Gibson Epiphone & Chibson Greeny Les Paul Comparison

Comparing a $260 Chibson to a $3200 Gibson and $1400 Epiphone is ridiculous. Right?
00:00 Intro
02:43 Cosmetics
08:36 Nut Quality
11:15 Frets & Fretboard
16:53 Initial Setup
19:00 Electronics & Wiring
23:54 Construction Quality
34:49 Final Opinions

[@scottanderson4175]

Bro I haven’t played guitar in over 20 years and after my wife passed last year I picked up a 60’s Epiphone Les Paul standard and I was blown away by how good that guitar was for $650 after playing it for about a year I decided to treat myself to a Gibson so I walked into GC with cash in hand I played 3 Gibson Les Paul standard’s and said there ain’t no way I’m giving up $2,999 for this I walked out with my cash still in hand 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@davidmoss7245]

Great informative video which cannot be faulted,word for word just perfect thanks for posting.I wish all videos were like this.Straight to the point,no waffle and clearly executed.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

For the insane cost of a Gibson, it should be PERFECT. FLAWLESS.

[@billkalina3089]

When you factor the price differential, it doesn't bode well for Gibson.

[@universalglimpse]

Yes. And no. It depends on the series IMHO. With low level instruments (special, studio, standard) playability must be perfect (no issues, no fret sprout, no nothing) while I can accept some MINOR cosmetics. That said, that Gibson should not have left the factory.

[@Riverking1]

​@@universalglimpsewell that is where price comes in right?

[@friendofdavid1423]

It's amazing to me that a Gibson, for what they charge, would have any issue, whatsoever, in any category! The binding issue you pointed out was ludicrous! I have a 2004 Gibson Les Paul that I NEVER play. It's so heavy and out of balance, and it constantly, CONSTANTLY, goes out of tune! AWESOME videos! Keep them coming! SUBBED!

[@IracesGarage]

The best thing you can do for that guitar is have a luthier fix or replace the nut. It's the nut that's responsible for it not staying in tune.

[@Major00Tom]

Man, I have a Gibson Sg as main guitar since 2003. Got me a Chibson LP some months ago and it's an awesome guitar. Has better sustain than the Gibson, the tone is sweeter and clearer (unplugged) too. Now the Chibson is the guitar I play the most... And since it was so inexpensive even after upgrading a bunch of parts, I feel more comfortable when I have to take it out to gig wherever I need.

[@b01speed3]

This guy also doesn’t like American worker and wants China to make all of his stuff.

[@jckelley10]

I look forward to seeing how you mod the Chibson! Good video!

[@TheGuitarMan71]

Your review and comparison was excellent and I hope your reviews get more attention.

[@Lomoholga2]

What a great video. Good antidote to the constant infomercials that pose as reviews. Keep up the detailed guitar vids!

[@IracesGarage]

Much appreciated!

[@universalglimpse]

very clear and informative video! new sub now! 3200$ for that Gibson binding is absolutely unacceptable, that guitar should not have left the factory!

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

they are $8000 now

[@taylor12elementvb]

Kudos on your comparison review. Very concise and articulate. I found your observations related to each guitar to be refreshingly honest. Many thanks. PS definitely well worth subscribing to your channel. Cheers

[@backcountrylifemagazine6912]

I had a $200 Chibson, marked Gibson. A perfect copy, real maple top, flamey and at least 3/8” thick…maybe 1/2”. Played and sounded better than any real Gibson I’ve ever played. 7.5 lbs. Wish I hadn’t sold it!

[@hippiebiker3399]

I also bought a Chibson “Greeny” about 2 years ago. Upgraded the electronics and hardware on it and it plays fantastic, look great and sounds incredible. So much so, that I sold my 2021 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop. It’s now been one of my main gigging guitars the last couple of years.

[@mw5150g]

291 Subs?! 292 now! What a quality channel !

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

It really is because a lot of guitar reviews just have somebody play the guitar and if you like what he sounds like you click on the link. In other words they're not really reviewing the guitar as much as just playing it.

[@oddlifestyle]

With the price itself being affordable and build being as relatively playable as the Gibson and Epi, the Chibson is an awesome starter for anyone! Awesome review video got a subscriber out of me!

[@donaldwalls5809]

Hi that was a great overview of the platform of guitar . Everything was clear on what got and your likes and dislikes on them . Great information, thank you !

[@Superman-pn1rx]

Cool and honest review, kudos for that 👌

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

Nice informative rundown. Thanks😊

[@eduardosci1909]

Very good review! Tks and thumbs up, of course!

[@CornholeNetwork]

This video is genius. Keep it up! I'm hooked.

[@user-uo3rm5kh5l]

Excellent video!

[@christianglaude6659]

I just got my Chibson Greeny I must admit it's a beautiful guitar Wishing I could show you! Its also relict on the neck! Just changing the electronic in it and ageing the hardware

[@dananthony6258]

I loved the Dukes of hazard intro man. 😂lol. That my favorite car of all time. Great video brother.

[@IracesGarage]

Thanks! My other channel is an RC channel, and I've been on a big Dukes kick the last couple years. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZvbgot8i9Z-nbMsi=im6FBb6lBGr-rSdc

[@KennedyIvy]

Pretty impressive how a chibson could even be comparable to a gibson or super expensive epiphone

[@donthewatcher]

Excellent content Irace's Garage , i put greeny buckers in my Lazarus . a nice Lazarus tiger flame top u have there . i also have a Epi greeny and 2024 LP Custom the updated headstock did it for me. but the Epi 59 /335 with custombuckers is looking nice

[@CornholeNetwork]

Hey one question for you- I am obsessed with the 59 neck profile and was wondering how are the necks on these in comparison to each other. I imagine the Gibson should be pretty accurate- do the others match it pretty well in terms of size in shape?

[@IracesGarage]

They all feel about the same, although they measure a bit different. The gibson is actually the thinnest of the 3, but it's still 24.6mm at the 12th fret. The Chibson is 25mm and the epi is a whopping 26.3mm, but oddly doesn't feel any fatter when I play it. I think the Epi has slightly less shoulder which is why it doesn't feel bigger.

[@Hankboomer]

Excellent vidéo ! Thank you very much !

[@cutofthejib]

Very cool. I bought the Vintage V100 Distressed Lemon drop which is a Greeny copy. And I can say all the hardware, the look, the setup is great on it. But I did notice it had some sized pots and I am thinking about switching out the Wilkinson pickups and wiring and pots and using some Gibson pots and wires and getting some Greenybuckers put into it. Though I can say I am blown away by the Vintage and I have a Gibson Les Paul (the Slash November Burst) and the Vintage is not really at the level of the Gibson but I can say “it could get there with some work on my end”

[@IracesGarage]

yeah, the Vintage uses dime sized pots, but I never had a problem with them. My only complaint with the Vintage was that I didn't like the thin neck, and unfortunately, that's about the only thing you can't change. As for the pickups... I absolutely loved them. That's why I put a set into the Lazarus too. I swapped in a set of D'Urbano Supernaturals into the Chibson, and they're great pickups, but honestly, I still like the Wilkinsons more.

[@cutofthejib]

@@IracesGarage yeah I noticed you said that on your video. And we just have different tastes. Doesn’t mean I think the Wilkinsons are bad sounding they are a great night humbucker. I just like a little more of girthy type of blues tone personally

[@SRVaughan1003]

The Lazarus is based not on greeny but one of Joe Bonamassa’s main guitars (also a 59 les paul) the pickups are not the the ‘greeny busters’ which come on both the epiphone greeny and the les paul greeny… the lazarus also doesn’t have the out of phase neck pickup

[@IracesGarage]

I was evaluating the guitars from a construction and quality standpoint, and they both have the same build characteristics like the 1 piece neck, 2 piece body, etc. They're essentially identical except for the pickups and headstock shape, which is exactly what I believe I said in the video.

[@roelheijmans]

Awesome video. I guess you can get lucky or unlucky with any of the 3. Would love to watch you play all 3 to compare sounds

[@bluegrooveracing]

This is a better review than Trogley, GuitarMax or Fulton Street Beats. Thanks for an intelligent and concise video properly outlining the difference. You got a subscribe from me!

[@SquirrelDarling1]

I can attest to the Wilkinson pickups being a good choice. I used them in a recent build and they do sound great.

[@1958HHH]

Great video good info presented well. It's not full of someone trying to be funny or acting like a idiot. The result is your demeanor made it a no brainier to subscribe with all notifications. Also thanx for answering the question about the supplier in comments..Been shopping and seems everyone uses the same pictures from 2 or 3 shoots. It seems like the uncertainty makes it a crap shoot. Anyhoo looking forward to upcoming videos and catching up on the past ones too.

[@jamesmalamute7874]

nice Review of the 3 Lesters. Wondering who the vendor for the chibson is that you went with.

[@IracesGarage]

Polaris 4 Music

[@FlameFlickers]

That was an excellent video. A lot of videos involving Chibsons are made by people who are either very pro or very anti Chibson. This video was just an honest comparison with no vested interest. Also, you have the sense to see that Chibsons are essentially a mod platform. Always makes me laugh when I see a Chibson review video where the guy spends half the video complaining that the pick-ups and pots and tuners aren't as good as on a Gibson!

[@tmac3975]

Good video, i agree for the money the Gibson should be flawless. The base to mod for the Chibson is a no brainer but i agree no logo on the headstock would be fine wirh me. I own an Epiphone Les Paul and a Chibson Les Paul and im happy to say my Epi was out of the box 100%.

[@padawan9127]

Hi, just wondering if it's a little futile including a chibson in your comparison as theyre available from different suppliers and there's probably not as much of a "standard" as the other two? Thanks

[@IracesGarage]

You're right that Chibson quality is all over the map, but the fact that some good ones exist at all is enough to make the case that Epiphones are not necessarily the best value, which was my main point from the beginning.

[@padawan9127]

@@IracesGarage yes, that's true too. Thanks

[@dwightburns6699]

I got a Harley Benton.Les Paul copy and I had a recommended 200 bucks.The best money I've spenton a guitar .Everything works great on it.Highly polished frets, no issues at all...

[@larryburwell8550]

great comparison analysis

[@kurukq]

Lovin your videos on these cheap vs expensive guitars. I have an Ibanez Gio and I'm also an idiot when it comes to setting up guitars so when I got it it seemed to have some issues with fret buzz and my bright idea was just to heighten the strings. I raised the strings and boom, no buzz, but of course it was pretty freakin hard to play (and I play metal so it wasn't pleasant). I think it may have just needed some truss rod adjustment but I was kind of scared cuz I'm not too familiar with doing that. So then I went about and lowered the strings and adjusted the truss rod but it still feels off, and I'm not sure exactly what I need to do now. Hell it could even be the nut but I'm not sure how to know. I'm wondering how to know if its the string height, the truss rod or the nut, or something else? Thanks!

[@IracesGarage]

Try watching my Ibanez setup video. In that I go through a full setup. I give some explanation for what I'm doing and why. That should help you to get the setup right. If it still buzzes after that, it might be time to bring it to a tech.

[@kurukq]

@@IracesGarage I did watch that one but I'll have to take another look, thanks!

[@allstopblue5717]

An Ibanez gio is not compared to the guitars in this video. Gio is entry/beginner level instrument

[@IracesGarage]

What does that make the Chibson?

[@finaljesus]

i have les paul copy guitars i actually have 2 a les paul guitar Called “guitar” that’s the name of it a chibson standard which i love playing too they both play well the standard has some Seymour Duncans don’t know what model but they are awesome the one called guitar has emgs which sound good too Thank you for the video comparison love your channel keep doin these videos

[@stephanguitar9778]

Just bought a PRS SE 245, twin humbuckers, easily a Les Paul substitute. Paid £300 UK special runout deal. Infinitely better fret work than any Eppiphone I tried out. Perfect edges, etc, and plays really well.

[@msaintpc]

Darn good analysis.👍

[@gregputman]

First time I have come across your channel. I was prepared to slam you for pushing a Chibson, but I am glad you altered the name and not trying to fool anybody That's the problem I have with the whole Chibson thing. . Anyways, I thought your rundown of these guitars was straight to the point and informative. I can tell you know your shit. You have a new subscriber. One thing though, are you SURE that the Chibson has a one piece back and that is not just a laminate over half a dozen pieces? If so, that is incredibly impressive.

[@IracesGarage]

it's definitely not a veneer. If you pause the picture of the control cavity, you can see that all of the wood lines continue into the routed area where the control cover sits. It really is the real deal! Now, I have no idea what far-east species of wood the "mahogany" actually is, but nobody knows what's on the Epis either.

[@michaelneufeld2649]

I have a bunch, Jem, Vandenburg, Jackson, strat, tele, Schecter and. Sunbursts chibson. I typically go to the chibsin. Plays awesome, sounds great.

[@1000poundsguitar]

first video I've seen from ya. Nice evaluation. Thanks! looking at a Chibby or Episode Greeny. I'll bet $100 you're from Michigan. I've been in FL since 84 and can hear it... lolol

[@1000poundsguitar]

Hahaha Vermont, Got it...

[@glennbzt]

The Lazarus epi comes with Mallory caps not orange drop..which are still fine capacitors..I had a greeny std when just came out flame was unreal ..just cudnt bond with it that satin finish ..love just the pickups ..wound up selling on reverb ..

[@IracesGarage]

yeah, I caught my mistake about the caps after I filmed the video. I put a text box in to identify that they were Mallory, but you may have missed it.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Cool honest review. Wonderful. Thank you for being honest and keeping it real. It would have been to do a sound test based on everything stock plugged into a clean amp and a dirty amp. The Gibson price have gone through the roof! I have an SG '61 Re-issue and an SG Special with P90s. Both great guitars. I would like to get a Gibson LP Goldtop with P90s but it's like $3,000. I am looking a guitar with P90s in it. I also have a Les Paul Studio and I had a Epiphone Les Paul Studio and there a huge difference in the sound. The Gibson LP sounded brighter. I would up selling the Epiphone Les Paul Studio.

[@IracesGarage]

If you want a hreat Gibson-style guitar with P90s, check out Hamer. Their used USA and imported p90 stuff was great!

[@memphismick7010]

I bought the Epiphone Greenie this year because I wanted a decent Lemon Burst and I didn't like the Epi 59's bright red backs, though they were on sale for 600. The back of mine is brown and you can see the grain, but not feel it. Mine has the Gibson headstock. It's a great Les Paul. I changed the knobs to match the bottom ones, put in treble bleeds, and though they sounded good, changed the pickups to Guitar Madness 59ers. As I said, i just wanted a good lemon Drop LP. It's a rather heavy LP, though.

[@Pastor_Grant]

Where did you or can I buy this Chibson?

[@IracesGarage]

The company is Polaris 4 Music. They have a discord page and a facebook page that has their info.

[@Pastor_Grant]

@@IracesGarage thanks

[@glenfarina3027]

I have have an '69 LP Deluxe that I bought as a kid in the late 70s.It needed a new bridge cos the original was bent forward from the strings pressing on the back of it. Had a hump in the fingerboard and the nut had to be replaced. Plays great now. Also a 2007 SG with the same issue with the strings pressing on the back of the bridge so I top wrap it now. Pick ups were crap muddy sounding rubbish. Had to do a lot of work and replace parts to get it up to scratch. Also a 2011 LP Junior with sharp fret ends and the edge of the scratch plate was so sharp you'd slice your fingers on it. Also the net slots weren't cut properly so it would never play in tune. What's up with Gibson's quality control? How do they justify so much money when their guitars aren't nearly gig ready out of the store?

[@manuelprietourbano4441]

Nice review!! Impressed by the quality of the 3… cab u give me the Gibson with h seller?

[@IracesGarage]

are you asking who I bought it from? If so, I boutht it from Ken Stanton Music & Arts through reverb.

[@manuelprietourbano4441]

@@IracesGarage Thanks, that was the question but on the Chibson, I have already several Gibsons including a slash OBE and r7, r8 & r9 but never palettes a ghibson

[@IracesGarage]

The Chibson is from Polaris 4 Music.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

The new IBG '59 reissue Epiphone Les Paul is the shizzz. It has "custom buckers", which are the best sounding PAF clones I've played from Gibson, not that I'm an expert, but I've played at least a half dozen Gibson humbucker types. The back and neck doesn't have that "cheap" looking coloring, it's still satin but darker, so it looks better, and I like the way it feels on the neck. Best of all it weighs 7lbs. 12oz., the lightest weight solid wood Les Paul I've ever played, and very resonant. The Indian Laurel fretboard is darker, so it could pass for Indian rosewood at first glance (more pores visible up close). It has a light weight Gibson vintage bridge, so it doesn't lock-in when changing strings, but helps make it resonant. The neck is a '59 rounded C, but less chunky than the previous '59 reissue that comes with "burst buckers". I have one of those too, but it weighs 9lbs, and the back looks cheesy, but the chunky neck with big shoulders feels great, although makes it harder to get around quickly, but gives you better purchase to do bends. I'll probably flip the pickup in my earlier '59 reissue, to see how I like it, for something different. Thanks for an interesting video!

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

Did you measure the pickups for resistance and inductance?

[@IracesGarage]

Yes, but I didn't want to go too deep into that because the Chibson has very low end ceramics, and the Epi no longer has the stock burstbuckers, so I didn't think any sort of comparison had any merit.

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

@@IracesGarage Great review as always. I was just trying to test my hypothesis that bad pickups are underwound with strong magnets. I think that's been my experience. I really like my GFS 6K neck humbucker with only two Henry's of inductance. In other words, it has "specs" of a single coil but it's a humbucker.

[@IracesGarage]

A lot of bad pickups are underwound with strong magnets because that's cheaper than more copper with alnico magnets, but a lot of cheap humbuckers seem to be overwound muddy trash too. It's a shame because it isn't really that hard to make ceramic humbuckers sound good. Wind a neck humbucker to about 9k and use a ceramic magnet and it'll sound great. Wind it a little hotter in the bridge and you'll basically have a Dimarzio super distortion.

[@_travisimo]

I come to this channel looking because I was looking at the Greeny's and all of a sudden I'm like that dude looks familiar and I see the channel name and like oh man I know that dude! You used to camp up fishpond in north adams back in the day right?

[@IracesGarage]

I did when I was a kid, yeah!

[@_travisimo]

@@IracesGarage I thought so! I did too, Pinsonnault family. We’re actually still camping up there to this day! Love the video I gotta a couple of upgraded chibsons myself, very similar quality to the old epiphones

[@petermichaelnielsen6337]

Where did you buy the chipson ?

[@IracesGarage]

Polaris 4 Music

[@Dad-Gad]

For 3k I'm expecting a guitar with NO issues , I've got a Kramer Baretta Special that came from the factory set up beautifully and it was £200

[@dananthony6258]

I wish someone would do a led test on the chipson frets.

[@cd0u50c9]

Awesome video. This goes to show that someone out there can hammer out cheap copies that are much more valuable and value for money than something that is quite unacceptable for $3000plus.. Swap out the hardware and electronics in that Chibson, set it up even further and you have an amazing guitar for $450.

[@Jeremya74]

Why would you pay that much for a gibson and not return it????

[@IracesGarage]

Because the next one would probably weigh 11lbs and have an even bigger issue. I don't really care about the shitty binding, and I love how the guitar sounds.

[@JoeBaermann]

I would install some good ceramic humbuckers in that Chibson. Saw that some of them come with propper pots, some even with good pickups.

[@IracesGarage]

I put in a set of D'urbano Supernatural humbuckers along with all new wiring, switch and output jack.

[@stevenpape2021]

No movement in the Chibson grain? It's probably a photograph of flame maple stuck on top and varnished over.

[@IracesGarage]

It's not a photo flame, but I'm not convinced that it's a legit flame either. It seems like a painted flame.

[@Pete_Harris]

Even the modern Yamaha SG's blow Les Pauls out of the water both in tone and quality imo.

[@mystiquesquared]

Man. Nice run down. You know your stuff.

[@WFKTHETHIRD]

Its annoying & disappointing that companies like Gibson/Epiphone charge such high prices but still don't deliver the quality expected for the money...

[@danielktdoranie]

That Chibson is damn impressive!

[@paulj0557tonehead]

There is no excuse. That Gibson should be flawless. If it was made in South Korea it would be perfect.

[@stonecoldstone4500]

on Ali Expres alnico 2 or alnico 5 magnets are exelent and cheep--so are good pots---to get the Peter Green out of face sound- it does not help to turn the pickups---you have to open the neck pickup cover and turn the magnet 180 degrees sideways and put it inn again---------to turn the pickup is just for the look of it---for the Peter green sound you ned Alnico 2 magnets------ the chibson pickups will sound good whith new Alnico magnets--have done that to many of them

[@dannyturner7967]

We need a chibson mod update

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I know you said you like GOTOH parts and so do I but for a Les Paul FABER is the way to go!

[@IracesGarage]

Faber is great stuff, but so is Gotoh, and it's significantly less expensive

[@MikaelLV]

It's honestly unacceptable that a Gibson standard model is not set up and playable out of the box.

[@IracesGarage]

If was completely playable, just not to my preference. I hope I didn't give the impression otherwise. Gibson spec is 3/64 treble and 5/64 bass, and that's just how it came. Good intonation, good fretwork. The nut wasn't great, but it wasn't bad enough to make it play poorly.

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

What a straight up to the point comparison. i have not c9me accross any other vedio i am a strat pwrsin but i do what a LP style look at a Kelley i think the brand but the Eastwood LP look nice 1800 bucks the kelly 750$..RocknRollflat5

[@zoocru67]

I have many guitars my main being a Gibson custom shop Murphy lab dirty lemon burst that's twice the price of your Gibson here. I also have a Gibson Supreme and a standard all great guitars but I have a custom made chibson with custom wound humbuckers in vintage cherry burst nitro finish it stands head to head with my custom shop and is better than my Gibson standard. All for $600 dollars. I also have several chibson's that I have put about $200 into that are every bit as good as my Gibson standard. Great mod platforms. I put Guyker locking tuners a brass roller nut and a Wilkinson roller bridge. I will also add Wilkinson wvc pups and 500k CTS pots with orange drop caps soon and they will be kickass beautiful guitars at a fraction of the price

[@mohannair]

I learned a new word - chatoyance!

[@IracesGarage]

It's a big word. It took me a few tries!

[@billkalina3089]

I wonder if Gibson watches these comparisons. They have to be a little concerned. Also, imagine if Chibson offered upgraded hardware for another hundred and change. Killer.

[@IracesGarage]

I really don't see the Chibson as legitimate competition for Gibson. I can't think that anybody with the means or the desire for a real Gibson would buy one of these instead. In addition to? Sure. I do feel that the Chibsons could really steal potential Epi buyers though.

[@Trashslayer76]

Most likely a really thin veneer or even photo flame over a real maple top.

[@IracesGarage]

certainly. The Chibson and the Epiphone are both a veneer over a maple top.

[@reederjulian2112]

Keep em all. Give me a Strat.

[@gregbeaudry]

I got a Chibson coming tomorrow! Can’t wait to start upgrading… heard a theory that Gibson is allowing all these knockoffs to come in because players will upgrade with Gibson components

[@IracesGarage]

Not sure where you heard that, but as far as I'm aware, Gibson is actively trying to stop all copies and even anything that looks remotely similar.

[@zoltar7274]

I returned my last Gibson purchase that had same issues with binding on neck and the fact that the width of the fretboard plus the binding was narrower than the underlying neck. Made for sharp edges. This was on a Beato signature guitar. Gibson craftsmanship and quality control is crazy poor. The fact that Epiphones are made better is deeply disconcerting.

[@wisdomoverfear2685]

I bought a Kramer Beretta special for $189 delivered to my door. No fret sprout and perfectly level and polished frets. So...less than $200 ...and a great job on the frets. Totally unacceptable for any guitar over $500 to have frets that need work right out of the box ! For Gibson to have fret issues on their overpriced guitars really diminishes their reputation as a high end instrument ! Shameful really ! I've owned literally hundreds of guitars in my life...Gibson,Fender,Jackson and ESP where always my favorites early on...in the last 15 years though I just couldn't justify paying a premium price for an inferior guitar becuase of a "name" or "decal" ! There's way to many inexpensive guitar makers that are fighting hard for their share in the market and putting out decent quality guitars for well under $300 to pay $3,000 for an American made Gibson that comes with fret issues and problems with the intonation and/or tuning stability straight out of the factory !

[@TheRealxVincent]

One thing with Gibson, and even Epiphone at this point: They're built to compete with guitars that are half the price or less, and use the name to represent quality. I'd take my Fender Player strat I scored for $250 over any Gibson or Epiphone model.

[@monkofwar]

I picked up a ‘67 Gibson ES 330TDC recently. This guitar had one owner, who I know personally, and he took really good care of it. It was his favorite back in the day. It plays perfectly, the quality and craftsmanship is unbelievable. But when I try out some of the new Gibson of any model really, they’re just not the same quality. It’s seems Gibson has lost some of passion and desire to create the world’s best electric guitars, but they still charge obscene amounts of money for uninspired shit. I hear nothing but bad things about modern day Gibsons. Sad.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

you can daintily polish them up i have a video on that here

[@IracesGarage]

yeah, I gave the Chibson a quick polish already, but if I do it on the Gibson, I want to wetsand it first to get rid of the orange peel, otherwise you just get shiny bumps.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

Its amazing $3,200 for the gibson Sharp frets ??? that binding ? where was Quality Control ??? i just bought a Larry Carlton Tele for $547.00 The guitar is perfect not one issue.. amazing fret work i was really amazed at that , but anyway i'm sorry for $3,200 the guitar should be in near if not perfect quality !!!

[@IracesGarage]

well, the frets aren't sharp, the binding is, but I get what you're saying. I have plenty of import guitars that were 1/10 the cost of that Gibson that don't have those quality control issues. It's a funny thing... I've played with cheap guitars for years, and only in the last few years did I start buying more "premium" stuff, and in some ways the Gibson really does have a premium look and feel, but in other ways it just makes me shake my head. My US-made Hamers blow these Gibsons out of the water in every conceivable way, and to be honest, so do most of my imports, at least from a build quality perspective.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

@@IracesGarage WOW you have a USA Hamer ?? Nice....

[@IracesGarage]

I have a few. Hamers are my favorite guitars.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

@@IracesGarage I have a friend with an Original USA Hamer in pretty mint condition , i told him to sell it, he doesn't play it...

[@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg]

Epiphone and Gibson are the real deals

[@AbstractZombie-ed8fj]

Those Gibson pickups are designed to be used with an aluminum tail piece and a bridge with brass saddles just like the original paf was.. That is a massive component to the original burst sound it's also the most overlooked variable.. Also the Chinese pu's often use cheap ceramic mags, if you swap them for alnico they'll get extremely close to the Gibson, I mean scary close to the point you'll likely never spend $100-$300 on pickups ever again... Put an Aluminum tp and brass saddles on the chibson also swap the magnets to quality rough cast Alnico 4 (most common paf magnet) and you'll instantly go sell that Gibson... Seriously just take my advice, and please do an a/b vid on the Gibson and chibson before you get rid of your Gibson..

[@IracesGarage]

I've already replaced the hardware and pickups on the Chibson. It sounds great, but the Gibson isn't going anywhere. The Greenybuckers are very different than other pickups, even other PAFs.

[@imeqsmd]

…. I can’t stop fkn laughing 😅😅

[@IracesGarage]

At what?

[@paulcatarino2209]

Based on the look of them, the Epiphone is the one that gives off the most Greeny vibes.

[@IracesGarage]

I think it really depends on each individual top. The real Greeny had a pretty tight flame, which none of these have.

[@LuvHrtZ]

I can't believe that you are criticizing the flame maple top on a $200 guitar. 😂

[@LysanderLH]

Nobody in the audience knows or even cares about your gear, as long as everything you do sounds right. So disregard everything except for how the thing plays.

[@evilstalkerhorne]

I have 5 China LPs and NONE came playable out of the box fret wise! Dead spots buzzing set up like crap. That being said.... once I did a fret level, changed the tuners, bridge, pickups, input jack, switch and some needed pots as well - they played great! I have vibrato equipped ones so I spent more on the parts than the actual guitar. I would charge someone about $700-$1000 labor if I did this so it is about $2000 in and I get a better guitar with 24 frets and no heel than what Gibson charges $5000 or more for. You do the math.

[@IracesGarage]

Try a Polaris 4 Music chibson next time. I was very surprised by the fretwork and overall setup on this guitar.

[@barbaraanneneale3674]

It's not a ridiculous comparison. It needs to. Be done. I am sold guitars for 20 years. I got fed up. With the big brands. Especially during the late 70s. I'm not a big fan of buying anything from China. However, if they are producing what people want, that's on us, not them.

[@patrickshannon4516]

I just think that all Gibson guitar's are overpriced especially when you can go buy about a five hundred dollar schecter and it's as good as a Gibson possibly better..

[@Allen-tm9xn]

Pretty soon Gibson they're going to have to come down off that mountain and make guitars that a regular guy can afford !!

[@IracesGarage]

Yeah, their stuff is getting pricy. I think this is why they're trying to "class up" the Epi line and give it the Gibson headstock, but until the quality catches up, to me the Epi still sits out there in No Man's Land. Too expensive to be a budget guitar, and not nice enough to be a serious guitar.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

A $1200.00 Epiphone Chibson.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

yes you shouldn't feel the woodgrain... that's not right

[@IracesGarage]

That's how the finish is. there's grain filler in the mahogany, but the lacquer still sinks into it. It is what it is.

[@polaritypictures]

I could easily tell the one on the let was a chibson, before he even said what it was.

[@IracesGarage]

All 3 have visible differences. I was surprised how different the Epi body shape and control location differed from the Gibson.

[@WallofSounds5317]

Guitars are worth as much as a person is willing to pay for them

[@AndrewAHayes]

I am not a fan of relic guitars especially with a poly finish, to me it is just as fake as a Chibson. Chibsons once upgraded can be very good guitars, I don't have one myself as I would not want one with the Gibson decal on the headstock, I have seen ones where the buyer requested no decal but it came with one, finding a good seller of good quality Chibsons is very hit and miss, I still try to find sellers with a good reputation but by the time I get the details they seem to have gone out of business.

[@soeasy9863]

Got a Gibson Les Paul Sunburst for 40 years. Get a Chibson for curiosity. If you know how 2 play, you don't give a damm. With today's racks simulators, you don't notice.

[@DerekDwayne]

Where can I buy the chibson? 😂

[@IracesGarage]

It's from Polaris 4 Music. They're on FB and Discord.