Gibson made to measure program

msmith4432 · Post by **msmith4432** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:06 pm

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Gibson custom shop has a new made to measure where you can build your own guitar. Very cool I think, the gibson reissues IMO are amazing guitars. I have owned 4 and everyone of them has been top notch. Unfortunately I only have 1 now. But I may start saving to make my own now that this is out. It's not a total build but you get quite a few options.

Yaff · Post by **Yaff** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:37 pm

Although it sounds like a nice idea, I think there are so many versions our there that most people will be able to find what they want stock.

I like the plan top and fat neck, so went for a R8. If you want similar but with flame, you can go with an R9. If you like the slim neck, you can have a R0. If you want chambers, you can have a R8C. and so on.

The other issue with ordering a specific guitar, when you get it in your hand, it may not sound or feel the way you thought , but I think you would still need to buy it, if the spec was as requested.

For me, sticking with stock and having the opportunity to play several examples to find the best one for you, is the best way. You can always charge the hardware, plastics and electronics later, but with the knowledge that the tone and feel is right.

Thanks for sharing !

msmith4432 · Post by **msmith4432** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:59 pm

Yaff wrote:Although it sounds like a nice idea, I think there are so many versions our there that most people will be able to find what they want stock.

I like the plan top and fat neck, so went for a R8. If you want similar but with flame, you can go with an R9. If you like the slim neck, you can have a R0. If you want chambers, you can have a R8C. and so on.

The other issue with ordering a specific guitar, when you get it in your hand, it may not sound or feel the way you thought , but I think you would still need to buy it, if the spec was as requested.

For me, sticking with stock and having the opportunity to play several examples to find the best one for you, is the best way. You can always charge the hardware, plastics and electronics later, but with the knowledge that the tone and feel is right.

Thanks for sharing !

That was kind of my first thought but I actually think it will be quite useful. For instance what if you want a 58 bourbon burst but don't want vos finish you want gloss. Until this you didn't have that option. I would be hesitant to change the stock neck, but I love having color and finish options. Also it would be cool to add a bigsby, or if you want a 56 but like be already have a gold top and would like a differen color. I think it is a pretty cool program

myboss57 · Post by **myboss57** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:10 pm

It's great if you want specific finishes and hardware options. I love the idea of a heavily aged SG with aged nickel in TV Yellow. But I'd have liked to see added the option of a '59 Les Paul (the doublecut) or some Junior options as well. I know that is asking a lot and I'm sure these made to order Gibbies are pretty well-priced.

msmith4432 · Post by **msmith4432** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:23 pm

myboss57 wrote:It's great if you want specific finishes and hardware options. I love the idea of a heavily aged SG with aged nickel in TV Yellow. But I'd have liked to see added the option of a '59 Les Paul (the doublecut) or some Junior options as well. I know that is asking a lot and I'm sure these made to order Gibbies are pretty well-priced.

It depends, most of them will not be much more than the stock models. Sweetwater has some made to measure in stock now. Of course the additional options were at the request of sweetwater and not an individual but they are priced anywhere from $100 more up to about $700 more

Vertikal · Post by **Vertikal** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:29 pm

Hmmm... Gibson already charge an absolute fortune for their top end models, Custom, CC Series et al. and they're not even specific to the customer, and to be brutally honest, don't justify the cost for a manufacturer that is Corporate these days.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll just stick to a proper Custom Guitar from someone like Ben Crowe at Crimson Guitars and come in at a much better price, and dare I say better built too.

msmith4432 · Post by **msmith4432** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:53 pm

Vertikal wrote:Hmmm... Gibson already charge an absolute fortune for their top end models, Custom, CC Series et al. and they're not even specific to the customer, and to be brutally honest, don't justify the cost for a manufacturer that is Corporate these days.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll just stick to a proper Custom Guitar from someone like Ben Crowe at Crimson Guitars and come in at a much better price, and dare I say better built too.

No disrespect to your favorite custom maker but I highly doubt they are better quality guitars. The Gibson historic line is top notch

Vertikal · Post by **Vertikal** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:17 pm

I'm sure they are top notch. But that doesn't justify the price they come with. £6,000 to £9,000+ for a CC Les Paul?... Sorry but... As I said earlier. I'd rather spend much, much less on something from the likes of Crimson Guitars that use much more exotic woods for starters and actually build it to your exact specifications. Regarding build quality, they're just as well built as any other.

Don't get me wrong, I love Gibson and I especially love the Les Paul. But they're not worth some of the prices they come with. Just my opinion.

ironlung40 · Post by **ironlung40** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:26 am

I took a tour with a friend who works in the gibson factory in nashville, I was absolutely surprised at how much human handwork still goes into these guitars especially the non-custom shop models. It made me rethink how much I think a Gibson guitar is worth. I also like the Made in USA part, and that they are made in my home state of TN, and what they have meant to rock-n-roll history. I think these options are a great idea from a great american company.

I would want a a custom shop historic SG with the oversized headstock found on the 61 reissue...in gloss finish with 57's rather than the BB's and the VOS treatment and the smaller 62 SG headstock....in Heritage Cherry of course.

DiabloS · Post by **DiabloS** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:01 am

I like this idea, having options isn't a bad thing as long as it's affordable.

msmith4432 · Post by **msmith4432** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:53 am

Vertikal wrote:I'm sure they are top notch. But that doesn't justify the price they come with. £6,000 to £9,000+ for a CC Les Paul?... Sorry but... As I said earlier. I'd rather spend much, much less on something from the likes of Crimson Guitars that use much more exotic woods for starters and actually build it to your exact specifications. Regarding build quality, they're just as well built as any other.

Don't get me wrong, I love Gibson and I especially love the Les Paul. But they're not worth some of the prices they come with. Just my opinion.

Point taken, everyone has their preference and opinion. They must spike quite significantly to go overseas. In the states the 59 is the highest price tag at $6200usd, which would be right at 4500 euro. Th 57s and 58s are $4500usd hitch would come in under 3500 euro

Randy Bass · Post by **Randy Bass** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:13 am

I've always wondered why it was called the "Custom Shop" since you have to buy it the way they design it. It's more of a "Handbuilt Reissue Shop", but I digest...

If you are willing to pay, Gibson should be willing to make whatever you want just like the small boutique builders. I would like a one-piece Mahogany Doublecut LP Special in Worn Sky Blue with a one-piece Rosewood neck, for example. It's going to need a bulge contour cut out of the back too.

Orren · Post by **Orren** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:57 am

I realize this probably doesn't affect too many here, but for the sake of my fellow southpaws let me say I was happy to read that *all* the available models can be ordered left-handed. It's pricey, but any time lefties aren't kept out of the party is welcome.

Orren

Wendigo · Post by **Wendigo** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:14 am

Randy Bass wrote:It's going to need a bulge contour cut out of the back too.

...Dude just don't sling the guitar so low...keep it up above the belt-line, that should solve that issue!

Mystic38 · Post by **Mystic38** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:47 am

I think this is a great program.. its probably just not for me.

I just couldn't think of buying a guitar sight unseen.. Taking a browse through the R9's on Ebay and there are none that are visually compelling.

Now, of course, instead of making a few hundred in the studio was I making tens of thousands of dollars gigging and just wanted a great sounding LP then that's different...lol