Gibson Guitars Quality Control Part 2 : Striking Gold With Gibson USA

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How many returns will it take to get a good one? Only time will tell! Come along on our journey trying to buy a Gibson Les Paul Standard without too many issues in 2024. So far we have bought and returned one guitar, received the replacement, and then had to return that guitar as well. Hopefully third time will be the charm, but who knows?! Join us in looking at some actual Gibson Les paul details and quality control issues in modern 2024 Gibson USA guitars.

[@bellend69]

"They are capable of making fantastic guitars". For the money they are charging for their guitars they should be "fantastic" every time they leave the factory.

[@polymorphism1966]

Agreed I purchased one in 2021 a Les Paul tribute and it’s flawless the P90’s are amazing. Same quality as the one I got as a kid in 1978, price point $350.00 in 1978

[@emapaposo]

@@polymorphism1966 inflation is killing us dude! - 350 for a '78? where do I need to sign? lol

[@EazyDoor]

Looks like Gibson saw your first video and made sure you don't get another lemon😅

[@PseudoNym13]

Shouldn’t that be like, the standard? Not shipping out lemons esp with how much they’re charging?

[@iancurrie8844]

@@PseudoNym13 I have a 2022 Les Paul Tribute. Except it's a Studio. The serial number and checklist say Tribute. It was sold in the store as a tribute but it's 100% a Studio (with the thicker maple neck of the tribute and the vintage cherry burst paint). I contacted gibson about it. They investigated and found that it started life in their factory as a Tribute and finished as a Studio. The QC just checked every box on the checklist without even seeing that it's the wrong model. Baby photo from the factory clearly shows it was finished as the wrong model. Studio truss rod cover, high gloss nitro, studio pickups, coil tapping, speed knobs, chrome not aluminum hardware, etc etc. Finished as a studio. Gibson has NO QC. If they put out a good guitar, it's just luck.

[@TheAndrewmcnelis]

But still.......The whole drama you had to go through to get this one. I would still be fuming....

[@Relayer6a]

Thanks, Karen.

[@mateoh.3735]

Sorry but for the price they're asking there shouldn't be any issues with these guitars. Supposedly when Caesar or whatever his name is took over these problems would be solved. Seems like he's more interested in picking up artists to get signature models than QC. Glad you finally got the guitar you wanted but man what a pain in the ass.

[@iancurrie8844]

I have a 2022 Les Paul Tribute. Except it's a Studio. The serial number and checklist say Tribute. It was sold in the store as a tribute but it's 100% a Studio (with the thicker maple neck of the tribute and the vintage cherry burst paint). I contacted gibson about it. They investigated and found that it started life in their factory as a Tribute and finished as a Studio. The QC just checked every box on the checklist without even seeing that it's the wrong model. Baby photo from the factory clearly shows it was finished as the wrong model. Studio truss rod cover, high gloss nitro, studio pickups, coil tapping, speed knobs, chrome not aluminum hardware, etc etc. Finished as a studio. Gibson has NO QC. If they put out a good guitar, it's just luck.

[@petkopeet]

You shouldn’t care if it hurts Gibson. It’s a joke and disgrace that you had to go through 3 guitars to get the well made one, especially for that kind of money. Gibson is a joke these days.

[@TheBoomtown4]

Are they a joke? Like comedy? Like satire? Slapstick humour? Tongue in cheek? I don’t get the joke, they must be clever comedians and it went over my head? ✈️.

[@EbonyPope]

I bought an LP copy from Harley Benton just so I had one to throw around. Cost me 80 bucks used on eBay. Best playing guitar I have and the finish is flawless. Do you know why they just can't get rid of finish contaminatio??? Doesn't Gibson have filter systems? I mean I know Gibson was never as good at QC as Fender. But you shouldn't have to look for so long to find even a decent a guitar.

[@mjklein]

I watched the first video, but because there was no link to the second one, I didn’t realize there was a follow up until I viewed your channel. I suggest you go back and edit the first video and change the end card to link to this one.

[@JD-xh3ex]

delighted that it worked out for you in the end.

[@linnykenneyleather]

Thanks! It's been a bumpy ride but glad to have a happy ending

[@danafoxx6587]

@@linnykenneyleather that's what she said

[@skylarcarlson7745]

Probably got the custom shop involved to make sure you got a good one lol.. I got a tribute that is fantastic, guess I got lucky

[@chippsterstephens6800]

Wait didn’t you start with a 50s? That’s a 60s standard. At least the knobs are. Anyway, I have to ask, do you understand fret fall off ? Behind the 12th fret. Using a fret rocker at that point can be very misleading. You want fall off. My les pual is absolutely thrashed, not abused , but definitely played, dings, chips, dents, buckle rash to the wood. A few of the nit picks cracked me up. A few were definitely issues.

[@danielc196]

Noticed that too, wrong knobs!

[@michaelblaney4461]

Well you were the Squeekey Wheel and you got the Grease. The 2 previous guitars are still going to be sold to someone else and they may not have the ability to send back and get satiafaction from a company that has such spotty QC .

[@divineprovidence4329]

They saw your video. ;)

[@AD4M1873]

I wish they did a dark back version. I know they have the slash gold top with dark back but they should make a standard 50s gold top with a dark back

[@TweedTones]

Glad it turned out okay, Gibson custom still has these issues. Specially the Murphy lab is STILL flaking off like nothing post 2022 when they “fixed” it

[@ScottJamesHicks]

I had really good luck with a 60s standard with “unburst” finish. I played quite a few and the only consistent problem I found was some cracking around the sides of guitar nuts. Perhaps there are just good and bad days at the factory. I was pretty impressed with most of the USA Gibsons. And I’m a little too critical of new guitars.

[@zaxmaxlax]

You made me scared to buy a new gibson. I already have a 10yo tribute SG and plenty other guitars, I should be fine for a while.

[@Sams911]

Love Gibson and their history, but I've since moved on to PRS .. Core and Private Stock guitars, they're always consistently flawless.

[@joescott701]

Maybe Gibsons quality went down during covid and now came back. THE Name of the QC inspector on tour 3rd guitar could help some people out

[@voodoochile7702]

This two videos about the Les Pauls made me think about the amount of things you need to be aware of in order to not be taken by a fool and now i feel a little bit wiser than before. Thank you very much bro, this is a good channel and you speak well and clear. With all the respect let me tell you dont miss the track on that mole you have up there in the forehead. Take care of the sun. Peace.

[@flapjack413]

The AUTHENTIC Gibson Experience: For $3K, you can get an absolute POS riddled with QC issues, and have to go through a months long return process TWICE before you get what you set out to buy. Or, for $50K, you can fly to Nashville and have dinner with some stuffy buttholes and Kirk Hammett! I noticed that this one has the reflector knobs. Did you end up switching from a Standard 50's to 60's, did they put the wrong knobs on it, or did you change the knobs after you got it? Seriously though, very happy to hear that you finally got what you paid for!

[@alexnajarianmusic]

What's up with the intro guilt trip? Suspicious and awkward.... I suspect that Gibson went overboard, making sure this one was perfect because of your participation on KZbin. I doubt the average buyer would have the same experience. Secondly, you should not feel guilty at all for your previous review of that pile of shit that you paid $3000 for. Imagine how many people experience something like that and don't get a replacement or don't even realize they bought junk.

[@slimfire5475]

That's a beauty you ended up with but not the way it should have been.Some people just don't take pride in what they do. I saw the first video so I'm glad that you sent it back ,that was the right thing to do and maybe just maybe some one learned someing in QC! Thanks for the up date, Slim.

[@davidjrobe8454]

You should have bought an FGN or a Tokai and it would have been perfect from the beginning.

[@johnpick8336]

Gibson must have paid you ? Lol Congratulations on insisting on getting your money's worth. Beautiful guitar.

[@monkofwar]

Seems to me to be a very common occurrence with these overpriced Gibson guitars. You pay absolute top dollar for a less than top dollar product. It’s a shame really

[@christopherclarke3022]

So pleased you had a great out come. But when it all comes down to it you should not have had to have experienced the inconvenience of returning 2 previous models. Yes, when Gibson do it properly, they do it well and they are a joy to see and behold.

[@EbonyPope]

Yes exactly! That is what Glen Fricker said. If you want to prove tone wood you have to put in some leg work. Rhett Shull showed that is probably more the neck that influences the high end. That isn't too say tone wood is the most important. It isn't. The biggest factors are strings, pick and type of pickup and amp.

[@flukyreview9128]

Jeeze. Play it already and enough of the babbling. Arrgggg millennials.

[@busabrye]

Bought a cherry burst standard new in 1977, after seeing Zeppelin play the Silverdome, Norlin Kalamazoo guitar, it is perfect and I will never part with it

[@JammerhakenTV]

Very glad that they hooked you up in the end with a good one...having watched the first one it really put me off

[@jnicholson]

Agree 100% any observations should be backed up by data (EQ curves especially in case of comparing guitar tone). Looking forward for such videos. It would be nice if any tonewood enthusiasts could back up their claims in similar fashion...

[@mwpv11]

Paying the price that you pay for a Gibson these issues are unacceptable.

[@3skirk]

I’m glad it worked out for you in the end! I hope more people see this video because, while their quality control needs some improvement, they really do turn out some truly spectacular guitars. I personally have a 2021 standard 50s p90 goldtop that i absolutely adore. Plays like a dream.

[@nimitz1739]

Funny last week I was on the market for a new Gibson 50s standard goldtop. After washing this other video, I was kind of worried but when I got the guitar Tuesday, it’s perfect. None of the problems that this guy ran into. It just baffles me that this guy sent back a guitar for problems and they turn around and send him a worse guitar.

[@linnykenneyleather]

I honestly think it's just the flip of a coin what you get, some will be amazing and some won't. Awesome that you got a good one!

[@bellend69]

It probably took Gibson about a week to find one that good!

[@SearchingForTone]

She is a beaut. I miss My LP, predominantly have Strats. When I had the LPs I missed Strats. Now Im trying to have both😎🤙

[@Tuslpd1987]

Just got a 2009 traditional. Best Gibson I’ve ever had!

[@CREATINELUSTER]

That third one is gorgeous. Very nice!

[@MarkBarna1]

This still does not change minds on Gibson. Too many QC issues. They probably got tired of you sending them back and went searching for a flawless guitar to stop your videos. It should not come to that. For a brand with a built-in audience of tens of millions who will only buy Gibson, they need to put more effort into their overall production.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

American workers.

[@ShredZ79]

When you charge such a premium for your "Made in USA" guitars, all of your guitars should be this good instead of having to return a couple and make a youtube video to expose them. The reason they still manage to sell any guitars is because they can actually get it right once in a while.

[@SolarVergmoid]

I just scored a 2024 LP Modern and it’s FLAWLESS, plays like freedom, and CRANKS. It’s something to behold.

[@richardminer1863]

So the 9th one is the charm? You looked at a bunch at guitar center, then the one you bought, returned, replacement sent back? So one out of 9? Was right? Shame on Gibson!

[@patrickhale424]

If you want to get more views on this video you should do a complete comparison of this new flawless guitar to the one you sent back. It's so easy to show all the areas that were flawed before and now they're not on the new one. Please do that. New subscriber.👍🏻👍🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🎸🎸

[@Syncroschannel]

Great idea 👍

[@mborski8721]

Great video! I've owned 4 PS's and never found one I've really bonded with. To be fair, I've never found my "forever guitar" of any brand....yet.

[@iam_niam]

3k bucks, 3rd try. Equalised.

[@playlistforkids]

But will it rally?

[@davidjrobe8454]

Isn’t that wavy sound called “Out of Tune” ??? It’s not from wavy wood.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

No

[@cvfunnsixspeed9213]

My 21 LP Standard I purchased new at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. Staff helped me for what I was looking for and I found a dandy 60's series; no flaws and sounds amazing. I am hoping that now JC is no longer the CEO and Ceasar taken his place, the QC has not slipped. Seems like we are seeing more wood shavings in the pick up cavities like the Henry J. era at the end of his ownership group and the issues you had. Glad you posted this follow up video to fair!

[@opinionhaver574]

Glad to see you got a guitar you are happy with - I was kind of bummed out for you when I watched the last video about the defective gold top. Anyway, now you have a beautiful guitar that plays and sounds as good as it looks. I picked up a gold top with P90s a couple of years ago and it is awesome - can't say enough good things about it. Enjoy it.

[@linnykenneyleather]

Thanks so much! All is well that ends well. I'm a little jealous of your P90s it's been awhile but I need some P90s in my life again

[@steviewheeler8621]

A Very enjoyable video set. Great story with a happy ending. Nice and positive . Don`t neglect a bell brass tailpiece ! Seriously though : " If it ain`t broke don`t fix it" .Well done .

[@linnykenneyleather]

Thanks for the kind words! I'd love to try different tailpieces just out of curiosity.

[@Minioinkkie]

Are you sure the “tremolo” effect you are hearing is not just the pickups are too high and they are pulling the strings?

[@linnykenneyleather]

No clue, Thanks for the tip. I'll lower them and see what happens, it's straight from the factory and they don't seem too close but it's definitely worth experimenting with

[@Minioinkkie]

@@linnykenneyleather For sure! I had this problem on my American Standard Strat. The lower strings had this warbling sound that almost drove me mad until I read online about lowering the pickup height. And boom the problem was gone.

[@dustinjaros]

@@Minioinkkie Another video revision incoming. :D

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

I have a 2020 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50’s. It’s perfect. Stays in tune. Sounds fantastic. Probably the best Gibson Les Paul I own and I have several Custom Shop models. It’s also the heaviest at 10.4 lbs. AND I got it USED at Guitar Center in Austin, TX for right at $2,000 out the door. After seeing it on the wall and how expensive it wasn’t, I tried it out. And then I had to have it. I’m amazed someone let this guitar go.

[@MuscleCarLover]

You sure they didn't give you an R7 by mistake? Because it sounds like the runaround was worth it just to get this one sent to you

[@RapidD]

I bought a Standard a couple of months ago. I had to return it because the binding on the neck was chipped and was very roughly sanded, the frets were also very badly levelled. I was so devastated. I'm glad you finally found your dream Les Paul.

[@danielrasmussen7768]

Last April I bought my dream guitar a Gibson Les Paul standard 50s but it wasn’t until July when I Received a fourth guitar that I got one that was perfect. And it definitely took some of the joy and excitement out of the experience because I was expecting to find something wrong with it. I’m very happy to have my dream guitar but it is sad that the experience of buying one’s dream guitar was ruined a bit by bad QC

[@linnykenneyleather]

Awesome you finally got a good one! It only took me 3, I might have run out of patience by the fourth one haha

[@danielrasmussen7768]

@@linnykenneyleather when I was waiting on the fourth one I knew that there wasn’t going to be a fifth so I had already an alternative in mind

[@guitarrise4523]

I have a slash gold top that I got 2 years ago. Mine was perfect no issues at all and it has been just amazing love it.

[@dandyroll7610]

The thing is that "tradition" tells us "oh, I tried 20 Les Pauls and they were all horrible, then suddenly a wonderful one came along. I bought it and it will last me a lifetime." Many guitarists seem to have become "holy grail seekers." The focus should not be on the gem we found, but on the other 20, which are garbage. I have a Les Paul and an SG, both from the early 2000s, and a Telecaster and a Stratocaster, both from the American Original series. Both Fenders are wonderful, and the Gibsons have been fine for the past 20 years, but now the Gibsons are going away...and a PRS is coming. And I won't look back.

[@DavidCarterVideos]

Maybe I got a bit lucky but I've recently purchased my first ever Gibson - a 2024 Les Paul Standard and it's pretty much flawless like the one you have now. It's not at the level of build quality that my PRS Custom 24-08 is but, then again, neither are my Fenders. Sounds fantastic and is definitely a keeper. I thought they'd sorted the QC issues out with the new ownership.

[@stephen3366]

I have a 2018 gold top with p90s . I ordered it into my local shop and to be honest never really looked at it that much . I play it take care of if put it in its case when not being used all that stuff …. Saw your other video and rushed down and inspected mine … now that I’ve taken a deeper look Iv seen some things but nothing like your experience thank god . I doubt it would upset me now anyways if it had been worse at this point given that fact that Iv absolutely fallen in love with the guitar and inspiration it gave me to continue to work on my craft . However I’m not looking forward to my next purchase 🕵🏻

[@mariannewijnensanderdekr-me5cm]

Pleased to see you have got your dream guitar. Enjoy it. But gibson should know and better. I have seen a lot factory tour for rthe gibson factory. And there are a lot of skilled people there that worked there for years. I blame it to the management of gibson. Only money counts. No gibson for me.

[@iancurrie8844]

I have a 2022 Les Paul Tribute. Except it's a Studio. The serial number and checklist say Tribute. It was sold in the store as a tribute but it's 100% a Studio (with the thicker maple neck of the tribute and the vintage cherry burst paint). I contacted gibson about it. They investigated and found that it started life in their factory as a Tribute and finished as a Studio. The QC just checked every box on the checklist without even seeing that it's the wrong model. Baby photo from the factory clearly shows it was finished as the wrong model. Studio truss rod cover, high gloss nitro, studio pickups, coil tapping, speed knobs, chrome not aluminum hardware, etc etc. Finished as a studio. Gibson has NO QC. If they put out a good guitar, it's just luck.

[@mikeenos4040]

Gibson has improved the QC of their guitars over the past few years. Yes, one will slip by every now and then, and that has a flaw ..but me to i will look it over with my hawk eyes .. I just bought one at a guitar shop and it is flawless i cant find anything from fit to finish wrong. But you do need to look them over They are expensive for a regular working man, and my wife is still mad at me (we could have bought a new living room suite) So that's the next thing on my list..😊 I used to hear all kinds of horror stories about their QC and held off buying one for years.. But i am happy for you ,she is a beautiful guitar and Gibson took care of you ... now that's a big plus,company that stands behind you and makes it right .. Hats off to Gibson

[@gimiked8685]

I also noticed my bourbon burst 50s standard has a wave to it. It made me look at my effect loop to see what was going on. I have other gibsons, and a les paul custom. But they dont seem to do it to the same extent. I like it. But i could see people not wanting it.

[@Syncroschannel]

Did you make a link to this video from the other one ? Glad its ended with a guitar you love 👍

[@IPLAYLOUD]

It's perfect...and you're wearing a Ring, a Watch, and a Bracelet with a metal snap. Won't be perfect for long. That Ring will ding-up the Binding.

[@scottanderson2879]

Can you play it?

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

Great video,thanks for the share

[@leestratford8140]

Glad you got a good one, mines as it should be too.perfect.

[@goldenboy8167]

Seriously, it’s what they should have done the first one you sent back.

[@octyvescapes]

good to see you finally got a perfect one! Have fun with it

[@homer7504]

How are the frets? I’ve ordered a couple recently directly from Gibson and both had issues with the frets not being leveled. I’d use a fret rocker and it would rock on several frets. I’m still in the process of finding the right one myself lol

[@linnykenneyleather]

This one is great, see my other video about the few that I had before it... not good. Gibson's warranty program is actually great, if you send one back they'll send you a new one. It takes a little while but worth it if you're not happy. Good luck!!

[@booshting3520]

I've got one of these, beautiful guitar.

[@agatone20]

That's awesome, congrats, enjoy that beauty!🤘

[@CatharticGuitar]

It was worth the journey!!

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Every Gibson I've tried has been flawless. Always buy in person.

[@philhood4604]

Can I ask about the knobs? Looks like 60s spec not 50s?

[@andywhite3777]

I noticed that as well, I wonder if the 60s and 50s are built by different teams as the 60s have the different necks

[@CatharticGuitar]

I love the strap too.

[@CatharticGuitar]

I love Gibson.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Why does it have 60's knobs?

[@linnykenneyleather]

I had a set and switched them, I just personally like them better

[@michaelheller8841]

If you put up This Gibson Sucks! You would get over a million views lol. If you say it’s fantastic and you should buy one? Than you will still get the haters and some people saying Gibson Sucks get a Fender Strat lol. I have been playing and owned many Gibson Les Pauls over 35 years. If I had listened to everyone on the internet? I wouldn’t own one. That’s not how this works. You try one out, it either speaks to you or it doesn’t. Cool Goldtop I’m happy you like it.

[@linnykenneyleather]

Well said!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Hmmm...Why does a 50`s gold top with 50s tuner pegs have 60`s volume/tone control knobs?

[@mikeenos4040]

Good question, I have 2022 50" standard in cherry ,same thing fat 50's neck kulson tuners and 60 knobs, just came that way. Who knows maybe they ran out of 50 's knobs during production..

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@mikeenos4040 Actually, I recall a video with a guy that had a 50s LP mentioned this 60s knobs and Gibson said, it was a mistake during assembly.

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

You're 100% right. They're supposed to come with the amber knobs. Personally, I like the 60s reflector knobs. I've had a set lying around for about 12 years which I may put on my current Les Paul.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@finishin.my.coffee8780 I used to, but now I dont like the 60 knobs. haha

[@TheBoomtown4]

He changed em because he likes em. Previous comment

[@christopherzimmer993]

So i noticed one "flaw".....they put the knobs from the 60s standard on instead of the 50s lol

[@mikesweeney1435]

Why does it have the wrong control knobs? Did you change them? Also, try dropping your pickups by a full turn on each screw, see if that mitigates the vibrato. I suspect it's the magnets pulling on the strings.

[@linnykenneyleather]

I switched the knobs, I had a set of these and just prefer them. I'll play with pickup height, thanks!

[@mikesweeney1435]

@@linnykenneyleather ah, OK, they give it a ‘70s vibe. Good stuff.

[@nemesis11fp20]

Glad you are happy with it. You finally got that 1 in 1000 that the hacks at Gibson accidentally gets right.

[@seekandcrush]

It took me 3 times to get a good trad pro v.

[@multipipi1234]

What is the acoustic on the wall? Good video