Gibson Custom Shop = anonymous consumers x special consumers.

[Junae9]

Hi friends !

In recent years, I paid a lot of money for two projects (M2M) realized in renowned guitar shops and the Gibson Custom Shop simply ignored some very important details (it's absurd).
Over the years I have understood and realized that some people who are probably more influential and have access to people who work in the Gibson Custom Shop factory get higher quality guitars than us simple, anonymous consumers.

However, our money is the same as anyone else's. We pay a lot of money for to have high-quality guitars,
which often doesn't happen.
I've bought Gibsons Custom shop with terrible factory defects too.
I'm not here to badmouth these guitars. I see that, on the other side, currently, the general quality level of the guitars is very good, but it takes time to find a good guitar.

I would like to know what you here on the forum think about this.. I don't know if I'm wrong or if you also have this perception. In any case, I would like to know your opinion, since many people here have great experience in the subject.
I'm just a small consumer and lover of Gibsons Reissue guitars.

Thank you to everyone who wants to express their opinion.

 

[jb_abides]

What specific details were ignored, and why didn't your dealer step in?

Did you send them back?

If they weren't on the dealer-spec sheet, that's an issue, as is quality.

Something else...? Usually the CS will waive off certain requests they don't want to fulfill and inform the dealer.

 

[slammintone]

How do we know these “influential” customers are getting a typically higher quality instrument than the rest of us? On looks alone, well beauty is in the eye of the beholder but do these guitars necessarily play or sound any different than the stuff you and I can get out of Gibson authorized dealers?

I know it’s not always possible but as I’ve long known, it’s best to play many in person and eventually you’ll know which one checks all the boxes almost instantly.

 

[brandtkronholm]

Hi friends !

In recent years, I paid a lot of money for two projects (M2M) realized in renowned guitar shops and the Gibson Custom Shop simply ignored some very important details (it's absurd).
Over the years I have understood and realized that some people who are probably more influential and have access to people who work in the Gibson Custom Shop factory get higher quality guitars than us simple, anonymous consumers.

However, our money is the same as anyone else's. We pay a lot of money for to have high-quality guitars,
which often doesn't happen.
I've bought Gibsons Custom shop with terrible factory defects too.
I'm not here to badmouth these guitars. I see that, on the other side, currently, the general quality level of the guitars is very good, but it takes time to find a good guitar.

I would like to know what you here on the forum think about this.. I don't know if I'm wrong or if you also have this perception. In any case, I would like to know your opinion, since many people here have great experience in the subject.
I'm just a small consumer and lover of Gibsons Reissue guitars.

Thank you to everyone who wants to express their opinion.

I've acquired one Gibson Custom Shop (M2M) guitar very recently - and it is simply perfect.
Of course, they couldn't/wouldn't do all the things I would have liked - "put this switch here, put an extra thing there..." but I'm way, way over that and I'm lovin' this new guitar! Everything about it is just awesome!
It is the only 21st century guitar that I own.

Note to self: You really need to post a NGD thread soon!

 

[60thR0]

I've bought Gibsons Custom shop with terrible factory defects too.

Why did you buy the guitar if it had “terrible” factory defects?

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Some of these Influential customer's are guitar Lamprey in disguise I'm sure the only way to break the suction is give them more than they expect . We simply in most cases take what they send us - I would send the guitars back if not totally pleased.

 

[Standard Magic]

What country are you from? What were the defects?

Imperfections on multi thousand dollar guitars, I wonder where do people draw the line? I've learned over the years that you can't trust anyone or anything just because it's more expensive. Small imperfections are passed off as normal on both expensive and cheaper guitars all the same, paying $10 000 doesn't make as much difference as you would think in terms of quality. I've become more suspicious over the years.

 

[MarcB]

I’ve learnt to lower my expectations (not standards) that way a lot more guitars are obtainable.
If it stays in tune.. sets up nice.. looks nice and attracts the kind of girls we date..

it’s all good.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

I think I understand what the OP is saying. I too have wondered about how I'm treated compared to a big time player/customer. Recently I bought a boutique amp (not going to say who it was, one of the big famous ones) through a dealer because that was the only way to get it. Lead time quoted 6-8 weeks and it showed up 12 weeks later. Looked nice but sounded like you know what. It had some serious problems, dealer agreed, and back it went to the boutique shop, got a full refund. Can't help but think this amp builder is so busy with really important customers that they slapped mine together and shipped it without even testing it. This is the music business after all. Anyway, I'm sticking with good old off-the-shelf Gibson/Fender stuff like I always have in the past. Like others have said, send it back if it ain't right, accept that people make mistakes, and move on. Life gets shorter by the minute.

 

[Happy Tree]

I got my first reissue 4 years ago. A 2019 59 VOS 60th anniversary. It blew me away so much I now have 2LPs and 2 ESs. All new VOS. All amazing. Can't fault any of them. I've just ordered my 3rd LP (57 VOS). The only reason this will be my last is I don't need or want any other models. My experience with the current Gibson Custom Shop is the best I've had from any guitar-maker anywhere. YMMV and all that.

 

[JASIII]

I think both myself and a famous influencer would probably go about getting the "pick of the litter" in a similar way, by going in person to the Gibson Garage in Nashville, talking to the staff there, explaining what I want and what my parameters are, playing a whole bunch of cherry picked guitars, and buying it or ordering a M2M. A difference between myself and said influencers is that they can travel there on their own terms and schedule, pay for the trip as a business expense, and make the trip more frequently and easily than myself. I think the same guitars are available but it's a matter of who can afford to get themselves to where the cherries are to be picked from and how often/frequently. I don't think there are gatekeepers, except expense and willingness.

 

[Dave P]

I've seen some fantastic stuff come out of the Gibson CS, and also some that were complete shit that never should have left the factory. For the prices Gibson CS charges, they ALL should be top notch quality, not hit or miss. Go check out a bunch of new Collings guitars, the workmanship is incredible on them. I've yet to see one that wasn't up to snuff with build quality. That is the consistent quality level Gibson should be striving for.

 

[TheArchitect]

Hi friends !

In recent years, I paid a lot of money for two projects (M2M) realized in renowned guitar shops and the Gibson Custom Shop simply ignored some very important details (it's absurd).
Over the years I have understood and realized that some people who are probably more influential and have access to people who work in the Gibson Custom Shop factory get higher quality guitars than us simple, anonymous consumers.

However, our money is the same as anyone else's. We pay a lot of money for to have high-quality guitars,
which often doesn't happen.
I've bought Gibsons Custom shop with terrible factory defects too.
I'm not here to badmouth these guitars. I see that, on the other side, currently, the general quality level of the guitars is very good, but it takes time to find a good guitar.

I would like to know what you here on the forum think about this.. I don't know if I'm wrong or if you also have this perception. In any case, I would like to know your opinion, since many people here have great experience in the subject.
I'm just a small consumer and lover of Gibsons Reissue guitars.

Thank you to everyone who wants to express their opinion.

Those details should have been in writing. Send them back with a copy of said instructions and tell them to fix them. I hope you did not pay up front

 

[bluesky636]

Hi friends !

In recent years, I paid a lot of money for two projects (M2M) realized in renowned guitar shops and the Gibson Custom Shop simply ignored some very important details (it's absurd).
Over the years I have understood and realized that some people who are probably more influential and have access to people who work in the Gibson Custom Shop factory get higher quality guitars than us simple, anonymous consumers.

However, our money is the same as anyone else's. We pay a lot of money for to have high-quality guitars,
which often doesn't happen.
I've bought Gibsons Custom shop with terrible factory defects too.
I'm not here to badmouth these guitars. I see that, on the other side, currently, the general quality level of the guitars is very good, but it takes time to find a good guitar.

I would like to know what you here on the forum think about this.. I don't know if I'm wrong or if you also have this perception. In any case, I would like to know your opinion, since many people here have great experience in the subject.
I'm just a small consumer and lover of Gibsons Reissue guitars.

Thank you to everyone who wants to express their opinion.

On May 7 you made the following post:

NGD - 2024 Gibson CS Murphy Lab 1959 LP Std Reissue Ultra Light Aged Lemon .

Hi friends. After a long time, I finally found an R9 with the specs I was always looking . 2024 Gibson CS LP Ultra Light Murphy Lemonburst, Slim taper V2 neck and featherweight. I will post more photos soon.

www.lespaulforum.com

Then on May 9 you made the quoted post.

They sure seem to be contradictory.