Doin Montary Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 i am trying to educate myself before buying my next guitar, i strongly gravitate to the Gibson brand name. So far I am learning that some main difference between a $7k guitar and a $1k guitar can be paint, binding, and gold accessories. I guess the farmer in me says i dont need no golden shovel, just a good one. that being said, bare bones, cheapest finish, no binding, which Gibson model delivers the best performance for the low bucks entry fee ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Many people start with a Melody Maker. Very inexpensive well under 1K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpanda Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Melody makers are ok. Ive played them before and they sound fine to me. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Melody-Maker-Electric-Guitar?sku=512640 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabba2203 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Faded SG Special ($699) or the Melody Maker ($489). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 With the LP body form - Melody Maker - $489 Les Paul Studio - $799 Les Paul Junior - $839 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I would definitely buy used. If I were you, I'd look for an SG Classic with the amazing P-90s, definitely a bargain when it comes to the Gibson name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG FAN Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I'd say the faded SG special, but I like SGs. They are great platforms for modding, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat-o-steve Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 The Melody Maker is a good guitar, but is not the most versatile, but it is under $500. The Les Paul Studio faded models are about $800, and will be MUCH better than a Melody Maker. If you want the cheapest REAL Gibson guitar, the SG Standard ($1200) or a gloss finish Les Paul Studio ($1400) are excellent choices! The SG may not be the style guitar you like, cause it looks like a devil lol. But the Les Paul Studio will blow your mind. My vote.......go with the Les Paul Studio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG FAN Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 They DO look like the devil, that's why I think they look badass! BTW my SG special is as REAL a Gibson as any other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bschory Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 BTW my SG special is as REAL a Gibson as any other. Ditto on my LP Studio Faded... What gives with the "not a REAL" Gibson thing anyway? If it was made by Gibson, and has "Gibson" on the headstock, doesn't that make it a REAL Gibson? Not picking a fight, I just don't seem to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doin Montary Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 The Melody Maker is a good guitar, but is not the most versatile, but it is under $500. The Les Paul Studio faded models are about $800, and will be MUCH better than a Melody Maker. If you want the cheapest REAL Gibson guitar, the SG Standard ($1200) or a gloss finish Les Paul Studio ($1400) are excellent choices! The SG may not be the style guitar you like, cause it looks like a devil lol. But the Les Paul Studio will blow your mind. My vote.......go with the Les Paul Studio. lots of good replys, thanks everybody i visited the nearest Gibson dealer, there were 2 used guitars that caught my eye, one was a ( Melody Maker for $450 )and the other was a ( 2003 LP Special that had the pickups changed to Dave Mustains for $550 ) i know the dealer also has an overstock of wine lp studio models asking $1300?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 lots of good replys, thanks everybody i visited the nearest Gibson dealer, there were 2 used guitars that caught my eye, one was a ( Melody Maker for $450 )and the other was a ( 2003 LP Special that had the pickups changed to Dave Mustains for $550 ) i know the dealer also has an overstock of wine lp studio models asking $1300?? Did you like the LP Special? Sounds like a OK deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanbeastie Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 sg special faded gets my vote, as i have stated so many times befor, i love it becasuse its raw without too much bling and has a superb sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doin Montary Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Les Paul Studio faded models are about $800, or a gloss finish Les Paul Studio ($1400) are excellent choices! The SG looks like a devil. it gets confusing comparing 2 LP Studios and trying to figure out the $500 cost dif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doin Montary Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Did you like the LP Special? Sounds like a OK deal. i was tempted to act impulsively, wanted to check prices on internet first ... i am not sure if a Dave Mustaine is an upgrade or defecit ... i was also trying to find out what they sold for new ... and it gets confusing ... the range in price is crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner 13 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 With the LP body form - Melody Maker - $489 Les Paul Studio - $799 Les Paul Junior - $839 yep, I LOVE my Jr. not only bare bones BUT easily customised / hot rodded to your taste / tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 i was tempted to act impulsively, wanted to check prices on internet first ... i am not sure if a Dave Mustaine is an upgrade or defecit ... i was also trying to find out what they sold for new ... and it gets confusing ... the range in price is crazy. Well they are high output pickups, what genres do you play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doin Montary Posted January 28, 2011 Author Share Posted January 28, 2011 Well they are high output pickups, what genres do you play? blues and jazz , played a 335 in the college jazz band, i like the 335 tone, i have been playing " inside the house " since college, "unplugged". I am playing a lot of jimi hendrix but more in an acoustic format, no guitars on fire, no feedback ... lol ... i guess my genre would be Barry Manilow playing Jimi Hendrix lol ... you think there is a niche for that ? The guitar i really want is a 336 with a bigsby ... Gibson isnt knocking my door down to bring me one... and i am a poor man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Usually the Studio versions have very little bling to pay for. The machine shed mechanic in me says, if you're going to buy jewelery, it had better be placed on someone who will kiss you back. Check out Gibson's product pages, choose your model LP, SG, etc, then sort by lowest price to highest price. This will give you an idea. The Studio's or 'Specials' will be near the bottom, price wise, then up the ladder to special runs that, apparently did not sell. The SG Zoot Suit is now listed for under 2 grand. For acoustics, you're looking at 'Song Makers' for less than 2 grand as well. Then there's the Melody Maker line that is super cheap. But some don't consider them 'real' Gibsons. There are 3 models for less than a grand. They look like they'd be a lot of fun to play though. And.. you probably won't mind letting your grand kids take a few licks on it either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiz Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 ...there were 2 used guitars that caught my eye, one was a ( Melody Maker for $450 )and the other was a ( 2003 LP Special that had the pickups changed to Dave Mustains for $550 ) From the choices you listed, I'd go for the LP Special. I've got 2 of them (a '98 & a '00). They're great guitars. They have the growl of a regular Lester, but theyre a little lighter (no maple cap). I've read that the lack of a maple cap makes them sound a little darker, but I can't tell. I'd recommend changing the pups back to something not so hot though. -Based on the kind of music you're into playing. Check on eBay frequently also. LP Specials pop up on there pretty often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doin Montary Posted January 28, 2011 Author Share Posted January 28, 2011 From the choices you listed, I'd go for the LP Special. I've got 2 of them (a '98 & a '00). They're great guitars. They have the growl of a regular Lester, but theyre a little lighter (no maple cap). I've read that the lack of a maple cap makes them sound a little darker, but I can't tell. I'd recommend changing the pups back to something not so hot though. -Based on the kind of music you're into playing. Check on eBay frequently also. LP Specials pop up on there pretty often. thanks Twiz, thats the advice i was really looking for, i researched prices and they showed a New Special @ $1200 ??? $550 is a pretty good job on the Special ? i was considering adding a Bigsby , new strings and setup ... total price of about $700 ??? Can you mix match the pickups ? keep the Dave Mustaine on the neck and put a Humbucker at the bridge or is that a bad idea ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespaulj45 Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 If you need a "good shovel" not a golden one buy a SG std-you cant possibly go wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiz Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 thanks Twiz, thats the advice i was really looking for, i researched prices and they showed a New Special @ $1200 ??? $550 is a pretty good job on the Special ? i was considering adding a Bigsby , new strings and setup ... total price of about $700 ??? Can you mix match the pickups ? keep the Dave Mustaine on the neck and put a Humbucker at the bridge or is that a bad idea ? $550 is in the ballpark I'd say. One thing I always do, is try a quick search on eBay to give me an idea of what something is going for. I don't think I'd pay much more than $600 or so for one of those LP Specials. -Any higher than that, and you're almost getting into LP Studio prices. The Bigsby idea is pretty cool. Bigsby makes one that you can put on that doesn't require any extra drilling/routing. I think some people on the forum have added them to one of their guitars. Sorry, I can't remember who. As for your idea with the pickups, I don't see why that wouldn't work. The worst that could happen is you don't like it, and you can change 'em later. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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