Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Gibson ES Les Paul Truss Rod?????


Larsongs

Recommended Posts

My question is, How can the truss rod be off centre if it's machine cut? All of the bad press that Gibson have received is obviously true, I see some shocking photos of new guitars on Facebook of guitars that should have never left the factory. Why doesn't Gibson aknowledge the problems? They must be losing sales by the truck load. I can honestly say that foreign made guitars are getting better reviews than USA Gibsons and even some custom shop. I really can't understand why they are bringing new models out when thee QC is so bad. The management must be terrible. All you can hope is that China doesn't buy them. But I fear they will.

 

Weird things can happen during production. It's a given in manufacturing. That is what QC is for. At the very least the final set up at the factory should include a check that the truss rod tool can actually be placed on the truss rod nut whether the neck needs adjustment or not. My sample of two ES-Les Paul's would have both failed.

 

I just bought a Japanese made Gretsch that I would put up against anything out of the Gibson Custom Shop. Fit and finish (lacquer) are superb. The ebony fret board is fantastic. All for the cost of an average USA line guitar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weird things can happen during production. It's a given in manufacturing. That is what QC is for. At the very least the final set up at the factory should include a check that the truss rod tool can actually be placed on the truss rod nut whether the neck needs adjustment or not. My sample of two ES-Les Paul's would have both failed.

 

I just bought a Japanese made Gretsch that I would put up against anything out of the Gibson Custom Shop. Fit and finish (lacquer) are superb. The ebony fret board is fantastic. All for the cost of an average USA line guitar.

 

I agree. The recent Gretsch G6120-55, or the G6122-62 Vintage Select Chet Atkins (George Harrison), G6120-EC (Eddie Cochran) & G6128T Duo Jets I've played recently are second to none. Absolutely Works Of Art that play & sound amazing! I don't think you can buy a better Crafted Guitar today. One of them will be my next purchase.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really want one of those Malcolm dual cutaway jobs, but they are pricey. And I am not sure if they are even in production.

 

I was told by a couple Gretsch Buddies that the high end Pro Series built at the Tereada Factory Japan are almost all handcrafted & aren't typical Assembly line Production Guitars like Fender & Gibson. Far less are built & built to exacting Standards.

 

As evidenced by all the recent ones I've seen & played.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In 2016 I bought a LP-ES at a local Sam Ash and after getting it home and setting it up found the frets over the 12th needed leveling. I brought it back.

 

In late 2017 I got in on the CME deals and got an archtop LP-ES in lemon burst as well as a flat top LP-ES special II and both were flawless. For sure Gibson has a long way to go to get serious about quality, but that's only going to happen after sales stop.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In 2016 I bought a LP-ES at a local Sam Ash and after getting it home and setting it up found the frets over the 12th needed leveling. I brought it back.

 

In late 2017 I got in on the CME deals and got an archtop LP-ES in lemon burst as well as a flat top LP-ES special II and both were flawless. For sure Gibson has a long way to go to get serious about quality, but that's only going to happen after sales stop.

 

 

I agree. Nothing overcomes Volume..Sales Volume. that said, Gibson not going to NAMM makes you wonder?? Going to an Electronics Trade Show, or some such Branding thing, instead??? I remember thru the 80's Gibson QC issues were so bad everyone was buying Epiphones because they were superior built Guitars..We may be almost back to that again.. Then Gibson Sales slowed down & Gibson reduced their Volume & upped the QC & made some fabulous Guitars in the '90's..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is the truss rod nut on on of my ES Les Paul's named "Plug". You can see the puddle of lacquer on the bottom of the cutout that was preventing the tool from going onto the nut. Also notice it is drilled off-center.

 

 

 

She is named Plug because of this:

 

NZYVs1a.jpg

 

Looks like what is used for a side fret marker.

 

Plug is on the left:

 

 

 

I got the same hole on one of my Standard Les Paul's 10th fret; but Gibson did not plug it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You get what you pay for.

 

What? I paid well over. $2,000.00 for mine & it comes with a F'd up Truss Rod? Is that what I paid for? Heck NO! For this kind of money it should flawless. So should the above Poster's Guitar.

 

I could see it on a $399 Epiphone. But, you don't. They are usually flawless & they're inexpensive.

 

There is no excuse for poor QC at Gibson USA. NONE, ZERO, ZILCH!

 

What are you smokin' Bro'?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was told by a couple Gretsch Buddies that the high end Pro Series built at the Tereada Factory Japan are almost all handcrafted & aren't typical Assembly line Production Guitars like Fender & Gibson. Far less are built & built to exacting Standards.

Electric or acoustic, Terada can build a guitar as well as anyone on the planet.

 

I'm fortunate enough to have three Terada-made Epiphones. The Elitist Casino is very nice, but my John Lee Hooker '64 Sheraton (built in 2000) cranks the quality even higher, as does my McCartney '64 Texan (made in 2005).

 

If Terada could purchase Gibson tomorrow, I'd be overjoyed!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Electric or acoustic, Terada can build a guitar as well as anyone on the planet.

 

I'm fortunate enough to have three Terada-made Epiphones. The Elitist Casino is very nice, but my John Lee Hooker '64 Sheraton (built in 2000) cranks the quality even higher, as does my McCartney '64 Texan (made in 2005).

 

If Terada could purchase Gibson tomorrow, I'd be overjoyed!

 

If they could maintain the level of QC & Craftsmanship. They would be tasked to ramping up Production well into the Thousands just for Gibson. There something about keeping the volume of of Production to more minimal numbers which allows for high quality hand built crafted Guitars. Time & Pride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they could maintain the level of QC & Craftsmanship. They would be tasked to ramping up Production well into the Thousands just for Gibson. There something about keeping the volume of of Production to more minimal numbers which allows for high quality hand built crafted Guitars. Time & Pride.

I was thinking more along the lines of Terada purchasing Gibson, calling the shots, and deciding to do whatever it takes to build a quality product in the existing USA factories. Sending folks from Japan to oversee operations, lowering production numbers, & re-establishing a larger dealer network would be a good start.

 

One can always dream.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dude do you recognize sarcasm when you read or hear it. You paid a s-hit load of money for that guitar. Keep it or take it back, but please stop whining about it. If that thing came shipped to me like that I would not even plug it in. It would be right back in the box and on its way. We are on your side. That is appalling.

 

It's at Gibson Memphis now. Either it's fixed right or I want another new one that's right or I want my money back.

 

There's a difference between informing others of things to watch out for, trying to figure out a remedy & whining.

 

In your comment were you implying that a Guitar in the $2500-$3500 should be a piece of crap? You get what you pay for... If you are you're smokin somethin!

 

I appreciate your support. Dude, do you recognize my sarcasm? You don't need my sarcasm & I certainly didn't need yours.

 

Hope we can get off on a better foot.

 

Lars

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry that happened Im sure being under warrenty it will be corrected. These issues are corrected when people as yourself speak up and your right excuses are unacceptable. Seems crazy though Ive been really impressed with the Memphis line, in fact CME which Im sure you heard just ran a major sale with the Memphis line. I haven't heard anything but rave reviews about those being liquidated.

 

 

Ive seen all the above issues-fretboard/rosewood, not masking the trs when spraying etc. I dont know that any of it is new or that theres a preponderance of it today opposed to say 15 years ago. Frankly I dont believe that, Im of the opinion that despite various issues which all companies have they are better than past years.

 

Nevertheless, again sorry to hear, Im sure it will work out ...let us know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Sometimes I do. It's legal in a few states. Gibson IMO is on a downward spiral and I seriously doubt I will ever buy another one. I have an SG, BB King and LP (and all of them are not Absolutely Perfect in any respect) and I am not a huge fan of their acoustics. And yes you do get what you paid for. You paid for that guitar and got just that. And it is a total shame. I like Gibson guitars but I am not a fan boy that will drool over anything they do and guitar they make. When you are a company with their reputation and fan base and claim "Only A Gibson Is Good Enough", and then deliver that product for the price you paid, people should be fired on the spot, and you should be absolute furious and it should have went back pronto. I hope you get a stellar replacement or your cash.

 

Yeah it's legal here in California now. My ES Les Paul has been with them for a month now. I didn't expect speedy turn around as I've dealt with Warranty Issues with them before. I sent an Email today asking for an update. Hopefully I'll hear something in the next day or so.

 

Whether Gibson Guitars is in a downward spiral or not I don't know, sure looks that way in the News & possibly on paper. But, they have the ability to turn it around if they wanto to. Correct QC Issues immediately, build what Customers want & improve Customer Relations. Simple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...