helped me listen carefully to the subtleties of tone. Great playing too! I would have been happy just to watch you play the riffs on a single guitar. I suppose it would be fair to factor in the other crucial thing, apart from sound and prestige which make people buy a Gibson and that’s the feel of the instrument in your hands. A simple difference like a nitro versus a poly finish, to say nothing of neck shape, weight and balance, can be hugely influential. The only way you’d ever find out what people really wanted would be if both guitars cost the same and it was a straight choice between them. Good to know you’re in South Wales. I hope to get to your shop before too long. Keep the videos coming.
You're right, a nitro finish can be hugely influential, especially when it ages and turns your investment a piss yellow colour, which some people think makes it more saleable but most of us think just makes it look piss coloured.
I finally got one of the older distressed VS100 lemon drops from the late 2000's and was blown away by the look, feel, and sound. I usually get guitars like this and rip out the pickups but the Wilkinson PAF's are awesome and I am not touching a thing. It is super heavy but I like the neck c profile and I can't stress how good it sounds.
To my ears: Vintage owns when it comes to clean tones and Gibson nailed in the overdrive but the competitor did very good in both tests. I have a Vintage V100 Wine Reissue and I don't wanna get rid of this baby. Ever!
The Gibson did sound a bit more detailed. The Vintage just didn’t have all the little overtones of the Gibson but for the price it held its own. I’ve played of few of the Vintage guitars and they’re a great value. If you put them against most Epiphones they win hands down.
On that sound test they were very close however the test is when you play the guitar at different sound levels and then hear how it reacts to your playing.
I've just bought a Vintage v100 paradise reissued. Waiting for it to be delivered. I nearly went for the lemon drop but slightly preferred the open pickups and a 50 quid cheaper price label. Can't wait for the delivery!!
Got it right! The Gibson was more defined, clearer and had more "girth". The Vintage is a very good guitar though---I know because I've got one. I would say though that to get that Peter Green tone, you have to twiddle(technical term)both the tone and volume controls till you find it.
Controversial, but my road worn Lemon Drop is one of the best single cut 59 style guitars I've ever played. I actually pick it up more that my Gibson Les Pauls... I'll just leave that there.
Pickups make a lot of difference. The same pickups in two guitars would be a better indicator of sound difference and playability differences being the criteria. I recently changed to Dimarzio's on my Vintage V6 and now it roars and has better clarity.
So True. For the comment that the vintage sounds Clanky....£300 for pickups and fitting.. The pick ups on this vintage are good.. Find me someone who owns one and thinks otherwise.. Play mine through a blues jr... Goodness..
to make it fair on the gibson.lol..i think if you able to compare a ford with a rolls royce then rolls royce have either become shit or ford are now in the same bracket as rolls royce
@@Hendrix67297 I know your comment was a while ago but I've had tremendous quality from Iron Gear pickups . Not expensive , tremendous quality . You should check them . Best wishes
@@MultiGoulash thank you SO much! If you buy another let me know and I’ll upgrade you to the custom pro service on the house. 🏠. Appreciate the support 😊 👍
I have 4 Harley Benton guitars with the Wilkinson pickups and figured I would swap them out when they arrived but then after playing them I was really happy with the tone and clarity of them. They actually sound really great. No way I would spend the money it would take to swap them out with anything. Honestly think it would be a waste of time and money.
Im a big fan of bang for buck. I've really been into modding imports lately. Deans, ltd's, schecters, squire, and Epiphones. Often times, the bodies.of these guitars are great. A good setup, and swapping in some premium hardware and electronics, will give you an instrument that rivals those costing ten times more. Plus you have EXACTLY what you want. I'll have to give these a shot. I'm already a big fan of Wilkinson.
I thought B. Not just because it sounded like the pickups were a tad more powerful, but because the sound was more refined. Certainly amazed me. But having played Gibson and Epiphone before, the feel of the real deal is as important when you're gigging, playing sets. The feel of a neck definitely influences your playing and inspiration.
Well, I play a Vintage had a similar test with a friends Gibby... and came to the same result: They both have their "playground"... hard to compare. To me the Vintage is a bit more defined... and I was glad to hear it here the same! The V is a great beginners guitar on which you can do the gigs as well as studio. The question is: Are we all hooked up onto what is mentioned at the headplate? Your decision! I am happy with mine!
The cool thing about Vintage guitars is the magic that it somehow possess. It is the same magic that a lot of LP had back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. If your lucky to own one of these guitar you will quickly notice how your guitar playing enhances. The guitar technically whisper in your ears and it makes you believe your a Rock Star. I have a Vintage V100AFD reissued paradise guitar and believe me its freaking amazing. Wilkinson ready deserves to be on top side by side with all the great guitar makers.
Meus amigos brasileiros que estão aqui, toquei essa vintage 100 afd, o som dela é muito bonito, bem construída, madeira boa, se está buscando um custo benefício pode levar! Tamo junto, bom som!
The reason I though guitar A was the Gibson, is because I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus with the out of phase option, & it is a very distinctive tone!!! Great demo bro!!! Rock on & God Bless!!!
From the get go I thought "B" was the Gibson, ,beautiful neck pup and great out of phase tone definition on the bridge was on the money. I stopped name hunting many years ago as I've heard to many fellas get superb tone from very ordinary instruments. The build quality may have been not "up there" but for me its all about tone and sometimes ,especially these days, money often doesn't buy that as it really is all in the hands. I've seen a lot of fellas with some real high end hardware get uninspiring and sometimes awful tone from a big name.
Thanks for this side by side comparison. After watching this I bought a V100 tobacco sunburst that's distressed. If buying new I would have bought a flamed amber or lemon drop for $600 new. But found mine used for $300 with a fresh set of strings and a setup. It plays great and feels amazing! I haven't put it down. I named him Steve. In memory of Mr Steve Clark 🤙 I am telling everyone in California about the vintage brand. Cheers
I have two Vintages and for the price point, they are spot on. I have the reverse headstock 80s style strat and the Tele style. I love both of them. I also own 14 guitars altogether so i have a rough idea of what a good guitar is. Buy one man you won't be disappointed.
I recommend getting a vintage and even checking the second- hand market if you are on a budget. I bought one recently for €200 and very impressed. Also check out spider guitar cases in staffordshire, they do a tweed les paul case for all money 😀
I love Vintage guitars , I own seven including the lemon drop and the Peter Green version, picked out B as the Vintage , I also own a AV6P strat that beats the pants off the Fender and that's not just my opinion more and more people are finding this out for themselves ...
a correct and funny compare ... Mr Willkinson make a change in the Industry ; Im a Drummer , ( My Bro is a Profesional Guitarist , and own 2 Vintage guitars -a Tel & a Les Paul gold top ) and both fell , the winner is Vintage ( Gibson must think , and change is costs , and is business politic .. not all the guitar players ( and have millions) can buy an so expensive instrument ... thanks for your quality work
wow, i really thought guitar B was the Guibson. This is proof that price and reputation do not make quality. It's a Gibson Custom Shop, and the other is a Vintage V100, I think there's about $ 1,500 difference between the two.
I bought a Vintage Iced Tea because I didn't want the liability of owning a name brand; plus I wanted to mod it. But I was blown away by what I heard and how it played. Absolutely wonderful instrument for the price! (the frets are a bit rough, but I'll fix those).
I thought guitar A was easily the best sounding guitar and thus, thought that A maybe the Gibson. To my ear the guitar B was muddy and I just did not like the tone as much as A. I am amazed that I am one of the few that knew which was the Gibson and preferred it.
I own a vintage lp. And it's probably my number one guitar. While playing it, you'd swear it's a gibson.... but it sounds better. And the quality on it is top notch. I love my vintage
I really thought ‘B’ was the Gibson! So surprised. I have just ordered the Vintage V100 in Iced Tea. I am really looking forward to receiving it now 😀👍🏻
The Gibson definitely has more character in the sound and the gloss is much more refined, but I reckon with a pickup swap out on the Vintage for maybe a set of deacci we could be getting even closer. There’s definitely a difference but not a four grand difference.
Yes B was a better sound overall all pick up choices however the volume was soft,,, that’s not how you will play in a club gig etc so the real test is at speed or volume and finally you need to play it and see how it feels & sounds to your own playing.
As a gibson player I could hear it but didn’t want to believe it. When the drive came on there’s no denying the gibson growl and slight loss of clarity. The Vintage stayed way to clean/thin but still had a growl. Lower blues tones indistinguishable the vintage clearer. Very nice comparison. We are chasing headstocks. I recently picked up an Amazon fesley super strat. It out plays my usa fender pro2. It was $140 vs 2k. But the feel of a hand built custom shop guitar can’t be beat. It feels like a worn in old friend. But obviously the sound can be achieved for a fraction.
Just bought the Lemon Drop... tested it right away through my motu soundcard black Lyons preamps ( Qbase + Amplitube plugg-in ) Did Just a rough Rtm guit shot on one of my rock songs... the result is far above from what I expected > a kinda precise huge modern rock sound. Btw : its output level is quiet good, ( not too loud ) and that's perfect for what you need when you want to keep you guit sound fit for an " intelligent " mix. Can't wait to see what's about to get out from the forthcoming mix cession, thx to this new Guit. For now, it makes no doubt that this Lemon Drop is giving me preaty cool feelings. Also, very important , the neck is really confortable ... perfect for more precise guit licks ... > conclusion > A preatty good tool for an affordable price !! (Y) ;-)
Get in there vintage...when purchasing,, I was dead set on a Gibson,,played one in-store,,then shop owner said try the vintage...looking at him strange,I did..totally blew me away for the price..I went in with 3k.....I came out with 2600......guess which I bought....!!
@@noi5emaker more than happy with the vintage..fantastic build and sound quality...an old Gibson friend of mine has also got the vintage bug...and purchased one...blew him away too..if you ain't bought one yet, go play one in store like I did...I bet you buy one....all the best.
Wow after the clean tones I was sure the Gibson was B. I couldn't really hear that much difference with gain but I'm honestly surprised. I've had a vintage v100 for around 8 years but hardly play it anymore due to it being a big heavy lump and having a knackered arthritic back. I think I'll get it out of the attic again 😃👍👍
I guessed A, had that smoother fat sound. I have an LP custom that I purchased used for about 2400 USD, got a good deal. The thing about the custom is that is really is standard guitar. Anything less will keep you wondering if you are getting the most out of your playing. In no way is it ten times better but there is something about the sound, feel, and even the smell that screams this history/quality standard.
