I think the answer is simply many Gibsons do not look good with battle scars. Probably the only one that does is the SG, and even that's a bit iffy. Fender can get away with it because usually the body is just alder and the finishes are usually pretty simple colors or a 2/3 color burst. Can you imagine after going through all the work finding a bookmatched AAA flame maple top, doing the inlay and binding work, and then making a beautiful burst finish, busting out a belt sander and a belt buckle or whatever they use and ruining it? Well, Gibson did more than imagine it ^^

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

The acoustics are far better from Gibson is the quality i'm talking about.
But they are all overpriced in my opinion.

There are more models than the VOS that are aged.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

my search was quick and those were the only ones that i saw that were a production style "relic" guitar. one thing is for sure Gibsons relic guitars are not in the same price range as the road worn series which makes the Fender option much more attractive if its the look your after.

I know that in the "Gibson Custom Tour Bus" that has been going around to the local guitar shops they have 1-2 heavily relic-ed les pauls. They arent "order from the website" production though. Its a one of a kind sotra thing. The guy on the bus said that its a single customer order from gibson.

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-Fender 92' Telecaster unknown
- 2007 Gretsch 6118T
- Ibanez 02' AF85 Artcore hollowbody, modded
- Epiphone Firebird
- Line 6 Variaxe 300
- Squire strat (refinished)
- 2008 Fender Supersonic
- Fender Blues Junior (original)

This is the my Father can beat up your Father grade school debate that pops up once a month. It is just ridicules to try and put down Gibsons when they are top shelf instruments, Now I have never owned one but I have borrowed Les Pauls for months on end from friends and if it is not your cup of tea that is one thing but to say it is not a great guitar is ludicrus. Personally I do not like an SG at all. I love the tone but not the feel of the guitar and is a model that is not for me.

What Rudy said is the truth no matter how much you might hate to admit it, but Fenders hole company guitar wise is based around two models, the Tele and the Strat. Also the P Bass and certain amps are among the best ever made. When you mention the dogs Gibson has produced, both companies have really failed badly after hitting the jackpot 50 years ago with there new guitars. But at least Gibson seems to make more attempts at new models which is something I wish Fender would do.

I do not like the relics and it seems if we took a poll most of us on the forum could do without them. But obviously there is a ton of people who love them as they seem to be a big seller. I have to admit there is something about the Rory Gallagher relic I like and I just had a chance to grab two mint models a month apart for $2,200 and $2,600 and passed both times but the tone on them is incredible. But if I am going to spend that kind of money I want the case to open like in the movie Pulp Fiction where you just see a glow and everyones jaw drops though you never see what was in it. I think my wife would think I cracked if I said I spent close to 3K for this and she saw a relic.lol

Really I would hope this is the last time we see a Gibson vs Fender thread unless it has to do with something new and exciting and anyone of us that own either brand should be happy to know they have a great guitar and if Musicians Friend ever did a Friday that they had a Les Paul standard for a grand everyone on this forum would jump on one. I know I would.

straycat113, i dont think anyone in this thread is trying to debate the Fender vs Gibson issue. Its a discussion about why Gibson hasnt jumped on the production "relic" band wagon.

Yes, and don't forget the binding.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

See, this kind of stuff doesn't make sense.....as does anything Fender might do of the same kind. What is unique about the fact that Bloomfield purchased this '59 LP in the finish of his choice and well wore it in the playing? There is really nothing 'unique' about the guitar in terms of its design or build that's differs from stock.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Not Gibson bashing at all. I love the SG and Gibby's archtops. I just think they are overpriced

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An new SG Std for $1200 seems in line to me. Keep in mind that it is USA made, has a set neck, the fretboard inlays, neck binding, headstock in-lays, etc.
These are all things you don't get on Am Std. Just my opinion, though ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...