Aliexpress Chibson AFD Les Paul vs. real Gibson and others [shootout inside]

[@amihai_bl]

Jesus people here in the comments react as if they’re Gibson representatives themselves. People are so butthurt nowadays… thanks for the review!

[@ayeapprove]

Thank you! They would have a point if I was trying to put an affiliate link here but I don't encourage people to buy them at all.

[@jani0077]

plus as a person who owns an original Gibson and had a chance to try a fake chinese one, I was actually pretty impressed with the binding quality of the Chinese one. One 2016 Les Paul traditional I sent back because the binding was coming off where the neck and the body meet (Shitty CQ from Gibson, who mainly lives from the past and its wast IP.)

[@_____8106]

@@ayeapproveI’m planning to buy a Chinese copy but not chibson I thinking of ge a Jackson Kelly replica Chinese on aliexpress I can’t afford usa made Jackson do you think if it’s ok to buy im ok if it sounds average please let me know your opinion about me buying a copy 😊

[@ayeapprove]

@_____8106 doesnt make sense if you can buy asian made Jacksons for cheap. The whole point of a chibson is that there is no cheap Option for open book headstocks

[@_____8106]

@@ayeapprove sorry bro I’m little weak in English I didn’t understand what you said…is it ok if i buy a Jackson Kelly replica (made in china)?

[@frankbrooks1724]

I own 2 Gibson Standards and recently bough a new Chibson just to see what the fuss was about. It was $209 with $50 shipping from China and took 2 weeks to get to the US. The finish (Silverburst) was flawless as was the binding and fret nibs, the tuners and imitation ABR bridge are adequate. The knob placement was also correct. The Korean made pickups were surprisingly good even though the electronics are pretty poor. The biggest negative was the condition of the frets, like sandpaper with a few high spots that made terrible buzzing. After a setup, fret leveling and polish it played extremely well. I put it on par with the "inspired by Gibson" Epiphones that go for $800-1,000. These will never be a Gibson Standard let alone a Custom but are an incredibly value for $200-300 and great for bringing to a sketchy club where you have to worry about damage or theft of a $3,000 guitar. Anyone with even a small ampunt of guitar knowledge will not be fooled by these so I doubt these could be sold as actual Gibsons and you can request a different headstock and logo if it bothers you that much.

[@ayeapprove]

Thanks for your comment, this is exactly how I feel about them, although I've not yet played the new epiphones.

[@broncofan165]

What seller did you buy from? Fret nibs for that price seems pretty good

[@2good2betrue3]

Chibsons are the Best!👏 Why get yourself scammed by overpriced $5,000 wood when you can buy a $250 one🤭, just upgrade the hardware and you have a 98% look alike replica of the Gibson Les Paul without busting the bank. 💯👌

[@rodnyg7952]

How is buying a cheap knockoff helping anyone from not getting scammed, & why would someone need to spend 5K to buy a guitar in the first place? You don't make any sense.

[@2good2betrue3]

@@rodnyg7952 sorry mate, it makes perfect sense. I went to a local store selling original $5000 Gibson Les Paul Standard (the 1959 and the Vintage Burst costs even more at $7,000 to $10,000). I felt it, tested the sound so I have an idea why it's priced that way. To be honest it's just a beautiful piece of wood. It's just a guitar that businessman sell at a very high price because of the Gibson "Logo", they took advantage of the "legacy"/or the vintage appeal, That's what gives it value in the eyes of people - just the name, "Logo" and legacy but Nothing special. - That's why you are scammed by the "greedy businessman" if you are willing to bust your bank for 5k. In fact, I also played other guitars much cheaper, but it trumps the Les Paul in "pound for pound" value....ex. the $2,000 plus Ibanez Prestige are light years ahead in terms of playability, but I digress. The "cheap knockoff" that I received is actually an exact copy of the overpriced one, in fact it's 99% the same as the original. (same wood) the only thing you need to change are the hardware, which I did. I went to the luthier, and even the luthier told me he can't distinguish it from the original if I have not told him. Now I have a Gibson LP that is totally like the original for $300 including upgrades. And I'm not alone, Guitar Legend Slash, played the best selling GNR album "Appetite for Destruction" that sold 100 million on a "FAKE" copy Gibson Les Paul. You can research it. In fact the Gibson company was revived by Slash's iconic Les Paul which just a Fake copy and they now sell a copy of a copy. hahaha. You need to try a Chibson, It's the best in Value if you know how to upgrade and set-up. Cheers and have a nice day.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

Because its junk.

[@2good2betrue3]

@@mikethebloodthirsty I don't know what you are referring as junk: The Chibson or the real Gibson?😅 Because I assure you I have a 1959 Chibson that's so beautiful and sounds great after a full pro set-up at only $310, and it's amazing, but I also tried a $5,000 Gibson, they look 99% the same with a G-string that doesn't stay in tune. Plus my friends are all amazed at the beauty of my Chibson, they know it's original, but the truth is it only costs at a fraction of a price. 😂Hahaha, You don't know what you are missing. Chibson's are the equalizer, You will look cool without busting a bank. Cheers!😂

[@rodnyg7952]

@@2good2betrue3 never heard anything so immature and superficial as that. You want a guitar to look cool for cheap --too funny

[@Gabriell0684]

I think the Chibson sounds on par with the actual Gibson, but if that is not just my bias, I am almost leaning to say, that the Chibson has a stringer and crispier sound?

[@ayeapprove]

I'd say the Chibson pickups are holding it back a little bit but I'm about to replace them soon. The Seymour Duncans in the Edwards are my favorite PAFs

[@williamdesmarais4931]

Great review. Having owned many Gibsons, epiphones, burnys, and grecos, im currently looking to add a chibson or 5 . Great set of bones for modding. Appreciated seeing your experience.

[@ayeapprove]

Thank you and I totally agree, it's a modding platform. I wouldn't do this to my FGN/Edwards/Gibson/ESPs but I'm okay with this chibson modding.

[@nicholaskname7735]

Cool guitars, all of them. Thanks for the riffs

[@ayeapprove]

Glad you like them!

[@orsmagyari245]

When you put the amount of distortion on it, that you have, it's hard to hear the difference. If you play them clean, the difference will be obvious and will be due to the pickups. You can put a pair of good pickups and electronics on a plank of wood, it will still sound good.

[@ayeapprove]

There actually not much gain going on, to the point where the edwards prototype nearly didn't have enough gain for this kind of riff. I can't really tell much of a difference when comparing DI signals or clean tones.

[@garykent8193]

All sounded the same (using headphones) except Grass roots sounded a little more punchy!

[@ayeapprove]

The Edwards prototype has super low output humbuckers though

[@oldasrocks9121]

Many of the Fibsons are mahogany tops with maple veneer. There are early Gibsons that were solid mahogany, the wiring channel was made with a long drill bit through the side of the upper bout at the pickup switch all the way through to the output jack. Customs were made with mahogany tops. There are historical reissue Gibson models that reproduce the various combinations. I've replaced everything on mine, tuners nut electronics pickups bridge and tailpiece, costs about as much as a $200ish guitar. All that and a fret level made a good instrument

[@b-man8498]

Wow, they all sound great. First listen, I thought the overtones were richer on the real LP but in a mix or band setting, would be perfect. Thanks for the comparisons.

[@ayeapprove]

Thanks for watching!

[@waynesmith-r8c]

think the edwards with the gibson headstock overlay is the prettiest,as far as sound in a mix there would be such an insignificant difference it really wouldn't matter

[@ayeapprove]

Same - it's also the lighest LP I've ever held and the action is just smooth. A true joy to play.

[@josefbleaux6724]

I have the AFD model Chibson. I love it... Its a fun guitar. I own and have owned many Gibson Les Pauls over the years and of course the Gibsons are superior. But like I said- the Chibson is pretty cool and the looks are flawless. It plays and sounds great. When i get around to it, I'll swap out the pickups and tuners. I will say this guitar out of the box is as good or Better than any Epiohone I've ever come across. It would not suprise me if the Chibsons were indeed made at an Epiphone factory on the sly. Rock On!

[@ayeapprove]

I'm still waiting for Epiphone to do over fret edge binding - if it's the same factory, they can do it! ;)

[@easthazebeats]

Great review as always, thanks for the comparison, keep it up!

[@ayeapprove]

Thank you and I will try to keep it going ;)

[@fatehredouane7335]

they all sounds great

[@ayeapprove]

Thanks! I'd say they all have differences but I can't define what is better or worse.

[@harmlesscreationsofthegree1248]

The antiquities sound the best. I think if you mounted them in the Chibson it would win. I am biased though, I have a pair in a 90s Hohner and they are a dream to listen to. Chunky bottom end with crunchy mids that stand out. You have some lovely guitars!

[@ayeapprove]

@@harmlesscreationsofthegree1248 I love those SDs as well! I restored a hohner L59 once and it was a nice Korean LP copy

[@fabianthomas5375]

for my ears there are just nuances in the sound. At least for this examples. I like the sound of all guitars. In a blind audition I couldn't tell which guitar is which. I am sure.

[@ayeapprove]

Exactly my thoughts, now imagine if I put the same pickups in all of them. It's more of a feel that you pay for.

[@zivaradlovacki2666]

Can some1 please tell me what kind of glue is used on those guitars to bind fretboard, neck and body?

[@ayeapprove]

Probably the cheapest woodglue you can find in china

[@danbuck2110]

As a lefty who has to constantly miss out on models and colour combos; viva la Chibson. Fuck Gibson.

[@Dbs_Games21]

Ola, tem o link da compra?

[@ayeapprove]

No links will be provided, sorry.

[@randypittman4994]

I think the gibson sounded the best and if you work your way backwards that is how i would have ranked them. You should swap the pickups in the chibby and do it again. I also think the Edwards sounded really good also.

[@ayeapprove]

Thanks! I'll try to do the same thing with the new pickups and pots

[@randypittman4994]

@@ayeapprove That would be awesome what pickups are you gonna use?

[@ayeapprove]

@@randypittman4994 thinking about a blind test video of a few pickups I have

[@randypittman4994]

@@ayeapprove That would be cool also. Have you ever tried guitar madness pickups? I have used the overwound alnico 2's and like those a lot.

[@ayeapprove]

@@randypittman4994 They look like generic rebranded chinese stuff - which is also what I have laying around but I'm also going to use a DiMarzio to test

[@stephenbennett5240]

Gibson and the second Edward’s by far sounded the best

[@ayeapprove]

best pickups in the game!

[@ReyCarmesi666]

Are you Chibby this made by Cathy?

[@ayeapprove]

I am chibbiest

[@marekwegorz8966]

Second Edward’s & Gibson for me

[@ayeapprove]

Those Seymour Duncans sound fantastic yeah!

[@marekwegorz8966]

@@ayeapprove I have question What kind of Duncans

[@ayeapprove]

@@marekwegorz8966 Seymour Duncan Antiquity

[@marekwegorz8966]

@@ayeapprove Thank You very much

[@roy2201]

Absolutely not a Gibson fanboy but to me the last Gibson sounded best. Lots of bite but still enough bottom when you strike a full chord and let it ring... I also own a Chibson. Truth be told that at home at low volume the Chibson sounded nice but would quickly get out of tune... I took it to rehearsals (I play in a Dutch blues/rock band) but there it became clear the pickups were no good. Lots of buzz and feedback. However, the wood work is good. I swapped literally everything so only the wood was Chibson. Cost me 800 euro in gear plus about 240 euro for the guitar and now I have a Black Beauty look alike for just over 1000 euros. True, it does not stand against my '78 Les Paul but it is decent enough to use it as main rehearsal and live backup...

[@ayeapprove]

Interesting to see people putting that much into upgrades, 800 EURs can get you a fantastic japanese copy like Edwards/FGN and they feel much closer to my Gibsons.

[@roy2201]

@@ayeapprove how would you know that they '"feel much closer" to your Gibsons? I can tell you that the Chibson by all means is equal to my 2017 when it comes to playability... And for the record, I bought the Chibson out of curiosity not because I wanted "a copy", I wanted a Chibson... I have a perfectly fine Richwood LP copy... The Chibson I now have is far better than an Epi or any other copy I ever laid my hands on... Fact remains a Chibson is a Chibson and will never be as good as a Gibson in the end. But they are very well worth upgrading...

[@ayeapprove]

@@roy2201 because I have a bunch of japanese models and they are much closer to my Gibsons

[@roy2201]

@@ayeapprove OK, so you also own a modded Chibson that has been correctly setup?

[@ayeapprove]

@@roy2201 mine came with a correct setup already, there is nothing wrong about the way it plays. The pickups and electronics are the weakest link but I don't see myself putting in a guitar worth of upgrades into something I'm just having for fun and not gigging. I almost never do expensive upgrades because it's never going to pay me back. In this case I wouldn't care that much since I'm not going to put this up for sale ever.

[@50Something]

Looks like you got a great deal!

[@ayeapprove]

Well I had some coupons from playing stupid games on Aliexpress and it came down to a price that was even more interesting to me including taxes.

[@50Something]

@@ayeapprove Where are you located? I was thinking of ordering a 68 Custom from Ebay. Wondering about shipping to Canada

[@ayeapprove]

@@50Something Europe - I have no expierence with ebay but they are most likely the same sellers just on a different platform. Shipping was free, had to pay import taxes. For legal reasons I would advise against getting one.

[@CruzWilson-jg5bu]

What legal reasons?

[@ayeapprove]

@@CruzWilson-jg5bu Counterfeit

[@2dazetake]

Chibson comes the closest to a real LP, I've tried a few different budget LPs, and none feel as good as a chibson,if you want to test drive a Gibson LP until you can afford one,get a chibson, I also purchased a black Angus Young chibson SG with lightning bolt inlays,an absolutely beautiful replica that I would never be able to afford,a real one is about 5 grand,both of these chibsons were $226 each shipped right to my door,why wait for your dream guitar, when you can get 15 chibsons, for the price of one Les Paul.

[@ayeapprove]

I like my japanese copies but they are 3 times as much usually and so hard to even find here. So it's only logical people will get more of these chinese copies once the "quality" argument is settled.

[@StevenSimpson-it5mv]

You are the problem.

[@terjeweum3677]

They was sounding good everyone and the Chinese Slash model looks and sounds as great as those others

[@ayeapprove]

It might even look better once I do the dull finish mod, so the top will have a bit more depth and feel less like a toy.

[@schrom81]

That Edward’s ..wow

[@ayeapprove]

rare species :D

[@restofthejunk01]

Sounds the best too

[@Toni-nf6ht]

edwards is nice！

[@ayeapprove]

they were rumoured to have been made in the same line as Navigators, which would explain the nice details :D

[@Toni-nf6ht]

Edwards guitar was cut in China and aseembled in Japan. It's not really from the sam line as Navi but the QC and design is Japanese style, I think the wood is the biggest different.

[@ayeapprove]

@@Toni-nf6ht Not this early 90s one ;)

[@Toni-nf6ht]

@@ayeapprove exactly, before 2009.

[@ayeapprove]

@@Toni-nf6ht these were prototypes and fully made in Japan. There aren't many of these but I've seen around 3 others

[@-Dominique]

Put burstbuckers on all and compare

[@ayeapprove]

Don't have them.

[@johnrathbun2943]

Honestly I have to admit that the Chinese fake isn't that bad at all as in sound. One day I too will purchase one. For the price you really can't beat it. Gibson better watch out because they got some serious competition at a way lower price. 😮

[@ayeapprove]

Gibson should use Epiphone to counter those chinese models and not try to release premium models in used gibson usa pricerange.

[@garykent8193]

Actually high friction pots are better quality!

[@ayeapprove]

The quality of the pots and wiring on this one is really not "better" in any way.

[@waynesmith-r8c]

chibsons and most epis are garbage in the electronic department,ive got an epi lp and its my main,all new electronics and it rocks love gibson,hate the prices and the inevitable headstock breaks and yes,ive owned several(at least 7-8 of them)

[@ayeapprove]

I own a bunch of korean Epis and their electronics are okay but are starting to show signs of age. The new chinese cheapo pots won't last that long and feel so akward, I'd throw them out.

[@marcelchannon6007]

You say you aren't promoting these knockoffs, but you are!

[@ayeapprove]

Which part of the video is promoting them? Showing the specs, giving my personal opinion or is it the comparison?

[@NEONNOONE]

The only promotion that happens in this case is in your own head.

[@marcelchannon6007]

@@ayeapprove Buying the guitar and then uploading a video on youtube IS the endorsement. You don't have to specifically tell everyone to go buy one, your actions are enough. You even put the venders name in the video title.

[@ayeapprove]

@@marcelchannon6007 I disagree that this content is some kind of endorsement and no, aliexpress wasn't the vendor, it's a platform where Chinese sellers offer their stuff - same as on ebay. Would the title have been any better with ebay?

[@hq72hotmale]

💥🙄💯🤣​@@NEONNOONE

[@chrisgraham2904]

Probably attempting to compare a Chinese Chibson to a Gibson guitar is just a silly endeavour. The Chinese manufacturer labeling their product with the Gibson name is unethical. Any seller who attempts to sell a Chibson as an authentic Gibson is immoral. Any buyer who buys a Chibson, thinking that it's an authentic Gibson is a fool and ignorant of Gibson guitars. The fact is, if the Chinese Manufacturer had labelled their guitars as ABC guitars, they would have been building a brand for ABC guitars as an amazing, good quality, economically priced guitars and would likely be enjoying even higher market revenues. One has to admit, that anyone who can take a wooden log, various metal components and some electronics and turn it into a high quality budget guitar, while still making a profit is really quite an amazing feat.

[@reymondgopog426]

The Chibson manufacturers are getting good these days. I want me a Chibson.

[@ayeapprove]

Well if you can sell 1500 EUR chinese epiphones, there must be good builders in China.

[@hughnguyen1772]

The fake guitar sounded horrible even for distortion. I wouldn’t bother to hear clean tone. What do people expect from a fake guitar which costs less than a set of decent pickups. I would never buy anything that is illegal to resell it to anyone. BTW the real Gibson really stood out. I guess the old saying is still true. You get what you pay for.

[@ayeapprove]

Would you be up for a blind test with upgraded pickups?

[@hughnguyen1772]

@@ayeapprove what is the point of that? Are you trying to convince people that you can pour money on a fake guitar and make it better? And what is my point that you think you understand?

[@ayeapprove]

@@hughnguyen1772 the point of a blind test is to either confirm that the guitar is actually junk or not if you have decent Pickups in them.

[@hughnguyen1772]

That is not my point. How much the fake guitar with better pickups and upgrades will total to and would the upgraded fake guitar be cheap anymore? Another point is that can you legally sell that fake guitar with upgrades to anyone for a fair price? If the guitar is not fake (i.e., no Gibson name and no made in usa marking) then I would buy one knowing that it is not a fake and I can legally sell it to someone.

[@ayeapprove]

@@hughnguyen1772it would still be at least 5 times less and definitely a cheap option to get a decent Les Paul. As I repeatedly said I have no intention of selling a counterfeit, no matter what Pickups I put in there. A blind test would be perfect to see if prejudice is influencing judgement.

[@tomusic8887]

60% talking about looks , the.guitars are all about looks

[@ayeapprove]

given that this is a chinese copy I wouldn't really talk much about specs because I can't verify them and I don't really trust them ;)

[@wesmclaughlin9369]

Gibson sounded best, they normally always do!

[@ayeapprove]

For me it's a close tie between the Edwards with the Seymour Duncans and the Gibson with the custom buckers

[@StevenSimpson-it5mv]

If you knowingly buy counterfeit goods, you are a scumbag. Don't justify it.

[@ayeapprove]

So if the brand on the headstock said chibson, would it be better?

[@michaelanthony9068]

A Chinese replica that has the brand name logo on the headstock is a fraud and so is the person that buys one. If you can only afford to buy a $350 dollar guitar, buy a real $350 guitar, not a criminal fake. I have nothing against copies, but putting a brand name on it has moral and economic issues that only a fool can ignore.

[@05051959]

Junk

[@ayeapprove]

Which one?

[@05051959]

The chibson

[@ayeapprove]

@05051959 okay

[@bradt.3555]

If it say's Gibson it's a counterfeit not a replica. Everyone I've ever had any dealing with was a POS. Buy a 300 dollar guitar, spend 500 bucks changing everything then you have a POS with good parts on it. Polish a turd and what do you get........................a shiny turd. If your ok with stealing (that's what a counterfeit is) just go steal a real Gibson.

[@ayeapprove]

Quick question: Is the original AFD a replica or a counterfeit? Not planning on spending 500 bucks on upgrades - I'll maybe do 50

[@bradt.3555]

@@ayeapprove Both. If a guy builds a one off guitar that's a copy of a name brand guitar I don't see anything wrong with that. If a company mass produces a copy that has a registered trademark violation, with the intent of selling and making profit off that trademark, yea there's the big problem. Trying to justify it by saying Gibson does this or that? When you buy a guitar with a stolen trademark, your condoning theft. No matter what Gibson does it's still someone trying to justify their stealing. I just am amazed at how many people are ok with that. Maybe I'm mis-reading and it's only the couple of people making video's that are ok with it.

[@ayeapprove]

@@bradt.3555 Derrig didn't just build one though. There's no difference in my opinion, it's just that Chinese luthiers are cheaper and that seems to upset people. I didn't care for the logo on the headstock but it came like this.

[@bradt.3555]

@@ayeapprove So you don't see a difference in some guitars built by one guy and thousands churned out buy a factory in China. The chibson's should be cheaper cause thou some are built ok I've seen none the quality of a Gibson. And yea, really your right there's no difference since both stole Gibson's trademark. Some may think the degree makes one less bad than the other but really they're both counterfeit. All ya gotta do is alter the headstock and I'm perfectly ok with them. Probably bother me even more if the chibson's were more expensive than they are. I don't say this cause I think Gibson is totally above board and should be defended, but because I'm astounded at the people ok with stealing. I won't buy one, own one, and I've even refused to work on them.

[@ayeapprove]

@@bradt.3555 alter the headstock in which way? Change the logo or shape? Because the shape is not a trademark in Japan for example.