Was The Gibson Les Paul Tribute Discontinued Because It Sold Too Well?

#gibson #lespaul #guitar ‪@gibsonguitar‬
Signal Chain - GUITAR - Korg PitchBlack Pro Tuner - Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer - Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Crybaby Wah - MXR Smart Gate - Orange Rockerverb 100 Mk III - Mesa Boogie Rectifier Oversized 4x12 Slant Cabinet - Neumann TLM 107 Microphone - Vintech Audio VA573 Microphone Preamp - API Lunchbox 8 Chassis - Universal Audio Apollo 16b Audio Interface - MacBook Pro 16 M2 Pro - Universal Audio Luna
Chapters
00:00 Start
00:16 Orange Rockerverb 100 Mk III | TS9 and KH95 On Lead | Drop D
01:57 How it USED to sit in the Line Up
02:44 DISCONTINUED
03:33 Tribute and Studio MERGED
04:31 The Tribute was a LEGEND
07:02 490T/R Pickups Are They PAFs?
08:07 VS Custom Buckers | Orange Rockerverb 100 Mk III | E Standard
10:33 The Thought is that the Tribute was Eating into Studio Sales
11:08 Maybe they were trying to "Modernize" Their Line-Up
13:07 We have LOST a LEGEND in the Line-Up
13:25 Orange Rockerverb 100 Mk III | Drop D

[@michelleneeds4165]

That opening jam was sweet!!! Real Kirk Hammet vibes on the solo, I consider that a good thing haha! Nice work.

[@gibgibGG]

I love my 2022 Les Paul Tribute in Honey Burst. I put in a 50'a wiring harness and a Burstbucker 2 in the bridge--love it even more. I think the reason for discontinuing the Tribute is because the High-end Epiphones have taken over that price point. Gibson would rather their entry level guitars start at a higher price point. I really think Gibson wants all of their models to be in the upper teens and higher. They want Epiphone to compete with other manufacturers at the sub $1500-$1600 levels. 🎸

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Good point. With new management it would be hard to ignore the competition like Fender, PRS, and ESP with their pricing tiers. It's just a shame as they really were great guitars! Cheers -Ryan

[@joshL28]

My Tribute just arrived today and I payed $850 for it in mint condition. Gibson should not have discontinued this entry level guitar…

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Congrats! 100% Agree! Cheers -Ryan

[@yonatangreenberg]

Nah bro this ain't an entry level guitar💀

[@joshL28]

@@yonatangreenbergfor a Gibson it LITERALLY was the entry level one. Now ik you could get the same level quality guitars for cheaper such as Harley Bentons but that’s the premium price you have to play for the Gibbons brand. You want a real deal LP standard you gotta pay $3k and not everyone has the finances to pay that much for one guitar.

[@seanflannery777]

I replaced the 490t in my 2022 tribute with a Seymour Duncan JB and hand wired it... really turned it on!

[@skylarcarlson7745]

I got mine new on sale from Guitar Center for $1000, I've owned a ton of guitars including other Les Pauls, this guitar holds its own with anything. I love it. It's insanely light, neck is great, pick ups are great.

[@nicosonic]

it was not expensive enough for Gibson.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I think with the new management it was hard not to look at other companies. Fender, PRS, ESP, etc... They all have different price points and getting an American Made version of those brands: Totally different price points. It's a shame. Cheers -Ryan

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

I have a 2013 Gibson “LPJ”. Nobody knows what “LPJ” means but it is a les Paul in every way possible. The only difference is that it has a maple neck but I prefer that as it is stronger and less likely to break. I replaced the blacked out pickups (they were 490 R and 498 T and sounded ok but I hated the look so put in some low output hand wound paf knock offs). The nitro finish has aged nicely and is naturally relic’d which I love. Had the frets crowned and polished after a couple years of playing. I pick up and try lots of new Gibsons and have yet to find a standard that I prefer (don’t like plastic nibs for one thing) and the LPJ was well under $1000. Maybe that’s why they only made it one year (yes they made a 2014 LPJ but it wasn’t as close to a standard spec as the 2013 was. It’s like buying a Porsche that has the same engine, specs and performance of other Porsches but a less shiny paint job for a third of the price. It’s a win to me.

[@dereksmith3805]

I think the 1959 Epiphone with the official Les Paul headstock they recently released was intended to replace the Tribute. It’s at the same price point and forces people to pay more for the Gibson name.

[@jasonswitzer1748]

I played the last Epi x Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul (burstbuckers) against a Gibson Les Paul Tribute and far preferred the Gibson, which sounded meatier, was lighter, and had smoother feeling tuners. They both were selling for $1k at the time. I ended up buying the Gibson. Doesn’t mean the Epi was bad… just thought the Gibson felt and sounded better. I’d love a flame top Gibson Custom Shop LP, but I can’t justify dropping $7k for one. All of a sudden the Heritage Custom Core H150 looks much more interesting at ~$4k. I’d love to see you do a review of one if you get the opportunity!

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I understand the appeal of the Heritage stuff. They aren't really widely available in my area so I don't really bother. Great story and history of the company, though! Man the flame tops are $9,000 Canadian... I said I would never buy one. Then I tried one. My wallet HATES me! I'm hoping to get a 1960 VOS later this year to go along with my '56, '57, '58, and '59. To me there is just nothing like the Historic Custom Shops. I REALLY wish I had never tried one, though! HAHAHA Cheers -Ryan

[@gibs8412]

I have one and love it, its light weight, stainless steel frets, already plecked, even though i did the ends a bit, but I did change the electronics, add some locking tuners. kept the 490s, love em, especially with old style wiring and bumble bee caps,it stays in tune a whole set, and sounds great! satin nitro, lol, I am wearing it down to bare wood just from playing it live for a few years where my arm rests on it. Goes great w the rockerverb, nice vid.

[@recklesstoboggan]

I LOVE the 490r/490t combination, though they're not PAFs in the late 1950s or early 1960s sense of the PAF moniker. The 490r/490t are almost a 1:1 clone of Gibson T-Top pickups, which were made between about 1966-1967 through 1979- 1980. The 490r/490t are a "Truibute" version of T-Tops, if you will. Yes, technically T-Tops are PAF pickups, but not really in the same way that the late 50s and early 60s pickups that most people associate with traditional PAFs. T-Tops are more associated with the 1970s classic rock sound, rather than the late 50s or early 60s PAF sound. And the maple neck is a 70s era Gibson spec too, was more common on 70s Les Pauls. So what does that add up to in terms of the Gibson Les Paul Tribute? The Gibson Les Paul Tribute, with its 70s era maple neck and its 70s era T-Top-ish pickups, makes the Les Paul Tribute a MONSTER 70s rock machine.

[@rcourtri2]

Gibson ended up with its high-end (and more profitable) Epiphones and the LP Tribute competing with directly each other, and the Tribute was probably too close in price to the Gibson LP Studio as well. For all practical purposes, the production capacity was shifted to the LP Modern Lite, a guitar that probably costs Gibson 10-25% less to produce (no maple top, an even cheaper finish, etc.).

[@Aztec556]

I love my Tribute, it's a great affordable entry point for Gibson. The sound quality is phenomenal. Unfortunately I've never been a fan of the neck though, frets always felt not very smooth, at least on my version.

[@tedjohnson5210]

One thing I love about my tribute is it’s a true tobacco burst, no red to be seen like a tri burst or vintage sunburst. Great guitar. There’s a mint condition one in my area for 850, I might buy it just because.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I do love a true tobacco sunburst! Cheers -Ryan

[@salbiase2117]

I got mine used with an 'upgrade' to hipshot tuners (originals included) for $900. Absolutely stellar guitar. The neck makes me happy. I wish they had other maple/rosewood options

[@viperBSG]

from what I could tell this guitar was discontinued to make way for the new $1200.00 and up Epiphones

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

It would make sense. Try to be more in line with Fender, PRS, and ESP. Just a shame. Cheers -Ryan

[@tylerlove9275]

Great video! Im happy i bought my tribute last month. I had no idea that they were discontinuing it. I have too many guitars now though and i dont want to get rid of any of them haha. 72 tele deluxe, prs silversky, epi es335 and my taylor acoustic. Do you have any amp recommendations? I have a positive grid spark for home but i think my next purchase would be a good quality amp that is gigable.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

It's really hard to give recommendations, usually. I have a lot of love for the Fender DeVilles. Very versatile, take pedals well (If needed), Amazing Reverb tanks! But lots of players, nowadays, are switching over to Quality Modelers (Or Modeller Pedals) and pushing them through the PA. Cheers -Ryan

[@geneevans7885]

I always thought Gibson should’ve kept the tribute and gave the modern series to epiphone.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I Agree… but. If you look at one of the main complaints against the company, it’s usually: Gibson is living in the past, they don’t ever do anything modern. So if they split the lineup between Modern and Original then it might work for them (Or at least that would be their hope). I’m just not into the modern stuff, personally. But there are lots of players out there that really enjoy those kind of guitars. Cheers -Ryan

[@geeklapin3659]

J'adore ma Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2022 en Cherry Sunburst. C'est une guitare fantastique et qui en plus va devenir rare si Gibson arrête la production.

[@sgholt]

I think you may have something there....I got one last year and the DC special a few years earlier.... happy with both :)

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

The DC special is SUCH a great guitar!!! Wish they would have kept that model Going… expand on it a bit! Cheers -Ryan

[@jimgreene2147]

Love my gold modern Tribute LP. '57 hb's. Love the modern neck heel. Satin finish gold, light weight and an adjustable metal nut. Plays like a dream. AND a great soft case. Only negative has a PCB which had to be replaced and Gibson shipped me out one FREE.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Nice! That's the unfortunate thing with the PCBs... when they go it's either somehow get a new PCB set or just Get new Pots and Caps and "Get to Soldering". Cheers -Ryan

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

My dad had a tribute in tea burst satin , with dot inlays instead of the blocks. One of the very few made. And it’s going to me😂❤. I kind of like the modern studio white satin. But price wise , it’s nothing great at all. Better put your cash aside ,and get a standard new. Or a used one on reverb💯great video

[@Trial212]

A GREAT video!! I will freely admit to being confused as hell about Gibson's lower end Les Paul guitars. Seriously, I didn't know for some time that the Studio and the Tribute were two different guitars!! Why you say?? Because I would see Studio and Tribute used in the same sentence!! So I cured the problem for awhile by just buying Standards. That got expensive although none were bought new. Eventually I figured out that they were indeed two different guitars!! My "Ah Ha" moment. Long story short, I found a 1970's Gold Top Tribute from Gibson's mod shop!! It has two Gibson factory installed mini humbuckers!! What a great sounding and playing guitar!! If other Tributes sound as good as mine, and I'm sure they do, We will be missing out on a nice guitar, entry level or not!!

[@jasondorsey7110]

From a bass perspective...the sg special, eb-13/eb-17 and les paul junior dc tribute were all solid instruments for a reasonable price...notice I said "were"

[@TommySG1]

I had an SG Tribute which I sold, it was a nice guitar no doubt. I've heard a ton of negative comments on the new light moderns too.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

There was a point where I wanted to own Every Les Paul Model in the lineup. That moment ended when I tried the "Modern Lite". It feels paper thin. It's of course a preference thing as I've heard some people who love them. But I could not get along with it, unfortunately. Cheers -Ryan

[@arrtdave]

Still love my 2021 tribute...plays great, sounds great, only thing I would like is binding on the neck and body....but I guess that's why there's the faded series.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Lack of binding kind of gave them (and Studios) an identity as "Work Horse Guitars". I much prefer the look of Binding (And the feel of neck binding one a guitar ages) but at the same time the Tributes and Studios were generally just great guitars without the flash. Cheers -Ryan

[@arrtdave]

@@Crypticmaskguitar agree 💯.

[@mortonwilson795]

Big difference in the pick-ups, even with this short demo the Tribute sounds quite 'dull' to me. I think your point about the Tribute & Studio cutting into profitability is on the mark, esp as there are many players who will happily pay more for one of these because they have 'Gibson' on the headstock and not 'Epiphone' despite the fact that recent Epi models like the '59 & Cantrell Wino both have a lot more to offer and cost quite a bit less than these 2 Gibsons . . . so be it. My assupmtion is that Gibson are happy to give license to Epiphone to go for the new 'Inspired by Gibson' or whatever approach and ramp up prices - some of which will feedback to the parent company - while keeping US made Gibsons at a higher 'prestigious' price point. Just a hunch 😀 I tried both when they were released but bought the '59 & Wino because to this old guy (my main guitar is a 1968 Les Paul Custom, which I bought in 1973) the Epis were considerably better instruments than the Gibsons regardless of cost or the 2 main bugbears of so many on YT channels 're-sale Value' and 'gotta be authentic, bro - Made in the US of A' - both of which are meaningless to me - (a) I don't buy a musical instrument because I want to sell it and (b) I own guitars made in Japan, Germany, Korea, China, Indonesia, Mexico & USA and I bought each of them for the unique personality / sound etc they offer me in the studio - not because of where they were made . . . all that said, it is a shame to see the Tribute go - nice guitar! Cheers.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I have always gone with "What is comfortable to me" and "What inspires me to play... and OFTEN!". I generally use a Les Paul for in studio stuff, BUT, I used to have a cheap Jackson Entry Level Rhoads that I swapped out pickups, bridge, tuners... and it was MAGICAL! It felt like it was 3D Printed hahaha! But if I felt like I "Needed something different" it was always the guitar that I grabbed! You connect with what you connect with. It was a "Cheap Piece Of Shit"... but I could make that "Cheap Piece Of Shit" sing hahaha! Cheers -Ryan

[@garyatkins4479]

Same with the Les Paul special tribute guitars .. they were killer

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I really enjoyed those guitars as well. I think people were turned off by the Wraparound Lightning Bar. Wraparounds are great, but, intonation isn't too customizable. So to some they would pass on them. I had two haha! They were great guitars! Cheers -Ryan

[@garypannone7755]

Both sound great, I do notice a difference. I don't think I can say one sounds better than the other though.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Variety is always a Guitar Players BEST FRIEND! "This works for this, and that works for that". Cheers -Ryan

[@michaelr.4878]

I have a 2022 Tribute that has the 490 pickups..and while I love the feel of the guitar, I do find the pickups to be a little, 'boomy'. It is the only way I can describe it. The things I really like about the Tribute is the unbound and maple neck. I like both of those features...which are technically a downgrade to most.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

The 490 pickups are definitely a little hotter. The maple was usually used to increase the feel of the upper mid range due to the satin nitro (which lets you feel more of the low end). Cheers -Ryan

[@rocktorrocks]

They prob didn’t want people to choose this over their overpriced $1300 Epiphones.

[@TommySG1]

good point....lol

[@tedjohnson5210]

I have both. My tribute is a great guitar, but this new 59 epiphone is awesome, and sounds great. Does it stand up to my standard? No, but a better guitar than my tribute.

[@roberte03915]

@@tedjohnson5210 You think the new '59 is better than the Tribute? Hm. I may have to break down and get one of those eventually. I love my Tribute.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I've heard so many mixed opinions on the new '59 Epiphone. I'm really interested in trying it out. Maybe do a comparison video with my 1959 VOS. But opinions and preferences mean absolutely nothing to anyone but yourself haha! I'm definitely interested in trying one out properly. Cheers -Ryan

[@roberte03915]

@@Crypticmaskguitar Love to hear that. I'd definitely be interested in seeing what you could make it do - I was really impressed by the sounds you were making with that Tribute.

[@user-vr9mk6hv9k]

I'm glad I got mine when I did, because none of the replacement models (both Gibson and Epiphone) are available in lefty. If the Classic goes as well, there's nothing for lefties to buy between a cheaper Epiphone and a Standard.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

WOW! That's a HUGE oversight! I knew at one point they had Explorers left handed, but never thought about Les Pauls. You would think there would be at least a bit of selection! Cheers -Ryan

[@user-vr9mk6hv9k]

@@Crypticmaskguitar The Tributes and Studios came in lefty, at least some of the colors (though not all). What's now being offered as their replacements (Modern Lites, Modern Studios, high-end Epiphones) only come in right-handed. And I don't think that's an oversight -- it's a business decision.

[@garypannone7755]

I wish I could play like you. LOL

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

There are so many players that I wish I could play like haha! As long as you enjoy it… you always learn and appreciate the improvements! Cheers -Ryan

[@dzines65]

Mine has a mahogany neck.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Yeah. Before Cesar and JC took over… the line up was all over the place. 50s, 60s, 70s tributes. Some came with mahogany necks and there was even one with No Weight Relief. Would have loved to try that one out! Cheers -Ryan

[@dougbourgeois747]

I have it, the 2018, mahogany neck, no weight relief and a 498t pickup. Plays great, a keeper for sure…

[@benallmark9671]

Should we be hanging onto our tributes ?

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

If you like it… yes. It’s unlikely that they will increase in value as they were around for years and were just a rebranding of the faded series. Cheers -Ryan

[@aitken1965]

The new "Modern Lite" Les Pauls cost hundreds more than the Tributes they replaced and don't have anywhere near the substance of the Tributes.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I used to collect all of the Les Paul releases… once they released the Modern Lite I started selling off some of my guitars and switched to Custom Shops. To me the Modern Lite is a step in the wrong direction. But I know of people that really like them. Cheers -Ryan

[@ibmorjamn]

Well, short answer is no but, that is a good argument. Every internet player says 80% is the player.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

So... I'm not sure what I read here. The video is wondering if the Tribute was discontinued because it was eating into the profits of the Les Pauls just above it. I'm not sure what you mean by "Every internet player says 80% is the player". I'm not sure how that figures into why the guitar was discontinued. Cheers -Ryan

[@johnbinford6706]

I suppose these lower-tier models can be like a third-party candidate taking votes away from the mainstream candidates. I grabbed one of these on an impulse buy a couple years ago and it's excellent. Plays like a dream, looks and feels wonderful with the satin finish, and does a lot to scratch the Les Paul itch. Gibson doesn't like that - they want us to scratch the itch with a Standard... lol

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I bought this along with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. While the salesman was looking for the case for my Standard 60s I played the 4 Tributes that they had on the wall. This was the best out of them. He came back said “I found your case. Do you need any strings, cables, or anything?”. I said “Yeah… I’ll need the case for this Tribute here.” Haha. It was just such a great Les Paul! Cheers -Ryan

[@Gibbo1050]

Did the same. Got one one in honey burst. Constantly get comments about how good it sounds and looks. I don't gig anymore but do a few jam nights every month where backline is provided, and know it'll sound good through whatever amp is there.

[@indigos290]

No regrets. And I'm not gonna sell!

[@williamdesmarais4931]

Genius move on Gibsons part, from a business pov. Give epis the correct headstock shape and appointments. Upcharge the hell out of it. Drop the lower priced Gibsons. Knowing that while the headstock shape will make consumers happy in short term, eventually a lot are going to eventually pine for that name emblazoned on the face, feeling like they are playing an "almost Gibson" and will spring for the higher priced Gibson.

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

I have a hard time looking at their old business model vs their new business model. Just because a “Gibson USA” was actually affordable VS “Paul Reed Smith”, and on par with “Fender America”. But I guess it makes sense… just seems like a tough move. Cheers -Ryan

[@williamdesmarais4931]

@@Crypticmaskguitar Personally, I hate the move as a consumer. The one thing that we do have going for us is that there are 10s of thousands of Gibsons on the used market. I no longer buy new guitars. I do love your channel. It's part of the reason I purchased a used Tribute a month ago. It sits well with my Gibson classic and epi 59s.

[@styrenebuilds6851]

Would you rather work for $10 an hour or $20 an hour?

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

Neither. Cheers -Ryan

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Very durable bare bones work horse Les Paul that is not without faults. Fret wire too small for my liking, finish was too thin and damaged easily, and the electronics were much too noisy for humbuckers. I'd prefer a Tokai over this which is why I just sold mine.

[@andrewtschuta2627]

Incredibly lame move by Gibson.

[@tonybroken6353]

maybe because the name sucked

[@Crypticmaskguitar]

They workshopped the name... it slightly beat out "Les Paul: The Slightly Cheaper One". Cheers -Ryan

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

It was one of the few new Gibsons I was truly interested in, not least of which because of the maple necks.