I think I NEED a gibson..

[HughesP]

Well, maybe.

I've been working with a signed band lately... won't go into a lot of details, as I'm not yet 100% sure if it's going to work out, but the band has a gibson endorsement, and it's been suggested that I should, as much as possible, have a gibson with me on stage/tour/press photos, videos, etc...

If I buy a new guitar, it won't be entirely free, but it'll be at a very VERY considerable savings...

The band is kind of light-pop, folk-rock, alt-country, indie style band. Sort of coldplay meets wilco/ryan adams sort of thing...

I would ideally like something that sounds good in this kind of style, but also isn't so expensive that I'd worry too much about it on tour. I've already got an older es-335, that I'm playing for the time being, but it's too valuable to me, sentimentally, to take out on the road. I've had guitars stolen in the past and don't want to see that happen with that guitar.

I'm not rushing out to buy something this very moment, but I figure I should start doing some research so I'm prepared when it comes time to tour in a couple of months...

What current production gibson(s) might you suggest checking out? What would make a good workhorse guitar that straddles price/quality mark and would standup well on tour? What might offer me chimey clean sounds and gritty, rootsy, neil young type overdriven tones?

Clearly I just need to try out a lot of guitars, but I'm curious about would all of you might pick if you were in this situation.

Thanks!

 

[Pfeister]

If Gibson isn't paying for it, then it isn't an endorsement. Tel them to ****** ***** (insert whatever expletive you want there). They're not the mafia; if they aren't paying it for it, you have no obligation to buy something.

The guitarist for my friends band got a free custom LP from them as an endorsement (hopefully one of mine will be replacing it soon). They're only big underground (do people still use that term?) and Gibson still came to him and made the offer.

 

[HughesP]

I don't really care how you classify it as an endorsement... And no one is forcing me on this either - I can play whatever I want.

That said, I do love the gibsons I've owned in the past, and to me, this is an opportunity to get a great guitar for far less than I would have otherwise. I like the idea of having a touring guitar that I'm not as emotionally tied to, and I thought it would be fun to discuss with others what might be a good model for my current gig...

 

[duckbunny]

I understand the sentiment, Pfeister, but the "golden rule" often applies here: He who has the gold, makes the rules, suck though it may. ("Want the gig, these are the ground rules" is often implied, rather that explicitly stated!) Can't start to recommend with out know what kind of music you will be playing. Rock? (Indie? Metal? etc.) Country? MOR?


-db

 

[Robert1950]

Is this a, partial endorsement? What % savings are you talking about? Half of Neil Young's sound is his amp - a Tweed Deluxe. I suppose you could get by with an ES339 maybe????

 

[HughesP]

As I said before:

The band is kind of light-pop, folk-rock, alt-country, indie style band. Sort of coldplay meets wilco/ryan adams sort of thing...

As for the discount... I think it works out to 75% off... which seems pretty good to me!

 

[A440]

for starters:
LP special singlecut
D. Grohl Signature model (sort of a Trini Lopez)
SG Classic
E. Easton Signature SG
R6 with Bigsby

 

[steve_man]

Yeah...something with a P90 in it would be great for that style...

 

[RJM/rydog2223]

The new Traditional's are pretty nice. Very solid and plays very nice. I've been using that more than my Historic lately.

 

[WordMan]

I would ideally like something that sounds good in this kind of style, but also isn't so expensive that I'd worry too much about it on tour. I've already got an older es-335, that I'm playing for the time being, but it's too valuable to me, sentimentally, to take out on the road. I've had guitars stolen in the past and don't want to see that happen with that guitar.

First of all, congrats on your situation. Second of all, you've kinda answered your question - from the sound of it, you like 335 types. There are plenty across a variety of price points - from ~$450 Epi Dot Necks to Custom Shop 335's, 345's, etc. I have played a few 339s and really like their LP/335-ish tone and good ones feel great - and 75% off of ~$1800 street price would = ~$450 which would mean a Custom Shop guitar at Epi prices. What's not to love? Go play a few!!

 

[Pfeister]

I didn't mean to sound that way. Sorry if I came across like that. I'm not saying don't play a Gibson or anything like that. It just sounded like you felt an obligation to. I see what you're saying now, though.

As for the golden rule duck mentioned: I've made my name and my living by telling people who try to enforce that rule to ***** ***** (again, insert whatever expletive feels appropriate). That's one I won't budge on.

Sorry if I stepped on any toes. I didn't meant to. I will leave the conversation, though. I don't know anything about Gibsons.

 

[jrjones]

I would never think you would NEED a gibson...there are a ton of better guitars available...but anyway, if you can get a 339 for 500 bucks, you'd be crazy not to jump on it just to see if it's your thing.

 

[Poppa Stoppa]

I'd go for a '56 reissue gold top Les Paul. It has P90s and sounds great for all those sounds & styles you mention.

 

[stratzrus]

I wouldn't have to think twice about it, particularly if you like 335s. If I could get anything off A Johnny A Signature (in the finish of my choice) I'd jump on it:

But of all of them my favorite is this one:

 

[matte]

If Gibson isn't paying for it, then it isn't an endowment. Tel them to ****** ***** (insert whatever expletive you want there). They're not the mafia; if they aren't paying it for it, you have no obligation to buy something.

poor form, especially for a builder.

@ the op,

i would suggest snagging a "54 black beauty.

 

[dspellman]

Well, maybe.

I've been working with a signed band lately... won't go into a lot of details, as I'm not yet 100% sure if it's going to work out, but the band has a gibson endorsement, and it's been suggested that I should, as much as possible, have a gibson with me on stage/tour/press photos, videos, etc...

If I buy a new guitar, it won't be entirely free, but it'll be at a very VERY considerable savings...

Nope. If it's part of your contract that you use their guitars, then they buy you the guitars. Otherwise, it's not an endorsement; it's an artist discount. It costs Gibson maybe $100 to put together a guitar (no, really, and that includes the ones that sell for $3K). If they can get more than that from you then they've made a profit on the guitar and you're giving them free exposure.

 

[Scott Auld]

it'll be at a very VERY considerable savings...

The band is kind of light-pop, folk-rock, alt-country, indie style band. Sort of coldplay meets wilco/ryan adams sort of thing...

Sounds like it's time for an LP Junior in TV Yellow, baby.

 

[BadAssBill]

What a great opportunity. If you get the chance...get a tour of the custom shop. Great folks working there.
I'd recomend anything with P-90's. Either one of the new Tribute 50's ones (they should be more plentiful later in the year), or an R6. The first will be a great bang for the buck guitar. The R6, as with most the historics, are great playing and sounding guitars IMHO. At 75% off...I would go with an R6. If you're getting it through some type of endorsment...maybe talk to them about doing something other than a gold top? I have an R6 burst...they are rare...but just awesome looking.

 

[dspellman]

I don't really care how you classify it as an endorsement... And no one is forcing me on this either - I can play whatever I want.

That said, I do love the gibsons I've owned in the past, and to me, this is an opportunity to get a great guitar for far less than I would have otherwise. I like the idea of having a touring guitar that I'm not as emotionally tied to, and I thought it would be fun to discuss with others what might be a good model for my current gig...

Getting a guitar for 75% off is nice. But make sure you understand all the ground rules going in. Real endorsements can be a bit tricky; Don Johnson once lost an $8 mil endorsement (in "Miami Vice" days money) contract with Pepsi because he came off the set in 100 degree heat in 100 degree humidity and someone handed him a Diet Coke and a photographer published a photo of him downing it.

You'll probably find out that, if you dig around, you can probably get artist prices on a LOT of guitars if that band is getting enough attention. Buy whatever you like.

 

[BadAssBill]

Gibson maybe $100 to put together a guitar (no, really, and that includes the ones that sell for $3K). If they can get more than that from you then they've made a profit on the guitar and you're giving them free exposure.

Not sure where you are getting your facts from...but you're flat out wrong, especially if you're talking about a Custom Shop. These are not bolt on parts o casters.