The Gibson Feel

[Max405]

I took a vacation day today. I played all my guitars. The last one, Booboo..
Booboo is the famous Tal Farlow. After I was done playing it, I wondered..
"Why the hell do I have any other guitar?"
Well, it only took a split second of thought and then that silly notion floated away...

But seriously.. The feel of a Gibson can not be equaled. There is a solidness to it that defies logic. You feel like while your playing it, if a runaway train jumps the tracks and is headed straight for you, all you have to do is hold your Gibson up like a shield and the train will bounce off of you. And then you put it back on your lap and continue playing.. There is nothing in the world that feels like a Gibson. When you have one in your hands you feel privileged. All the interconnected parts form a guitar that is almost impossible to explain.

In anticipation of receiving my dream Gibson Johnny Smith, I wonder if that guitar will have same feel as all the other Gibsons I've ever played. Les Pauls, An L7c, 335's, 175's, a 165, L5's, Tal, a 135, an SF and even a Midtown Custom all had the exact same feel.

Nothing beats a Gibson. Nothing comes close to the feel of a Gibson.

I hope my Johnny Smith is no different..

Joe D

[wintermoon]

I took a vacation day today. I played all my guitars. The last one, Booboo..
Booboo is the famous Tal Farlow. After I was done playing it, I wondered..
"Why the hell do I have any other guitar?"
Well, it only took a split second of thought and then that silly notion floated away...

But seriously.. The feel of a Gibson can not be equaled. There is a solidness to it that defies logic. You feel like while your playing it, if a runaway train jumps the tracks and is headed straight for you, all you have to do is hold your Gibson up like a shield and the train will bounce off of you. And then you put it back on your lap and continue playing.. There is nothing in the world that feels like a Gibson. When you have one in your hands you feel privileged. All the interconnected parts form a guitar that is almost impossible to explain.

In anticipation of receiving my dream Gibson Johnny Smith, I wonder if that guitar will have same feel as all the other Gibsons I've ever played. Les Pauls, An L7c, 335's, 175's, a 165, L5's, Tal, a 135, an SF and even a Midtown Custom all had the exact same feel.

Nothing beats a Gibson. Nothing comes close to the feel of a Gibson.

I hope my Johnny Smith is no different..

Joe D

well, it might feel solid but it'll def sound diff than the guitars you listed.
it's the only carved top w/floater among them save your L-7

I remember my first electric was a 70's ES-175. [though I almost got mugged on the way home and nearly lost it]
I liked it okay, but when I got my first L-5CES it had the feel you describe.....so-lid
looking forward to your NGJSD

[vinnyv1k]

Amen brother....even with all my QC complaints I can't stop my love affair with Gibson archtops. L5's are built like a Panzer tank. No stopping the tone rolling forward.

[mr quick]

Gibsons, the guitars I hate to love!

[ESCC]

Your Heritage JS doesn't compare?

[Stringswinger]

Gibsons rule. Joe, your Gibson JS while different from the built in pickup models, will have the Gibson feel.

[jads57]

Again Heritage makes some fine instruments especially some of their thinlines and some Hollowbodies as well. But still have never played one that surpasses the better Gibsons old or new. I do think the Norlin era Gibsons feel most like Heritages I've played or owned. And that makes perfect sense, since they were building Gibsons at that time.

[medblues]

Your Heritage JS doesn't compare?

I was thinking the same thing. Heritage IS (especially the older guitars) what Gibson WAS (other than the headstock and the inscription) and it can easily be argued that the artisans are much more experienced. So I don't understand it when people say Heritage guitars don't have the same feel or play or tone. If the company had not moved, Heritage guitars that are made in Kalamazoo would be all be stamped Gibson logos and serial numbers.

I prefer to think of Heritage as one of the custom shops/divisions of Gibson and the difference(s) as mostly legal/formal.

[Max405]

well, it might feel solid but it'll def sound diff than the guitars you listed.
it's the only carved top w/floater among them save your L-7

I remember my first electric was a 70's ES-175. [though I almost got mugged on the way home and nearly lost it]
I liked it okay, but when I got my first L-5CES it had the feel you describe.....so-lid
looking forward to your NGJSD

Wintermoon, I am expecting (well praying for actually) it to sound different. It's that bank vault solidness I hope for. If it's nor, I'm ok with it. I love all the variances between my guitars. I just want to close my eyes and have my wife put the GJS in my hands and I hope to say, "yes! That's a Gibson!". I promise to do something special for the GJS NGD. I promise.

Amen brother....even with all my QC complaints I can't stop my love affair with Gibson archtops. L5's are built like a Panzer tank. No stopping the tone rolling forward.

And the Panzer is probably like a Porsche. Designed by the same person.
Yeah Vinny, there is no turning back.

Your Heritage JS doesn't compare?

Both are great but they feel different.
The HJS is more like my D'Angelico. Solid but lighter. Everynote is crystal clear. Even the Drop D is crystal clear, but you can feel it in your chest. Deep, and perfectly heard. Even though my old HJS had a higher output pickup on it, it still had that same very articulate sound.
I can't wait to compare the GJS to the HJS. Boy that's gonna be fun.

[vinnyv1k]

All this Gibson talk. Just bought a new L5 from Wildwood. Got to hide the cast iron pan.

[BigMikeinNJ]

[Longways to Go]

I love the Gibson vibe too.

I haven't gone very far up the food chain with Gibson archtops, only because they're damn expensive!, but even the cheaper electrics I've owned --a couple of LP Specials & a Midtown Custom-- had "that feel". My 135 is superb. I tried out a good looking LP studio in a shop the other day -- almost vibey enough to follow me home . . . but there was this one 335 at GC recently -- worst case of banana neck ever --- Yikes!

Primarily, I'm a Gibson acoustic fan. I've got three flattops & they are all wonderful instruments.
Bozeman can turn out an amazing guitar IMO.

Gotta love ya some Gibson . . . warts 'n all

[vinnyv1k]

Bro, I can't wait for the A/B on the HJS and GJS.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Send that pan to me Vincenzo, tell the Bride that BigMike can't find his (they're still packed) and he wants to open a Chicago style pizza joint.

[rob taft]

Joe D said: "you feel like while your playing it, if a runaway train jumps the tracks and is headed straight for you, all you have to do is hold your Gibson up like a shield and the train will bounce off of you. And then you put it back on your lap and continue playing."


I've owned a fair amount of guitars and do have a pretty good number now including four Gibsons. That said, if I have a train bearing down on me, I'm picking up my Telecaster. Not only will I be able to play it later, it will still be in tune.

[Max405]

I was thinking the same thing. Heritage IS (especially the older guitars) what Gibson WAS (other than the headstock and the inscription) and it can easily be argued that the artisans are much more experienced. So I don't understand it when people say Heritage guitars don't have the same feel or play or tone. If the company had not moved, Heritage guitars that are made in Kalamazoo would be all be stamped Gibson logos and serial numbers.

I prefer to think of Heritage as one of the custom shops/divisions of Gibson and the difference(s) as mostly legal/formal.

Medblues, I had the opportunity to hold every one of Patrick's Heritage Guitars. They were all nice, don't get me wrong. But not one of them felt like a Gibson. They were thinner, lighter, and solid but in a different way. I can't describe it. Gibsons feel like they are carved from one solid piece of wood, even though they are not. Almost overbuilt. Me likey.
Nothing feels like a Gibson. Like Vinny says, get an L5 or a Tal in your hands and you'll feel it.

Again Heritage makes some fine instruments especially some of their thinlines and some Hollowbodies as well. But still have never played one that surpasses the better Gibsons old or new. I do think the Norlin era Gibsons feel most like Heritages I've played or owned. And that makes perfect sense, since they were building Gibsons at that time.

Jads, right on the money. Once again, I can't wait to compare the GJS to the HJS. I hope they are different. It would suck having 2 of the same guitar..

[Max405]

All this Gibson talk. Just bought a new L5 from Wildwood. Got to hide the cast iron pan.

be careful everyone, he got me with the same line yesterday..

[BigToe]

it would be fun to do a blindfold test between Gibson and Heritage (and maybe some other archtops) to test how each brand "feels" and if they can be distinguished based on feel.

[Max405]

Bro, I can't wait for the A/B on the HJS and GJS.

me too bro. Me too.

I've owned a fair amount of guitars and do have a pretty good number now including four Gibsons. That said, if I have a train bearing down on me, I'm picking up my Telecaster. Not only will I be able to play it later, it will still be in tune.

Now, now, now Rob.. Even though we allow tele-lovers here, we draw the line at you crazy guys taking shots at our guitars staying in tune. I hadn't played my Tal for a month and it was still spot on in tune. I used to rave about my Vsb Wesmo staying in tune from season to season. Gibsons are bank vaults Rob. Bank vaults!

I love the Gibson vibe too.
I haven't gone very far up the food chain with Gibson archtops, only because they're damn expensive!, but even the cheaper electrics I've owned --a couple of LP Specials & a Midtown Custom-- had "that feel". My 135 is superb. I tried out a good looking LP studio in a shop the other day -- almost vibey enough to follow me home . . . but there was this one 335 at GC recently -- worst case of banana neck ever --- Yikes!

Primarily, I'm a Gibson acoustic fan. I've got three flattops & they are all wonderful instruments.
Bozeman can turn out an amazing guitar IMO.

Gotta love ya some Gibson . . . warts 'n all

Absolutely Long ways!
135's are great guitars. Just like the Midtown Custom. Outstanding!

[Hammertone]

You guys crack me up.

[JazzNote]

Guys you are highly contagious with your ever-present lust to buy new guitars. I desperately need a vaccine against this or i'll get the disease too. Fortunately the hassles around my blonde GSJ keep me busy these days so i have no time to realize other dreams for the time being!

[Max405]

[QUOTE=Hammertone;687580]You guys crack me up.
[/QUOTE


we are here for you Hammer!
What is that. Looks substantial.. Sinister almost..

[vinnyv1k]

be careful everyone, he got me with the same line yesterday..

This one I can afford.

[medblues]

it would be fun to do a blindfold test between Gibson and Heritage (and maybe some other archtops) to test how each brand "feels" and if they can be distinguished based on feel.

There is a nice set of clips in YouTube by Makis Ablianitis playing Fly Me To The Moon with 5-6 different archtops including Gibson Heritage and Hofner that were very educational for me.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[Max405]

This one I can afford.

I am praying for you brother.
Can you send me a preview?