chris77 wrote
Ja, I will be crucified for this again, but the reason I haven't bought a Les paul type guitar yet (apart from my Aria copy, which was dirt cheap and old ?) is because I don't just want a Les paul type guitar. I want a Gibson, and at least a Standard or Traditional at that. So until I am in the position to buy one, I won't get anything else either. Another LP type guitar will feel like a compromise to me, like I settled for something less than what I actually want.
There have been many arguments made for other LP type guitars and I have no doubt that quality- and tonewise you can do a lot better than a Gibson for a helluva lot less. There are some insanely good value for money LP types on the market right now, just look at the word of mouth reputaion that Tokai has earned for instance. Brilliant, brilliant guitars by all accounts. But if you're a suckerfool like me, that magical name on the headstock weighs heavier than common sense and good judgement. If you have the dosh, I say go for the Gibbo.
Weird that I don't feel the same way about any other guitars though..... Somewhere along the line (before the Jimi not-a-strat Strat, FirebirdX and that Tiger thing came along >☹) the Gibson Myth Making Marketing Machine must have done something right :-[
That is fully understandable. While there is an argument to be made for other brands being just as good (or even better) I'd have to be honest that I'm getting a bit sick of all these guys who scoff so self righteously at those who value the label on the headstock.
No-one buys a Rolex watch because it keeps better time than other watches or because it sits more comfortable on the wrist or any such crap. People buy it purely for the Rolex name and it sells millions of watches.
I don't care what people say, but the Gibson Les Paul might very well be the Rolex of guitars. Granted, there are other guitars that are as good or possibly better but you can ask anyone out there what the holy grail guitar is, the majority will probably respond with "a '59 Les Paul".
I'm finding more and more that I'm more of a Strat guy than a Les Paul guy but despite that, I can't help but to envy anyone who owns a cherryburst flametop Gibson Les Paul. I have a cherryburst flametop Epiphone Les Paul but I will probably always yearn for a Gibson. I don't care what people say about headstocks, I do value that label on the headstock.
