Jay, the 336 is a 2002 and the LP is a 2007. I haven't even cleaned it yet...the previous owner did a good job.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

I've got a '76 Gibson SG Standard, and it's a remarkable instrument. Unless you heart is set on a Les Paul, why not try out an SG? (For the record though, the Strats are still the love of my life.)

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"To Be Is To Do" --Locke
"To Do Is To Be" --Thoreau
"Do Be Do Be Do" --Sinatra

Starka I think their both incredible instruments. I dont think gibson have a inherently bad instrument in their line. My problem is more the lack of common sense put into building the things.

I cant find any faded's anywhere except the studio's. That brown and worn cherry just aren't appealing.

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No no and no

I agree with your point Niki, particularly from the standpoint of common sense. I think it's a case of what the design is to accomplish. A Steinway is in many instances a priceless piano--but it wasn't designed to be used by Jerry Lee Lewis. The same might be said of these Gibsons that we're discussing. A Fender is designed more with the rough-and-tumble world of the rock guitarist in mind.

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"To Be Is To Do" --Locke
"To Do Is To Be" --Thoreau
"Do Be Do Be Do" --Sinatra

Starka: I often think the same thing. Honestly, though, those late '70s SGs were very good (yes, I have one too). Can you post a pic your '76?

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

bit pricey, agreed. get yourself an SG std or special - cracking instruments

Common sense dictates to me that their products are grossly overpriced. Regardless, as long as players keep coughing up the money, the prices will never decrease let alone stay the same; QC being a separate and apparently, minor concern.

Obviously, I'm not inside the suits heads at Gibson to know their motivators but per the above, it seems that whatever is behind their pricing structure, it continues to working swimmingly for them.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

I would have to say that a Gibson is highly priced compared to a Strat but as Ceri pointed out when you look at the build of a Les Paul compared to a Strat it's apples and oranges. Where I live a Gibson is just over double of what an American Standard Strat costs. Does it cost twice as much to produce? My uneducated guess would be it's probably close to it. It doesn't make the price any easier to swallow but it should justify it a little bit. I happen to own a Strat which I adore but I will always want a Les Paul as well. I own an Epi Les Paul which has been great for me. I have zero complaints about it at all. I had always planned on one day owning a Gibson Les Paul but with all of these issues posted here and in other places it really scares me. I don't mind spending money on something if the quality is there.

According to Gibson, doesnt it take 4 weeks to build a Les Paul?

thats the only thing (other than the idiotic pricing) i dont like about them

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I'd be very interested to know if thats correct.

To bring things into correct perspective. A les paul standard at £17/1800 is firmly priced to compete with customshop guitars. When you look at customs, VOS and the suchlike being anywhere from £2200-£3500 their entering into Fender masterbuilt territory. A comparison to a American standard for quality is a little unfair on the mass produced American Standard. I suggest comparing one to a Custom Deluxe or a Masterbuilt strat for a fair comparison in terms of quality. It will become very apparent that there is no comparison at all. A masterbuilt strat takes 18 months average from order to delivery. I dont believe that 18 months is build time for one second. They sure as hell take longer than 4 weeks though.

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No no and no

I'm working on it, GT. The truth is that I've never sent a photo with my cell phone, so I'm trying to do it even as I post this!

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"To Be Is To Do" --Locke
"To Do Is To Be" --Thoreau
"Do Be Do Be Do" --Sinatra

Gibson's overpriced ?? Yes, very much so.. But I love LP customs... So I bought one about 3 years ago used... It's a 1999 Used Gibson Les Paul Custom black beauty for $1500 US.. Which believe it or not is a great deal...

I own a Guild X-170 hollow body that I bought for $1300 and it's just as good if not better than a $4000 Byrdland or a $2200 ES-175... I know since I have owned both... The Byrdland was too much of liabilty to take gigging... Gibson hollowbodies are way over priced for what you get...

A great alternative to US made Gibsons is Guild.. Problem is they are all used.. Since Fender completely ruined that brand..

You can also look into buying a Heritage...