When Gibson (Finally) Tries Something New ...Everyone Hates It.

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[@RobertBakerGuitar]

I forgot to mention it in the video. But I think the reaction a lot of us had to these guitars is the same way people felt about Explorers and Flying V's back in the day.

[@nalukeko]

I do like Explorers and V's but not enough to buy them either. The difference to when those came out is that people were not used to such radical shapes. People NOW have seen plenty of radical shapes. This is NOT radical. Just weird. It will appeal to some and maybe enough to stick around.

[@jarrodhroberson]

it is not a new design there were 2 or 3 japanese brands making tulip shapes since the 60s it is gibson copying someone else irony

[@Smart-Alex]

@@RobertBakerGuitar lol, not. They were cool then and are cool now. This guitar is not.

[@jamesclarke8831]

Do Gibson still make the P90 model?

[@robgreen4521]

Even the original Les Paul's were "hated" when they launched, right? Didn't they stop making LPs for a few years before people started to "get" what they could do?

[@leegollin4417]

They look like a Tulip and should be called that as well as be made in pastel colors.

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

I think they look like a little penguin with its arms in the air

[@patrickkelly9721]

Like my 60's Teisco E-110, my first guitar. Still have it 55 years later.

[@Ottophil]

So thats called a Rorschach test, I think it looks like my parents fighting.

[@rodlynch3778]

What about how it sounds, your comment makes no sense.

[@patrickkelly9721]

@@rodlynch3778 That Teisco is "tulip" shaped. Cheap Japanese guitar. $25 back in the day. Mine is still playable. Can't add pictures to replies

[@40WattPodcast]

I wish they had kept the P90s - they look so much better in person than they do in pictures. I'd be tempted for one with the 90s

[@JamesDeanLP]

I think keeping the tulips in would also help them compete with fender. Seems like most modern guitarist prefer single coil and if they’re going for basic but different, it would make sense to do something different for them

[@greasymonkeyguitars9292]

I have a Theodore Standard in Vintage Cherry. I love mine! Like yours, my Theodore is lightweight, resonant and very loud unplugged. It's a keeper, and I'm a guy who likes the "weird" Gibsons. I wish I had my Reverse Vs back. Yes, I owned two.... Theodores are a great guitar and I applaud Gibson for trying something new!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Yeah I like what they did they did something new that still had heritage to it as well. Overall cool guitar Gibson.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

Most folks save up for a Gibson to get the "one". Id say most would never chose that.

[@dvsreed]

Is it a bad guitar? No.....Does it look as good as a Les Paul? No....Can I afford both? No.....I'll stick with the Les Paul

[@bldallas]

Fugly. Looks like an Easter tulip. No interest.

[@EmperorZhanhu-qx3oc]

The only thing it gots over the less Paul is that it stays in tune better.

[@WendigoSotomonte]

Did you mean the boring paul?

[@randybrown7023]

You "gots" to be from Illinois. ​@@EmperorZhanhu-qx3oc

[@stevenvandemsky7290]

I really like the Theodore. It’s a great innovative design. When the Les Paul, the Flying V and the Explorer came out in the 50s, nobody bought them and Gibson had to stop producing them in the early 60s. Now these guitars are worth a fortune…

[@nedflanders22b]

A tulip, I just cant.

[@stop736]

I like them, I like them more with the P90 though. It’s different, I think the Explorer style headstock fits this overall look as well.

[@rmmancham9137]

With that headstock it is more appealing

[@johninama585]

I like that it has a single volume/tone. Simple.

[@DeadKoby]

That Tulip style was also a thing with early Rickenbacker. I think it's a neat basic instrument. Nothing mean to say about it.

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

I'm waiting for them to make Alvin and Simon.

[@zynosgd9982]

Actually funny comment!

[@brianmckenzie1318]

I think you nailed it by saying the shape is essentially a blank slate, so you can't categorize it into any genre! I thought it sounded great!! I didn't care for the shape when it was first released, but it has grown on me.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Yeah it's a pretty cool concept the guitar is free of any genre.

[@paulcicciarelli]

I love mine! Very comfortable to play and nice humbucker tones. I agree that you end up playing your own riffs because there are no reference players for this model...I kind of think that's a good reason to play one.

[@lukin86]

I wanted one. But priced higher than an sg standard and almost same as 61 sg just seems incorrect

[@scottyvalero3691]

I think they should be like 1600 bucks

[@johng2880]

@@scottyvalero3691 $1454 on ZZounds currently. "edit" - that's a scratch n dent. sorry. I wouldn't be surprised if stores started blowing these out.

[@Panic42000]

I have the custom shop version. It’s an awesome guitar.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

After trying this one I'd love to play one of those. Im really impressed with it.

[@eddieholmes3236]

Sounds great, but I’d ditch the pickguard

[@georgeoh-well8116]

Potentially all the positives of an SG with even better tuning stability. One big deal breaker for me; only one volume control.

[@RaiderJay9092]

Doesn't look cool like an SG, ugly as sin.

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Too thick, it's basically a DC Special. The thin SG body is a feature, not a bug. A Viper for instance isn't at all the same thing, and I owned both simultaneously.

[@styrenebuilds6851]

Thankk god for the deal breaker

[@TheGuitarGuy69]

I played one at Gibson Garage a few weeks ago. LOVED it, but upper fret access is limited starting around 19/20th fret due to the lower horn. Still plan on getting one though 😎🤙

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

It sounds really good with what you played on it. Nice tone, nice response. Love the headstock actually. Looks like a 24.75" scale toy though.

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Lol yeah only manly men play 25.5", which is why women buy more Fenders. Have fun with your twangbanger lady axe. Is it pink?

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

@@rocketpigrecords3719 I'd love a pink Strat thats a good idea but sadly I don't.

[@robertpurdy4452]

I've always like the Theodore and I don't understand the hate towards it. I just wish there was a left-handed version for me to buy.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Maybe if the Standard line does well enough they will make a Lefty.

[@mikesweeney1435]

Seems like a righty could be setup for a lefty pretty easy, and you wouldn't lose much, if any fret access

[@theariesexperiment4642]

I think if it had the Modern'e headstock,......I think it would actually look pretty awesome. Just not big on the half bloomed tulip. However, if it played great, sounded great??? Im in with a different headstock

[@rideough]

The initial custom shop run was not my cup of tea. It was okay but it still looked a lot like a Teisco. However, when the standard came out, with the explorer headstock and trapezoidal inlays….classic humbucker layout…..I fell in love and am searching for one as we speak.

[@alistairwallace77]

I hope they make a Theo "special", it'd be nice to see one with P90s that doesn't cost $6K

[@Brykk]

The profile of the guitar when sitting in a stand (neck vertical) the body looks like a a cat sitting down on its hind legs.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

The neck is the tail going up in the air!

[@Louis_Velliotes]

I dug these from the beginning, I especially like the USA standard offering now. Would have liked if they kept the full control layout. I like the upper fret access and that it's different than an SG. I've always liked that Tulip shape.

[@Vintage35MM]

Sounds really good, luv the Classic 57 pickups. I’ll wait till they put a “Flying V” headstock on it, or I’ll hafta make my own version like that. 😀

[@nova.sadler]

Totally agree, the v headstock would fit way better!

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

They went with this based on the original 50s era design, but any 3+3 headstock would look better...maybe Melody Maker?

[@roberte03915]

I'm definitely on the fence about this one. I kind of like the tulip upper portion, but not sure the lower round portion fits there, and I don't think the banana headstock goes with it either. More (transparent) colors would probably help too.

[@MashaT22]

I’d love a side by side with the limited edition ones that dropped originally. The first version may have sounded darker, and I loved that it was different sounding. I liked the looks of the subtle details on the original Theodore that was more expensive as well. Can’t afford this one either but you know. I just don’t see the cost justification for a slab guitar that’s so barebones. Shouldn’t cost more than an SG. Or it needs more features at this price.

[@jaymichael3350]

Personally, I didn't think most people felt very strong about them either way. I thought they were fine looking and build wise there's nothing new there. I'd grab one if they were reasonably priced. My biggest question would be how it hangs with that short upper horn.

[@lucianopazos286]

They must be drowning in stock, hence this video. It sounds pretty much like an SG to me, but uglier, more expensive and with less resale value. Who's gonna buy this? No one.

[@salbiase2117]

Bah humbug. I've always thought the sg was corny looking, I love this look.

[@northlight1908]

This looks way better than an SG. SG is just damn ugly.

[@BCarpenter2314]

I love the explorer headstock and the body shape has grown on me since I first saw it. If they ever start making them in more modern, wild colors, I'd be tempted to get one.

[@johnhmaloney]

It sounds great and I've always loved the look of the Theodore. It reminds me a lot of the Tokai Talbo and in terms of looks, that's one of my all-time favorites.

[@radman1136]

$2K? For that? Nah, thx anyway. I'm building a partscaster double cut with a railhammer p90 bridge only, a bigsby, rosewood fretboard, plecked ... almost done, so I can't say yet if it was worth the effort, but I'll only be into it for $700

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

Sort of got the Free or Glenn Hughes vibe with what you were playing. Nice! Interesting guitar, maybe......

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Ha yeah I played a couple Free riffs in there. The tone it had reminded me of Koss I suppose.

[@jecoboost7775]

“I think Il stick to my les Paul” (Makes an epic solo)! Sounded great Rob!

[@benspeeds]

It's a novelty for players who already have great examples of all the classics and have run out of new shit to buy. The thing is goofy looking, and no one is going to spend 2k on it unless they already have everything else.

[@fatseaturtle]

It has great Tone, reminds me of an SG. I have a 1962 Teisco Tulip with a neck single coil, and these new Gibsons really remind of that guitar shape!

[@TheDarinAmes]

I can’t help but wonder how many folks changed their minds on this after seeing Buko play his and sound amazing as always.

[@kevinwoods5478]

I got one in Ebony. It plays and sounds amazing. Very versatile tones. Works great with clean and gain tones. And no neck dive either.

[@zynosgd9982]

I always thought they looks neat. Only, I could never afford one so I'll stick with my imports and used guitars.

[@ronhilton2255]

The Horns kinda remind me of a court jesters hat. Sounds good but I'd actually have to give it a go to know, if she's the one for me. Great vid, Thx Robert. 🇨🇦

[@TribalGuitars]

The Theodore probably is a great playing guitar but design counts. I'm not trying to slam it's look for fun or pile on but as someone with some design experience it's got problems.The Pontiac Aztec died for a reason :It's design. I'm not trying to slam it's look for fun or pile on but as someone with some design experience it's got problems. It looks like someone's high school shop project. The horns go in the wrong direction but a proper concave scoop would put the guitar into double-cut LP range. But that angle at the heel joint looks like it's going to be all kinds of uncomfortable to play up high. The headstock is the wrong shape. That body shape calls for something more classic or LP-ish and not the Explorer they took it from and all-round pointy, modern guitar it came from and belongs on. The body looks like a reused cutting board. They'd do well to rethink it a bit, maybe give it a carve somewhere, something to break the slab of wood look. LP Jrs are slabs of wood but they're slabs of wood based one something that's already out there, very recognizable, and very successful. The Theodore isn't any of those. I'd make it and offset and get rid of the arches on the inside of the horns.

[@SGBassplayer]

Reminds me of the aluminum-bodied Tokai guitar Tim Farriss used with INXS back in the ‘80s.

[@JohnMcRae-dx4zr]

Teddy is a Gibson for sure but he is his own man with a different take on the Gibson sound. Ugly as a redheaded stepchild but it's the inspiration it pulls out of you. Don't know how cool you would appear on stage with a teddy around your neck. I need to hear more through different amps but I'm interested! Good video!

[@Smart-Alex]

Good thing you have sweetwater to keep giving you guitars for content.

[@frankboyd.]

They should just chop off the body horns for a cooler look. Like the white Vox guitar Brian Jones played.

[@Version022467]

Would be interesting to see how this compares to a Les Paul and a SG (with the same amp and signal chain). I know they would likely each have different pickups, but it might get a closer idea to why/if you would want one of these. I see the same configuration on these models, and wonder what makes them sound different. Not a hater here, I own a Les Paul and lust after a SG.

[@EdHeinzelman]

It has a different vibe visually of course but other than the hockey headstock I don't have an issue with it. It certainly has a pleasing and flexible arrange of tones which you would expect from mahogany and humbuckers. If I get a chance, I'll try one. Final interest will be in how the neck feels.

[@briandenton2097]

Ive always steered clear of the sg because of looks. But that guitar fits my eye. How is the neck dive?

[@cliveclive54]

That's not a Chibson! It's a Shokai !! 😀

[@metricdeep8856]

Tune in next week when Rob demo's the new Gibson 'Toaster oven'. Warm tones!

[@cageliner]

I liked the Custom Shop version, but it was a low unit release, and they're out of reach now. The humbucker version didn't appeal to me at first, but now I'd be willing to sell my Explorer Antique Natural and replace it with a Theodore.

[@christophervincent8420]

It doesn't look bad. It sounds pretty dang good. How is the intonation and fret board?

[@joermnyc]

The first (freaking expensive) one with the P-90s had separate volume and tone knobs though… what happened? Also, check out the Epi SG Classic, that thing with dropped down low tuning into a fuzz (I have the MXR Submachine) is a monster.

[@fuzzcous]

I think its cool looking. If its a modern design it looks old fashioned. Cheers

[@arustydodge2111]

I’ve tried one. Truly sounds amazing. Not nearly as good as through your hands! Neck felt good, and weight was right and distributed well. I just couldn’t get around the way it looks with that price. My opinion; “it’s a dog” coyote ugly! Strictly my opinion. If cheaper in price, I would consider it, but at that price, NAH!

[@elevenAD]

Not nearly fancy enough for a guitar shaped like a flower, they need some type of top and binding imho.

[@kramer421]

Two things: first, the shape doesn’t make me think tulip, it makes me think Alien egg pod with a face-hugger inside. Second, if they want to release something new, I’m cool with that. But make it look new then, and not like an old coffee table. Give it a cool paint job at least. Lean toward modern music. I’d dig one with Alien custom artwork and modern electronics 😛

[@Nizodizo]

I am waiting to see if ZZTop will play one live.

[@Flying-V-Shredder]

They will add a diamond plate vernier.

[@caseylee12]

The body shape reminds me of the "goldfish" shaped Melody Maker. Sounds awesome tho.

[@ruminantmelanoid5444]

This is a Gibson solidbody guitar, made according to the "Gibson Formula." It has the same scale (24.75), woods (mahogany neck & body), and layout (2 humbuckers, 3 way toggle, tune-o-matic bridge) as the SG, V, Explorer, and certain Les Pauls. The difference comes down to body shape, headstock and personal preference.

[@Gloveberg1]

So a sue happy company that has done nothing but go after companies large and small over body shapes and such (the "Play Authentic" crap) just straight up takes the Teisco Tulip shape and makes a guitar? Yes Teisco has been LONG gone from the music industry for years but isn't that a tad hypocritical?

[@MrBluesgtr68]

I heard a little Free when you were showing the humbuckers off.. nice 👍

[@robvee532]

I dig them, I would buy one if they had a lefty version. Looks like a Tiesco Tulip with an explorer headstock.

[@nickschultz3259]

Loved the cherry P90 version; I even preferred the dot inlays and the extra piece of trim wood in the center of the body, but I'll never be able to justify $5K + for a guitar unless my life changes in totally unexpected ways. This version I could more afford, but I don't love it enough to seek one out. If I happened to play one and was blown away by it, the price seems reasonable.

[@WrathClub]

Id much rather see Gibson taking "risks" with the specs than the body shape.

[@mikeh3851]

It kinda reminds me of a guitar that Epiphone made back in the late 70's called the Genisis. Same body style, although this sounds way better.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Was hoping to see the price more around 1500 but still. I like the guitar. Its cool.

[@andybedford7889]

It's a bit less "pointy" than the SG so I like that. And the strap button is in a better place and angle than either the SG or the LP.

[@johnlawrence3170]

For me, I actually quite like the design of this. I'm a primarily LP guy, and I always try to get into SGs but I never am comfortable with the ultra thin bodies and the way they balance, nor do I really like guitars with the strap buttons dead-center in the back of the neck, because it gets in the way of the upper fret access. This design solves both of those issues for me. Also I do fiddle with 4 knobs from time to time, but in 90% of scenarios I'd just rather have a master vol and tone. Again, this is perfect. So I like this guitar. I might end up with one, because I've longed for an SG I could get into, and this might be that in a different form.

[@nellayema2455]

I like the custom shop version better. P90's wrap-around bridge. Dot inlays. Walnut strip down the center. I was disappointed in the Gibson USA model. I would buy one if I could get a smoking deal, though.

[@3rdmm]

It has the wrong headstock from what Ted McCarty designed for it. Makes for an aesthetic dissonance, that perhaps Gibson thought nobody would take any note of.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Theodore is a great playing guitar. I just can’t afford it.

[@markharmon9892]

The CS version looks nicer to me at least

[@Schwig]

Those humbuckers do sure sound like humbuckers, man. The tulip guitar is fine and people need to stop obsessing over the minutia or mythology and focus on their technique.

[@fuzzysurf1083]

Even though it's a weird shape, I think it's a cool guitar. I worry, though, about that upper horn jabbing me in the ribs.

[@ericoswood1856]

I have one of these and it’s a great guitar, quickly becoming one of my favorites. The pickups are fantastic.

[@ksharpe10]

Uncle Larry your friend Bukavac Has it on this video. Homeskoolin’ Volume 279, Tom Bukovac, “Uh Oh”

[@Thearcherfl]

I’m not slamming a brand at all. However, I’ve not found a Gibson that I have instantly just connected with. They are beautiful. They are historic. They are built on roots of a music industry. And I won’t take that away from them. And Robert I think you said it well in the video. With all of the brands out there that fit my style of playing it’s hard for me to spend the money on a Gibson. And again that is personal preference. To me, expensive. To others, value at any price. I will fully admit though that I took the Pepsi challenge to try and break my own mental stereotype. I purchased an epiphone 335 blueberry burst, and purchased a one year old mint Gibson dot(335). I brought them home and gave them both a week of only using those two. I recorded them, I played them, I restrung them, I pulled pickups out to simulate replacement without actually removing them. I restrung them. I put them in their perspective cases and took them along my daily journeys. In conclusion I love my Epiphone 335. While both nice, I ultimately didn’t “connect” with either in a week. And the price gap was jaw dropping when they were both given the same chance. Now my epiphone is what I reach for first when humbucker is needed. Thanks Robert! Great points made. Rock on my man!

[@angelabdonnavarreteblanco]

i love that guitar, it is awesome guitar! sounds great!

[@Gorbyrev]

Surely it should be priced like a 2 pickup junior. That would help.

[@Shiznitt_]

Good choice of pickups in this thing

[@chrisshaw6451]

Loving the Free Licks Robert, we don't hear enough of Mr Kossof's riffs these days, thank you. And the guitar seems pretty cool to me, I wouldn't turn one down if it was offered! 👍❤️

[@ERiCtheBuLL]

I'm pretty neutral on the appearance. Great sounding in this video and looks to have excellent upper fret access. I think if Gibson does some flame tops and tear drop bursts, the Theodore will get more popular. Would be cool to see a silverburst version IMO.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

The upper fret access us really good.

[@2216sammy]

I wish the Gibson Explorers came with that neck .

[@keithbox1684]

Have to say that guitar sounds very good.

[@Zundfolge]

I'm one of those weirdos that doesn't actually like the SG all that much ... but I'd rock a Theodore all day long (Gibson needs to make a lot more models with Explorer head-stocks). One other thing I don't tend to like about a lot of Gibsons is the Les Paul wiring ... I always get confused with all those knobs, a master tone and master volume with a 3 way switch is all we really need).

[@andybungert]

I am more intrigued by the original custom shop one with p90s. I would like to see all those specs at the USA level :)

[@kennylynch9317]

Everything guitar has its place and I see nothing wrong with this one. It doesn't look any stranger than ibenez models or Jacksons

[@jc6721]

It looks like it would be very easy to get gored by that upper horn! I actually think it looks cool, but am cautious about getting stuck in the sternum! Hahaha

[@NeMaAn]

It sounds great that tulip guitar.

[@MikeEss1000]

Great playing Robert. I have one and love playing it.

[@TheAde2]

I like everything about it but the headstock it looks too much like an explorer headstock but it sounds awesome

[@rymontejano]

I like funky guitars and this checks the boxes, need a' bucker guitar and this has been in the running. Even more so now, great video!

[@jcburger733]

Sounds great. It looks different, but I think I would end up liking how it looks too.

[@tjh780]

I bought this guitar as soon as I saw it and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.

[@frankkissane1908]

Does it neck-dive like a SG? If it doesn't, I'm all in.

[@MiBackpacking]

Mr Baker, I have to say your playing is always music to my ears. Your tones and finger work are spot on and always soulful 🤙🏼

[@bartvschuylenburg]

How does it feel and play compared to an explorer? Very different body shape, but same tonewood, electronics and hardware isn’t it?