@@RyanMcQuennothing at all!! it'd be great to see the psychology of it. tell him they're different, but keep having him play the exact same rig, and see what he perceives to be different :)
Cool Idea: a lot of characters through the years watching y’all , would be cool for blind challenge with everyone’s personal guitar see what Pete picks from most to least favorite.
Guitar stores should have a blindfold service, where you give them a budget and a type of guitar and you get to test them all blindfolded. I know most of us will still choose the guitar with the right name on the headstock once we get to see them, but it could also be very interesting and might change your idea of which guitar you want. I probably have a few guitars that I wouldn't have bought if I tested them blindfolded.
@@groan_of_tedium If a shop is worth going to, they won't care that you bought a less expensive guitar. For one the overall price has nothing to do with what they make- they may make more money off you buying an inexpensive guitar than they would if you bought a more expensive one- depends on the deal they have with that manufacturer. 2. Even if they would make a few more bucks most of them realize a loyal, happy customer going forward is worth far more than a few bucks in the register right now. And 3. Most shop owners also play guitar, they learned just like you, they bought gear just like you, and they don't want to see themselves as the old greedy shop keeper who just wants to take advantage of anyone with stars in their eyes. They want to make friends with ppl and try and help them along their musical journey- that's their dream.
@@groan_of_tedium the store should focus on happy customers. A few weeks ago I came into my local store to buy a new amp but left with a tonex pedal. The store could have made 4-5x. But they know that I will come back because I’m a happy customer.
the guitar shop I go to (twin town guitars, minneapolis) let's you pick up anything off the wall (heritage, Gibson CS, high end fender, down to squire, dano, etc...), and give you all the space and time you need. my buddy and I both just bought new guitars by trying them blind. the staff is amazing, and wants you in the best guitar for needs, not push you into the most expensive stuff. I went in looking for a single coil, preferably a tele, but walked out with a used jazzmaster that felt and played great! they'll always get my business.
Lee, joint owner of Victory amps, would just do a blindfold challenge on all the Victory amps to decide which Victory amp is his favourite Victory amp. Did he mention Victory amps? Victory amps.
I love my Studio, had it for almost 20 years now. I was happy to see it score so well in this video. I'm curious why Les Paul Customs rarely show up on these videos? A white Custom is my dream Les Paul, but way out of my price range. Would've been cool to see it compared. Cheers!
To Lee’s point about listening to the guitars without them being amped - I play my electrics without an amp quite a bit (I noodle all the time while working from home and don’t want to be loud), and how a guitar sounds that way is a huge factor to me. My 50’s LP standard rings louder and than any of my other guitars for sure.
Moral of the endless blindfolded challenges. When entry level and mid tier guitars are punching through to many many levels above their weight class... The more expensive you buy has such an diminishing return relatively early in the cost/"tone". I am extremely grateful and spoiled we can purchase guitars $200-$500 and live a entire life knowing it be the only guitar and be satisfied with it. Rewind the clock back 10-20 years and $200 guitar would be stright up trash Heck I have a custom shop les paul that I adore that I paid near 7k for. I also have a monoprice indo classic strat that feeds the strat itch I got for $70 and it does it good enough. Is it perfect? Heck no, but basic setup made it a fine playing guitar that holds tune and does the strat thing.
Interesting how opinions vary when it comes to sound. The Studio and the PRS impressed me as those were the least expensive and sounded amazing enough! Thanks to the Captain and Danish Pete!
Truly enjoy watching your videos, was curious why there was not a core PRS in the group. You put in the SE that won the low cost but left them out of the high in guitar challenge.
While my interest in playing seems to wax and wane over time (trying to keep it more consistent!), I always enjoy coming back and watching this videos. They're good vibes and remind me of the fun that should be driving playing.
You need to do a blind amp challenge with a range of similar amps, such as plexi style, but have a digital modeller in there running through a 12inch FRFR cabinet to give the in room experience. Keep the videos coming, they are very enjoyable even if they do encourage me to spend more 😊.
And the prs is still punching way above its weight. I just have a hard time justifying the price for so many others when the prs se series is so very good and much more affordable.
If there was ever still a doubt - FGN immediately taking the crown over the standard for Pete means Fuji-Gen are still at the top of their game (or Gibson still have a long way to go to get their QC right)
I know the controls would be a bit of a giveaway, but I would love to see a sort of left-field single cut shootout. Stuff from brands like D'Angelico, Schecter, Gretsch, ESP, etc. These videos are great if you want a Les Paul, but perhaps some people want a single cut that's a bit different.
@@benallmark9671 I've had a few and each sound better than all of the gibson reissues I've had. too bad the neck on the heritage is too baseball bat like though
If you've got enough stands, you ought to line up the guitars after they've been played, in order of preference. Ie., there's a line of guitars, ready to play, and a line of empty stands, and you place the guitars in the empty stands in order of preference after being played.
Gibson has a magic formula and the custom shop models generally shine. I’ve had 3 only sold two because of financial issues! I will keep my 2010 R7 till my wife sells it after I’m gone!
I tried to buy the LP Studio in Brandywine two times. The first time Andertons couldn't ship it to the USA. The second was at a place in the USA...they sold it while I was trying to buy it. I just missed it. That's one of my favorites. One of these days.
I have LP customs, standards, PRS custom 24's and my go to guitars are a Gibson LP gothic studio and an epiphone gothic explorer ( with an ungrade gibson 490T in the bridge ) I basically play my cheapest guitars. Every guitar is different and you shouldn't care about the price tag, just what gets you groove on.
To me this just proves that you need to try a few to find the one you like as there are variations even between two examples of the same model. I had a 2007 Studio with quite a chunky neck that I found to be a bit "in your face" with the 490R/498T pickups, so I put in a set of SD Antiquities and it was a totally different guitar (in a really good way). The Antiquities were removed and it was sold when I bought a 60's Standard a couple of years ago, and I can't bring myself to take out the BB61's and try the Antiquities because I'm so happy with the sound of the stock pickups in this particular guitar. Pete should definitely try a few Standards and confirm that they do differ.
I'm not a fan of Gibson and have always avoided the LP models cause they just aren't comfortable to play for me... and I certainly don't know any of these guitars by looking.. BUT.. the first 10 seconds of that CS '59. Man! The sweetness in those tones is just undeniable! That guitar is the first time I actually wanted to play a Les Paul.
I've got a 1997 Les Paul Studio (let's be honest here, it's nothing more than a LP Standard without the binding). It cost me £235, and it's one of the best guitars I own.
Couldn’t agree more with Lee’s point about the step up that Gibson Custom represents. Gibson USA instruments are very good, but Custom Shop is on a completely different plane in the way that I don’t think Fender’s is compared to their USA production guitars. I’ve always thought that a big reason for this is the inherent simplicity of the Fender designs… for me there’s less of a logic that superior luthiery would make a big difference here. Thinking about my guitars this is borne out in what I own. I have quite a few guitars from both Gibson and Fender; around 2/3 of my Gibson guitars are Custom Shop models whereas with Fender it’s fewer than 1 in 10 that are Custom Shop.
Would have been good if you put a cheap single cut somewhere in lineup. And for the previous vid to have had an expensive one. Just to see if it was THAT noticeable
I recently hear someone (maybe even Pete?) say how strange it is the nut is of a different material than the frets, causing the strings to make a different sound in the open position. A zeroth (0) fret of the same material as the other frets would make all the positions sound the same (in this respect). What does Pete say/think about this? And what to think about this 'sing'iness he mentions that only occurs in the open position?
One thing these comparison videos always reveal -- from Anderton's and elsewhere, whether they're comparing more affordable or more expensive gear -- is that a good guitarist can make just about anything sound very decent (at the least).
I laugh when I watch these😂 Pete is so funny with a blindfold on. It's obvious he doesn't know what's going on I mean he knows his guitars but I don't think anybody can figure it out with a blindfold on. Funny videos I enjoy them😊
I've spent the last twenty years collecting guitars from value to high end. As I've sold off my collection over the past few years I've decided to keep only the best value models as they are so close now compared to the rest. I sold my Gibson Modern LP and kept my Epiphone Modern LP. I sold my PRS USA guitars and kept my PRS SE versions. I Sold my Gibson P90 guitars and kept my Hamer Double-Cut P90. I think Eastman also make excellent quality guitars that used to be a steel but now are a great alternative to USA models. The only exception is my Gibson SG Standard Faded that is just to die for. Under 7-lbs, perfect 60's taper neck, Burstbucker pups. and sweet or rock your **s-off tones! But, can I live without the PRS, DGT SE either! Great video and thank you!
It’s a shame you didn’t throw a Gibson Classic in as well. When I went to buy a Les paul I tried a 50’s standard, a 60’s standard, a second hand traditional and a classic. I really didn’t want all the push/pull knobs on it, but I preferred the feel and sound of that out of all the ones I tried.
the 250k volume pots in the Studio/Standard(? I think) probably play the biggest part fooling you into thinking it's not a Gibson, if you're used to custom shop models with 500k pots. It removes some of the high end sparkle.
I feel like, with Gibson there isn't much in it whether you buy the cheaper usa stuff or the more expensive stuff. It feels more like a Gucci Handbag if you buy a Standard than anything else. That's why I am so happy that I bought a LP from the last faded series. I love that thing, and if I wanted to sell it I would get more than I paid. Which I wont do, because I love it. These things were just bargains. The only thing I don't like is the slim neck. I also own a Fender, and that is a totally different world in terms of their range. It's a mess, but you can find better Stuff in the standard line up. Quality wise I am not so sure that there is much in it between these two brands, but it is definitely a different experience choosing one.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a blindfold shootout with Pete, and keep giving him the same guitar every time!!!
Haha, this is brilliant. You could just change the amp, or nothing at all!
@@RyanMcQuennothing at all!! it'd be great to see the psychology of it. tell him they're different, but keep having him play the exact same rig, and see what he perceives to be different :)
Same guitar but two of the same model twice. See if there's a difference between one guitar to the next.
If I recall Pete did an acoustic blind test with Mick from TPS and gave him the same guitar twice and Mick got it wrong the 2nd time.
😆😆😆😆😆
Cool Idea: a lot of characters through the years watching y’all , would be cool for blind challenge with everyone’s personal guitar see what Pete picks from most to least favorite.
You guys should make a normal video like this and then a second video with the guitars covered or pixelated.
I like Pete's idea of redoing the playing after with the blindfold off to see if his order changes without telling him what his first order was.
Guitar stores should have a blindfold service, where you give them a budget and a type of guitar and you get to test them all blindfolded. I know most of us will still choose the guitar with the right name on the headstock once we get to see them, but it could also be very interesting and might change your idea of which guitar you want. I probably have a few guitars that I wouldn't have bought if I tested them blindfolded.
Shop does something which may result in someone spending less money...makes sense.
@@groan_of_tedium If a shop is worth going to, they won't care that you bought a less expensive guitar. For one the overall price has nothing to do with what they make- they may make more money off you buying an inexpensive guitar than they would if you bought a more expensive one- depends on the deal they have with that manufacturer. 2. Even if they would make a few more bucks most of them realize a loyal, happy customer going forward is worth far more than a few bucks in the register right now. And 3. Most shop owners also play guitar, they learned just like you, they bought gear just like you, and they don't want to see themselves as the old greedy shop keeper who just wants to take advantage of anyone with stars in their eyes. They want to make friends with ppl and try and help them along their musical journey- that's their dream.
You ding it you buy it 😂
@@groan_of_tedium the store should focus on happy customers. A few weeks ago I came into my local store to buy a new amp but left with a tonex pedal. The store could have made 4-5x. But they know that I will come back because I’m a happy customer.
the guitar shop I go to (twin town guitars, minneapolis) let's you pick up anything off the wall (heritage, Gibson CS, high end fender, down to squire, dano, etc...), and give you all the space and time you need. my buddy and I both just bought new guitars by trying them blind. the staff is amazing, and wants you in the best guitar for needs, not push you into the most expensive stuff. I went in looking for a single coil, preferably a tele, but walked out with a used jazzmaster that felt and played great! they'll always get my business.
Yup its lee time to take blindfold challenge. Pete has been through alot lately 😂😂😂
I'd love to see him do the same ones, Blindfold Overdrive etc.
Lee, joint owner of Victory amps, would just do a blindfold challenge on all the Victory amps to decide which Victory amp is his favourite Victory amp. Did he mention Victory amps? Victory amps.
You should try a PLEK'd Epiphone and Squier vs much more expensive Gibsons and Fenders.
I love my Studio, had it for almost 20 years now. I was happy to see it score so well in this video. I'm curious why Les Paul Customs rarely show up on these videos? A white Custom is my dream Les Paul, but way out of my price range. Would've been cool to see it compared. Cheers!
Great video! These blindfold challenges never get old. Andertons are one of the best no doubt
To Lee’s point about listening to the guitars without them being amped - I play my electrics without an amp quite a bit (I noodle all the time while working from home and don’t want to be loud), and how a guitar sounds that way is a huge factor to me. My 50’s LP standard rings louder and than any of my other guitars for sure.
Have you played an Aristides Raw series? they're known for that
FGN & Kalamazoo models are thick. At the end of the day the Gibson Studio is the sensible all business choice.
Moral of the endless blindfolded challenges. When entry level and mid tier guitars are punching through to many many levels above their weight class... The more expensive you buy has such an diminishing return relatively early in the cost/"tone". I am extremely grateful and spoiled we can purchase guitars $200-$500 and live a entire life knowing it be the only guitar and be satisfied with it. Rewind the clock back 10-20 years and $200 guitar would be stright up trash
Heck I have a custom shop les paul that I adore that I paid near 7k for. I also have a monoprice indo classic strat that feeds the strat itch I got for $70 and it does it good enough. Is it perfect? Heck no, but basic setup made it a fine playing guitar that holds tune and does the strat thing.
These blindfold shootouts are very interesting, but very, very entertaining as well. Thanks! We want more! 👍
i've never seen someone more enthusiastic to participate! Pete's dread was palpable
Ha came here to comment on the loooong exhale at the beginning. I know that exhale...
The sound of that heritage impressed me
Yeah it really stood out to me too.
Not to me!
"Good morning!" said the bling folded man, cheerily.
I was listening to this in the background not watching. The third guitar is a class above the rest just based on listening. It sounds incredible.
It’s amazing that the PRS SE could compete…to me it sounded as good as any of them.
Awesome video, as always. The Heritage had to tone I liked the most, and I am Gibson-biased because I have 3 of them.
Interesting how opinions vary when it comes to sound. The Studio and the PRS impressed me as those were the least expensive and sounded amazing enough! Thanks to the Captain and Danish Pete!
found a fgn expert flame(les pauly but modern cuts and shape) for 1200. by far the best guitar i own and ever played.
Lot of fun but that custom, immediately an "Oh yes!"
Truly enjoy watching your videos, was curious why there was not a core PRS in the group. You put in the SE that won the low cost but left them out of the high in guitar challenge.
While my interest in playing seems to wax and wane over time (trying to keep it more consistent!), I always enjoy coming back and watching this videos. They're good vibes and remind me of the fun that should be driving playing.
Should've put an American PRS as well..
Gain
@10:58 Gibby Custom shop - Danish Petes No.1 Single cut
@4:48 Gibby Std
@7:54 FGN
@15:19 PRS SE
@18:09 Heritage
@22:22 Gibby Studio
You could clearly hear that the Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Reissue was on another level! 😇
My single cut is a Reverend Roundhouse RA. Really like the rail hammer pickups and the bass contour can make them sound very different.
It's amazing where this channel started, and what it is today. Cheers.
You need to do a blind amp challenge with a range of similar amps, such as plexi style, but have a digital modeller in there running through a 12inch FRFR cabinet to give the in room experience. Keep the videos coming, they are very enjoyable even if they do encourage me to spend more 😊.
And the prs is still punching way above its weight. I just have a hard time justifying the price for so many others when the prs se series is so very good and much more affordable.
It would be top shelf with a set of Seymour JB's... my JB'd Custom SE is every bit the guitar as my Gibsons and Heritage(s). So easy to play too.
That Heritage is really cool with the snakehead headstock. That would be my pick.
Pete's reaction to his predictions are hilarious. So humble.
If there was ever still a doubt - FGN immediately taking the crown over the standard for Pete means Fuji-Gen are still at the top of their game (or Gibson still have a long way to go to get their QC right)
That’s Fuji 9
@@johnhudson9167once you have Fuji 9 you are a dentist
Gibson will sue FGN instead of improving their guitars.
@@davedavem This!
ESP has found ways of getting away with it though, with their Edwards and Navigator brands, FGN will find a way too
Gibson Studio, which felt similar to Standard, was second.
I was happy to see you guys doing the follow up on the higher end single cuts it makes me a believer in the prs se a wonderful sounding guitar
Fascinating interview. I hope you include more interviews. And I hope none are as horrific as that tale.
I'd love to see a shootout with 5 of the same guitars.
I know the controls would be a bit of a giveaway, but I would love to see a sort of left-field single cut shootout. Stuff from brands like D'Angelico, Schecter, Gretsch, ESP, etc. These videos are great if you want a Les Paul, but perhaps some people want a single cut that's a bit different.
I would like to see a Reverend guitar included in one of these future shootouts.
Honestly, the pickups on the heritage sounded the best.
Another killer video boys! Thank you so much for making my day once again!
I liked the Heritage best. Interesting that Pete commented on how in tune it sounded.
You have one don't ya ?
@@benallmark9671 No, but based on what I heard in the video, that's the one I found most appealing.
@@benallmark9671 I've had a few and each sound better than all of the gibson reissues I've had. too bad the neck on the heritage is too baseball bat like though
If you've got enough stands, you ought to line up the guitars after they've been played, in order of preference.
Ie., there's a line of guitars, ready to play, and a line of empty stands, and you place the guitars in the empty stands in order of preference after being played.
I love the blindfold tests with Pete. I wish you'd included an Eastman. They're magnificent LP style guitars.
Gibson has a magic formula and the custom shop models generally shine. I’ve had 3 only sold two because of financial issues! I will keep my 2010 R7 till my wife sells it after I’m gone!
I tried to buy the LP Studio in Brandywine two times. The first time Andertons couldn't ship it to the USA. The second was at a place in the USA...they sold it while I was trying to buy it. I just missed it. That's one of my favorites. One of these days.
Loved watching this, this morning
Been waiting for this one!
I have LP customs, standards, PRS custom 24's and my go to guitars are a Gibson LP gothic studio and an epiphone gothic explorer ( with an ungrade gibson 490T in the bridge ) I basically play my cheapest guitars. Every guitar is different and you shouldn't care about the price tag, just what gets you groove on.
TY for the videos very informative and entertaining wish you guys were in the states!!!! Thanks from North Carolina!
These are fantastically valuable & entertaining videos.
I've owned many guitars but the one I found most comfortable is a '19 Les Paul Studio with the slim taper neck. Weighs in at just 7.9 lbs!!!
Why no PRS 594 Core?!
To me this just proves that you need to try a few to find the one you like as there are variations even between two examples of the same model.
I had a 2007 Studio with quite a chunky neck that I found to be a bit "in your face" with the 490R/498T pickups, so I put in a set of SD Antiquities and it was a totally different guitar (in a really good way). The Antiquities were removed and it was sold when I bought a 60's Standard a couple of years ago, and I can't bring myself to take out the BB61's and try the Antiquities because I'm so happy with the sound of the stock pickups in this particular guitar. Pete should definitely try a few Standards and confirm that they do differ.
The Cap'n should hand Pete the same guitar back to back....that would be epic comedy.
good content from Anderton as always
Nice. I’m gonna get a pair of blacked out ski goggles and drive em crazy at ‘El Centro de Guitar.’ At least until they kick me out the door 😂
"This doesnt feel like a Gibson"
*peghead says gibson*
actually made me laugh
I'm not a fan of Gibson and have always avoided the LP models cause they just aren't comfortable to play for me... and I certainly don't know any of these guitars by looking.. BUT.. the first 10 seconds of that CS '59. Man! The sweetness in those tones is just undeniable! That guitar is the first time I actually wanted to play a Les Paul.
FGN for life
I think the real winner here is the Halcyon Gold into the Friedman Little sister. Sounded killer for all of the guitars tested.
Love these kind of videos ❤
Love Pete… so self-effacing… best of the reviewers
I now Really like Pete for One Comment Here,”I hope I embarrass myself that’s what life’s all about “ or something similar. I agree 100%
I've got a 1997 Les Paul Studio (let's be honest here, it's nothing more than a LP Standard without the binding). It cost me £235, and it's one of the best guitars I own.
If nothing else, this video could sell a few Friedmans.
Couldn’t agree more with Lee’s point about the step up that Gibson Custom represents. Gibson USA instruments are very good, but Custom Shop is on a completely different plane in the way that I don’t think Fender’s is compared to their USA production guitars.
I’ve always thought that a big reason for this is the inherent simplicity of the Fender designs… for me there’s less of a logic that superior luthiery would make a big difference here.
Thinking about my guitars this is borne out in what I own. I have quite a few guitars from both Gibson and Fender; around 2/3 of my Gibson guitars are Custom Shop models whereas with Fender it’s fewer than 1 in 10 that are Custom Shop.
Would have been good if you put a cheap single cut somewhere in lineup. And for the previous vid to have had an expensive one. Just to see if it was THAT noticeable
They did. The previous vid had a les Paul std and this video had the SE PRS
@@jasonbright6294 oh, my bad. Didn't twig with the prs cos I don't know the ranges. Dunno how I missed the lp std!
The prs se was included which is cheaper relatively vs the others.
I recently hear someone (maybe even Pete?) say how strange it is the nut is of a different material than the frets, causing the strings to make a different sound in the open position. A zeroth (0) fret of the same material as the other frets would make all the positions sound the same (in this respect). What does Pete say/think about this? And what to think about this 'sing'iness he mentions that only occurs in the open position?
I really liked the sound of that Heritage.
You should repeat some guitars, so see if they figure out
Love your shootouts. Definitely have Lee be the judge.
So basically, any guitar Pete touches sounds incredible.
We need a new andertons bloopers video. I enjoy those videos a lot. 🙂
What's up with all the negativity in the comments? Enjoy the video, enjoy life, or go do something else.
Ond of those Gibsons should have been switched with a Gretsch
One thing these comparison videos always reveal -- from Anderton's and elsewhere, whether they're comparing more affordable or more expensive gear -- is that a good guitarist can make just about anything sound very decent (at the least).
Yes sir!! I own 3 studios and I love them. All balls no bling
FGN for the win .. they’re so good
It might be lovely to hear more often the room mic. I'm getting used to these close mic sounds though.
I was hoping for a duesenberg in this shootout but great video regardless
I think if I was blindfolded here at home and at the minute he started playing the Custom Shop I would've gone WOW.....
Another video with Pete's signature V4 Duchess pedal amp in the background
Could you please revisit four cheap amps you can gig with? :-)
Pete just said everything is equally second to a custom shop. Put every guitar in second.
I laugh when I watch these😂 Pete is so funny with a blindfold on. It's obvious he doesn't know what's going on I mean he knows his guitars but I don't think anybody can figure it out with a blindfold on. Funny videos I enjoy them😊
I hope there is a FGN in there
Is it too much to expect the nut to be cut correctly on an expensive guitar?
FGN Les Pauls😉
Great video as always. Should add some little cheat or twist. Like a p90 LP just to mess with Pete a bit. Only a bit though.
I actually liked the overdrive sound from the Studio the best from the 498t
There should have been an Eastman and Maybach in there !
True. But Anderson are a business and the guitars are what they need to sell
Out of these id take the fgn, or id buy an esp e2. Japan makes better more consistent guitars than gibson ever has.... And they cost less.
I've spent the last twenty years collecting guitars from value to high end. As I've sold off my collection over the past few years I've decided to keep only the best value models as they are so close now compared to the rest. I sold my Gibson Modern LP and kept my Epiphone Modern LP. I sold my PRS USA guitars and kept my PRS SE versions. I Sold my Gibson P90 guitars and kept my Hamer Double-Cut P90. I think Eastman also make excellent quality guitars that used to be a steel but now are a great alternative to USA models. The only exception is my Gibson SG Standard Faded that is just to die for. Under 7-lbs, perfect 60's taper neck, Burstbucker pups. and sweet or rock your **s-off tones! But, can I live without the PRS, DGT SE either! Great video and thank you!
It’s a shame you didn’t throw a Gibson Classic in as well. When I went to buy a Les paul I tried a 50’s standard, a 60’s standard, a second hand traditional and a classic. I really didn’t want all the push/pull knobs on it, but I preferred the feel and sound of that out of all the ones I tried.
These are righteous!!!
I love these videos but it would be great if you told us the weight of each guitar so we can make our own picks.
Lee states at the end I purposely got guitars with 59 profile necks forgetting two have 60s 🙄
The PRS was my winner
the 250k volume pots in the Studio/Standard(? I think) probably play the biggest part fooling you into thinking it's not a Gibson, if you're used to custom shop models with 500k pots. It removes some of the high end sparkle.
I feel like, with Gibson there isn't much in it whether you buy the cheaper usa stuff or the more expensive stuff. It feels more like a Gucci Handbag if you buy a Standard than anything else. That's why I am so happy that I bought a LP from the last faded series. I love that thing, and if I wanted to sell it I would get more than I paid. Which I wont do, because I love it. These things were just bargains. The only thing I don't like is the slim neck.
I also own a Fender, and that is a totally different world in terms of their range. It's a mess, but you can find better Stuff in the standard line up. Quality wise I am not so sure that there is much in it between these two brands, but it is definitely a different experience choosing one.