I Made A Mistake Buying A Gibson Custom Shop R0 Guitar

I have been sick with Covid, I'm starting to feel better and I can edit and upload videos. I hope to be ready for this Friday's Podcast and hope to see you all then.
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[@PhillipMcKnight]

I have been sick with Covid, I'm starting to feel better and I can edit and upload videos. I hope to be ready for this Friday's Podcast and hope to see you all then.

[@johnnewton1830]

Get better man

[@johnnewton1830]

…was a bit worried when there was no kyg.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Stay warm, dry and feisty Phil.

Get well Phil!

[@leonardodufloth9309]

Get well soon Phil, much love to the family!

[@scoobers90]

Sorry to hear you got a Friday guitar, Phil. At that price any of the issues you had are inexcusable to me. Get well soon!

[@onionheadguy7094]

Lol Friday guitar ive never heard that before thats great 😂

[@CarlyonProduction]

Yeah it’s crazy. To get a modern Gibson of a similar quality to the greats, you have to pay an insanely inflated price. But even then, the quality is not up to scratch. Gibson seems like a great investment right now. Their prices just go up and up and up. But for anyone who just wants the best guitar money can buy….they aren’t even in the running for me.

[@vorpalblades]

They build those 7 days a week at Gibson.

[@WilliamHaisch]

The old saying I heard came from the 1970s. You didn’t want a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was made on a Friday or a Monday. Also, you needed to buy two: one to ride and another to rob parts from to make the first one run. Quality was an issue when AMC owned HD.

[@doctorbarber1]

@@WilliamHaisch My dad was always fond of this one: Ride a Harley, ride the best. Ride a mile, walk the rest.

[@Olliemusiz]

Hey Phil! Former Gibson employee! I can confirm with you that after working over the past year at Gibson, they have slowly started to care less and less about quality and more about quantity, to the point of threatening to write people up if they noticed blemishes or scratches or jams. I watched a slash les Paul go out the doors with a flat head screwdriver jam directly left of the pickup, right on the top where it’s clearly visible. :) they DO NOT CARE.

[@gregmullins6927]

Thanks for revealing this mate,I do repairs and set ups on guitars and every time I work on a Gibson the screws on most of the fittings need tightening,this is sub standard and unacceptable considering the high price a consumer pays for a Gibson guitar.

[@martin-1965]

Really depressing to see this video and to hear what you just said mate. I don't think I will ever buy a Gibson new, I'll go second hand when I get around to it and check it out carefully before buying it. Mail order brides and mail order guitars seem to have a lot in common lol.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

So many dinged up beaters the Mod Shop is never going to run out of new stock

[@ramencurry6672]

I own an Epiphone 339 …a couple years old, I think it’s fantastic.

[@andrewgarcia3136]

@@holstorrsceadus1990 that's a win for players imo, as long as the mod shop keeps their standards up. that said they have a really iffy and overpriced 60s standard up there... it almost looks as if the top has a big piece of filler wood in it, or someone massively messed up the paint job... maybe it is a gigantic mineral streak. i have no idea how it is listed for $2200. the listing doesn't even mention the obvious defect you can see in the photos. what's even crazier is that it is in multiple reverb shoppers carts

[@princevalium25]

Gibson has gone the way of Harley Davidson. Quality is way down, prices are way up, and brand snobbiness is at an all-time high

[@Theenragedone]

Well typed. Even the resale value on Gibson's is starting to come down.

[@docdaytona108]

I don’t count on this improving anytime soon, as the pandemic allowed/forced EVERYONE to raise prices substantially and there are more Gen Xers and Boomers with lots of disposable income aging into midlife crises everyday. (Not to mention crypto bros falling into sudden wealth all the time.) Gibson is unequivocally the FOMO/YOLO ‘status symbol’ brand and it’s no longer close. If they were known for single-coils, I’m sure they would have the king of bling, John Mayer himself, onboard by now, too.

[@bassyey]

Fanboys help that. They have horde defending them. Oh well, profits must be high with all these fools giving them money. I can't really blame them for that.

[@ericcrapton8275]

Hmm i havent really noticed that in the 2021s. Maybe one every now and then but most 2021s seem to be amazing.

[@nedim_guitar]

@@ericcrapton8275 I like your name there. :D

[@flapjack413]

To put it in the words of Bad Santa himself, "They can't all be winners." Good honest review, Phil.

[@hawg427]

I love my R9. I read somewhere the Custombuckers are not sold separately. That scratch on the neck is just horrible and should have never left if a proper Q&A was done.

[@craig.encinitas]

Ahh yes, the Charm of buying a Les Paul. I’m the third owner of a 60’s Standard, and feel quite fortunate that cosmetically, nothing was wrong with it.

[@Diax1324]

@@BoltRM Yknow, they're kind of their own thing, but as low-output PAF-style humbuckers, Ibanez's Super 58 pickups are really affordable and they're one of my all time favorites. I tend to find pickups favored by jazz players sound AMAZING with distortion, and they're no exception. Output is comparable to my Hot noiseless Jeff Beck sig pickups, tone is buttery and round. Bridge pickup can be bright, but then again that's what the tone knob is for.

[@marc-antoinejean6428]

@@BoltRM Suhr Thornbuckers are just fantastic pickups The best “Les Paul in a Plexi sound” I’ve heard live was made with a Suhr Pete Thorn signature in a Two-Rock with a BE-OD Deluxe pedal

[@gingersteve]

@@BoltRM the Gibson Custombuckers are Alnico 3 magnet - so you'll want a pickup with those magnets too. I find that Alnico 3 pickups have their own sound altogether. You'll want something with plain enamel wire and quite a low DC reading (bridge 8kish or below, neck 7.6kish or below). There are a few makers who produce fantastic PAF clones with Alnico 3. Just depends what you can easily get in your country!

[@glenclifton4563]

I don't blame you at all!! You want what you pay for and that guitar is very expensive. Great job pointing out the flaws!

[@ct90twa]

Wow. I’m surprised by that. I have been considering an R0 especially given all the hype about increased quality control and attention to detail. No way that should have left their shop, let alone the custom shop, like that.

[@cosmicrevival7105]

Regular Gibson USA quality did improve though. Bought a LP 60s 2020 and LP 50s 2021 Standard and they are fantastic.

[@coraliefontesdeaguiar2333]

@@cosmicrevival7105 Same here, I have a 2020 gold top, I love it, it's flawless !

[@christianlarsson2038]

You are? I'm just surprised people are still surprised about Gibson having iffy quality.

[@cosmicrevival7105]

@@christianlarsson2038 I sometimes feel like that is the price if you want to have an all nitro lacquered guitar.

[@christianlarsson2038]

@@cosmicrevival7105 Well, yes. At least if you want a factory/mass produced guitar, then a flawless nitro finish is quite a big ask. But there are many smaller makers that can spend weeks on doing a visually perfect correctly cured multi-layered nitro finish. The Custom Shop ought to be able to do that. But scratches under the finish, uneven binding, different finish pickup covers and the neck angle/pickup height issue is simply clumsy ass-clown stuff.

[@jamesryan1939]

I bought two Les Paul standards one in 2020 and one in 2021 because I missed my old one from years ago. Both were returned due to QC issues. The first one was returned as soon as I opened it, the guitar had the A String out of the bridge groove, and they set it up with the action of the A string, so the other strings were crazy high. My thought was if they were so lazy to set up the guitar based on a string that wasn't seated correctly that speaks volumes. I did seat it and lower the action just out of curiosity, and the nut was never cut, or was insanely high by any standard and packed it up and returned it. A year later I was reading good things and tried my luck with Sweetwater since they inspect them. This one didn't have the obvious setup issues, but the nut was still higher than a squire, the fret work was terrible, and there were finish issues everywhere. Sorry no way for $2500, I returned it and picked up a Custom Shop Stratocaster off reverb that was returned by a customer for $2700, and the quality between the two were insane. The custom shop, a 2021 1960, had the best fret work I ever seen, it was setup out the box to perfection, the nut was perfect, the finish was flawless, and sounded great.

[@ChristopherStandardTime]

clearly, nothing has changed at gibson. hope you're healing quickly, Phil.

[@guitarflyer172]

I must have just lucked up with my Gibson purchases! I’ve got 9 and they all had perfect QC and played and felt awesome! From 1982 to 2021!

[@jimherleva4541]

No you haven’t lucked out - it’s the norm. I have 10 from the 70s through to 2020s, including Custom Shops. All are wonderfully made and play brilliantly.

[@RichardWhite86]

I think the bad ones are the exceptions. I owned a 2014 Les Paul Standard, now own a 2013 Standard, 2011 R8, 2018 J-15, and have played numerous other Gibson (LPs, SGs, 335, and acoustics) and all of them were great. The only single flaw noticed was my bandmate’s SG had paint over a screw.

[@ShaneBiggs-l6d]

I mean if we really know our gear, ... this tells me sir that you do not know your gear. Phil is the man and knows his shit well.

[@guitarflyer172]

@@ShaneBiggs-l6d I can do anything Phil can do with a guitar and more. I’ve even got as many guitars. He’s not that special dude!

[@jimwoodard64]

@Phillip McKnight, as a guy who has purchased 6 guitars since the change to the new Gibson management (2019, 2020, and 2021), I am saddened by this. The co-guitarist in my band just got a new (2021) Custom Shop Explorer and he couldn't be happier. That thing is a ripper. I most recently purchased a 2021 Alpine White Les Paul Custom, also an excellent and flawless guitar. I can't believe the shop didn't catch this and slap Gibson first. Not that it's an excuse, in no way do I excuse this experience, but it is incumbent on the shops to send back the rejects so they can get repaired, modded, or scrapped. This is too bad and does not speak well to a large number of people, because regardless of how much good is out there, it only takes on bad apple to spoil the whole bunch.

[@andrewhartnett2140]

You give Phil too much credit. He has a history of grifting on these “customer service” issues, bad shipping practices etc. It is an excuse to make a video titled something like “You won’t believe what so and so let leave the factory”. Anyone can find a bad guitar or amp made by anyone. There is no great revelation in pointing out flaws in anyones manufacturing. Most of the big makers make plenty of good guitars if you go to look for them just as they all make some lemons. I didn’t by Gibson for 10 years bc of people like Phil. I’ve got a les Paul, lp junior, and a 335 and I love them all. Of course I set them up and some for new pups but they are fundamentally good guitars. Honestly people like Phil or myself are probably barely competent enough players to make serious comments about all this. The most prized vintage guitars in the world were made by the same manufactures under the same high demand conditions with even less stringent quality control. Somehow plenty of guys sound good on them. A good player sounds good and a bad player sounds bad regardless of the axe. I wouldn’t have commented except for the fact that I avoided Gibson for nearly a decade bc of talking heads. Judge each guitar on its merits.

[@jimherleva4541]

@ Andrew Hartnett Well said. I’ve been a Gibson man all my playing life - admittedly I couldn’t afford one when I started out but it was always the dream - now I have over 10 Gibson guitars. Several are Norlin, some are modern, some are Custom Shop, all are wonderful instruments. We never had the internet when I started so it was exactly as you say - individual merit. What makes me sad is younger players are being turned off trying all types of products simply because some cretin on KZbin tells them to. People like this idiot would simply go ragging on another company he’d previously lauded if Gibson weren’t there - all for views and subs.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

You're right, he has his demographic "The Moaning players" . We all know Gibson and otherd offer seconds with small defects at lower prices, maybe the sellers forgot to give the full transparency. If it was bought with a decent discount then I could live with those cosmetic issues.

[@wadesummers4102]

Glad you're feeling better. Shocked at those Q/C issues on such a pricey guitar...My Epiphone 59LP had no such problems and it was $800 (still a lot of money but nowhere near a CS...).

[@Kkorkykatt]

Yep i concur- bought an Epi LP Modern in 2020 & apart from a minute amount of fret leveling that i did myself (common Epi problem) the QC was excellent i paid 600 euro for it- i've heard far too many horror stories when it comes to Gibsons, add to that i'm not into Nitro finishes & the subsequent finish cracking & the fact that with a pickup swap, i dare someone to listen to a recording & differentiate the difference in tone & its a no brainer for me!

[@JoeC712]

My brother has one of those. Such a superb sounding guitar. Enjoy mate.

[@jackclark2787]

I have a 60th anniversary 59 and it has none of those issues

[@jeffarnold3229]

My opinion the need to concentrate on hiring woodworkers rather than struggling musicians for their factory.

[@BlurpeeBaggins]

Get better quickly! Really missed you last Friday. Hope all in the family are well!

[@nicholasflamel1134]

Gibson Guitars: "Imperfection by design" Perfect slogan.

[@hellodrjeckyl]

Thanks for the honest review Phil. As soon as that reflector fell out the knob I knew this was not gonna be good. Feel better man! I've been wanting a custom shop 335 this helped bring me back to reality.

[@gregmullins6927]

My friend I've owned 10 Gibson guitars over many years and most of them were overpriced and sub standard in my books,have you looked at Yamaha's SA2200 it's fantastic or Eastman,D'angelico equivalents? the retail value is not there but these instruments are superior to Gibson,also the break angle of the D anG strings makes those strings regularly go out of tune,PRS have a better design,just a suggestion.

[@hellodrjeckyl]

@@gregmullins6927 Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't looked into any of those guitars really. I currently own an Epi 335 that I'm happy with. I agree with you that Gibsons are pricey but I wouldn't call them junk. I've owned three, two which I've kept and plan to keep. None of them were bad or had any issues. The one I didn't keep I sold to help purchase one of the other ones. I think the pricing is mainly due to American labor costs, parts cost and build time. Set necks, binding, and nitro finishes only add to price. For me it helps justify the price when I think that this will be used for a lifetime and will bring me enjoyment. Using that logic I could probably even justify getting a custom shop, but It's just hard to drop 7K on a guitar at once when I think it could be put to better more responsible use, like towards my family, home or future.

[@alxdelrge]

Thank you for an honest review that doesn’t fall into hype. I’m sure there are guitars coming out of the custom shop that are glorious. That R0, for whatever reason, was not. These guitars, for their price point, are increasingly just expensive window dressing for doctors and accountants- and no longer getting into the hands of actual players.

[@taxationistheft2.0]

Came to say the came thing. I know a guy that spent thousands on one and didn't even play

[@ericlewis9638]

Thank you for another upfront and honest review Phil, that’s what we depend on you for! The truth.

[@xx-gp4me]

If they were to sell these as factory seconds with a reduced price they could expand their userbase and get back a lot of goodwill.

[@nathanward3888]

Never gonna happen. The Douche-itude of this company never ceases. And now they're gonna drive Mesa into the ground as well.

[@sedrickalcantara9588]

Wrong! It’s already happening, they call it the Gibson Demo shop

[@jimherleva4541]

Lost me at “reduced price”. Can’t afford it? Not for you.

[@xx-gp4me]

@@jimherleva4541 If you feel the need to pay full price for damaged goods that sounds like some self esteem issues, or some sort of cuck fetish.

[@yargnad]

​@@jimherleva4541What a stupid fucking statement. Obviously Phil *could* afford it and it's definitely *not* for him either.

[@Nightsat44]

You're a straight shooter Phil Keep up the great work Love your Ch.

[@suzannecoholic1467]

Jeepers Phil! I had covid over the holidays myself. I'm sorry you caught it. :( Your KYG podcast and KYG 'family' lifted my spirits a whole lot while I recuperated. Nevertheless, glad you're feeling better and on the mend. Take care of yourself, and hope your family is well too. :) Thanks for the honesty about the R0 vs that sweet R9, much appreciated. Those custom shop reissues cost a pretty penny for so much lack of attention to detail.

[@mattw.6726]

I hope Gibson reaches out to you regarding this and makes it right. The guitar should never have left the factory with those issues.

[@Xaltar_]

Sorry to hear you were sick Phil, I hope you are back in good health by now. Truly sad to see. Gibson really have lost the plot. The break angle on the neck was wrong, hat falling off the knob, pickups unevenly "aged", scratch under the finish. Any one of these things you might expect to see on a sub $500 guitar but the combination really is disgusting, the break angle being the absolute worst offender. This thing shouldn't have left the factory. I guess they are catering to the wall hanger collector market now, the people who wouldn't know a good guitar if it fell on their foot. I must have tried a dozen Gibson LPs over the last few years (since Covid) and I haven't found a single one that appealed enough to warrant the price tag. Every single one had some kind of issue, QC for the most part. I think there were maybe 2 that I just didn't like the feel of, too heavy and neck too thin (I like em chonky). That is selecting "the best" ones in a store, I wouldn't dream of ordering one online with this kind of track record. A Gibson used to be an investment but I am afraid that if I buy one now they will implode and the value will tank. If the resale value dies then there is literally 0 point to a new Gibson anymore, better to just go with another brand because the "used" models sell for more than new ones.

[@CheddarKungPao]

Thanks for sharing this, Phil. Gibson seems to prioritize cranking out guitars faster over maintaining a level of quality that other brands deliver at that custom shop price level. I love my 2019 R9 but it has some silly flaws (like back of the neck heel is rough and seems like it never got buffed.)

[@gregs8685]

Glad you’re feeling better. It’s ridiculous that QC at Gibson is so bad that even their custom shop can’t build a quality item. On the other hand PRS core guitars are basically flawless. Fender Custom Shop while not as good as PRS in QC are excellent.

[@zakkwyldesliver]

PRS S2 guitars blow Gibson’s production guitars out of the water from a quality and workmanship standpoint. Not sure about the Custom Shop, but I know PRS are sticklers about inspection and QC before they leave the factory.

[@zakkwyldesliver]

@@dukeford You left out “my budget”, poors.

[@doctorbarber1]

I have a 2013 Traditional that I love with a killer top, great neck, etc., and seeing stuff like this helps keep the itch to trade it in the name of chasing one of the higher end Gibsons at bay. I doubt I'll ever buy a Gibson new, just seems like the outrageous sticker price is less and less justified every year.

[@patrickwrenn3021]

Hope your feeling better Phil...I do not play so I'm here strictly hear for guitar education so I can share in conversations w my daughter who plays. That being said and correct me if I'm wrong but if I'm shelling out thousands for a custom shop guitar it better be flawless. Thanks Phil for a great review and education

[@gregmullins6927]

Pat I suggest you have a look at PRS,D'angelico,Yamaha,Ibanez,Schechter and Eastman,putting it bluntly Gibson is fucked!!!

[@billnelson9413]

Thanks for the honest reviews as always!

[@stratisfied678]

Disappointing that a "custom shop" instrument, sold at a premium, has so many flaws. Feel better Phil, I enjoy your take on the whole scene. Your MI background, understanding of retail, manufacturing, marketing & hype is noted and appreciated.

[@216trixie]

Nonsense. If your Gibson's were so bad, why did you keep buying them? Dont believe you.

[@squicker]

Glad I saw this video. I have a 2014 R9, a 2012 R6, and was thinking of adding an R0. I quite like the colour bleed on my R9, it helps it 'age' in a natural way (even though by intent). I feel like 2014 was a golden year for the 'R' guitars, my R9 is faultless and is one of just 4 Les Pauls I will never sell.

[@Gandhi4055]

With the QC these days it seems like every Gibson is a B-Stock

[@lescaster2179]

I love my 2014 R8 Historic VOS. Everything I wanted in a Les Paul "Standard" and the Custom Buckers in it satisfyingly scratch that vintage Tele-on-Steroid 50's LP itch for me. Big, round, warm neck with no 'muddy' or 'wooly' characteristics and really what I would describe as an open, 'woody' sound. The neck is bright with a nicely added growl vs. the neck and together they sound glorious and really well balanced, making me want to find more reasons to use that position. At the time (2018), I bought it gently used from a Sam Ash via Reverb for the same price as a new LP Standard production model. Crazy to see used prices now, but back then you could still shop for an excellent condition LP R7 and R8 for $2,500 with a modest amount of patience, $2800-$3000 if you had zero patience.

[@brenthorrocks]

Glad you're feeling better! Thanks for posting your amp settings, that is super helpful!! Thanks Phil!

[@Kami_81]

I ordered a Les Paul Std 60's from my local guitar shop, I must say that I'm worried after seeing this, if this is the level of quality control for custom shop, I can't imagine what it can be for the production models.

[@dogpd3]

Well did you get it

[@Kami_81]

@@dogpd3 Not yet, it can be weeks or months before it arrives, so I'm still waiting. I'll leave a short review on the QC once it arrives.

[@dogpd3]

@@Kami_81 okay cool man

[@jyuke9955]

I bought a 60’s standard unburst in 2019 and I absolutely love it. The only thing I did was to lower the pickups about even with the rings and that really made a big difference.

[@dogpd3]

@@jyuke9955 that’s awesome

[@ClintsGuitarsNGear]

Thanks for being honest in your reviews. These manufacturers need to know these things to improve the quality of their guitars. After all people are paying big dollars for these Gibson's today and you should only ever receive the very best.🍻👍 And hope you recover fast from Covid.

[@tedjohnson5210]

Gibsons are nice guitars, and I wouldn’t mind owning a R9 someday BUT, I feel like every video I watch of these guitars makes me appreciate my Epiphones with Gibson pickups and wiring. They have some of the same flaws but at 1/5 the price. As always a great video Phil, I know I’m late to the game on this one but thank you!!

[@philmanson2991]

I bought my Standard new in 1998. I installed Tom Holmes antique humbuckers, CTS 500k pots, Bumblebee caps, and locking Grovers. I had it PLEK'd in 2021 at Righteous Guitars in Roswell, GA. IT IS A BEAST, and proof that there really was a "Good Wood" period when Gibson cared about QC.

[@dogpd3]

I had a studio from the good wood era that was terrible. Recently got a standard that blew a good wood era Gibson out of the water

[@mentula3784]

I gave up on Gibson in 2013, had a trans Amber plus top that the binding separated from the neck slightly and would catch and hold a string until it was plucked out. I returned it for a replacement which did exactly the same thing. Changed that sucker for a prs and haven't looked back. Great vid Phil 👍

[@balaysked]

I got a Gibson Les Paul Tribute from Sweetwater last year and the frets were extremely rough, sharp ends and just didnt play well at all. Sent it back to Sweetwater for a setup and a little bit of maintenance and now it plays like a dream. But, you definitely don't expect to get a neck that is that rough from a guitar that cost that much.

[@jebusgod]

I bought the Lukas Nelson LP Jnr last year not nearly as expensive as your R0 but still a $1k+ guitar made in the USA and it had many quality issues one of which was a stripped tuning adjustment grub screw and the bridge screw hole it goes into, raised the issue with my dealer as I can't intonate the thing, issue never resolved. Frets were dressed horrible and uneven. My friend bought a gold top at the same time, same finishing issues on the frets and neck

[@erwinroman4217]

I have an '01 R4 that sounds fantastic (Fralin P90s) but the fretwork and fretboard look like they were finished by a trainee. The fretboard on each side of each fret shows where a dressing file ran across the board. It's a keeper though, I've had it for about 20 years.

[@mancub1589]

I have been watching your videos while recovering from surgery. Yeah, that’s how much I enjoy your show. Lay low, get well Phil.

[@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495]

I thought you were nit-picking with the scratch at first, but I guess when you're the first owner you want it perfect, and if I'm honest that loose knob insert would have been enough to give me anxiety/ fuel buyer's remorse. One thing I hoped you'd dwell on more was a comparison of the neck profiles and whether you found the thinner neck easier to play Phil?

[@glennyocklin2884]

Phil, sorry to hear about the COVID got it in November and was a one step away from the hospital. Get better soon and take care.

[@scottjua]

My R0 and my 60th anniversary SG both had the reflectors come off easily. The glue they're using isn't holding. I just epoxied them back on no problems

[@joefromnowhere5296]

I made a choice long ago to stay away from Gibson . Seeing reviews like this just confirms what I saw on Gibsons out in the wild for a long time. I scratched my itch for a les paul with an Epiphone version that I bought as a “B” stock guitar . Paid around 500 USD for it a few years ago and I’ll be damned if I can find anything wrong with it. Very stable neck and action can be set up lower than I’d ever want it with no buzz or fretting out anywhere on the neck. I own 30 ish guitars mostly Ibanez - I can easily attest to their QC standards across all ranges. Rg655 (Japan),RG1070 (Indonesia), S670(Indo) , RG 920 (Indo), RG4 and RG420 , and a 7 string Iron Label S series are all from different price points BUT they all play and feel on par with each other and just what you’d expect with the Ibanez badge on the headstock. Will these instruments resell for close to what I paid ? I think not. But with the consistency and reliability I don’t see them being sold anyway so that doesn’t bother me. In my opinion Gibson needs to up their QC game to a level thats above a 300 dollar guitar with a 4700 dollar logo on it . They couldn’t give me any guitar for free and expect me to play it or even keep it. Return to sender with packaging tape still intact . Oh and they can pay for the return shipping too.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

For Christmas just a few months ago I got myself the Les Paul Tribute model. It's got the 490R/490T hums with the satin honey finish. Kluson tuners and a really nice rosewood board. Quality/fit/finish I must admit it was a nice surprise. I cannot find a flaw on it. It came with a certificate that claimed it was Plek'd but I am not too sure on that. The action was a bit on the high side. It's basically a Les Paul Studio feeling guitar, and at $1700 new that's about right. This guitar you just got is a real good looker! I love that finish. But for that price you can get a Music Man JP with all the bells and whistles. And still have money left over.

[@Barbarapape]

Sorry to hear that you have Covid Phil, hope you are now recovering. Re Gibson quality issues on a custom shop sample are no surprise to me. Fender are just as bad, back in the mid 90's i ordered a custom shop Bonnie Raitt Strat, waited a long time only for it to arrive with multiple finish issues, and chewed up screw heads, i rejected it! Both companies are reknown for having problems with quality over the years. There was a time when shops struggled to get samples good enough to sell. Seems like the quality has not improved.🤨

[@chrisggoodwin777]

Good to hear you're doing better! Hoping I can make the Friday live show before work. Meanwhile, I look forward to other posts between now and then

[@TheFaustianMan]

Ah! So it was Covid! Damn! Sorry to hear it. You do you, and when you feel better we'll be here for you!

[@thorstenglockner5700]

Get well soon - sending energy from Germany! Thanks for the upload.

[@lolaa2200]

Years after years Gibson create itself a legacy of overpriced poorly made guitars. It's sad they can not see that. It feels like they intentionally switched their marketing strategy toward posers who don't really care about the guitar but just want it to hang on a wall and be looked at from 5feet away, but they want the logo on it. Sure there is a market for that and sure Gibson serve that market. As people who want to actually play the guitar we just have to acknowledge they do not build musical instrument anymore.

[@johnsample5628]

I have an R0 from i think 2014 and its AWESOME in every aspect. Also have a 2012 R7 Goldtop. Pickups in that are a little less output, and the neck pickup is a little darker than the R0, but that just makes it fun.

[@squicker]

I have a 2014 R9, I think 2014 was a golden year for the Reissues, they changed them up significantly but the corner cutting had not yet crept in.

[@77pearcearrow]

Hope you feel better Phil, great video!! I have tried so many Gibsons and wanted to by one and I have never said wow this is one. I'm going to stick to my PRS McCarty and AMPII Strat for now.

[@CC-qb9sm]

That is such a shame that didn’t work out better for you as I decidedly prefer the 60s style neck as well. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ladyluckdrums]

$6500 and there's issues with fit and finish is unacceptable. I bought a scratch and dent 60s standard, I guess I was Ok knowing there were finish issues given the discount. And the same for my les paul tribute. Great videos Phil, hope you feel better!

[@jorgetrimboli]

Phil, I have learned many things from your channel. Your work is priceless. Please, take the time to get 100% recovered; you are an essential voice for musicians. Be blessed!

[@motomoog]

Thanks you rock. I purchased a 2022 LP STD. Sunburst 50s Original from Sweetwater it’s light 8.6 lbs got a good deal. I changed the studs to a more ABR 1 like and the bridge and stop tail. R0 is on my list if I can find the right one.

[@DanielPerez-gi7oe]

Dealing with Covid right now too, it's not fun! I picked up a 2020 Gibson LP Standard 60s last year. I put some Vaughn Skow 59/60 PAF pickups in it. Although they aren't well known they really give the LP an amazing sound!

[@jalmonsalmon]

Scratch on the neck was a dealbreaker for me! I had the opertunity to play an R9 next to my 2013 Traditional and the only real differnce I noticed was the R9 had a better top! For me as a person who cannot afford any of the VOS lesters, I am happy with my Trad... :) It does just fine.

[@chefboy6123]

My 2020 Custom Shop 60th Anniversary RO V3 Neck is awesome! Bought it used in VG condition. My Birth Year Guitar. A keeper that has none of the issues Phillip's did.

[@RB-jw8ff]

In December I bought a new 59 ES355 Murphy lab in black. It was literally missing a chunk of finish under the bridge. Not related to “aging”. I colored it in with a black pen. Keeping the guitar, but very sad to see Gibson has slid back into quality issues. Guitar had some other minor quality issues as well. Being owned by a private equity firm and quality are incompatible.

[@doubleotwentyone]

Hope you get over it and are back to full health soon.

[@rick00770]

Get well soon Phil. I really enjoy your reviews.

[@utahprepper8925]

Speaking of proper QC - I bought a brand new 2018 Memphis ES335 Figured with the dark neck. The screws and bushings on the tuners had been started but never tightened down at all. You could see daylight under the tuners and the bushings rattled. This was an easy fix but still - the QC checklist clearly lied. And the neck stain bleed into the binding is terrible. I have pink binding. Other than those two issues it's a great guitar. I also purchased a brand new LP Standard 50's. It came with the nut so badly crafted that I removed it and replaced it with a bone nut. The guitar otherwise is fine. I love both my Gibsons but it is hit and miss with them (always has been).

[@harryebbeson]

Great video. I will never own one for sure but I really would be concerned about the quality of production for such an expensive guitar. It should have “perfect”.

[@brandonanderson2066]

When covid kicked my ass I really enjoyed watching your Livestreams. Got my mind off it.

[@mvenuti1980]

Feel better, Phil! I have a R7, B7, R8 and a R6 on the way. I’ve always bought used however, so I’m not sure if any imperfections are from previous owners or the factory. I will say that I wasn’t impressed with the Custombuckers in my R7 and replaced them with ThroBaks.

[@Jodyrides]

I noticed a 2018 gibson les paul P 90 Ebony on eBay. Just like mine. There were very detailed photos on eBay of this guitar. I noticed that it looks like they had painted over sawdust on the net joint on eBay so I checked out my 2018 ebony Les Paul P90. Same thing. The neck joint on the side of the guitar that is not cut away doesn’t have paint on the neck all the way from the pick up to the end of the body … and there appears to be either chips in the paint where it meets the binding nearest The pick up.. I have this in a video on KZbin pointing this out and comparing the quality of the workmanship to my epiphone les Paul 56 gold top, which happens to be perfect not just in the neck joint, but all over..

[@NG-Lespaul]

For the ridiculous price, that guitar should be damn near perfect. I would've sent it back and demanded satisfaction!!! Inexcusable! I'm a diehard Les Paul guy and want an R9 Southern Fade but cannot afford one. Someday. I've gigged with an R8 which was awesome!

[@taylord2729]

I bought 60th anniversary 59' about a year ago and it was plagued with issues. In fact, every Gibson I buy seems to be plagued with issues. I want to love them but the fact is I have gone through probably 7-8 different LP's and a couple SG's and they all went back for one or more issues. Some of them major. Wish I could reach someone of importance when I contact Gibson, instead I am given a bunch of BS excuses why the guitar has huge flaws. I wish I could show/tell JC or Cesar. Get well Phil !

[@gregmullins6927]

Taylor I've recently bought a PRS 594 S2 Single Cut,it's a fabulous guitar that Gibson have never come close to,I suggest you have a look at PRS,Yamaha,D'angelico,Ibanez and Eastman,you might be shocked by the superior finish,playability and tone,I've owned lots of Gibson's over many years and I've been disappointed every time as there were no alternative Gibson like guitars but now there,this just a suggestion.

[@Glicksman1]

I agree with your assessment. I'd pass on that R0, too. I have a 2001 R9. It has beautiful, unfaded, dark tomato soup red in the finish, a gently forward-arrow chevron flame, and is very subtly aged by Tom Murphy. The neck is period-correct chunky, but not a baseball bat, either. It looked and played great right out of the box with a 'Burst Bucker 2 in the neck, and a 3 at the bridge, but as I had a basket case '61 SG Les Paul, I salvaged a number of its parts to install on the R9. The SG's Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with the original inlays, the bridge, all of the electronics, the switch and tip, the knobs, and, of course, the PAFs are now on it. The SG's tuners were single-line with double rings, so they wouldn't be period-correct on a "1959" guitar. The R9 now has period single-line, single ring Klusons. Does it play and sound like a real "Burst? I have played a number of real 'Bursts, and I do not recall that they were any better than my back-modded R9. Maybe a side by side demo would show a difference, but since I can't do that, I am satisfied that my R9 is a least in the real 'Burst ballpark. The best part of all of all is that the total cost (broken-up '61 SG, the R9 purchased new in 2001, and the expert lutherie to put them together) was approximately 1/45th of a real one in 2001.

[@USTTRM]

Hope you get well soon!

[@craigdockstader502]

Glad you are feeling better and back. Covid is crazy.

[@loglew]

Did you get a new camera? The resolution is outstanding. BTW the content is outstanding as well.....

[@Russell_Optics]

I recently purchased a new Gibson SG jr and was disappointed with the lack of attention to the quality control. The nut wasn't cut correctly, no rolled edges, the tone pot crackled like the 4th of July. The P90 was mounted so close to the strings that they buzzed with the string height any lower than 1.75mm. I've purchased a Firefly guitar that came in better playing condition. I got it all fixed up, but shouldn't have had to do all that to a new, and fairly expensive guitar.

[@raymondsurace2575]

Hope you feel better soon.

[@ThePandaProcrastinates]

Glad you are feeling better Phil!! Hope to see you Friday man!

[@joecoach7268]

There is just something about the Gibson sound. Maybe I cant really put my finger on it, but you demo a lot of guitars and none of them sound like your Gibsons. Maybe its just me, I dont know but it truly sounds warm and unique. Hope you continue to feel better Phil - thanks for the vids!

[@kyrandell3290]

Best wishes Phil to get well soon. Health and family first. We all need you back fully fit! Cheers, Ky

[@Caperetiree]

And for these reasons I ordered an Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50’s. I looked at one at Guitar Center and the fit and finish is much better than the 2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard I had. I will however put in a pair of Gibson 57 Classics that I have even though the Probuckers are good pup’s.

[@jameswyre6480]

I also have no tolerance for fret protrusions on a premium product. Very good and even-handed review!

[@minigmac1]

Feel better Phillip! BTW I just sent back a new (Dec 21) LP Standard. $2700 and had dimples in neck binding. Sorry but it should be PERFECT! I couldn't sleep at night if I was the QC guy. Completely unacceptable.

[@misterpurple4089]

Gibson CEO - "Quality Schmality, you know you are still going to buy one!" And he's not wrong, they will sell a crap ton of these despite the blemishes and knobs falling off. Glad you are feeling better Phil, I need my weekly dose of nerdy guitar chat.

[@Scrimshaw_DuBois42]

These problems can seem relatively insignificant at first if the guitar feels good to play, but then you remember he paid $6000+ for a guitar with multiple defects he noticed almost immediately. That's completely unacceptable. Scared to see the quality vs price of Gibson amps by Mesa Boogie. $3000 for amps that don't do anything new or even unique, except have a Gibson badge. I bet if they could make them with the "vintage-spec" 2-prong power cords without getting sued, they probably would

[@piotrrkoss]

Get well Phill ,Thank you for a honest review.Much Appreciated

[@gtr1952]

I have been waiting for this for a long time. My first thought when it ended was WTF? That's it?? Then I read that you had/have C19... and I felt like crap!! 8( I just got home from 18 days in the hospital myself, non-C19 related. Hope to see you Friday, and that you are feeling better, and/or improving!!! Take care!!.... 8-| --gary

[@Goodiebar18]

I got my 60th anniversary R9 in early 2020 new for $4,600 brand new and it was perfect still have and love it

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

Get well soon Phillip! Thanks for all your videos!

[@martywilkinson6722]

I don't blame you for not keeping it. I had an R8 Custom shop that was very sloppy and had several issues. I sold it quickly.

[@littlerhodyguitar2169]

Hope you feel better soon Phil. Sorry about the R0 that's a little messed up.

[@gredmer]

Glad you’re feeling better.

[@jeffboyd7719]

Great insight into Gibson custom shop guitars. Gibson needs to understand that the guitar buying public is becoming very educated on historical specs and where standards should be held. Right away the knob cap comes off and then you can't even set up the string height due to planned imperfections. If Gibson's quality control was perfect we would think something was wrong.

[@VN9001]

"If Gibson's quality control was perfect we would think something was wrong." - I laughed out loud when I read that Jeff - because it's true!! 😆

[@jray5363]

Get Well Soon, Phil! Missed you last week! Covid Sucks!

[@matthorner35]

I was about to jump in here and come to their defence but ok, that is difficult. in 2018 I ordered the rare lefty firebird studio they finally released that year. The first one that arrived, someone had 'adjusted' the routing for the p90s with a chisel and just left the scratched open wood, it was quite incredible that neither Gibson nor the very well known store picked up on this before shipping. Thankfully it was replaced.

[@simonwilliams9916]

Hope you are ok Phil and feeling better. 👍🤘🏻🎸👍🤘🏻🎸

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

I have a 2007 R7 and the pickup bezel is the same. The pickups are very close to the strings and if I lower it any it will contact the bridge pickup. Of course this could be corrected with a different bezel but this was supposed to be a custom shop guitar

[@Gottaloveguitars427]

Praying for you buddy, take care and get better soon

[@solocam1962]

Just bought a used 83 Studio ... I have a SG I bought new years ago. The Studio I tweaked and set up (an older man bought it new and played it on and off) and it plays great, the neck is awesome. Yet, honestly I have budget guitars that I modded that play better than the 2 gibbies. In today's world you do not need to spend crazy money to have a great guitar.

[@seancollins3106]

I can only speak on my own experiences, but my two Gibson Les Pauls are close to perfect (for me). The playability of them are both excellent. There are a couple shops in Minneapolis that let you take anything off the wall and plug it in (only exceptions are the Murphy lab guitars ), so you can really look it over and play it. The only Gibson issue I found was a couple of dull patches on the finish of a Lizzy Hale red Explorer; other than that, they've all been really good.