Do We Buy Guitars With Our Eyes or Ears?

[@eliasmngmtk6645]

I love the fact that you compared an epiphone explorer to the 335 and the Theodore… On the mix, the 3 were sounding on the same range but the epi being at least $700USD cheaper than the theodore and a lot more than the 335. Both Epi and Gibson are making beautiful and great guitars recently! Excellent video!!

[@Gibsunday]

Thanks so much and appreciate your thoughts here!

[@benontwerper]

I think the concept of this video is so valid. I think it is really dependent on the individual and highly subjective (perhaps it also has to do with where you are in your guitar playing journey) What I've noticed for myself with the Theodore is that even a model name can turn a person off. My experience when I saw this guitar for the first time was: hmmm, interesting shape, I've never seen it, is it vintage? It intrigued me, but I didn't know whether I really liked it. Yet... But because of its looks, I picked it up. And the neck, it felt so gooood. The individual model I played, felt like a short scale guitar, low action and a neck profile I really liked personally. It was compact and played smoothly and fast. It was loud and resonant, not connected to an amp. The feel of it caught me by surprise. I wanted to take it home without even hearing it through an amp. Amplified it sounded great as well. Smooth and round on the neck pick-up, clear and spacious in middle position, and lind of twangy and tight on the bridge pick up. Almost telecaster-ish IMHO. I felt invited to try new things and to evolve my playing, going from rock, to blues, to finger picking, to country...conclusion: sound, more than ok. Check! But still now, I find myself doubting...To me, the name sounds dorky. Les Paul, SG, ES335, Explorer, Firebird...and then; Theodore? I get it conceptually, but personally it don't find it cool sounding? No offense, Theodores of the world, but Theodore for a Gibson guitar? And the tulip shape? Yes, I'm from the Netherlands, that'd be a reason I can live with the shape but otherwise? Feel: Check! Sound: Check! Looks: Argh...only because I'm Dutch, yes, ok...sort of check. I can live with it since Feel and Sound are a 'check' Name: IDK, sorry Gibson...I just can't get a Theodore at this moment. Does anyone else have this 'unusual' association with a name? How can I get past that??? ;-)

[@blueslawyermemes7958]

With the band mix, it's virtually impossible to distinguish between guitars. This is the fact of life that guitarists choose to ignore every day.

[@pitmezzari2873]

Most guitarists will never hear their guitar in a band mix, either because they don't play in a band, or they only take their old beater guitar to gigs because they're scared of damaging the Core PRS they had to sell their kids for.

[@tbdog99]

I like the Theo...6 in line tuners usually stay in tune better than 3+3, layout of controls is perfect, 1 volume + 1 tone is all you need, fret access in higher range looks good. Probably light weight and comfortable. Top pointy horn could cause some liver or rib damage, but other than that, looks like a solid guitar. The folks in China are no doubt working on a Chibson version, but the cost of the real thing sounds reasonable to me.

[@jacobbond835]

Great video. Well thought out. Well put together. The Theodore is a neat guitar. Hopefully it sticks around in the lineup.

[@bendayze]

great video man!

[@Gibsunday]

Thanks homie!

[@graysonward5086]

I could definitely pick out the 335 during the blindfold test. Honestly I like the original CS Theodore they introduced, but I’m not as crazy about the Original series model with tune-o-matic and LP inlays.

[@Gibsunday]

It’s got a specific sound, right?! I can see that. I liked the original appointments a little better too, but I’m still a fan.

[@txc123]

Guitar number 2 was my favorite and I thought it was the explorer at first.

[@Relayer6a]

Am I weird? The single most important thing to me is the "feel". Are Teles attractive? Hell no. "toilet seats with a handle" pretty much sums up my feelings about the Tele aesthetic. Strats? Seriously? Nothing aesthetic about a Strat design. Very ergonomic though.

[@Gibsunday]

Honestly, I love this take. Now I need to know, what's your favorite guitar, aesthetically?

[@Relayer6a]

@@Gibsunday Well, I don't have a single guitar, but some worth mentioning are Alembic, Lava Drops, and Minarik. All very boutique brands, of course. "Regular" brands I like custom shop Gibsons. "Fender" type guitars I like Suhr. Knaggs, Duesenberg, Framus are all beautiful too. I'm NOT a relic person at all.