Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio Thanks for supporting the channel!

Outstanding review. The current Standard is as good as ever. One really can’t ask for more out of a Gibson Les Paul.

I bought a 2022 leftover 60's LP in Iced tea just yesterday and i can back up what he is saying about them. Not only does it look incredible but just as he said the guitar just rings unplugged! You can feel every note or chord vibrating from the guitar as you play. These are extremely resonant LP's and are much better than i had anticipated! Overall i would say these are some of the best Les Paul standards in years!

For anybody wondering, you absolutely do not need to swap these pickups. They have more than enough balls.

Just bought a 2022 Unburst a couple weeks ago. Outstanding guitar. Glad you're enjoying it as well!

@sixstringcity3931

2 жыл бұрын

Likewise

Have the same Duncans on my Hamer archtop set up for out of phase in the middle position. No other pickup combination could possibly serve an LP style guitar better in my opinion. Very inspiring. Great playing as always Jon.

Great review! I purchased a 60's version in unburst, got it in 2019. Fit and finish are a 95% pass. I agree that the pickups are bright. If i were to swap them, I'd go with Seymour Duncan's Alnico pro's...Slash's. Rock on!

Man! No matter what you are featuring in your videos, you always manage to get great sounds out of everything!! Either you have a great ear or you have pretty damn good equipment.. or both!! But I really love the sound of your videos, congratulations!!

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I have a Standard 60s, and to me it is actually flawless. Mine is Blueberry Burst and it looks incredible. AA top, rrally nice flaming and perfect weight at 9.0 lbs. The accoustic resonance and vibration is its no1 feature. But the pickups are perfect. As popular and legendary as the JB is... the stock burstbuckers are better. Amazing crunch and texture, super cleans, insane clarity. I'm way past the honeymoon phase, but sincerely haven't found anything to complain about. However, i do play it "less often" to keep the novelty alive. I treat it like dessert.

I was lucky enough to pickup a ‘21 Standard 60s in unburst recently. I immediately checked under the pick guard and was pleased to see they now come with a small disk of felt between the bottom of the screw and top of the guitar. To be honest, if the guard is installed correctly there shouldn’t be a problem as they shouldn’t touch, but good to see they are now taking precautions. I’m sorry to see the small defects in the finish on your otherwise beautiful example, I’m sure that’s the worst I’ve seen so could be why it was a display piece and never meant to sell at full retail. The case candy is a great bonus as is the case itself, which appears to me to be a upgraded version of the classic brown case. It’s slightly bigger than my Custom’s case (yeah, that’s three LPs in my collection now, along with my Les Paul Lite) and the latches are a giveaway as they are more square shaped. Thanks for the video, and great playing.

Just picked one up a week ago. Haven't put it down for days. Amazing guitar!! 😃

Great videos and the riffs sound awesome 🤪

I just recently picked up a 2019 standard 60s bourbon burst and you are right, Very high quality feel for sure.

I'm VERY pleased with my 2019 Standard '60s. Fit, finish, playability, and sound are right where I need them, and except for straplocks and a TP-6 tailpiece, it's stock as a stove... I play country and it works marvelously well for the kind of clean bebop-ish sound that's exactly right for western-swing influenced honky-tonk, but it'll dish out some pretty convincing high-end spank when it's time to celebrate the outlaw side of things. Happy camper here!

Nice combo guitar and amp- perfect.

That riff is sick. Killer tone and playing.

I got one about 6 months ago… between the love everyone gives to it and the love I have for it it’s the best electric I’ve ever played

Love the Les Paul sound, and yours looks great as well

Congrats, great review. I have a 2020 60s in unburst and love it. My only criticism is the weight at 9lbs 15oz.

Beautiful! Also a big fan of the SD hot rod set. What are you playing around the 11 minute mark? Sounds cool.

Great looking and good sounding guitar. You gotta love her.

Love a Les Paul. Congrats on the second one!

Nice! I generally favour pointy guitars, but the Les Paul style shape and electronics layout is the one exception; feels very comfortable. My only issue: I use 7 string guitars in general and favour double-locking tremolo systems.

Great Review

Love it man. I’ve had a 60’s Bourbon Burst for a couple years now….just so good.

@Douglas_I

2 жыл бұрын

I bought a 60s bourbon burst about 9 months ago and I absolutely love mine! I have an Adam Jones signature Les Paul STANDARD (silverburst like all of Adam's guitars are) pre-ordered. The first 3 of his signatures are all customs. That's what he always plays but they are insanely expensive! It was supposed to ship in the second week of March but has been delayed. They are not giving a date now which sucks cause I can't effing wait! Lol!

Lovely Les Paul. Great tones and you can't beat that look! Curious why you didn't play the higher gain channel on the TH30 too? I have both and really like the combo. I just added Bare Knuckle True Grits in my LP and they really work well. That clean channel is so bright though! I can't get mine dialed in as high as what you have here, but it sounded great here in the video.

Great video, I love your attention to crafting your tones. I have the same model in the same finish, however to my surprise mine came from the factory with a felt pad underneath the pick guard bolt. I thought Gibson might have listened to the complaints about finishes being compromised but apparently not in all cases. Its a shame your guitar was slightly damaged, it has a much nicer top than mine . Mine is number 37 in the 2021 run , the neck profile, classic feel , and smell (lol) made me fall head over heels for it. -Cheers.

@russp7887

2 жыл бұрын

PS. I swap all my LP pickups to Duncans , only with the exception of my new 60's spec Standard. I love the classic rock tone along with its vintage aesthetic and non weight relieved body, forsure "Scratches my Les Paul itch" haha .

What a great hard rock tone. Love it!!

I got a new late '21 Iced Tea Burst 60s last month. I was nervous about the QC issues that you read about online. Does it have some issues? Yes, particularly with the binding on the neck. But I really love the guitar, and it makes me smile, so, I made peace with them. I did notice that the pickups aren't great for heavy stuff. The neck is woofy sometimes and the bridge can lack some grunt, but I don't plan on changing them.

Looking at getting one for playing 60s to 90s rock tunes. My other guitars are more focused on modern metal shreddy stuff and this with a Tele, Strat and ES 335, SG combo would be nice balance point.

Very nice, great sounding guitar: enjoy ! Seymour Duncan winds very good stuff 😉🎸👍🏻

I got the same guitar and I could definitely say it’s far superior from my epiphone lespaul standard pro plus. The feel, quality, vibration, electronics and how it sounds. My epiphone is highly modified with aftermarket bridge, nut, tuners, 50’s wiring but still doesn’t come close.

my wife just got me one. I have always wanted a Gibson LP since I started playing guitar over 10 years ago. I'm in love with it. I'm normally play metalcore so most of my other guitars have emg 81 85s so I really like how bright this guitar sounds in comparison. I find it perfect for that classic rock tone

@mikew9788

2 жыл бұрын

These les Paul's really do nail the classic rock tone

I think your new Standard 60s looks killer, love the top, I have a Custom Shop Bourbonburst that amazingly good fortune allowed me a day where I could buy any dream guitar I wanted except for the way way out there in price vintage stuff. So I and a friend who just happened to work at the most well stocked Long and McQuade in town got to shoot out the top out of reach need a ladder to touch Les Pauls in the store with a few regular Classics and Traditionals thrown in the mix just to keep things fair. At the end of the day, there were only 2 left, and it wasn’t even close.I eventually chose the one my friend thought suited my playing style better, and it has the dreaded red dye seeping into the binding flaw but man, you could never get me to trade that instrument ever. I don’t care if the other brand stays looking brand new and shines like crazy, it feels and plays like it is entombed in epoxy. Some of the old school finish techniques and materials have some flaws. It’s the price you pay if you want vintage type resuls

I recently traded my way into a ‘21 Standard 60’s in BourbonBurst. It’s a cool guitar but doesn’t feel all that special to play when compared to the other LP’s in my stable. I’m not a fan of the 61 Burstbuckers so a pickup change was done immediately. Yours sounds great and has a killer top! Cheers!

@biohazard8295

2 жыл бұрын

Are they good in quality? Intonation, fret work etc

@lloydgarrelts6033

2 жыл бұрын

What pickups did you put in your Les Paul?

Beautiful guitar!

My 2019 60’s bourbon burst is my favorite guitar. I switched the pickups out for lundgren black heavens and it weighs just under 9 lbs! The AA flaming isn’t the greatest but the relatively lighter weight of it makes up for that.

Superbous tones, I'd like to know the differences between this and the custom! Love both!

I have one of those in ice tea burst. The only thing I dislike about it is the burstucker pickups. I’m going to change them for something else. I’m looking at JWP pickups right now. Like you, I owned a Gibson custom shop (R7), and I wish I’d never sold it. I can tell you that cosmetically, and playability were very nice right out of the box on my Les Paul. The top is just beautiful!

Thank you for your video. My setup is similar: An Ebony Custom from 2016 and a Standard 60s in Unburst from 2021. Great combo and both play so well...

Had a 2020 60s standard. Hated the 61r 61t pups. Also the slim tapered neck seemed cool at first and a few months later not so much. Not trying to discourage anyone but since I purchased a custom shop there's no looking back at classics and standards.

Fair warning… that “Gibson bug” you got bit by? It doesn’t go away! 😂 I’m running 4 Les Paul’s in my collection now (all different tones). The Stratocaster is lucky to get some play time! 😁🎸

Played a few LP guitars today at GC and like the thinner 60s LP neck than the baseball think 50s neck. Enjoyed custom VOS 60s LP the best but may move on the new Adam Jones Signature Les Paul.

could you compare the custom and the standard? would be sick :)

I like how you play. A lot of guitar reviewers on KZread don't play anything interesting. They just go "Chugchuggachugchugga chug." I would listen to you in a non-review context.

What do you guys think of my new Standard 60s???

@freddywonka9539

2 жыл бұрын

That‘s an amazing guitar! I‘d take the pickguard off, but that‘s just my personal taste. The SD pickups sound awesome! And honestly the clean part gave me chills, it had a strong Opeth vibe 🥰

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

@@freddywonka9539 thanks! I like it with the pickguard on but that's just personal preference

@mikecooper8465

2 жыл бұрын

Love my 73 lp custom blk beauty. I also changed my bridge pkups with a Duncan custom 5. and left the original T-top for original tone.

@SimonSawal

2 жыл бұрын

I think they're totally awesome! I owned one, but trade it back to maxguitar voor een PRS custom 22. I really liked the gibson les paul, but the pickups weren't noiseless, something maxguitar couldn't fix and that dissappointed me a little bit. But still the guitar played (and still plays) like a dream and the sounds were thick and awesome! Nice review Jon!

@Punkwart

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, I think the finish is an absolute joke on a $2500 guitar.

I walked out of Guitar Center with one of these today. It's beautiful.

I just love the look of this guitar! I currently play a Fender AmPro II strat which feels lovely. Planning on getting a dual humbucker and choice is a Gibson LP Tribute or a 2nd hand LP Standard 60s. Both from the new 2019 period. My concern is the possibility of a sticky neck, especially on the standard. Is this a concern? Or am I over thinking it?

@Squall6575

Жыл бұрын

Its not that big of an issue tbh.

I'm a pickguard off guy, and all of my standards have it off. That said, there is that little ding from when I was playing them with the pickguard, but to be honest, it's very minor and you can't see it from a couple feet away. Even my Golden Pearl 2015 has it, but it's hard to find unless you're looking up close or running your finger over it.

Update as of now they're putting a small felt washer type thingy on the pickgaurd brace where it meets the wood. At this point I haven't heard if that does or doesn't fix the problem. Myself I've always liked the look of a Paul sans said pickgaurd/scratch plate like Alex Lifeson of Rush fame always sported on his.

As a stock standard guitar off the shelf the Slash Les Paul Standard is my choice over the 50's and 60's.

I've just ordered a JB Nickel. I wasn't fussed with the 61t.

Nice guitar mate!! Love how it sounds with that new combo!! My question is… what pickups are you gonna load in that Elite 1 ?

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

Currently have a Custom and Jazz in that guitar. Sounds good!

@borhksalduero9259

2 жыл бұрын

@@SonicDriveStudio how is that jazz in the neck compared to the 59?

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

@@borhksalduero9259 need to spend more time with it

@Sonic drive studio', About that "Ding" under the pickguard, Gibson has addressed this and is now putting a small round felt pad at the end of the PG screw. MY 2022 60's standard i just got has this felt and there is no issue under the PG.

@SonicDriveStudio

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad they are doing something about it now

@These_go_to_eleven_1959

Жыл бұрын

@@SonicDriveStudio Yeah i am really impressed with the 2022 i bought. It really is flawless. I looked it over with bright lighting and used techniques i learned from expert's on what to check for in a Gibson. Perfect ones are being made you have to look them over in person. I bought mine online but the seller was very reputable and had a solid refund policy. I was assured the LP was flawless and if i was not 100% happy i would get a full refund.

If high gain chugging is what you were after, then perhaps any of the schecter models would have been better? Or maybe the "Slash" model with his custom wound pickups?

I've never understood the fascination with Gibson. I personally do not like the 24.75" scale length, it feels too short to me. I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with it, I just don't like the way that shorter scale length feels. Gibsons are notorious for tuning issues. They're over priced for the quality you get. I'm genuinely happy you're stoked about your new guitar though. And once again, you make everything sound amazing. I'd love to see a video on how you dial in your rectifier tone, BTW. I have a triple rec and I cannot seem to get the same amazing tones you're getting.

How did you put the pickup covers on your Seymour Duncan pickups? Or did you buy them with the covers in already?

The stock pups work great for everything if you use an amp (or modeler) made for the music you are playing and an EQ pedal.

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad they work for you

SWEET VICTORY SONG

Is that a backing track i can get somewhere? Please let me know. Thanks

Anyone really like the 61’ BB pups?? (This is my 1st Les Paul Standard). For 20 yrs ive been playing an ‘04 SG standard (490r/498t), when I A/B tested the tones with my amp settings same (Marshall DSL 20c), i find the SG to sound a little grittier (especially the bridge is louder..and in middle position the SG still had more bite). I found the 61’ BB’s to be very crisp and very boomy neck & a thinnish bridge, also seems very sensive to high notes and bassey on low notes (like an un-even sound?) they dont sound terrible or bad, but my idea of “les paul sound” was a big open tone with a growly bridge…seems like my SG gives off more of that tone and my LP (61’ BBs) seems more articilate & compressed, the SG really does the AC/DC & can even dial in the Sabbath tone almost perfect, the LP seems to sound cleaner, tighter and a little less output? Jw what les paul players think of 61’ Burstbuckers in LP’s? Its a 2023 60’s LP standard, i was thinking of swapping them out for SD pearly gates or SD seth lovers (alnico 2 pups that are described as close to orginal PAF’s, which is the classic rock tone i do love, looking for that whole lotta love(led zepp/guns n roses) type tones from classic les paul players from 60s-80s. Never personally heard the SD pups, just sound great from description & ratings, but 61’ BB’s sound like a great thing from gibson’s website lol. Any help from a Les Paul player (who’s into classic rock tones lol), thanks for any help!

Sounds great. Are you from Canada ?

Thank you Jon, very cool video. Honest and informative. Bummed about the quality of the guitar, it REALLY should be WAY BETTER! I am not a "Gibson Guy" but the knowledge shared and love how you include the three amps shinning in their natural habitat, LOL.

I love these Les Paul guitars

That intro jam sounded great. Most other videos the distortion is overpowering. This distortion was clean. Pups were still clear.

Good treview- Thinking of picking up an LP- I love the neck and it sounds alright . If you switched out the P/U 's for Seymours then why not just get the Slash LP? Honestly I go for heavier sounds I think a better mix is a 490 in the neck and a 498 in the bridge. I have a similar set up in my ES-339 and the Bridge has Jb's but Classic 57 in the neck which sounds good but in my SG's The 490 n 498 is beyond awesome and are much more versatile. ORANGE RAWKS!

@philcasogonzo14

12 күн бұрын

The slash pups are horrible imo.

Dude if you replace the pick up I would bever know,but I like tge sound of your repkacement pick up.

I do like the les Paul with EMGs 57/66 or hetset. But the SD sounded good

Does swapping PU's in this ruin the value or can it be done in a fashion to not hurt it later if one was to keep the stock PU's? And does anyone have issues with Suhr Aldrich PU's?

Chiedo scusa, se con i pick-up originali si fa del blues style Gary Moore, vanno bene o si impastano?

Seems like they never get their shit together. For those prices you should get nothing less than perfection

A JCM800 for the price of an SG. Not a bad deal. I have the JCM800 2003x 100w and a 1983 JCM800 4210 50w. The JCM800 is by far my favorite amp. The only amp I'd like to have one day is a Friedman BE deluxe 100w.

Hi friend,thanks for your content and videos! I would appreciate if you could tell me if there is a big difference between the neck profile of your Custom and your 60's. I have an Iced Tea 60's too and i am about buying a black beauty CS too which like you is my dream guitar since i was a teen. I am waiting for Thomann back in stock and your answer would help me a lot. Thanks Cédric

@SonicDriveStudio

Жыл бұрын

The Custom is a tad more round

@cedricmh8022

Жыл бұрын

@@SonicDriveStudio thanks very very much for your answer bro 👍, so i think i will go for this black beauty! This is my dream guitar too since i was young. Hope Thomann will have some back in stock soon...😁

I love the one I bought from Sweetwater a few months ago, although I did take off the Grover tuners and install Gibson Deluxe Kluson style ones, Amber knobs, and I relicted all the hardware and body, which I absolutely love because it looks and feels more like a custom shop model now.

Fun fact: Your guitar was made (at least stamped) on Jan 24th, 2019 and was the 102nd guitar of the day. 🙂

@These_go_to_eleven_1959

Жыл бұрын

Yeah most do not know about how to read the serial number. Mine is a sept 23, 2022 first batch and it is flawless

1) I love your channel. 2) Those finish flaws on a guitar that expensive are just insane to me, especially when Epiphone simply doesn't have those flaws.

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

I know that some people really care about that stuff. I just want a guitar that really inspires me. That's the most important thing!

@lecanius

2 жыл бұрын

epiphones are not hand made though. but yea i agree with u, depending on the extend of it

@g.koch.

2 жыл бұрын

@@lecanius hand made is these days a really thrown around term for extra $..

@WestminsterEffects

2 жыл бұрын

@@SonicDriveStudio By all means! There's absolutely something about the feel of a real deal Les Paul, no doubt.

@matt926uk1

2 жыл бұрын

I have both an Epiphone and a Gibson and can't agree with that. I can't get the Epiphones action as low as I would like because the frets aren't all level whereas my Gibson plays beautifully with a low action all across the neck.

I just bought a made in 22 60's figured standard. Honestly, The pics looked better than it does in person. Doesn't have a QC flaw on it anywhere though. Setup is junk on it. So I haven't even played it since getting it two weeks ago since it needs a full setup. Honestly, just leaves a bad taste in my mouth on deciding on if/when I'll buy another gibby. I should have known not to buy anything but a custom shop one these days.

@sixstringcity3931

2 жыл бұрын

Mine needed a full setup truss adjust bridge height and intonation. Nut was good. Pups are bright. The unburst top is gorgeous. Overall very happy

@synonyx

2 жыл бұрын

@@sixstringcity3931 Yeah after the setup mine plays perfectly now. No complaints here playability and sound wise now. I did however find a bunch of tooling marks underneath the finish. But for refrence a PRS CE I purchased the same week, for about $400 less didn't need any setup at all. It was in tune out of the case! Gibson can do better.

The Epiphone Custom Koa Les Paul is selling used for $1,200 and well worth the price

@lars667

2 жыл бұрын

Would love to try one of those.

What pickups did you switch in it?

13:30 Best riff ever!

Great video but the pickup swap should be the first thing to mention before even thinking about demoing it plugged in.😊

@SonicDriveStudio

8 ай бұрын

Thanks! The thumbnail kind of gives it away though...

what is the actual weight, if i may ask? just got a 2022, beautiful...but@ 9.8 lbs?..ouch! thx,dan

Bought the LP Standard 60s. Thought it was great. Eventually switched out the pick ups for a set of Bare Knuckle PAF pick ups. I thought it was amazing. DIdn't think it could be much better. Then I bought the R9. Now, I hardly play the LP 60s.

I just picked up a Les Paul standard 50s model. I have never owned a Les Paul before and I have always played fenders. Since I bought this guitar I cannot put it down. It’s a gold top and let me tell you it is gorgeous. The fit and finish is right up there with my fender custom shop. I was so blown away because everybody talk shit about Gibson. I think that this is probably the only guitar I’m going to play. Lol it’s just rock ‘n’ roll to me. It’s heavy it sounds great and I love the shorter scale than a fendet

I also have an iced tea 60s standard, and love it. I replaced the nut and bridge though. That stock nut is hot garbage.

Does it stay in tune for $3000?

Just bought a 2022 Tobacco used but mint . I know people swap out the pickups even Angus young does this but in my mind if you buy a 2-3 k guitar WTF if you don’t like the pickups your playing the wrong guitar it’s like changing the motor on a Mopar

Why does yours says Standard on the dog tag and i’ve seen some where the dog tag is blank and just black?

@SonicDriveStudio

Жыл бұрын

I think you get a plain one with it too

I thought your guitar was beautiful. Flaws and all. And I prefer the SD pickups.

i bought this guitar on thomann and i think i was very unlucky, Scratched up frets and the binding was off and dings on the binding. not even sure if i should try to get a replacement

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

If it bothers you, send it back!

@pipespeeps5349

2 жыл бұрын

@@SonicDriveStudio yea but i'm thinking should i risk it for a new replacement guitar when i have sent it back, i really like the look and sound of the les pauls but it just dont want massive issues

I owned a Gibson Les Paul for 17 years and the pickguard never left a mark in the finish underneath it. Thats ridiculous.

questioin are you getting some serious hum when you arent playing ? because I am lo is that normal or do these pickups just have too much output ? i would appreciate a response please and thank you.

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

I don't have the stock pickups in it

@94SexyStang

2 жыл бұрын

double check All your wiring, connections, equipment! Also.....Gibson has very hot pickups......I've noticed some of my Rigs can't handle them very well on Hot channels. If you're having this issue on Clean Channel....then it could be the guitar. But like I said, sometimes your Equipment will show it's Weak spots with a Really hot, or expensive guitar.

@fredymendez855

2 жыл бұрын

@@94SexyStang thanks man appreciate it !!!

I have 50s standard the frets are tiny ? Anyone else have this issue it’s almost unplayable.

@dogpd3

Жыл бұрын

Les Pauls are notorious for having smaller fretboards and frets. I would bought a fender or hollow body Gibson

@totc6196

Жыл бұрын

@@dogpd3 my les Paul previous had .55 by 1.08 that’s like a medium jumbo I have had two of them but this feels like a small fender fret.

I have a JB bridge in my SG and love it

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

Can't go wrong

I immediately noticed the frets are very low compared to years before. Why Gibson...? I use alot of bends and I couldn't deal with it.

All through the 90s and 00s Gibson used 498T and 490R pickup combo in most Les Paul's except the vintage spec ones. Those were more modern sounding that seemed to suit most styles. Now that the demographic of people buying these has shifted to a more vintage spec obsessed market Gibson starting using burstbuckers which cater to that more than 498T and 490R do. It's a pity cos especially 498T would be a total flamethrower with the rig he has here. IMO one of the best pickups Gibbo ever made, only guitar that comes stock with them now is LP custom and SG standard, Sadge

@jeremyz6911

Жыл бұрын

498t and 490r are stock on the Studio models

@philcasogonzo14

12 күн бұрын

The studio and new studio moderns have them. And they sound amazing

Should have tried the Burstbuckers from the 50s Standard

@SonicDriveStudio

2 жыл бұрын

I assume those are worst?

@adamski101

2 жыл бұрын

The 50s Standard has BB1 and BB2 pickups which are more like PAFs so unsuitable for metal.

The pickups are fine for metal, just turn the gain up on the amp.

big tone

overbuying pig here - somewhere around 80 guitars in the last four years, including 15 gibsons. The stability of new gibson guitars is pretty poor. And it's not easy to just say "hey, get on yahoo japan and proxy ship in a tokai" because some of their basic models have the same problems. I wouldn't dream of buying a new gibson standard at this point. Shipped off my last gibson in January, an anniversary nighthawk that was dead as a doornail on the low three strings and needed enormous amounts of fretwork to be playable again. Under a straight edge (the type with fret slots) the neck looked like woops. I'm speculating, and it's my opinion, that the guitars were not made with properly seasoned wood. Anniversary nighthawk is 2013 for those who aren't up on gibson. There is only one maker of guitars that I got guitars from that was totally stable, but it's a different price class. Collings. 8 collings electrics, all used. All perfectly straight when I got them, all perfectly straight when I eventually sold them. Gibson will never match collings, but it would be nice if they could get halfway between where they are now and where collings is.