The Gibson Feel

**lawson-stone** · 09-02-2016, 10:00 AM

Dude,
If you're playing the Virtuoso III stuff, you are totally in another league from the rest of us. I think one critic referred to that album as "Fretboard Scholarship."

Books are for the academic what parts are for a repair guy, or guitars are for the vocational collector. I'd be happier with fewer, but the field requires a certain basic mastery and easy access to the sources.

**ESCC** · 09-02-2016, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I have some magic snake oil, property in Florida, and some cool-aid you guys would probably jump at.

If they are all spelled GIBSON, you might have a bidding war on your hands

**medblues** · 09-02-2016, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Of course it's all in the mind. The mind is the organ of all perception and thought. If it wasn't in the mind, well, where else would it be?

But I do think there is something different about a great Gibson. I haven't owned what the others here have, but I've owned a spectrum of very nice guitars, with a stunning Blonde Heritage Golden Eagle at the top end. Loved it. But the Gibsons had a different kind of "good" and inspired a different kind of feeling.

Honestly, if you put my Epiphone Elitist Broadway in my hands and I was blind-folded, I likely would not know it wasn't a Gibson, but most other nice archtops I've had, I'd know.

Of course, it is ALL in the mind. So let's rephrase the question:

What would Rory Hoffman think ? :-)

(he certainly does not care if a guitar has a cutaway or not :-)

**Bluedawg** · 09-02-2016, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

It's my guess that only a limited number of "chosen players" can fully experience and appreciate the "feel" and for all the others its not worth the extra cost.

In some ways it's a curse IMHO .......

I appreciate a great guitar regardless of brand or country of origin

But I'm still addicted to that Gibson fairy dust myself

Like having to have a Harley or a BMW motorbike when you know that a less expensive Suzuki or Yamaha will not only be a great bike, but will probably be less trouble and cost you less to maintain

Or going for a bottle of Dom when you would be just as happy with basic Moet ... or even one of the better California sparkling wines .. or a nice cold beer

If it's worth it to you, it's worth it ... if it's not ... it's not

Then again .... you can spend just as much on some of the nicer Japanese guitars

Or even more on several other smaller guitar makers ... Monteleone and Manzer make Gibson's prices look like a steal

And I freely admit that not every guitar that says Gibson on the headstock has the fairy dust IMHO

And I agree with Lawson ... it is in our head .. but that doesn't mean it's not real

**GNAPPI** · 09-02-2016, 12:05 PM

I always wonder why when the Gibson brand is lauded some see fit to attack the owners preferences but when other brands get similarly praised no such attacks occur.

Even Gibson fans see their shortcomings yet we buy other brands too. Jeez, get over it, so rude.

**Hep To The Jive** · 09-02-2016, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I always wonder why when the Gibson brand is lauded some see fit to attack the owners preferences but when other brands get similarly praised no such attacks occur.

Even Gibson fans see their shortcomings yet we buy other brands too. Jeez, get over it, so rude.

Maybe it's because mostly Gibson fans feel the urge to constantly remind us how privileged they are and how superior this brand is?

**wintermoon** · 09-02-2016, 12:31 PM

"Or going for a bottle of Dom when you would be just as happy with basic Moet"

Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin beats 'em both imo

**Stringswinger** · 09-02-2016, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Guitarbean25

Another "Gibson Rules" thread, eh?

Why not? They do in fact rule.

**Stringswinger** · 09-02-2016, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

Maybe it's because mostly Gibson fans feel the urge to constantly remind us how privileged they are and how superior this brand is?

It is hard to be humble when you are the best.

**aboutIt** · 09-02-2016, 12:46 PM

Once the musical instrument manufacturing industry figures out what the tech industry already has, we'll no longer own guitars. We'll be given the opportunity to pay a subscription fee up front to gain access to broken planned obsolescence. Every other bar played by these virtual(-ly useless) 'things' will be an advertising jingle, uploaded in tandem with our photograph to the vendor's pimped digital billboard, to which all will be required to stand and pledge allegiance, at which point our personal bank accounts will be docked additional 'licensing' fees. Black tape, previously outlawed as a weapon of terrorism, will not help you now, Barney.

**GNAPPI** · 09-02-2016, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

Maybe it's because mostly Gibson fans feel the urge to constantly remind us how privileged they are and how superior this brand is?

Or maybe those with other preferences find it impossible to muzzle themselves and under the cloak of anonymity feel it's acceptable behavior to lash out at someone not meaning insult? I believe the latter.

Joe D is a respectful guy who is blessed to own brands that make the value of a Gibson pale yet still appreciates the "inferior" Gibson. Not once have I heard the implication you perceive, I'm sorry for you and your ilk.

**Hep To The Jive** · 09-02-2016, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

It is hard to be humble when you are the best.

Sure, as long as you believe it. It's highly amusing for the rest of us, though.

**Max405** · 09-02-2016, 12:56 PM

I meant for this thread to be a thread that speaks positively about the feel of a Gibson. It has nothing to do with being or not being privileged.
The Midtown Custom, Les Paul Studios and the ES135 which were all inexpensive had the same exact feel as the more expensive guitars. It's not psychosomatic. It's a real feel that anyone can experience. All you have to do is play one and you will know what I mean.
I am the last person in the world who would rant about how privileged he is. I came from nothing and if I don't keep working my ass off, I'll go back to nothing real quick.

**Hep To The Jive** · 09-02-2016, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Or maybe those with other preferences find it impossible to muzzle themselves and under the cloak of anonymity feel it's acceptable behavior to lash out at someone not meaning insult? I believe the latter.

Joe D is a respectful guy who is blessed to own brands that make the value of a Gibson pale yet still appreciates the "inferior" Gibson. Not once have I heard the implication you perceive, I'm sorry for you and your ilk.

Lighten up buddy, I respect Joe D, love his playing! Doesn't mean I can't poke some fun at this Gibson love fest.

**GNAPPI** · 09-02-2016, 01:01 PM

That diatribe was fun?

**Ken Olmstead** · 09-02-2016, 01:02 PM

Tell the truth, I am more jealous of the vacation day!

Well, I have an L5 and a LP currently. I have also had a ES-335 (wanted to love but despised) and an ES-175 and each one felt different and played different. However, there is something in the Gibson DNA that reminds you that you are playing an instrument and not a toy. There is something about a Gibson that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

I am not saying they are the best by everyone's standards, rather that they are what I prefer for the task I purchase them for.

**ESCC** · 09-02-2016, 01:02 PM

No decaf drinkers on this thread.

**Max405** · 09-02-2016, 01:05 PM

Well said Ken. That's kinda what meant.
And oh yeah, I don't get many vacation days. I am livin these up I can tell you that for sure..
JD

**Groyniad** · 09-02-2016, 01:06 PM

when i discovered - about a year ago - that there are now some guitar shops in the uk that have everything from solid formed to 175s to L4s L5s LG's etc - sitting there waiting for you to try them

i went in and tried them

i'd been playing e.g. andersen and campellone and comins for 10 years

the L5s - all of them - changed my take on archtops in about 5 minutes. (it took that long because i just couldn't believe it for the first three and a half minutes...)

when i tried the 175s they felt like they were made of cardboard - they felt like they very dramatically did not have the feel

the L4 seemed to have about half the feel - the solid feel thing - of the L5

now i've got a new 175 and a new L5 - and jeez....

they feel worlds apart - but they sound very very close amplified. the neck on the L5 is just insane - and the neck on the 175 is not in the same league but its still gorgeous.

the 175 is much more crude - both in sound and feel - but part of what that comes to is that the 175 has a bit more cut or bite than the L5 - and that can be very desirable on the bandstand

-----

they're both heavier than the competition (except for GB 10s - which are stunning) - and they both sound fatter and thicker and creamier than the competition. they have a late-night, smokey, hip thing going on that i have not found in anything else. (and that's kind of good if you want to play jazz)

**Stringswinger** · 09-02-2016, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by aboutIt

Once the musical instrument manufacturing industry figures out what the tech industry already has, we'll no longer own guitars. We'll be given the opportunity to pay a subscription fee up front to gain access to broken planned obsolescence. Every other bar played by these virtual(-ly useless) 'things' will be an advertising jingle, uploaded in tandem with our photograph to the vendor's pimped digital billboard, to which all will be required to stand and pledge allegiance, at which point our personal bank accounts will be docked additional 'licensing' fees. Black tape, previously outlawed as a weapon of terrorism, will not help you now, Barney.

That is why I plan on keeping my Gibsons and (real) D'Angelicos. From my cold dead fingers...

**Max405** · 09-02-2016, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Or maybe those with other preferences find it impossible to muzzle themselves and under the cloak of anonymity feel it's acceptable behavior to lash out at someone not meaning insult? I believe the latter.

Joe D is a respectful guy who is blessed to own brands that make the value of a Gibson pale yet still appreciates the "inferior" Gibson. Not once have I heard the implication you perceive, I'm sorry for you and your ilk.

Gnappi,
im getting kicked out of club D'Angelico.
i might have to sign up at club D'Angelic. Maybe they'll take me..

JD

**GNAPPI** · 09-02-2016, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

Well said Ken. That's kinda what meant.
And oh yeah, I don't get many vacation days.
JD

Bummer, I took early retirement last September and every day is Saturday.

On the down side when you retire you realize there are more days behind you than ahead of you... sigh, oh well the rest ARE all Saturdays so no worries.

**Stringswinger** · 09-02-2016, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

Lighten up buddy, I respect Joe D, love his playing! Doesn't mean I can't poke some fun at this Gibson love fest.

It is all in good fun. That is why we are here. And to share information and learn more about our passion.

Even when we disagree, we should all agree that we are lucky to be alive and to be jazz guitarists, no matter what age or skill level.

**Stringswinger** · 09-02-2016, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

Gnappi,
im getting kicked out of club D'Angelico.
i might have to sign up at club D'Angelic. Maybe they'll take me..

JD

I keep trying to get you that honorary discharge, but so far the rest of the members are not chiming in. What gives?

**Hep To The Jive** · 09-02-2016, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

I meant for this thread to be a thread that speaks positively about the feel of a Gibson. It has nothing to do with being or not being privileged.
The Midtown Custom, Les Paul Studios and the ES135 which were all inexpensive had the same exact feel as the more expensive guitars. It's not psychosomatic. It's a real feel that anyone can experience. All you have to do is play one and you will know what I mean.
I am the last person in the world who would rant about how privileged he is. I came from nothing and if I don't keep working my ass off, I'll go back to nothing real quick.

Joe, I didn't mean privileged in terms of being able to afford expensive Gibsons, it's misunderstood. I only meant privileged as owning a Gibson, period, which supposed to be a brand superior to any other brands, no matter the price. I thought that's a general undertone of this thread. Wether or not it was the purpose, it came across like that to me.

I personally could afford and choose a Gibson archtop if I wanted to, but I never did. They are great guitars, but I prefer Guild or Gretsch over them for sound and feel.