Let's Talk About Specs, Prices, And Brand Snobbery

[@Reeldin58]

Hi John, as a kid I used to look at the Gibsons and Fenders on the wall in the local music store and be in awe of them, they were meant for rock stars and something I'd never have. When I left school my first big purchase was a Fender Telecaster, there were no Les Paul tributes or studios back then and a Les Paul standard as I remember was the wrong side of £400. My Tele was the cheapest "designer label" guitar that store had to offer . I loved that guitar and played it for 20 years. I've wanted a proper Gibson Les Paul since I was 16 and now 50 years on it's finally going to happen. It's daft I know, I only play at my dining table these days and after you introduced me to Harley Benton guitars on the channel I picked up the gold top one with P90s and love it. It's more than adequate for what I do. The thing for me is, a real Gibson Les Paul can feel like a boat anchor hanging from your shoulder that resonates through your body when you play it, and yes, the badge on the end does mean something to me too. It's my gift to myself for qualifying for a free bus pass and it's going to make me happy.

[@michaelcole3018]

Hi John, I bought a second hand cherry burst Les Paul tribute a month ago, for the same reason, I’ve loved Les Pauls since I first saw Ronson , Bolan & Later Gary Moore, marriage & children prevented any investment other than Epiphone, Mexican Strats, etc I’m now 68, never too late, my wife for some reason does not agree 😂 ,

[@frankcarter6427]

My Harley benton sc 550's on the settee next to me and the Gibson SGs in it's case upstairs - it'll change but there's nowt in it and the HB was £180 S/H and glad to hear you've joined us in the 'Survived the big C' club my friend

[@derekjohnson5720]

I used to be a Fender snob and spent thousands on them over the years, strats and teles. Now I rock a jet jt 300(tele) with a set of tonrider alnico 2 blues and it's the only guitar I have ever owned that I've never been tempted to sell. Looks fab, sounds epic and is a joy to play.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Oh, I LOVE Jet guitars 👍

[@MickyWalnuts]

I own a 2021 Gibson Les Paul 50s Standard which i absolutely adore because it fulfilled a lifetime achivement to own one and is the only 'proper' guitar i treated myself to after a decade of hard slog running my own company. Before that I had (and still own) a 2008 Chinese built Epiphone Les Paul (completely stock) and to this day i play the Epiphone more frequently because i prefer the slimmer 60s style neck. I will never sell either. The Epiphone is the logical purchase, the Gibson is the emotional purchase. Neither is the right or wrong choice

[@jea783]

As soon as you make a guitar chord, no matter the brand, you light up the darkness. Enjoy your honesty !

[@grene1955]

I've been playing in public for about 50 years, and have many guitars. No one in an audience cares at all about what brand guitar you are playing. Most of them can't really tell if your tone isn't great. I guess it depends on your status...if you're playing a club circuit and you are just one instrument in the mix, as far as I'm concerned it comes down to having a guitar you enjoy playing.

[@markfahey3921]

John, I'm just revisiting this podcast. I've got some very tasty guitars, but since watching this first time round I've got my nephew sorted with a Vintage V6 strat style reissue, as new but used for £225 - can't believe the quality. Also, just this week I went over to Hull to watch a really excellent player who is a top level, and I mean a top level player play his wednesday night residency with the trio he plays with. He was playing a Jet HSS S type guitar through an old solid state Fender amp he bought f0r £90. All I can say is the tone was just wonderful. Unless I had heard it myself I would not have believed it could sound so good.

[@dreamscuba]

Great video John. Thanks. I have a mixture of guitars made in USA, Japan, Indonesia, China… various brands, with a G, F, P, I and others and some which are local to Singapore and for me it is all down to whether I bond with a guitar. I did bond with a Fender custom shop guitar a few years ago, but it was outside my budget (by a country mile) and that was fine. What disturbs me is when some KZbinrs create an element of shame if one is not playing a Murphy Lab guitar… there’s nothing wrong with those, but they are not the only guitars that can sound good and fun to play. Horses for courses. Your Gibson gift for being a C survivor is a super gift indeed… second of course to be a C survivor.

[@mississipiblues2859]

you deserve the rewards for what you do John, keep it up👍👍

[@stevefoster707]

I total go with if you’ve had a good year treat yourself.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks for sharing John much appreciated 🎶🎸🎶

[@guitarbobification]

John Thanks as always for a great perspective. Having had financial problems at different times in my life I always buy guitars that fill a need or scratch an itch regardless of price. That being said I also evaluate the resale value of anything I buy, knowing that I might again be in a spot where I have to sell something in a hurry (because of factors out of my control). There is no doubt that a “snob appeal” guitar may be more expensive at purchase, but in the event of a quick sale (and assuming you bought the guitar at the right price - like you did with your tribute Les Paul) you are in a much better position to come up with quick cash as necessary. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone into a guitar shop on my travels and seen a lot of Harley Benton’s around $200 - 300 (which aren’t selling) and no Gibson's at 1,200 to $1,500 that would probably sell quickly.

[@PeterWasted]

I own several guitars that you would class as high end and I'm very happy to admit I'm a far less capable player. Ultimately, I don't have to justify it to anyone but I will attempt to do so! My guitars are bought with a view of being with me until I die. I have unique emotional connections to each one and they represent critical moments in my life. One major aspect IS the names on the headstocks. Jimmy Page didn't play a Harley Benton and Hendrix didn't play a Jet. Now, my justification is far more subtle than wanting to ape any particular icon. I don't particularly like Stats for instance, but I'm sure my ambivalence is down to the design rather than only having some variety of "knock off". I love any number of players who made names for themselves with Strats but I'll happily play other guitars even when I'm trying to play in someone's particular style. My guitars tend to stay in their cases but they rotate to a couple of guitar stands and a convenient corner "nook" for an acoustic. They never get put away because I'm bored of them it's just that the mood takes me to pull out a different one. I know I would sound the same with more budget friendly guitars and I suspect that if I was earning money through playing, I might favour lower investment levels when the guitars become far more tools of the trade. But for me they aren't tools. They are art. They are emotional support, They are statements about my tastes and they say something about me in a way that few people other than fellow guitarists would get. I'm also very conscious that I am fortunate enough to have been able to afford them. I know that as a teenager with no money I ached for any guitar that might be better than the bottom tier late 70s guitar I had and could see no route to doing better. Now, guitars across the board are far better and the quality differences are far less. Maybe the alure of brand names has diminished for younger folk. Maybe no one will value my guitars when I'm gone? I do hope not. I hope that people will still respect history and understand that heritage does matter - at least to some.

[@user-abcxyz-xr2eg]

Hello John, I am just a bedroom player having 9 guitars. 2 of them are expensive ones, a tribute Gibson and a usa fender strat. Now, I was very lucky to get both used for 500 and 400 Euros. My tribute is perfectly setup by the pro guitarist owner and I love it, but compared to my HB SC 45 plus and the Spear LP-style I can't hear or feel much difference. My usa F strat isn't in a good shape, therefore I prefer to play either my Yamaha pac 612, which is a very fine guitar or even my squier strat with nines on it ( I just like the neck so much, but don't know why, maybe the smaller strings make it so much easier to play, but I don't really know) I am no brand snob either, but on the other hand I can't imagine any guitar player who wouldn't like to have a G or F guitar in his arsenal, whether they better or worse. Thanks for your work! Greetings from Austria!

[@jonahcornish]

I have recently "started again" (5 years ago) and discovered Harley Benton guitars. Like yourself I was amazed by the quality and workmanship: now I have a couple of Player Fenders and 2 D'Angelico guitars but am considering the new HB SC Custom lll to replace one I gave away as I traded up! Also, my 1st guitar was...a black Satellite Les Paul copy identical to yours! Might even be the same one! I'm a realist these days when it comes to my equipment and playability is most important, Thanks for the interesting video John!

[@WilliamJOHNSONJR]

John, I do appreciate your genuineness ! High end stuff ... Yeah its cool ! But high value/ high performance /low price instruments available today (wasn't always like that !) ... Just makes more sense for a hobbyist like me ...

[@texmex697]

I bought a Gib LP studio when I returned a damaged, in the post, epiphone in 2011 and still have it. Since then 2 yrs ago I was handed a Squier Strat, made a few mods and love it. I also now have a Harley Benton kit telecaster £65 which I painted and changed a few bits and love that. They're all different and I like them all equally for what they are. I'm still a crap player no matter how much I spend 😂

[@Geeman57]

I’m Lucky enough to own many high end guitars a couple of Custom Stratocasters an 1989 USA Stratocaster. A custom Les Paul and a 1993 Les Paul I love all of them. I don’t consider myself a guitar snob but I always wanted the guitars I could not afford when I was younger. I have also owned Epiphone “Vintage” and fret king models which are also great to play. Everyone is different but I count myself fortunate to own these expensive guitars and love just admiring the quality of them when I remove them from the case. Never bought them new as I dont like the idea of losing all that money if I had to sell any of them. I’m very careful what I buy and always aware of what they are worth second hand. So if you are careful you will own something aspirational and will hopefully never lose value.

[@dewey7330]

Right on John. Some of the reasons you mentioned here, is why I haven’t sold my Epi Lazarus Les Paul for a Gibson. Some of the specs my Lazarus has I would have to go into the Gibson custom shop to get the same.

[@martinclayton7260]

A guitar has to be something that inspires you, and if a cheap guitar doesn't do that, and a more expensive one does, then you have the justification to buy the more expensive one.

[@MattSwain1]

I agree with you. There’s too many people feel they have to justify their purchases by throwing disparaging remarks at the other end of the market to wherever they are. I say grow up and play your guitar! To your point, if it doesn’t inspire you to play then the cost is irrelevant. If you’ve always dreamed of having a guitar like your favourite musician and can afford it, then go for it I say. If you found a £300 guitar that you love then that’s also great, there’s no need to pee on someone else’s dream. Equally, if you have the expensive guitars, don’t dismiss the £300 guitar as firewood, that’s not classy. We’re all guitar players at the end of it and that’s all that should matter

[@MAX96MENDES]

Looking back at my first guitar in 1982, it was like using a broomstick with strings ! These days I do own quite a few better guitars. Some are expensive such as an EVH-Wolfgang Special, Fender Strats and some are as cheap as a Harley Benton SC-450plus Lemon-drop burst or a TE-62cc. But they ALL sound great and much better than anything that was previously available to any person a few years back. New guitar players are just SO LUCKY these days ! The only thing I can recommend to new guitar players is BUY a Cheap but Good sounding guitar. Then learn how to upgrade it and to "Mod" it Yourself instead of taking it to a Professional Luthier. You will learn all there is to learn about your favorite instrument and you will play it better.

[@johnstone3152]

Great episode, love for you to do one on amps especially for us bedroom players that want great sounds ,like what gives the best Tube like sound in a solid state. Thanks you!

[@davidmiller6504]

I like your approach to reviewing guitars on their playability not on their designer logo.Thirty years ago my wife and I were suffering self inflicted poverty by means of 'The Mortgage'. The only guitar I owned was a horrible catalogue acoustic. I always dreamed of owning a 'proper' Stratocaster. For a special birthday my good lady gave me a Squier Silver Series Hank Marvin model with a lovely maple neck. At the time these guitars were derided, now collectable.I still have it; rarely goes out of tune, a little worn but a joy to play. These days I could (just) afford a USA Strat but wouldn't bother as I am perfectly happy with my Japanese model residing in the posh tweed case next to a Korean Sheraton II and an Indie single cut. To cut a long story short, 'quality' playable musical instruments are even more attainable as time goes on.

[@arnoldr3920]

Keep on playing because than every guitar sounds great! 👍

[@vincentcuclair5522]

Been there done that and I’ve found out that what matters, personally is Quality, Feel and Look (in that order) I guess the brand issue falls under feel. The snobbery in my opinion starts when others have an opinion about you and your choices. (I now play basically only partscasters, built by me btw)

[@jelhinks3381]

I like expensive vintage American guitars . Cannot afford them so mostly I play a Gibson Tribute les paul and a Highway one USA Telecaster

[@ElBauldo64]

I have that very same Smokehouse which I prefer to my Gibson Les Paul Traditional (which weighs an absolute ton). Of all my Les Pauls it's the Epiphone 1960s Tribute with Gibson 57 Classic pups which I will never sell.

[@southhams]

After owning and playing high branded guitars all of which I've sold on, I purchased some JHS guitars all of which I have kept. If I bought the VintageV58 JD or Fret King Music Row three decades ago it would have saved me thousands! The quality today is just amazing 😊

[@stoo4534]

I've never listened to a great song and wondered where the guitar was manufactured. Music should be fun and whatever instrument you play that brings you that is the right one . Plus I like John Suhrs' quote " Practise cures most tone issues " 😁

[@andrewsmith177]

Great video (and honesty) as ever, John. All fair points re the spec of the cheap vs expensive guitars. However, another factor could be that the expensive guitars could be more comfortable/enjoyable to play? They're not guaranteed to be, of course, but my three (entry level to mid range) Gibsons are a joy to play (admittedly after a setup!)

[@calbrockocat8728]

There's specs and then the feeling you get when you begin to play it. After nearly 4 years I know what I like when I put my hand around that neck. Fender and Gibson are out of my price (and definitely playing) range!😆

[@klausfritsch4350]

Very nice videa, thanks. I love my Epiphone Les Paul Modern, but I have ordered the new Duesenberg Fantom S (Duesenberg's first short-neck single-cut) anyway.... I just want to have it.Years ago, I had a Gibson Les Paul Voodoo, but the Epiphone sounds and plays much better.

[@anthonyalfredyorke1621]

Great show Big Fella, there are a lot of fabulous " COST EFFECTIVE " Guitars on the market. I think the three differences 1, Bragging rights . 2, resale value. 3, longevity ( POSSIBLY, DON'T KNOW, NEVER OWNED ONE " what I can tell you about what I know, a £3000,00 bathroom and a £15000,00 Bathroom if done properly can look very similar, but in five years time you can certainly tell the difference, as you can with kitchen's and for that matter a real pair of Church's shoes. Granted a lot of stuff is all show but proper quality is always worth getting ( IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT ) . HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE ❤❤

[@fretworkband3204]

This one struck a chord with me (pun intended). My first “real” guitar was a $100 Yamaha acoustic (after slogging away on a $10 neighbor’s guitar that had 1/2” action). My BIL taught at a music store and got me a deal on it. Had it for a couple of years until I took a trip cross country (U.S.) and someone stole it out of the car as I was checking into the hotel. So I bought a $200 Yamaha acoustic, and in the era of the solo troubadour played it for years until I got a proper job. Put it in a case for many years and the next time I opened the case it was missing. Hmmm, 2 Yamaha acoustics stolen. Are we beginning to see a trend here? I then ordered a 3rd Yamaha acoustic online for $350 and keep it under lock and key. I can appreciate the higher end acoustics but Yamaha has a nostalgic place in my past.

[@TheGissy77]

As a not even good for a beginner bass player who has bought way too many cheaper basses, I got a good deal on a Gibson Les Paul Money bass and even if it is by far the most expensive bass I own it took away my GAS for more basses and I will most likely sell of most of my others. Is it that much better to play than my Cort or my Washburn? No. Does it sound that much better? Not really(a bit but that might be me hoping). Still I’m so glad it’s mine.

[@defin99]

Had a satellite gibson copy in the early 80's.

[@sid35gb]

I think with guitar it’s how it makes you feel. If it gives you the fizz when you pick it up to play that’s what matters. Some guitars are better than others and price isn’t the deciding factor. I know that my squire tele sounds and plays great but it is an absolute boat anchor ⚓️ weight wise. I’m fortunate to own a few Gibson guitars they’re not the best made guitars but they have the sound I want, although I’ll probably never buy a LP I have a Sire LP gold top that is fantastic with all the bells and whistle I might do the peter green mod to it. I have PRS guitars I don’t understand why people buy the top end models because the SE models are something else. There is a brand I won’t buy again and that’s epiphone I’m underwhelmed by them to put it politely.

[@AtlanteanGuitarist]

I’ve owned loads of Harley Benton’s, great quality for the money. I have been playing guitar for 30 years and have never owned a real Gibson les Paul. It’s my dream guitar and they are pricey obviously. So I sold all my HB stuff on gumtree. Started saving and got impatient. Bought a tokai love rock les Paul that’s modded up to the gills, then bought an Eastman Juliet because my mates bang on about how great Eastman is. And they are great guitars, but they just ain’t the “one” So they are now up for sale on gumtree lol. I want a les Paul standard…in ice tea. I’m gonna have to go used though as I can’t justify spending over 2k on one guitar, if you won the lottery though I’d buy a 50k greeny in a flash😂 I just can’t mentally get a tribute or studio , even a classic or traditional. It’s gotta be a standard and no less. Plus I don’t like the look of a les Paul without binding like the studios and tributes. I see them as the squier or a player series of the Gibson range. I know I’m wrong on that statement, but if I’m gonna finally get one, then I at least go for the standard. And if I’m real lucky I might get a used custom r9 used for. Few grand. Currently eyeing up a relic honey burst reliced by dax&co for just under 3 k Just gotta sell this tokai and my Eastman Sadly it’s not a sellers market though

[@trevorashworth7307]

When i first started playing in the early 6os you played what you could get/ End of.

[@malcolmspillett8172]

I have owned a Gibson Les Paul which I never got on with, although I love my Vintage (brand) "Greeny". I do, However, own a Martyn Booth Classic which was my present to myself when I retired and had a nice lump sum from my pension.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Snobbery is just resentment and we have to face those or else become bitter. For years as a young man I had budget guitars and only bought my first used Gibson Les Paul at age 35 but then sold it not much later as not really suitable after all (loved the tones, hated the really low frets and boat anchor weight). But I'm happy in old age to buy and enjoy a few Gibson or Fender again so long as I can find them cheap on retail clearance sales or used good condition. For example I lusted over Gibson SG as a teen in the 1970s and only just finally bought one on a great used deal at age 68 (slightly twisted neck but doesn't affect intonation or playing). It's my favourite guitar these days it resonates better than any other I have and the Gibson hot dual rail minis do blues awesomely.

[@strumminronin]

This reminds me of those HB Amaroks: Through neck, EMGs, hard tail super strat type shred machines. They have A LOT of the right boxes ticked for me, but have I splurged for one? No. Have I committed to splurging more on a Big Name... Yeah. Exactly. OTOH am I drawn in by those "custom" Solokings from their Indonesian website? Heck yeah, you bet!

[@SpiritOfOrange]

I've been fortunate enough to be a bit of a guitar slut, but I've only bonded with a select few mainly due to whether or not an instrument has a certain set of specs, playability and sound that I require at the time. The brand I've bonded with least has been Gibson (I've had an SG and a Les Paul) due to quality control issues. I've bonded most with a Jackson KV1 (since sold) and a Fender Jim Root Strat (probably will be selling it soon). I'm currently favouring Yamaha's Revstar standard models and a Gretsch G5222, the sound and the build quality for the buck is superb. Excellent news on your 'good year'. May you have many more!

[@jmdyt3626]

I own a fender mod shop strat that I paid £1850 after a 20% off code and I couldn’t be happier with it, I know these guitars probably aren’t too far off mine and for a fraction of the price but I’d spend that £1850 again in a heart beat

[@steviemac8075]

John can I just say nobody gets out of here alive and given the year you had if you can afford it then why shouldn’t you have it. I can make the same horrendous noises on a Squire or a Fender can’t play any better just because it’s more expensive 🤷🏼‍♂️ you deserve it 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Sankara561]

I have a fleet of cheap guitars, many Harley Bentons etc, and then my friend wanted to sell his mint Gibson Les Paul so I bought it half to do him a favour and half to own a Gibson I knew to be genuine. I don't rate the Gibson any higher than my HBs, eg the DC FAT or SC-550-ii, and it doesn't have the steel frets etc. So I don't play it much partly to keep it in good condition but mainly because I prefer my collection of knockabout guitars many of which are better specced and all of which are as well made and set up.

[@NicoViergever]

And what about aftermarket pick-ups? You quite often demonstrated pick-ups that sounded very reasonable, but were a lot cheaper than the brand that once was my goto brand: Seymour Duncan.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Good point. It's a personal thing I suppose. When the "brand snob" gene kicks in, for me, it seldom gets triggered by pickups. Or amps, for that matter. For me it's a headstock badge, if anything, that gets me buying with my heart instead of my head.

[@NicoViergever]

@@JRobsonGuitar Fair point. I used to be a modder. Tried out several brands of pick-ups. Didn't like DiMarzio. Bill Lawrence was fine. But SD was simply the best for me. But look at the aftermarket now. So much choice for lower prices.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

I think there probably is a price point at which build quality and QC isn't reliable, so if you were - for example - to buy half a dozen of the same pickup at under £15 a pop, you might find significant variance in output and - while less important, still not something you want when buying new - cosmetic imperfections.

[@malcolmthompson6977]

My cheapest guitar was a woolworth's Top twenty! My most expensive guitar is an 1997 Japanese LH Fender Telecaster!

[@monkofwar]

I am 100% a brand snob. Fender guitars just seem to play better because they say Fender on the headstock, but I also own an Epiphone LP Special II which I love that only cost $200 brand new. But it is true that cheaper guitars do feel and sound cheaper.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Resale value on Brand Name's

[@paultraynorbsc627]

When i was working a Landrover the range rover name on the Evoque was worth £5000 pounds marketing and sales

[@Stratboy999]

It's far more thrilling to get a great bargain guitar than an uber expensive model. My cheapest guitar was £38. My most expensive you can't get new for nearly £6k these days.

[@gtx60]

Just a thought, if Harley Benton were made in the USA how much would they cost? more than likely they would be over £1000, the Gibson would then look like a good choice, I would suggest.

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

Never in my life would I have thought I’d buy an Epiphone but here we are.

[@Michel-r6m]

The gear industry has changed and so have players. Of course it is nice to have classic Gibson or Fender and a Martin to name a few. But prices became ridiculous as resellers had to sign contracts that where just as ridiculous to get guitars not needing set up but a fix (should be rejects and fixed at factory). This resulted in bad reputation for both reseller as manufacturer and third party brand stepped in with good after sales service as better pricing. Now budget brands of the big ones (Squier, Epiphone) are competing with their own upper market brands (Fender, GIbson). Not competing in absolute (quality, bragging rights) but competing in consideration for certain purposes. Now brands like SIre, PRS are well respected (get fair reviews), got a Sire myself as a Gretsch Electromatic and eyeball a G5655TG Cadillac green 😎 As for pedals they need to look ok as sound good. Some are $50-100, one pedal was $200 (JetPhaser). As for amps I am looking at a DSL-5, JC22 (pedalplatform) or Origin combo. Imagine a JC-22 with a TCE JIMS 45 and Combo Deluxe '65 pedal, there is my Jazz Chorus sound and Marshall and Fender sound from one amp and two pedal 🤠

[@TomClarkSouthLondon]

My first was a WEM strat😢

[@nineteenninetyfive]

Yeah the quality of mass production these days means that you can get 95% of the value from a less premium brand. The real thing is always going to be that bit more special though and that is fine. One thing i would say is that you're better having 1 guitar than 5, no matter what it costs. My experience of buying things like guitars is to get the one which is a bit more than you really want to spend because its something you will treasure and you won't think abouf that extra bit of money it cost you in a couple of years. A good guitar is something that can last a lifetime and provide hubdreds of hours of entertainment, so its a good value purchase. If i was starting again i would go for an affordable guitar for the first couple of years and then save and buy the one guitar to play forever. My dad has played his violin, the same one given to him by his uncle who played in the army band, for his whole life. That's how you make a special connection to your instrument, you keep it and play it for a long time.

[@BryanMcClusky]

You wrote " the real thing " . I'm afraid I can't agree with you . That's how Gibson get away with it . I believe that nowadays high spec , lower priced guitars like Vintage and Harley Benton are a revelation and , on stage , every bit as good . Of course everybody's entitled to their opinion . Especially if they bought one !

[@nineteenninetyfive]

@@BryanMcClusky how many guitars do you own?

[@BryanMcClusky]

@@nineteenninetyfive A lot but I was talking about comparing them side by side on stage or in a studio

[@nineteenninetyfive]

@@BryanMcClusky I understand that some of these cheap guitars are very good. What I first saw in my brief interest in watches, and now in guitars, is KZbinrs promoting mindless consumerism. A guitar, or watch, can last a very long time and the magic happens not through intrinsic properties of the thing, but treasuring it and using it every day. Yes there is an extra cost to a premium brand like Gibson, and you might decide it's not worth it. Personally I prefer the style of Fenders. I have got 1 strat style "Tanglewood" I bought second hand at university 25 years ago. When I went to live in the USA for a bit I bought a Squier telecaster, and brought that home. I bought a Yamaha acoustic in Japan which was beautiful. Then I didn't buy another guitar for 20 years. My Yamaha went missing and a Fender acoustic appeared in its place (literally I think someone at my Dad's studio liked my Yamaha better) so that is my acoustic now and I very recently bought a new Fender Telecaster. The old old Tanglewood is knackered and the Squier is basically still playable but I figured after 20 years I could afford a new and better one.

[@markfahey3921]

My journey.. "I'm on a road to nowhere"...... I've always wanted a really nice fabulous PRS core guitar in a gorgeous finish with a fabulous top, but there is no way on this earth I am paying £4000. But when I went to look at the SE models, having played the core models, I just could not buy the SE even though I wasn't buying the core. So, I'm just waiting until I come across the guitar that speaks to me, what ever guitar it turns out to be.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Core are standouts for sure, and in Canada there's some awesome used deals on 20 year old Cores, so keep looking you might find one that you can justify. I can't play PRS necks anymore Core or SE, hurts my arthritis.

[@markfahey3921]

@@jimmyjames2022 sorry to hear about the arthritis

[@Elcatmano]

The tribute was replaced by the Les Paul Modern Lite not the studio.

[@jimmyjames2022]

LP Modern Lite seems like the Tribute LP Special (Humbucker) model replacement with their thin, all mahogany bodies, at the lowest price tier. While the Modern Studio is a closer model to the Tribute LP like John's, having maple capped, thicker bodies. Really they dropped the Tribute maple capped LP tier completely in favour of the Lites and Studios, a cynical moved IMO.

[@Elcatmano]

@@jimmyjames2022 I’m talking about from the price perspective though. As in entry level Gibsons. There’s always been studios in the the place they sit currently. The tribute was about a grand with a studio a few hundred quid more. Now in the modern collection it’s modern lite for just over a grand with the studio a few hundred more again.

[@jimmyjames2022]

@@Elcatmano Modern Studio is $2700CAD where prior Studio was $2200CAD in Canada. The entry level Tribute Special w humbuckers was entry level at $1250CAD and now the Modern Lite is entry level at $2000CAD. Gibson just dropped two affordable tiers in the Tributes.

[@thejovialpanda]

H John, you have your Gibson models messed up. The Tribute, in the US, was going for $1300 when it was discontinued. It was replaced with the Modern Lite, which retails in the US for $1500. The Studio was retailing for $1700 in the US when it was discontinued, and replaced by the Modern Studio, which retails for $2000. So, while there was a definite price increase (and $200 or $300 is not what I'd call insignificant), it was not at the level that you made it out to be in this video.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Just using the prices I recall seeing in the UK, mate

[@liamhemmings9039]

Guitars are based on an old technology that is easy to reproduce and the raw materials are cheap. It boggles the mind that many guitar players don't get that prices should be lower. Gibson's pricing is absurd.

[@shobudski6776]

So is Fender USA pricing as well

[@michaelbelliveau8755]

I like an instrument that stays in tune..my arsenal is missing a p90 type guitar but im looking...not GAS ing...looking..

[@user-abcxyz-xr2eg]

By the way, the only guitar I bought new is my squier strat, all my other guitars are second hand for much less money. I am not going to buy another guitar, but if I did, I'd never buy a new one. They are just too expensive!

[@chrisforever1255]

And again it tcomes to the question: Is it ok for ME to pay so much money for a guitar that I want (not NEED!) or not!? In my opinion its an easy emotional question. And yes - I can afford the expensive Gibson guitars I own and its no question for me if even a much cheaper guitar is "better". That´s the critical point: Everyone has to decide it for himself - Do I want an good playable instrument and have fun without spending to much money? Buy a Harley Benton or something in this price range - that are really good instruments! I for myself have decided to collect the "historical correct" guitars from the "original brands" with all their issues and faults they have since they were invented in the 50s of the last century! And believe me or not - I feel much more inspired by playing them instead of the cheaper models (I have some, too). My personal experience! And YES Gibson and Fender both built very expensive instruments not for the "working musicans" anymore but for the people who loves guitars as a sort of "playable art and history". What´s wrong about it? These companies want to earn money and they do - it seems that there is a market for such products and they produce these things and sell it! And even if they tell you something in this way: They do not run their buiseness for any romantic reasons and make us guitar players happy with amazing guitars for nearly no money. Is it too expensive for you? No one forces you to buy it - there are a lot of very good affordable instruments out there - we live in an golden age for guitars! So enjoy this fact and please let the "Brand Snobbery" community enjoy their view of this universe! Just respect the "other side", like I do. Enjoy your guitar! Greetings from Germany!

[@peteroates9527]

I had an epiphone Les Paul muse in radio blue it was a beautiful guitar to play but I traded it in against a Gibson Les Paul studio … verdict ? I can’t tell the difference anywhere but my bank account 😂

[@giovannidaminato1717]

Il mio rischio mortale l'avevo superato scrivendo. Su carta pregiata, con inchiostri pregiati, con penne stilografiche pregiate. Ora, a settant'anni, ho imparato la lezione e prevengo qualsiasi male oscuro con la musica delle mie chitarre. L'ultimo acquisto è una Harley Benton molto, molto bella, non so la copia di quale chitarra sia, ma con lei, per quelli poveri come me, passo, sognando, ore serene. Sursum corda.

[@paulcockerill4260]

What's the quality of say HB guitars acoustic knock offs,.of say the Martin 00015 etc.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

I have a HB electro acoustic with a Fishman pickup & preamp. It's a great workhorse. Never owned a Martin so can't really compare.

[@johnnyrandom100]

I think a Ferrari owner will have a daily driver to pop down the shops in.

[@meagainokay7673]

Guitars aren't just tools for me. I have to have a connection with them otherwise they just sit lonely in the corner until I sell them. I'm kinda sick of hearing that cheap guitars are better than what they're copied from. I'm also a tone chaser and cheap ones do not sound or play better period. For example, I just serviced a Fender squire for someone and although it looked and played great, the input jack was seized, the selector switch didn't work, the pots were scratchy, noisy pickups, and the frets were made out of the softest metal I've ever seen! It needs new frets just 2 years in! By the way, it was around AUD$700. The person would have been better off saving a few more dollars and getting a Mexican strat. By the time everything is fixed / upgraded, it will end up costing more than the real thing. Point made and buyer beware...

[@antonyedwardson9900]

I think you can get too focussed on specs and such fallacies as ‘this trem is better than that trem’, a ‘good’ component that is badly installed will still fail to function properly. Sadly in this industry it is also a fallacy that spending more on the big name products guarantees better build quality. most guitars within the price ranges of the people trawling KZbin are mass produced to some degree, and will all have variances in build quality and aspects such as weight, and these things matter more to some people than others! In the end, if you enjoy playing it, it is good.

[@MarkStearle]

I think you pay a lot more for a guitar that is a bit better,its the feel.

[@John_Doe657]

Gibson is the most overrated guitar brand along with PRS. Though PRS offers some affordable options under its brand name wich is respectable. Tried many Gibsons LP’s from custom shops to standards and classic series and i didn’t like any of them to the point of wanting to pay over €1000. Gibson simply isn’t that good, it’s just a brand and there’s nothing magical about it. The only magical thing about Gibson are those who played their products and that’s it.

[@MattMorgans]

Let’s not! YT seems obsessed at the moment with “my budget guitar is far superior to your expensive guitar”, and posts like this are just an excuse for haters to slag off the brands they can’t afford or justify buying! Total waste of time and an example of everything that’s wrong with YT 😢

[@chrisforever1255]

100% agree! Its a kind of hype again at the moment to criticise every product that´s not "budget". Look at the new Epiphone´s which I would place betwenn the budget Epiphones and the Gibson Standard Series. Really good guitars with quality specs - but the people want to have them for the price of the budget ones. Just crazy!

[@handbags4948]

You don't mention sex. Owning guitars is obviously a sexual fetish. Having one or two is understandable, but having more, hanging them on your wall or putting them on display is very suspect indeed. Just read the comments on any guitar site and see how they describe their instruments - it has nothing to do with music.

[@jimicunningable]

I've cut my teeth on everything from Trey to Paganini. It's a damn shame when I can crush 99% of the suburban guitarists I know with a cheap pos guitar or bass...

[@jimicunningable]

"I've got a Taylor PDQ64,706!!!" ..great, you still F suck.