• From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

gibson's are strange beasts......sometimes you pick one up and think "yeh, this is a 3k guitar" and then you pick one up that is actually priced at 5k and you think "holy crap, this thing is junk and i wouldnt pay $500 much less 5k"  but such is life.

my borther has a real nice 1976 LP custom that is a wonderful guitar and i woudl put it up against most gibson's i've been around.  but a couple of years ago i broke down and bought a new les paul traditional pro for around 2k and it is a beast for sure.....sounds fantastic and plays like butter.....its not chambered and the finish is beautiful......it's every bit the guitar and maybe in some ways superior to the custom 76 that my brother has.

i also recently had the chance to play a framptom signature les paul and it flat out sucked...it was horrible and felt like a toy.....honest to god i would not have offered $500 for it and i think it's a 5k plus guitar.......so who knows.....each one is different.

masque's Website

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

DougH wrote:

lets face it..
Joe could make one of these sound great too:
http://www.hongxiao.com/tu4/79.jpg

(its an Erhu)

Didn't he play one of those on "Black Lung Heartache"?   wink

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Coach305 wrote:
DougH wrote:

lets face it..
Joe could make one of these sound great too:
http://www.hongxiao.com/tu4/79.jpg

(its an Erhu)

Didn't he play one of those on "Black Lung Heartache"?   wink

Joe could make a shoe box with elastic bands sound great - to be honest the rest of us are probably kidding ourselves - a well built guitar can always sound good with other good gear choices irrespective of whether it is what Jimi or Eric played.

No guitar god is worried about gear like a bedroom player is...

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Chrisuk wrote:
Coach305 wrote:
DougH wrote:

lets face it..
Joe could make one of these sound great too:
http://www.hongxiao.com/tu4/79.jpg

(its an Erhu)

Didn't he play one of those on "Black Lung Heartache"?   wink

Joe could make a shoe box with elastic bands sound great - to be honest the rest of us are probably kidding ourselves - a well built guitar can always sound good with other good gear choices irrespective of whether it is what Jimi or Eric played.

No guitar god is worried about gear like a bedroom player is...

Sorry...has to be said. You have heard of Eric Johnson yes? haha!

You do have a point to an extent, but the fact is...the big players can click their fingers and get the gear they want. Us lot have a lot more trouble.

  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

So that leaves us where we started.  New sustainable woods so us guitar geeks can get our fix on a semi annual basis.  Its 2012 and these are new or soon to be new realities.
Joe B

You're right Joe - sustainability is key.  However, until a big name player (like yourself) regularly takes to the stage with a 'baked maple' fretboard instead of a real-deal '59 LP in mahogany and rosewood/ebony, the rest of the guitar playing world is going to be thinking "why is this stuff supposedly OK for us and not good enough for my guitar hero?".

I would suggest that any player who can afford a $1800 guitar is going to be discerning enough to tell if he/she is being 'duped'.  Having you shoot a studio based video is fine but at this price point and above, you need to be touring those guitars to make a convincing argument regarding the quality of the instrument.  If you or any other of your peers are not confident enough to do that (for whatever reason), well Gibson really cannot have any complaints when sales figures take a dive and E-Bay sellers start getting more for their old axes.

BR - Dave

Gibson LP '89 Custom * Gibson LP '04 Classic * Gibson JB LP Studio * Fender 50th Ann. Deluxe Strat * Gibson Explorer Pro * Epiphone Korina SG * Michael Kelly Patriot Premium * Ibanez 105NT Artcore Custom * Takamine acoustics * Fender Blues Deville 4x10" * Marshall DSL100 and DSL50 * Marshall 1960A * Laney LH55 * Bugera V55HD * Bugera 212VT * Marshall 1912 * Roland Cube 60

Coolaxeman's Website

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Jimi_lp wrote:

Sorry...has to be said. You have heard of Eric Johnson yes? haha!

You do have a point to an extent, but the fact is...the big players can click their fingers and get the gear they want. Us lot have a lot more trouble.

Yeah but EJ isn't really typical - most of the greats just put together nice gear and played it - they didn't worry about the little details we obsess over.  No one wanted SRV's no 1 until he after he picked it up and Pete Green was never over impressed with the famous burst he described it as 'barely functional'.

I'm as bad as anyone else though - I have a Callaham bridge, BKP Mules, PIO caps, handwired boutique amp, JH fuzzface, etc...

... oh and as of this morning JB Jazz III Picks!

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Yeh I suppose. Most don't bother as much as the bedroom player.
But keep in mind, you are trying to achieve a vintage tone no doubt (the hardware being the closest to the vintage original hardware, same with electronics) but the big players, can afford the originals. So I guess when it is that easy to get you worry a lot less.
I'm so picky with my gear. Tried lowering my action on my les paul yesterday actually and got a tiny bit of a buzz. Back up it goes. Much prefer a crystal clear note to a note that is easier to play.

44 Reply by Chrisuk (edited by Chrisuk 2012-02-26 14:09:22)

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars

Jimi_lp wrote:

Yeh I suppose. Most don't bother as much as the bedroom player.
But keep in mind, you are trying to achieve a vintage tone no doubt (the hardware being the closest to the vintage original hardware, same with electronics) but the big players, can afford the originals. So I guess when it is that easy to get you worry a lot less.
I'm so picky with my gear. Tried lowering my action on my les paul yesterday actually and got a tiny bit of a buzz. Back up it goes. Much prefer a crystal clear note to a note that is easier to play.

I guess you are right about those that bother to that extent - almost unlimited resources must help!

Yes I like a vintage type tone but I am not trying to replicate an exact sound just get in the ball park - my LP has been with me since new for over 20 years so I am inclined to tweak it rather than go out and buy a historic or JB issue or whatever and my changes have achieved that to the point that I am more than happy.