Did I Make A Mistake Buying A Gibson - Part 1

[@BrandonOutside]

12:10 “Make sure you stay tuned” what a perfect sign off line for this video! 😄 In fact, it’d make a great slogan in general. Such a simple phrase that everyone uses, but if you really emphasize it, it works great for a guitar channel.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Funny how an old phrase from the early days of TV (when you actually "tuned" the receiver control...there were no channel clicks) gets carried over to the innerwebz...

[@sarelreynolds7342]

As a guitar tech that works in a guitar store i'd like to chime in and say it's quite difficult for the stores to pay for the labour involved of a guitar setup and still keep their pricing competative with the online retailes. In most cases the salesman have to take a cut from their commision to pay for a setup. Nobody is willing to put out the extra $50 for a setup on a new $150 Squire. Where I work we offer setups at a 50% discount for customers after they've bought new instruments and still most of the entry level guitars get sold and taken home with a ridiculous action.

[@lettuceb2336]

Hi Sarei, you make some good points. May I counter with the following... Having the main guitar tech do setups on every new guitar out the door is likely borderline impossible. What isn't impossible, however, is training entry level employees to do the basics and get the guitars to 90%. Intonation, a truss rod tweak, and other adjustments which do not alter the guitar by removing material are within the ability of any "right-minded" individual. Most people working at a guitar store fit in this category... train some of the floor staff to do the basics. If the nut needs work it goes to the lead techs, and the guitars should be checked out briefly by them. To make things easier, check out the guitars upon delivery to the store and do the basics up-front. My point is this does not have to cost a significant amount to the store and can be managed with the right mindset. If it's a cheap guitar that was not selected based on unique visual appeal and will be a difficult job grab a different one and send the bad ones back. Whatever happens, though, please don't pass this expense onto the customer. On anything over $500, and certainly $1000 there is no excuse for a slightly personalized setup not being done. FYI, I just bought a discounted guitar from Guitar Center. I've never known them to set them up at stores near me and I don't trust them to do so... but the price was too good to pass up. I'll do it myself.

[@757optim]

@@lettuceb2336 I'm not sure about today, but Alpha Music in Virginia Beach used to not only set up their guitars, but offered free setups for life on guitars bought there. The dirty little secret is that most customers don't know the value of a setup and didn't avail themselves of the benefit. Those who did - guess where they bought their guitars. If they were professional/gigging musicians who set up their own guitars, it was a moot point, but the luthiers, electronic techs being available, and Alpha's relationships with vendors was invaluable.

[@derekmetcalfe5018]

this vid sent me back into my home builds to check , glad I did , what a difference I can hear on those chords now but what a miniscule alteration it took to change it. Thanks for teaching me a new skill . You never stop learning

[@Rad_Pug]

The SG Jr has been the guitar I have been stalking for a while now. Was worried when I saw the title of the video. Can't wait to get mine a in a few weeks. Take care. Keep her away from lakes!

[@GC-ji3ye]

I LOVE my 2003 junior style Melody Makers. It’s my go-to. I love tweaking the volume and tone knobs because paired with a P-90, they interact so much.

[@lone-wolf-1]

Looking forward to hear a Dylan P90 in this beauty. A/B comparison would be great.👍🏼

[@davismiller3769]

This is why I invested in learning how to set up my own guitars. I prefer the shops that don't set up their stuff because if the guitars AREN'T on consignment and are inventory, then the store becomes much more partial to giving me a discount for the poor setup, which I can then fix for free, myself. TL;DR learn to set up your own instruments so that you can purchase some of the "basket cases" at little risk to you and save money too.

[@jimshomestudio]

My first Gibson guitar from a Guitar Center Platinum Room was perfect and I was so happy that I wanted more. Maybe a 335. Although those are much more expensive I tried a Chinese knock off and it needed a lot of help. Mostly it was the string gauge I use on 24.75 is heavier than usual so it did exactly this. I found the truss rod is the first adjustment, because the heavier gauge bows the neck up top. Finally I got around to a real Gibson 335, also new. When I added my strings, same thing happened and a little added tension on the truss rod fixed the action up top. Next it was an Explorer, same issue. Although it was new it had no tension on the truss rod from the factory, it was loose, so it really pulled the neck out but was easily fixed with the truss rod. I came to the conclusion that Gibson puts a light weight set on at the factory and the truss rod is lightly adjusted for them. Once you buy it and change your strings the issues arise. I’m sure a more adept player could do as you have, and probably get my guitars even better, but wanted to leave a comment that in my cases it was a loose truss rod from the factory, which wasn’t as intended for my heavier preference of strings. Other manufacturers, like Fender do pretty well on 9’s, and I often keep a lighter gauge on 25.5, so there is less concern. Suhr, I keep the Ernie Balls. ESP, I keep buying Elixer, same set of 10s. Rickenbacker 12 strings with a 6 saddle bridge, now there’s an adventure. One more guitar, an Ibanez Universe, I also wanted a heavier gauge. This is the one time I wanted a lot of things different, specific to my tastes. Heavier gauge, changed a lot of things. So truss rod needed a tighten. But also I wanted a specific positive pitch, so I actually tilted the bridge by tightening [edit: loosening] the springs. Reset the intonation for the heavier gauge. And then the pickup heights, there’s a lot of pickup under the strings on HSH, and that was all too close for my play style. Long and short of it, is take a gander at your truss rod straight away. Make sure it’s not flopping around as delivered by the factory. If you’re buying a more prestigious brand, they’ll often have you good to go, straight away. But as we all know Gibson is a much more high output, run of the mill, overpriced guitar and made by regular folks, 9-5ers in a production environment. Great channel Dylan. Cheers. 👍😊

[@neverenoughguitars8276]

Great video! I'm so glad to see someone talk about setup being something that is a preference to the player and not a "defect" from the factory or "quality control" issue. There's way too many loud mouths online buying guitars that don't know what the heck they are doing slagging off companies in the process.

[@Patbwoy]

I've got a 2019 SG Junior, that looks identical to yours, except it has the even simpler bridge, not even the lightning bolt. But let me tell you, this thing intonates perfectly! It was setup professionally, including nut height, but that goes to show that this construction doesn't have to be inferior, it's just a little more difficult to get it right.

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Thanks for teaching me how important string height at the nut is

[@nickdevriese]

Nice. I’m going to buy a burst LP Junior tomorrow.

[@vigilantebird8675]

At the Garage? If so ask for Dylan!

[@happyads9439]

Nuts, bridges and relief. Is like putting air in your own car tyres,, all guitarists should really know how,, or just pay me👌

[@OXXOI77777]

The problem I'd (and maybe others) would have with "your guitar shop should set up your guitar for you" is that, well, I don't even remember the last time I got a guitar from an actual shop. Everything is either online or used from other sellers....the selection from any individual shop is just too limited compared to the universe of options available to you if you are willing to buy online.

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

You “buy to try” essentially instead of the other way around.

[@michaelmenkesOZSKIB]

the better online sources don't let guitars leave without checking all the issues that might arise. Don't buy from anyone who doesn;t

[@OXXOI77777]

@@michaelmenkesOZSKIB even so, I think Dylan's point is that the setup on a new guitar should be performed to suit the specific player. Even if an online retailer does a "generic" setup/inspection before they ship you a guitar, it wouldn't be "your" setup

[@6nosis]

Well Sweetwater has already solved that for you and prepackaged it so they could make a pretty penny. $60 they will set it up to your exact spec. Also might as well plek it first for 250 and if you already spending a rack or two then 310 for a plek’d setup git is lovely capitalism!! They do a fine job from exp. any ANY complaints from you and they’ll trip over themselves to fix it at least in my exp. love and light - slake. P.s. forget if the plek includes set up then it’s only ---2.50. Nah it was about that tiiiime I said god dang it monster get AWAY FROM MY GUITAR with yo 2.50!!

[@leegollin4417]

You get what you pay for....cheaper online. Less service provided.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

Watch the clip tuners on the nitro finish! I learned that the hard way...

[@andyhightides]

Me too. 2019 LP JR DC Tribute. Melted the face with a Planetwaves capo.

[@treybennett35]

Yes in February of these year I got an explorer from 2020 made in November.... And I left my clip tuner on the head over night now I have a "D" shape on the front and back. 😞 but I still love it and wouldn't trade it for anything 🤙🤘🤘🤘

[@lone-wolf-1]

@@treybennett35 Maybe you could "massage" the marking out. On my selfbuild I worked on it before the poly finish completely hardened. I did noticed some impressions on the surface and started to massage them out. I used a dry piece of a white old t-shirt and rubbed with my thumb in circles. White cloth to see if it’s rubbing something of. At the beginning with low pressure to see what happens, and gradually increased the pressure and a tiny bit the speed. The „heat“ of friction + pressure of my thumb leveled slowly the markings out. If the cloth starts to stick on the laquer, the pressure is too high. It’s not the high pressure or high speed of rubbing, it’s the consistency of movement clockwise and anti-clock wise (at 120-145 bpm) around the impression towards the indentation, the warmth of friction and patience that works out. You might try it at least, if the laquer is still bit soft. But be aware to not apply too much friction like a machine, 'cause it could damage the finish. And go slow and with patience , it takes time- about 15-20-30 minutes 🙂 (done it on two consecutive days)

[@treybennett35]

@@lone-wolf-1 Hey thank you, I will definitely give it a try. Because it could be all it needs. It doesn't bother me that bad honestly. I just wanted to comment on that, because I've noticed I'm not the only one with this problem. But for sure I'll give it a try.

[@lone-wolf-1]

@@treybennett35 Yeah, you should try it. Maybe it’s not too late. It needed some 16 hrs to dent the finish, but then consistent pressure could push the repressed laquer back in place. In my case it happened in a short time, so it was very effective. In your case I can imagine some of the laquer is pressed into the wood, so you can’t get it back. You might not get it like new, but it could mitigate the dent. If it‘s starting to rubb some of the finish off, you better go very slow or just stop before damaging it. Good luck. Take care

[@matthewbehrle4428]

I’ve bought myself an SG jr off the demo shop and I’m going to be honest it was a really fun guitar for 2 or 3 months and as my playing changed the guitar became less and less favorable. Not to say I disliked the guy but it wasn’t the one I instantly reached towards like it was before and now you combine that with the recent mysterious fret damage that happened and I’m just done with the guitar. During those two or three months where it was my most favorite guitar I was more of a rhythm player but as the demand for me being the lead guitar player my new band started to come up more and more it started to become less and less favored and now I just never reach for it. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Gibson to find out what I need to do to renew the warranty on the guitar to get it repaired so I can then sell it but I’ve been giving me the runaround and I haven’t been able to get a clear answer from anyone and I’ve been waiting for three days from the demo shop to find out what I need to do (also I called Gibson customer service and they said to go to the demo shop directly). Everything he brings up in this video is 100% accurate but I would be well aware of the issues that something like a SG Junior a Les Paul Junior possesses and to be cautiously optimistic when buying one.

[@timothybailey2119]

I purchased a new Player Plus Telecaster that was almost perfect. Except for one little thing. Although the nut "appeared" perfectly cut, my A string was coming up a little sharp on the first 3 frets (just like your SG)! (Note: the bridge saddle intonation was already perfectly dialed-in). From the 4th fret up it was fine, just those first 3 frets! It drove me nuts, until I ran across your video! So, I took out my magnifier and a metric ruler and measured the string groove depth. The A was just a hair high! 30 seconds with a nut file, and it was perfect! :-) The amount off was so small I couldn't detect it from a foot away, without a magnifying glass. So, I owe you Big Time! Also, great Job on the videos you post!

[@josephheikes1459]

Had the same problem on a 2008 ag standard. Once I went over the slots individually I found 2 that were the cause . After the fix it's great.

[@shanewalton8888]

"It's got some problems." I remember feeling the same way back in May 2020 when I returned mine.

[@johnphillips4033]

Enjoyed the video. But I disagree with you on the nut issue. The guitar should not go out to the customer with a poorly cut nut. That’s not an individual preference issue. I don’t know anyone who would choose to play a poorly tuned guitar. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to hear her. 😀

[@briansimpson8116]

@@fredriksvard2603 Wowzers.... I think that's probably the most unwarranted brutal response to an opinion I've seen on the YuzeTubes. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@elmalo551]

I recently got one of them tobacco burst singlecut juniors. Thing is a beast.

[@fadizanbouah]

Cool review. However, (if I'm not misunderstanding due to a language barrier) I don't think that a 2k+ dollars guitar should have that kind of tuning problems, especially if it's the nut. I'm expecting that a guitar of that price to be playable out of the box regardless for whom it was setup for (that specific tuning instability at the first fret I don't think is a "preference"). But, if you're happy with it, that's what matters !

[@jasonalbert9939]

Nice to hear your honest thoughts. Right now I have an Epi SG JR that I love. I need to put one of your p90s in it.

[@windsurfmaui8239]

Before you swap out the pickup I hope you'll do an A-B test so we can hear the differences. As I said before I don't generally like P90s but I thought the P90 in the guitar had a really killer tone.

[@Mountainrock70]

A P90 must be accompanied by a decent tube amp.

[@kenthhamner2641]

Every guitar I've bought needed nut slots adjusted and overall profile worked on. Got 2 types of StewMac nut files plus the other standard tooling.

[@goncaloveiga]

In so glad you did this video because I have exactly the same tuning issue on my LP standard: if I fret the E strong on the third fret, it will be way out of tune (G#). This sucks if I’m playing two Gs, resulting in a huge dissonance.

[@IJIIKY9192]

My 2021 61 standard has been fantastic

[@pskemster]

Invest in a string butler, Sounds spot on brother! Great job.

[@rickflippin1]

Brand new 2021 les Paul standard , PLEK’D my hiney bad frets right off the bat, took it to my luthier to fix paid an extra 150 to repair smh. Bought a heritage standard h150 it was is perfect I mean perfect the only guitar out of 18 that has not gone to my luthier right off, I feel you

[@AntmanFelix]

You think getting a tuneomatic/wraparound combo detract from the feel of the stock wraparound? I put one on my junior and quite enjoyed it

[@colinmcguigan4630]

Been seriously looking at double cut specials since I heard this thing. I love the barebones vibe

[@tomfoolery2082]

In high school in 1968 i had a gibson tht looked exactly like tht one . It wasnt new but not very old either . I'll agree a player should hav a 1 pup guitar if their gona play much . Few yrs later got a regular SG . But I'd learned a lot using mr 1 pup . We still play it . Urs is in better shape but I thk mine has been around the block once to often . Not sure what model I have but its sure hard to beat for it's kinda music .

[@Gizerwizard]

How do you determine how much material you need to remove from the nut? Is it's basically just trial and error, removing small amounts and checking each time?

[@meadish]

Yes, pretty much. Much better to err on the side of caution - because you cannot put stuff back (well, there are 'ugly temporary fixes' like bone dust and superglue to build up the nut slot again, and you can also shim the nut from underneath in the slot, but neither of those fixes is ideal, so it is better to just be very patient and go a little at a time. However, should you fail (and it is likely you will at some point) then try the fixes out before replacing with a new nut - because you'll learn something. Fixing mistakes is how you get good at this kind of work, there is no such thing as getting everything right on the first try).

[@eddiejr540]

I had the same nut problem with my Les Paul...and after going at the nut with some files, I effed it all up...so I had a professional put a bone nut on and problem solved!!!....thats a sweet SG Dylan....rock on my brother!!!!

[@stu-j]

Just bought the harley benton DC-60 junior (sg copy) in Pelham blue that comes with an adjustable wrap around bridge and I must say for £170 uk its a steal if you fancy a one p90 sg copy. Id love another gibson but couldn't justify spending over a grand on one!

[@krekcabnow2910]

Maybe you could swap for a prs bridge. It similar to the lights bolt bridge idea except they’ve made it so you can adjust individual strings.

[@tombstoneisevil]

Hey Dylan, nice one, I have the lp junior, what I usually do, versus file individually every notch on the nut is take it out and file the base on the other side, also on the bridge bolt i make the guides for the strings, totally agree is a players choice, but not every player know really how he/she plays, I think that is also a thing to learn, how to set up yourself for yourself your guitar, stay safe, stay cool ;)

[@michaelmenkesOZSKIB]

I'm about to make a jr with a lightning bar bridge. I'm pretty good at setting bridges but obviously placement of an unadjustable bridge needs to be as accurate as possible. I usually will set a tune-o-matic pretty accurately just by aiming for the middle of the bridge as my scale length. Should I just do the same? does it need the 3 degree offset?

[@kirkwilson6229]

I was wondering where you would go with this one. Nice video.

[@jasong546]

That’s a great little guitar. I had been quietly thinking about a SG with P90’s, and 2 weeks ago I went into a shop and there was a used standard from 2016 and it has a zero fret nut. When I first played it I was thinking okay, what is wrong with this thing? But it plays great and it sounds amazing with the stock p90’s. I had never seen this nut before. I took it home and I am really enjoying how easy it is to play and how it sounds just so nice. I am glad I didn’t dismiss it because of preconceived notions and gave it a try. Congratulations on your junior!

[@shanewalton8888]

I asked Gibson to fix the wiring on the neck pup. They responded by shorting out the bridge pup as well. lol that was enough for me.

[@KrishinPillay]

Gibson is the only brand that people go out and spend an obscene amount of money on, get a guitar that has issues on it that should have been addressed at the factory, and then are happy with it. If it were any other brand , they wouldnt be when spending that amount of money. I guess that just proves how iconic Gibson guitars are.

[@danbgone5032]

I’m not a big Gibson fan but you are absolutely correct here. 👍

[@matthewf1979]

I think the P90 is the perfect pickup for a single pickup guitar. You really can get a lot of different tones with one by rolling back the volume/tone pots, picking locations and picking force. A P90 equipped JR(LP or SG) and a touch sensitive amp(like a Fender 6G3 Deluxe) are the only tools you need to take over the world!

[@harrybryan9633]

That bridge looks like the exact same one that is on the Maestro Gibson guitars.

[@tomflynn2912]

Does SG stand for something? I never knew?

[@0Imtheslime0]

Gibson put the Les Paul name on this guitar to start with. Les Paul himself did not like this guitar that much and told Gibson that, "hey, go ahead and release it for public, but remove my name from it.." So Gibson did that and named it SG.. meaning.. "Its not a Les Paul just S ome G uitar.." Just kiding about what it means.. SG stands for Solid Guitar

[@tomflynn2912]

Thanks for that i never knew! Some Guitar, wow! 😉

[@theearthenstar1355]

How do you get a bad guitar in Nashville of all places x'c

[@Okla_Soft]

I’ve built 2 single pickup Strats lately, I’m into building minimalist parts-casters. There’s something to having your rig stripped down to the bare-essentials. No frills, 1 knob for volume/coil split, no switches, tune-o-matic string-though bridge. It’s versatile and beautiful yet simple and stripped down. I agree that these type of guitars really help you get to know your instrument. I’ve always been drawn to these wrap tailpiece single P90 SGs, there’s just something about that simplicity that I love. I love the fact that you show your viewers how a guitar works so that they actually know how things work and what’s going on when something is off. It all comes down to the physics of a vibrating string with two nodes.

[@johnmaag9230]

I bought a 2019 SG Junior 3 months ago with the straight wraparound tailpiece, not the lightning bar. Mine plays perfectly in tune but the only issue I have with it is the pickup has a really harsh treblely tone. Not like the original 1961 SG/Les Paul Junior I owned years ago which had a more sweeter tone. What could be causing this?

[@DefenderTIM]

The only guitar I've ever bought (new or used) that didn't need any kind of immediate setup adjustment at all was a Taylor 814ce. And even that one eventually needed a truss rod adjustment after acclimating to the New Mexico high desert. But of all those guitars over the years only one couldn't be tamed to my liking.

[@DefenderTIM]

@@fredriksvard2603 I think that is his point. There isn't anything wrong with the guitar (he does love it, after all), and he's defending it against the knee-jerk Gibson haters who claim it's inherently defective because "Gibson QC is trash". The video is demonstrating that it does have a few constraints and initial conditions that need to be understood in order to set it up optimally. That was also my point: I was commiserating with the need to make set-up adjustments (particularly regarding string height at the nut) to reinforce the notion that this is all perfectly acceptable and common across a wide variety of guitar styles and makers. Even the Taylor I mentioned before was only one of four Taylor guitars I've owned, and the other three needed tweaks out of the box to suit my playing. I agree with you that it's not common practice for stores to do set-ups at time of sale, but I also sympathize with Dylan's ideal that they should. It's not workable, since cutting corners is the primary way to compete on price in a market where the vast majority of buyers are cost-driven. And I don't mind letting players decide for themselves whether or not to take their stock guitars to a decent tech after purchase and get some individualized attention; in fact I really enjoy doing just that for my family, friends, and acquaintances--as long as they provide new strings (and a case of Dr Pepper).

[@petew.1418]

While I agree that guitar shops should do set up, I also feel that most guitarists could benefit from learning to do set up on their own. I have had to do emergency repair work at gigs way too many times.

[@ctcards2636]

Im dealing with a cheaper guitar that has this issue haha. I just spent a little time going over it and it sounds in tune anywhere but the cowboy chord area haha. If you press down on the first fret on the G string and look at the tuner its sharp. So an E chord is always out haha. But i had set the intonation, neck, frets etc EVERYTHING and i noticed the nut heights were off. Now with the cheaper guitar im working on its understandable to have this issue. But if Gibson wants me to buy a US made guitar and spend the premium on it, i expect a well cut nut. To me that was what you got from Gibson in the past, the guitar was good straight outta the box. Now a days its not so, they are mass producing these guitars and it shows. So i say it is a QC issue, someones job is to go over this before it leaves the factory. That person gets paid to do this. If you dont speak up and he gets away with it once, its gonna keep happening. Cant ignore an issue that shouldnt exist on a guitar your paying a premium for. Ive seen Custom shop Les Pauls that were over $5k with this type of issue and the owners says "its not that big of a deal"... Dude you just spent $5000 and the nut wasnt cut right and the bridge wasnt positioned right and the neck has a twist. But your ok with it and pouring more $ into it to fix those issues just because its a Gibson ? Thats just silly. When you try out any guitar, check these things before you buy one. I know its easy to overlook things by accident when you get excited looking at a new guitar, been there. But if we dont speak up about these "little issues" that are very much important. Although small, the nut made your guitar out of tune. In the cowboy chord area... were in the year 2022, almost 2023 and this stuff shouldnt happen when you pay a premium for a Gibson or any other higher end guitar. If they want us to keep buying their overpriced US made stuff, fix these "little issues" as some call them so the guitar can actually be in tune when you get it. I shouldnt have to pour more money into a guitar that cost that much and even comes with a slip that says who signed off on the guitars final inspection. So i get to know that person was the one who didnt do their job. I just think its a disgrace to the Gibson name to be allowing these issues to continue to come out of their factory when they are in such a bad financial space right now. Gotta improve these problems, because its enough to turn off a lot of people from buying one. They have already priced themselves into a corner, 90% of the market is people looking for a guitar $1000 or less. People can buy one hell of a guitar from overseas, take a PRS SE for example and that guitar will NOT have these issues. Im not saying none of these dont have issues, but i swear they know how to cut a nut at the overseas PRS plant. My point is if a company can get the nut right for $699 like PRS SE line, a $1200+ US Gibson should be able to as well. I keep seeing the same 4 issues with Gibsons in the past... 10-12 years. People keep saying oh no they have gotten better. Im not so sure. But you gotta remember they still have old stock and other companies selling their guitars have old stock. So if they fix these issues today, your gonna have an 18month period of old stock "With these potential problems" being out there in mass qualities. So getting one of these "fixed" ones with better QC isnt gonna be easy at first. So your chasing around just simply trying to get a good one and spending a premium to do it. This guitar should be ready to play an E chord or a Am chord in tune at the cowboy area out of the box. Theres no excuses for that. You luckily know how to work on your own guitars, like i do. But for the average person, this issue would require bringing the guitar to someone and having them fix it. That puts you in a potential place to have some do the work and over charge you or even make it worse. The guitar should not need ANY setup beyond maybe the neck. Out of the box. But i see guitars that cost much less with less of these problems than i do on say a US Gibson. Next time your at a store. Pickup a $700 PRS SE and a $3500 Gibson Les Paul and really sit down and look at both guitars. The Gibson is a nicer guitar, but look at the setup and QC. The Gibson may be perfect, but without checking you dont know and that should be happening when you spend that type of money on a guitar. The PRS SE has a better chance of having a proper setup it seems like. Also for folks that are weary, buy from Sweetwater if your gonna get a Gibson, you can pick the exact guitar and they do a setup for you before they ship the guitar. This is the only way to buy a Gibson is thru a place that does this. But its just sad that this work has to be done to such a famous and great company like Gibson when this was a reason people use to spend the money on a Gibson and now part of that charm has been lost to the mass production of these guitars. Ok Rant over !, thanks for the video and allowing me to get my peace of mind out there. I love my Gibson's I own, but they are all from the 90s and i swear even the production models from the 90s are better than the build quality of some of these Custom shop models that are priced out of reach of most players. If Gibson wants to get back into the game in the right way, they need to follow what PRS, G&L, Fender etc have done and have import models. You say "but they do, Epiphone." thats true, but it doesnt say Gibson on the headstock. You get a PRS SE and it says... PRS on the headstock. You get a Fender made in mexico, it doesnt say Squier, it says Fender and people want that on a guitar. Stop producing Epiphone models based on Gibson models. Start a Gibson Import series. This will allow you to get these guitars into your average players hands and would help boost the company back from the dead (or near dead). Your starting to see (from the right companies) import models being setup just as well, if not better than US made guitars. Thats scary for a company like Gibson, thats why they are sue happy, trying to stop anyone from making anything close to their design so the customer is forced to buy it from them. Greedy and i dont like it. But I want to like and love Gibson again and this is the only way your gonna get these guitars into the younger generations hands and start seeing Gibson guitars on stages again. If you look at the top 20 sellers on reverb, Gibson had 3 guitars in the top 20. 3! There was once a time when they had many more spots on that list filled. See what PRS did with the Sky Mayer model and the import version of it ? Those guitars are in the top 5 best selling guitars of last year. PRS offered two models a USA and a import, both said PRS on the headstock, thats what people want. Peace

[@devlhstrat8849]

Around the 8:50 mark you start to talk about how bringing the nut height down may cause buzzes up on higher fretted notes. I don't think this is right because fretting a note takes the nut out of the equation with your tilt explanation. Open notes may now buzz on the 1st fret (extremely unlikely probably a too low cut nut) but a fretted notes' height/buzz should be the same. Unless intonation is drastically changed again not a likely cause. If you took the nut off, the shittiest cut nut possible, the fretted notes still work no better no worse.

[@jltrem]

"I bought a really cool Gibson.........of course,...it's got some problems." Sound familiar???

[@azizaziz7007]

What guitar shop sets up the guitar for you? I had bought 2k to 4k guitars and they always asked extra for setup.

[@vigilantebird8675]

The Gibson Garage

[@juanfichtl2011]

PRS sets up all of their guitars. I bought my SE sight unseen and it was perfect out of the box. Literally.

[@juanfichtl2011]

@Richard Moore sorry to hear that!

[@activese]

Hi, thank you for explaining it properly, without being a complaint. take care.

[@leegollin4417]

Liked this. Guitars need setups out of the box and regularly after that. Try taking a car out of the box and driving it. The dealer does a lot be fore you can drive it.. guitars are similar investments.

[@nedludd3641]

Damn shame you can't play copyright material. I'd love to hear that beauty playing The Who's 'Naked Eye'. Townsend always finished with that number on an SG. Why is Yamaha able to make an SG called an SG that looks like an SG and sounds like an SG? What's the difference between an SG and a Les Paul?

[@samright4661]

Did you change string gauge?

[@markc2427]

I get each player having different set up preferences. I don’t get why anyone’s set up preference would be for it to play out of tune because of a high nut. That totally should be sorted at the factory. I get swapping the pickup. That’s half the fun of messing with guitars. Looks like a super fun guitar.

[@Kdschaak]

Man you got that right. I would have been pissed. Gibson fanboys will always try to make make light of poor workmanship and downplay the fact because they paid a 1000 dollar premium for a Gibson sticker.

[@markc2427]

@@Kdschaak I bought my first Gibson last year when they were blowing the double cut jnrs out on sale. I was super excited but ended up returning it. Nut was high. I could fix that. Intonation from factory was horrible. I could fix that too. But the big issue was even with the bridge all the way down the action was incredibly high. Being a set neck I can’t fix that. Neck relief was good. Problem was the neck angle. Can’t shim a set neck. But it had the pretty pic and sign off saying it passed inspection lol. I wanted to love it but it was terrible.

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

"OUR P90 is better, I make a better one ". . . good enough reason to swap out the stock PU even if new . . . I got a new elec guitar but going to learn how to set it up so got some tools coming my way . . .

[@nellayema2455]

You definitely did NOT make a mistake. I had a '60's Epihone Coronet with a chrome covered dog-eared P90. That thing was a fun guitar. It was a screamer. One issue was that the lightning bridge had actually twisted where it contacts the posts. It was over 20 years old by the time I bought it, so I did not hold the messed up bridge against it. I replaced it with a Schaller tailpiece/bridge combo. The new bridge had individual saddles to adjust the intonation. Other than the fact that the neck would move too much due to the heel joint design, it was an excellent guitar, with no cracks, breaks or repairs.

[@touchthesun2448]

great video! I have an old Epiphone SG...I put a P-90 in mine because it had a nasty OLD Humbucker in it. I can't wait to hear your P-90...hook me up

[@MajorUpgrade]

I got an Epiphone SG Modern last Christmas. It has the split coils, out of phase stuff, and asymmetrical neck. It's about the least "Gibson" (Epiphone) Gibson I can think of. Aside from a little bit of neck dive, I like it all right.

[@haydenkayne]

i have an 18 epi sg, it doesnt have the splits but i put a duncan sh-6 with a new pot and the thing sounds amazing. for the $350 i have in to it i cant complain at all, well correction, that neck dive is for real. only complaint for the price point.

[@chopper4484]

I bought the same guitar for my birthday last year went into the shop to buy a PRS and wow the asymmetric neck just felt better in the hands than any other guitar in the shop. I also loved the chrome hardware and black fade figured finish. Its a keeper for me. PS has great tuning stability.

[@MajorUpgrade]

@@chopper4484 Yep, it's definitely a rad guitar!

[@aeroshack]

Yeah they are taking enough money off you, its not unreasonable to expect a nut to be cut correctly, not something you should have to ask to be done. Not a preference thing, its an essential.

[@michaelmenkesOZSKIB]

My last purchase the sales person insisted I wasn't leaving without the nut cut even when I said I'd do it myself. That's the way it should be.

[@aeroshack]

@@musicauthority7828 I'm specifically talking about the NUT, outside the average adjustment and guitar companies (I didn't say stores) have got away with this garbage for too long. Like buying a new car that didn't drive straight (not literally), there are minimum standards. If the Company screws the dealer about fixing their problems, that should be between them.

[@Stephenmichaelsguitar]

@@musicauthority7828 dude- if that’s how you do business, I never want to buy a guitar off you. A nut not cut right isn’t a setup, it’s part of the guitar build.

[@aeroshack]

@@musicauthority7828 What are you talking about. Stop calling people names (how old are you 12?) and when was I ever talking about you, this was about Gibson.

[@DylanTalksTone]

That Music Athority dude is a outa here. Ain’t nobody gonna call my viewers names …. Y’all have a great night.

[@LanceJean02]

Interesting. I've got in my arsenal a Gibson Les Paul Junior single cut. I'm interested in your P90 dog ear pickup. What's your company's website?

[@DylanTalksTone]

Dylantalkstone.com

[@Samuli501]

Like your balanced approach to issues people face with guitars. Keep it up!

[@bobbya8622]

Two words for you all: Michael Kelly. Some really good guitars at very reasonable prices! I have bought two within the last couple of years, a Strat-like and a Tele-like. They both look really great, play extremely well, and have fantastic designer options. Highly recommended!

[@DylanTalksTone]

This ah was super reasonable as well

[@craigmoon3795]

Love it, I am a big fan of Jrs, etc, I always liked the p90, or equivalent and sg jr is a tone machine.

Btw..I don't want to be a tattle tail..but your daughter in the background is shopping on the Hermès handbags website.. again..lol..

[@liquid7315]

Everyone I know personally that knows about and plays guitar tells me to not buy any gibsons made in the last 15 years. Although I Do want a les paul eventually; I didnt listen to my friends and bought a used SG (2016) and the only issue it had was the bridge pickup cancelling out, but i fixed that. My intonation was good once I put new strings on it... and of course the g string goes out of tune when bending , but that's ok, I can deal with it. I really want a les paul. Because I'm bored I'm going to list the guitars I own: american special strat; sg ;evh circles;ibanez S61AL;prs ce 24( amazing guitar) , and a cheap epiphone les paul special 2 which is actually a nice guitar for the price.

[@teemoleague907]

For the poor people like me, you can by the gibson sg jr student model called maestro. They sell for under 100 when you find them and have the book headstock!

[@1RobHunter1]

You should have looked at an Epiphone SG G400 Pro over this Gibson. It gives you more options and still has great tone. Its Alnico Classic Pro's are not bad or toss a Burstbuster in its bridge.

[@Mountainrock70]

A single p90 guitar is a totally different beast.

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

Set up should be a part of buying. Some places ask you string gauge and action preferences and do a really set up to make the buyer happy. Most cases that is a 100+ dollar deal. Should be a standard deal…. Sweetwater and Wildwood do this….. it can be done!!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Agreed. The Gibson Garage, Sweetwater, RighteousGuitars, and others do it on every one.

[@sethlover6498]

schaller makes a bridge for that junior that literally completes the guitar and will change your life with it....its a wrap around and is adjustable....stew mac

[@billfrost4603]

You have to make a sound comparison between the Gibson p90 and your p90 🎶🎸

[@jimcunningham5376]

Who is that awesome being behind you ? She's wow !

[@darwinsaye]

I don’t understand for the life of me why guitars aren’t all made with zero frets. Saves a lot of trouble having to muck about with nut height and slots. I have one guitar that The nut was so messed up on, I just kept a capo on the first fret and tuned the guitar as if the first fret was the nut, for about a year until I got around to fixing it.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Because they are not adjustable. You can’t adjust them for playing style

[@rkoblues24]

I've never liked SGs. Had one given to me in the early '70s, never could get past how unappealing it was to look at. Maybe should have kept it as its value would have risen considerably.

[@John17thru26]

I was surprised you bought that thing. I would have bought a real sg and just turned off one pick up if i felt the need to dance on one leg. Every time i see these I think that they are just half of a guitar. At least the neck did not come pre-broken. a gibson is the least guitar for the most money. An Eppi with Dylan pickups in it is a far better choice at less than half the money.

[@haydenkayne]

heaven forbid someone actually buy what they want instead of what someone else wants them to have. dont forget your opinion is equally as useless as mine is so chill out with all the hot air.

[@riccardomoretti448]

Great vid and great points Dylan, thank you! :)

[@JC-11111]

Man, people in the chat, were sooooo ready to hate on Gibson. They were just looking for something to complain about...on YOUR guitar. Smh. That's just crazy. I couldn't imagine having that much dislike for a company.

[@albertplaysguitar]

Nut files??? So shouldn't use my exacto knife? 🤔

[@2000SkyView]

Most shops are happy to setup, for a fee. Nobody sets up for free, if they do, I'm sure the setup is already built into the sticker price.

[@MDN1505]

To solve yr intonation issue then look for this solution at Thomann site. ABM 3024na Wraparound Bridge

[@0Imtheslime0]

True. All shops should set up the guitar and change out the strings (With DNA from 50 other people) on it with a new set. Was a guy who bought a guitar locally at a store here. They did not do shit to it. Was a Vintera Fender They did not even wipe it down. Straight off the rack, into the case/bag and out to the customer. Service is pretty shit in chain stores. Mom & Pop stores would do it.. I would set it up for his style of playing and his preferred action. And the nut.. We are all left to fix that nut our selves 90% of the time which sucks because not all are interested to shell out $100 in files or $50 or so for a luthier to do it.

[@guitarsbymetaljay]

I own about 15 but don't have one guitar I left original, every one is modded

[@6nosis]

Some body is an addict…. FIEND!! “My dreams is censored, my hopes are gone; I’m like the fiend that finally SEES when all the gits are gone!!”” -2pac

[@espiritguitar]

Cool, great review.

[@newgunguy4176]

In my opinion, string height at the nut should be properly set at the factory. It should continue the pattern set by the string height at every fret. It's just common sense. I don't believe it should be different for every guitarist.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Except that string gauge choice, tuning, and playing style all matters.

[@newgunguy4176]

@@DylanTalksTone True. I've just never had any problems I couldn't correct by adjusting the bridge or truss rod afterwards. If the nut slots are level with the rest of the frets, you shouldn't have any problems you don't have at any other fret. My mileage.

[@filiricaninseattle7095]

I never thought about until I read your comment. It makes a lot of sense to cut the nut to the same height as what a "zero" fret would be.

[@newgunguy4176]

@@filiricaninseattle7095 Precisely. However, I always cut the slots of the wound strings a bit higher than the rest of the frets because wound strings tend wear down the nut after many string changes even with lube.

[@knockoutguitarist087]

I love your channel you taught me how to install a bigsby on my 52 telecaster but... SGs are THE ABSOLUTE WORST! In all variations it’s so ugly and neck heavy it’s not balanced I just can’t stand them. But you’re great though. Keep up the great work.

[@notanotherguitarchannel]

Don't throw your Gibson in the river! It could be used as a crutch for Tiny Tim.

[@jacobbockover1628]

That's a very similar bridge to my god in summit classic I actually really like the god in and think its a good alternative to gibson though between buying mine last months and now they price has gone up hundreds of dollars. I had a gretch for a while and had to cut them nut deeper to get a decent feel out of it. Ididnt really need to do much to them godin

[@leesagomez6615]

Try a Xaviere .....the Quality..the Features I'm happy saving tons of money also.......this single bridge set up is very limited and coarse at best... I HAVE one I'm selling OFF... I had mine reworked and it's stays in tune and all but I am purging my GIBSON.. keeping only my Les Paul...w P90's... Epiphone has some fine instruments..... they ARE BETTER quality than most GIBSON gits.....

[@Voxguitarsrock]

My wife bought me a Gibson Les Paul tribute from Long and Mcquade. They set it up. Twice. Not trying 2 be a hater, because I love it! But neck angle is off resulting in bridge needing to be really high or she has fret buzz. And she hums thru every amp I play her thru. Loud buzzing. And yes I tried diff cables ect. My other guitars don't buzz thru same rig. So it's " love/hate". I love her but there's things I hate? Weird I know. Good luck with yours! Cheers.

[@cjselim]

I love my Junior. Totally disagree with this dude. I don’t have a lightning bar. Intonation is excellent

[@DylanTalksTone]

I love my Jr too. Intonation is excellent. What are we disagreeing about?

[@57stratkat]

Quality control at Gibson has been shoddy for decades. Quite possibly the most over-rated guitar company on Earth. There are many Korean- made guitars that are better quality for a fraction of the cost. I OWN a Gibson gold-top Les Paul. It’s a good-sounding guitar but there are file marks in several places along the fretboard and the fret ends needed to be dressed. My Schecter is a better guitar from a quality-control standpoint. The only thing that Gibson’s have going for them is their resale value.( based on the myth of their american-made awesomeness)

[@wriglarzzz]

That is absolutely a quality control issue. I've played a sg junior in my local shop and it DID Not do that. I would of fought them about it.

[@DylanTalksTone]

If you watched the whole video you would know that I asked them not to

[@6nosis]

@@DylanTalksTone 🤦🏼peeps so quick to talk smack without getting context; THIS THE WHOLE PROBLEM WITH THE FUKIN WERLD!

[@josephcaswell5729]

I am looking at the Harley Benton SG Jr in Pelham blue, and if I get it I may be grabbing one of your P90s for it.

[@raytorvalds3699]

Bad ass SG !!