Modern Gibson, paying for quality or the name?

Ash.J.Williams

Are Modern (non-les paul) gibsons eg Explorer, V ...worth the cash or should they be avoided?
Taking into account they have a great history and would be nice to have one, but at over €900, would one be better off avoiding them??

Dord

I would say try before you buy if you're spending that much on a guitar. These "modern" guitars you're talking of have actually been around since 1957.

If you're looking for a similar shaped guitar of quality also check out the Hamer USA Standard (Explorer) and Vector (Flying v).

CianRyan

ESP/LTD also make great guitars in the same shape.

I've played more bad than good in terms of newly made Gibbo's.
Saying that though, I do love the old ones so I think they have went down hill in terms of quality control.
As said, play before you buy. You might be turning down a gem or picking up a piece of ****e an you'd never know.

fuzztone

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Are Modern (non-les paul) gibsons eg Explorer, V ...worth the cash or should they be avoided?
Taking into account they have a great history and would be nice to have one, but at over €900, would one be better off avoiding them??

I have mixed feelings about Gibsons. I had a Les Paul that I never bonded with, for whatever reason it just never played aswell as my other guitars so I ended up selling it. I also had an SG that played amazingly well but had some serious finish issues. They can make an amazing guitar but I would never buy one I couldnt try out first.

As for are they worth the money. I would say no. The two best Les Pauls I've ever played were a vintage Tokai I played in a shop in London and my vintage Burny, which at less than half the price of a Gibson Les Paul Studio was an incredible bargain.

Ravelleman

Dord wrote: »

These "modern" guitars you're talking of have actually been around since 1957.

If you're looking for a similar shaped guitar of quality also check out the Hamer USA Standard (Explorer) and Vector (Flying v).

1957 is still modern!

I always thought Korina Hamers looked pretty awesome, not that I've actually tried one or anything.

Ash.J.Williams

Dord wrote: »

I would say try before you buy if you're spending that much on a guitar. These "modern" guitars you're talking of have actually been around since 1957.

If you're looking for a similar shaped guitar of quality also check out the Hamer USA Standard (Explorer) and Vector (Flying v).

I am well aware, that they have been around since the 50's but equally aware that the consistancy of workmanship has depreciated since then.

I encountered a two year old explorer for sale at a decent price, but just wondered would by money be better spent on a brand new schecter or ESP Ltd.

Ash.J.Williams

Tried, tested and bonded with the explorer!! It's a great machine and I purchased it!! burgundy wood stain with black scratch plate.

slavetothegrind

Good man!

I have a new explorer and i agree the finish is not all it could be but the sound and playability are top notch!

+1 on the burny les pauls, i love mine.

darrenw5094

After trying various LP's like Greco, Gibson etc. I think Japanese Tokai are the best value for money at the moment with Les Pauls.

fguihen

I agree on the Tokai's having recently made a purchase. I have no experience with Burny or Greco so cant comment, although i will speculate that based on research before i committed to a purchase, many people swear by them.

Gibson are good guitars, but the problem is the price. Unless you get a bargain, you are paying 1700 for a LP Standard, which will have weight relif (speed holes), and a short neck tenon when you can get an awesome tokai/edwards for less than half that price that is light due to the quality wood they used, not swiss cheese manufacturing methods. also, at the price you would expect consistent quality. Thats not what ive found from playing 4 different LP standards in a shop in Dublin. hugely differing weights and finish quality issues on one. Two piece back on another. At 1700 thats just not on.

Sure Gibson aint on the headstock of a Tokai. For some thats a deal breaker and thats fine. For me, I wanted an awesome instrumet at a great price and tokai delivered.

Note ive played Edwards and although they may not be fully manufactured in Japan for the past year or two, their manufacturing techniques are 2nd to none. Ever look under the neck pickup? Neck joint is so tight i question if they use any glue!(not really but you get the idea).

EDIT: Jumped into this thread without fully reading the OP's post. I now see this is about explorer's, which i have no experience with. OP, hope your enjoying the new guitar dude!

darrenw5094

Lol. Once the word Gibson was used, the conversation always changed to Les Pauls.

Ash.J.Williams

darrenw5094 wrote: »

Lol. Once the word Gibson was used, the conversation always changed to Les Pauls.

ha i did try in the op!!

darrenw5094

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

ha i did try in the op!!

Jaysus, you actually said 'non-les paul' and there we were talking about Les Pauls.:pac:

PeterIanStaker

I played a 2008 LP Studio in a shop recently and I thought it was a heap of shite. My 2000 Epi LP owns it. I did however play an brand new, lover priced Explorer recently and I loved it. So I do think they're a mixed bag as regards QC issues.

gerarda

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

I played a 2008 LP Studio in a shop recently and I thought it was a heap of shite. My 2000 Epi LP owns it. I did however play an brand new, lover priced Explorer recently and I loved it. So I do think they're a mixed bag as regards QC issues.

Are they know for not staying in tune?