Gibson Guitar
reviews and complaints

I reckon everyone's got their own preferences, especially when it comes to guitars. Personally, I've always been a fan of Gibson guitars. They're like the Land Rovers of the guitar world, you know? Sure, the company might not be exactly like it was a few decades back, but hey, that's just how things go. Times change, nothing stays the same. But fear not, the build quality is still top-notch and the sound is still kickin', just with a wee bit of a twist.

I recently got myself a brand new 2020 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50's in the stunning Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish. Gotta say, I was pretty excited about it. However, when the guitar arrived, I was quite disappointed with the condition it was in. The volume and tone knobs were all loose, and even the pick guard was hanging on for dear life. Not a great start, I must say.

But let's talk about the maple top on this thing. Oh boy, it was a real letdown. I've seen some pretty bad matches before, but this one takes the cake. The wood grain just didn't flow nicely, and it looked like someone just slapped it on without any care. Now, I know this guitar comes with a hefty price tag of $2499, so I expected a bit more attention to detail.

You know, "Made in the USA" used to mean something special. It used to be a mark of quality and craftsmanship. But after experiencing this guitar, I can't help but feel a bit disillusioned. It makes me wonder if I should have gone for a foreign-made guitar instead. Maybe they would have put more effort into making sure everything was in tip-top shape.

Overall, I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed with my purchase. The loose knobs, the flimsy pick guard, and the poorly matched maple top just don't justify the price tag. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this guitar. Lesson learned, I suppose.

Terrible customer service. I bought a LP Std Exclusive Model from Gibson in December '22. I returned it the very next day. Gibson sent me a "B stock" guitar, which they later admitted, and they offered me a measly 20% off. I refused, of course. The guitar was all scratched up (check out the photo), and the bridge was installed in a shoddy manner. There was a buzzing sound all over the neck. They promised me a replacement, but it never materialized. Their customer service was cold and made excuses over and over again. They wouldn't even respond to my emails until I called them. After six long months of waiting, I finally gave up and asked for a refund. It's just unbelievable. I am beyond dissatisfied.

Gibson Guitar Corp, or gibson.com, has a rather lengthy history that has been marked by inconsistent quality, sky-high prices, and a sense of arrogance that has unfortunately taken its toll on the company. In 2018, they narrowly escaped bankruptcy once again, thanks to a ill-advised expansion into unrelated ventures that proved to be a disastrous cash grab. Meanwhile, their core business was left neglected and suffered greatly as a result.

Just when it seemed like Gibson could use a bit of positive publicity, they made the questionable decision to release a video titled "Play Authentic." This video, far from being subtle, was more of a thinly veiled threat. It not only targeted their competitors but also their own customers, with baseless claims of trademark infringement. However, when they attempted to pursue legal action, they were swiftly handed a defeat and sent packing, with a side of mint sauce. This ill-conceived move not only failed to boost sales but also obliterated the minuscule amount of goodwill they had managed to retain. As a result, Gibson Guitar Corp has become the laughing stock of the entire industry.

It is truly disheartening to witness the downfall of a company with such a storied past. Gibson's reputation for producing instruments of varying quality has left many customers feeling uncertain and hesitant to invest their hard-earned money. The exorbitant prices attached to their products only exacerbate this issue, making it difficult for the average consumer to justify such a hefty investment.

Furthermore, the air of arrogance that surrounds Gibson is palpable. This haughty attitude has alienated both musicians and enthusiasts alike, who are now turning to other brands that offer comparable quality at more reasonable prices. It is a shame to see a once-revered company fall from grace due to their own hubris.

In conclusion, Gibson Guitar Corp's long-standing issues with quality control, inflated pricing, and an air of superiority have taken a toll on their reputation and overall success. The ill-fated expansion into unrelated ventures and the misguided "Play Authentic" video have only further damaged their standing within the industry. It is my hope that Gibson will take a step back, reevaluate their practices, and make a genuine effort to regain the trust and respect of their customers. Only time will tell if they can rise from the ashes and reclaim their former glory.

I went to Guitar Center and bought myself a Gibson Hummingbird. Let me tell you, Gibson was a solid choice, but Guitar Center, not so much! The craftsmanship and attention to detail on this guitar are top-notch. However, after about a year or so, I started experiencing a whole lot of fret buzzing. It was quite bothersome, to say the least.

So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and head back to Guitar Center. I spoke to their luthier, and you know what they told me? They said that the truss rod was maxed out and couldn't be adjusted any further. Can you believe that? I mean, come on, Guitar Center! You're supposed to be Gibson's representative and the middleman between us customers and the company. But they weren't willing to go the extra mile to help me out. Disappointing, to say the least.

But fear not, my fellow guitar enthusiasts! I wasn't about to let this setback dampen my spirits. I decided to give Gibson's customer service a call, and boy, am I glad I did! In just a mere ten minutes on the phone with their CS team, I got the green light to send my guitar back to Gibson's headquarters in Nashville. And guess what? They even covered the whole repair under warranty! Now, that's what I call excellent service.

Throughout the entire process, Gibson kept me in the loop. They made sure to inform me about what they were doing and how the repair was progressing. I have to say, their communication was on point. And let me tell you, when I finally got my guitar back, it was like a dream come true. They did a fantastic setup, and now it plays and sounds absolutely amazing. I couldn't be happier!

I must say, I am now a proud fan of Gibson. They truly embody what it means to be an American business. Their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is commendable. So, thank you, Gibson, for being there for us and for delivering such a remarkable instrument. You've earned yourself a loyal customer in me!

I was planning on buying an RV to take my family on a cross-country adventure, but I reckon they'd be a whole lot happier if I splurged on a Gibson guitar instead.

Now, here's the thing, Gibson needs to understand that us musicians ain't exactly rolling in dough. So, asking for thousands of dollars for just one guitar seems mighty counterproductive, if you ask me.

It seems like Gibson has been putting less emphasis on quality and more on making a quick buck. They churn out guitars left and right, but the quality just ain't what it used to be. They've shifted their focus to quantity, all the while sacrificing the very essence of a well-crafted guitar. It's a real shame, especially considering Gibson's reputation as the most famous guitar company out there. They're heading down a slippery slope, I tell ya.

Now, let me tell you about my personal experience with Gibson. I scraped together enough cash to treat myself to a nice Gibson guitar. But boy, was I let down. The fretwork on that thing was downright awful. I kid you not, I've seen used Danelectros in better shape than my brand new Gibson. And get this, the Danelectro only set me back $430, while that Gibson cost me ten times that amount.

It's a real shame, it truly is. Gibson used to be the gold standard, but now it seems like they're more interested in making a quick buck than delivering a top-notch instrument. I reckon they need to get back to their roots and remember what made them great in the first place.

I done ordered me a Gibson L-OO back in April 2021. It come in all perfect-like condition and played real nice. But just the other day in June 2023, that dang pickup done went haywire and stopped workin'. Darn it all, the warranty on them electronics only lasts for 2 years, and I missed the mark by a measly 2 months. I called up them folks at Gibson, but they flat out refused to help me out 'cause it's "out of warranty," which I reckon I can understand. But dang it, I've only had this here guitar for 2 years and it's already actin' up. I'm a musician who gigs a lot, and I bought this guitar 'cause I needed me a high-quality, dependable instrument from a company I could trust to have my back. But it seems like Gibson ain't in the business of standin' behind their products once they're outta warranty for a couple of months. Technically speakin', they ain't obligated to, but I've had some cheap ol' pawn shop guitars that lasted longer and were sturdier than this one. Since Gibson won't back up their products, I reckon I won't be doin' no more business with 'em. I'm fixin' to get this guitar fixed up on my own dime, and then I'm gonna sell it off.

The new Gibson company, along with Live Nation, is like a big ol' machine, ya know? I mean, I was an artist on the guitar side, and I gotta say, they treated me pretty professionally. But here's the thing, why only one star? Let me break it down for ya. Picture this, you go to Walmart and buy yourself a fancy dress shirt, right? But then they charge you a crazy high price just 'cause it's got some fancy Beverly Hills badge on it (like Gibson). Now, imagine people seein' me perform live and then they go out and buy themselves a Gibson Les Paul. They come back to me with their stories, and let me tell ya, most of 'em ain't so good. It's like I said, think Walmart.

Nowadays, most of their guitars are made overseas, except for the custom shop in Nashville, Tennessee. They got these giant cookie cutter machines, ya know? But hey, they still got some talented folks workin' for 'em, and that's their saving grace. So, personally, I wouldn't recommend their new guitars with their insane price tags. There are so many other guitars out there that are way better for the money, and that's just plain sad.

Now, let's talk about the old Gibson company from the 80s and early years. Man, that was a whole different ballgame. They were kickin' butt and everybody knew it. They were the leaders in the industry until the 90s, but let's take a look at the real old prices of those guitars. It ain't just about collectin' 'em, it's about havin' a completely different kind of guitar, ya know? It's like the 1968 Ford Bronco that everyone loves compared to the new one that everyone hates. It's not just about collectin' it, it's like havin' a piece of junk, man.

There are so many guitars out there now that are way better for the money, and it's just a darn shame.

Well, let me tell you, I ain't much of a fan of Gibson, to be honest. So, this here review might be a bit biased, you know what I mean? Or maybe I just ain't a fan of what they've turned into, and I reckon a whole lot of other folks feel the same way. But hey, let's talk about their website, gibson.com. It's got a real fancy look to it, all sleek and modern, but it just don't feel like Gibson, ya know? The site looks all organized and whatnot, but dang, it's slow as molasses and kinda clunky at times.

Now, when you first land on the front page, you'll see these newfangled "Gibson's" they're pushin' (they done messed with their classic guitars and added a bunch more buttons). They also got some artist interviews and videos goin' on. But what really gets me is how they done pushed their classic guitars to the back of the site. I had to dig through page after page just to find a classic Les Paul! It's like they forgot about the good ol' days, ya know?

Ever since the legendary Les Paul passed away, it seems like Gibson's lost its way, if you ask me. I don't need no fancy firebird with a thousand useless buttons for my down-to-earth blues style playin'. And I sure as heck don't wanna shell out five grand for a guitar that's got all them bells and whistles. All I want is a good ol' high-quality, simple guitar.

Now, to give 'em credit, the quality is still there. They ain't lost that touch. But they done gone off the beaten path, if you ask me. I reckon they oughta go back to their roots, find that old soul they used to have. 'Cause right now, I don't think ol' Les would be too proud of what they've become.

Back in the good old days, these guitars were amazin'. Now, they're just another overpriced cashgrab. Ya know, they've gone and ruined the design of the Flying V forever. It's a real shame, ya know? Used to be a real gem, but now it's just another disappointment. I mean, who wants to shell out all that dough for a guitar that ain't even worth it anymore?

I remember when Gibson guitars were the talk of the town. People would line up just to get their hands on one. The craftsmanship was top-notch, and the sound was outta this world. But now, it's like they've lost their touch. The quality just ain't what it used to be.

And let's talk about the price. I get it, good things cost money. But come on, Gibson! You're chargin' an arm and a leg for a guitar that ain't even up to par. It's like they're tryin' to squeeze every last penny outta us. It's a real shame, 'cause there are plenty of other brands out there that offer better quality for a fraction of the price.

But the real disappointment is what they've done to the Flying V. That iconic design used to turn heads wherever it went. It was a symbol of rock 'n' roll rebellion. But now, it's just a watered-down version of its former self. They've taken away the soul of the Flying V and replaced it with a cheap imitation.

I used to be a die-hard Gibson fan, but now I'm lookin' elsewhere for my guitar needs. It's a shame to see such a legendary brand fall from grace. I hope they can get their act together and bring back the magic they once had. But until then, I'll be takin' my money elsewhere.

Ever since the legendary Les Paul passed away, it feels like Gibson's overall vibe has gone downhill, at least in my humble opinion. I mean, seriously Gibson, do I really need a firebird with a gazillion buttons that don't even add anything to my down-to-earth bluesy playing? And don't even get me started on the price tag, a whopping five grand for that guitar? Come on now!

All I want is a top-notch, no-frills guitar that gets the job done. I'm talking about a high-quality instrument that doesn't need all the fancy bells and whistles. Just give me something simple, reliable, and built to last. I don't need all the flashy extras that only drive up the cost.

Now, don't get me wrong, Gibson has a rich history and has produced some incredible guitars over the years. But lately, it seems like they've lost touch with what made them great in the first place. They used to be all about craftsmanship and creating instruments that musicians could truly connect with. But now, it feels like they're more focused on gimmicks and catering to a niche market.

I miss the days when Gibson was synonymous with quality and authenticity. When you picked up a Gibson guitar, you knew you were holding something special. But now, it's becoming harder and harder to find that same level of excellence.

I understand that companies need to evolve and adapt to stay relevant, but sometimes it feels like they're losing sight of their core values. Gibson, please remember what made you a household name in the first place. Bring back that simplicity, that rawness, and that soul that made your guitars so iconic.

In conclusion, Gibson, I implore you to go back to your roots and focus on what truly matters: creating high-quality guitars that resonate with musicians on a deep level. Don't get caught up in unnecessary gimmicks and exorbitant prices. Keep it simple, keep it real, and you'll win back the hearts of guitarists everywhere.