Gibson quality control is spotty. I have never had a Gibson electric that was perfect. Even my custom shop Les Paul came with a piece of the nut hanging on from a hand cut. On the other hand, I had a Japanese-made Elitist Casino that was absolutely perfect. Also my Gibson acoustic is perfect. For some reason the build quality of their very expensive Gibson USA electrics is just not up to snuff IME.

Sorry but binding bleed and trying to be historically accurate isn’t really a fair criticism at all. Gibson likely didn’t have the knowledge or technology in the 50s to avoid things like binding bleed so I’m not sure why you’re criticizing that now in 2024. And the reason your R8 has it is because most Gibson reissue customers want a Gibson built exactly like the original 50s models, even if that means some flaws like binding bleed. They are the OG with Fender and their name commands a higher price than a guitar of similar quality from another brand like Heritage or Eastman. It’s not a bad thing. Porsche and Ferrari do the same thing. If you don’t care for the name on the headstock or the history then there are numerous great brands to choose from, so not sure where the problem is.

The market determines the price, both used and new. The fact that they retain resale value, often appreciating in value on their super premium limited releases, proves empirically that they are not overpriced. The question you need to ask is why ESP guitars don't retain their value? Why do people think ESP USA is crap and that ESP Japan is great? That certainly isn't Gibson's fault. I'm not sure what you are accusing them of "getting away with"? Building a more desirable product? I love ESP guitars. Not counting lunatic fringe guitars like Alembic or Minarik in the conversation they'd be my favorite brand after Gibson. Especially their show pieces. They're spectacular. But I also love Gibsons. And if given the choice of one as a desert island guitar, assuming I could choose the one I wanted, I'd choose a Gibson. I'm not a fan of 24 fret guitars, which is almost all ESPs. Except for their Les Paul knockoff and I'll just get a Les Paul instead of an expensive copy. That bleeding dye and yellowing lacquer adds to the "mojo" of an older guitar. I don't like reliced guitars but when my '75 white LP custom's lacquer started to yellow (I bought it new) I loved it. And there might be less variation in ESPs, there's also a lot less hand labor. And that hand labor, which we pay extra for, again adds to the character. And I feel the processes they use that require the hand labor do add to the tone and playability. But with your sample sizes you can't be sure. Binding bleed is not a QC flaw. It's because of the aniline dyes. They do that. And the reason they use aniline dye, hide glue in the Custom Shop (which is far fussier to work with), and Nitro finishes (more labor intensive and time consuming) is it's because it's what their customers demand. Same with the 17° headstock angle and no volute, which is why their headstocks are so fragile. They reduced their headstock angle to 14° IIRC, and people lost their minds. They added Volutes (my 75 LP has one) and people act like it ruins the comfort (I don't have any comfort issues). So, in the end, complain if you want to, but it's the market, Gibson's market, that dictates the things you are complaining about.

Honestly, I love Gibsons pretty much for their design and ergonomics. Fenders don't really "fit" me and neither do a lot of other brands, I still love other guitars, but I get more enjoyment and less frustration out of Gibsons. What really bothers me about them is the price, I mean even Epiphones are starting to get up there. I honestly don't know how they justify their prices in the current marketplace, and they don't seem to show signs of changing any time soon.

Gibson for me

NGL the cheapest you can get an ESP branded guitar here is the 4500 euro kirk hammet signature. It literally start there, everything below that is E-II and LTD. You can get proper Gibbies for much less than that. (But yeah, will the quality be as consistent? Likely not)

I agree with you on all points here. And I love Gibson Guitars. But the fact of the matter is, they continue to sell, and sell well. So until it starts to seriously affect their bank account, they’re not going to change. My LP is an ‘04 that I bought gently used in ‘05 for what a mid - high level Epiphone goes for now. There’s no chance in hell I’m paying what they’re asking for nowadays, it’s insane! But, people love them. The legacy, the look, the “mojo”, nitro as it fades, I’ll admit I love all these things and do overlook the flaws because of them, as I think many do.

Hmmm sounds like you need a Navigator LP (ESP's "traditional" custom shop). I picked one up in Japan, and it's better than any of the Gibson Custom Shop's I've played. Pricey though (around the same price as a Gibson CS).

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend also i am not a fan of Gibson to be honest ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

I'd rather get an E-II and Edwards over ESP USA. If I can't get an ESP Japan, I'd rather save the money. That's just how it is. Just like who people treat Gibson and Epiphones, ESP USA is second-class citizen.

Patents, heritage... But yea you're not talking of custom Gibsons are you. But its cool you deem the lowest of quality with the highest of esps... Quite the brand, but yea humbucker patents, and fender patents on that esp, would the price be competing with the epiphones made in us? which like if you think about it. OH rite the bridge aswell... Nice kia, def better bang for buck.

I have a ESP LTD WA-600 Will Adler Signature which is a Les Paul type guitar which was made in Korea and only cost me £400. Gibson was a great brand which has been destroyed by hedge fund venture capitalist vampires. I own many other guitars most of which are Japanese made Ibanez, Charvel, Fender all made in Japan. I can think of no good reason to pay over the odds for a poorly made overpriced Gibson though I have always wanted a Gibson SG I would rather buy an FGN made SG as I know that it is a quality guitar made by Japanese craftsmen.

I.must be lucky, I've owned Gibsons since 1983, from vintage early 60's to a 2019 with no problems. I'll stick with Gibson.

Im done with Gibson Purchased a Demo SG Special They installed the wrong tuners and they used glue instead of placing threaded shaft tuners on it because the holes were too big for preassure bushings. Someone at the production line catched the issue then instead of fixing it properly they used glue

I have been in the guitar retail and service biz for 40 years and I believe this young man fails to realize that the guitar market is NOT driven buy folks who can play guitar. It is driven by delusional dreamers who literally could not strum Happy Birthday in BFlat if I invited them up on stage and even told them it was a I, V, I, IV progression. Very, very few guitar buyers can play at all. They could not even play a 3 chord blues without missing some changes during a 4 minute song. Most absolutely simply can not play their guitar. 40+ years fixing folks guitars. I have heard them. Ugh! If they road a bike as poorly as they play guitar, they would injure themselves before they got out of the bike store parking lot. I am not mean. I am just honest. I have hosted a zillion blues jams and a half zillion bluegrass jams. Maybe 5%of the total guitar owners can play guitar.

Gibson has resale, thats about it. They have ZERO quality control

One of the two guitars is ugly.