Gibson Les Paul Tribute is no more! Break out your wallets frugal Gibson fans. The cost of playing “Authentic “ just went up! Specs found here: archive.gibson...
That’s a beautiful guitar. Sad to see the more affordable Gibsons go away. I assume they are discontinuing the lower price Gibson models to avoid competing with their new higher priced Epiphone lines.
Thats because everyone kept wanting epiphones to be gibson quality. Well they got their wish. Now if you wanna spend less than 2 grand you can get a nice epiphone it you want.
Saw a cover band in Las Vegas called Alter ego, they played classic rock to early 2000s rock, both guitarists were playing Les Paul Tributes. These les Paul tributes sound amazing, I purchased a 2020 Tobacco burst and always smile at how well they play and get that nice and gritty ZZ Top tone with ease. The 490r is a great pickup that just has a very jazzy clean tone, the 490t sounded good after some height adjustment on the pickup and pole pieces.
I had one of these in a gold top finish. A 2018 model. I sold it to put the money towards a 50s Standard and while I love the Standard I wish I still had the Tribute. It's a beautiful guitar and it played amazingly.
@@kosmonument2682 I’ve thought about doing something similar. Even if I traded to Guitar Center, the deal I got would mean that between the crap price they gave me combined with the 10% on a $2,00.00 plus Les Paul I’d get my money back on it. I think I’m good just keeping it though.
@@WickedFesterBand Yeah when I sold it, I did so on the private market. Kid bought it from me for the same price I paid, which was pretty similar to yours. I did end up with my dream guitar so it ended well.
@@kosmonument2682 That is cool! I looked and right now Guitar Center has a 2017 they want $1,058.99 for. Just wow. www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gibson/2017-Les-Paul-Tribute-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc
I have a 2011 60’s tribute honeyburst with P 90’s. Paid $499 for the guitar new in 2011 and forked over 50 bucks more for a real Gibson case. I’ll die with it!
I had a Gibson LP Tribute back in 2012. My parents saved to buy me it after a cancer op I had as a kid. They paid less than £700 new. It came PLEK’d from the factory. It means so much to me. It’s had its knocks but what a guitar. I put in 2 Lollar P90s and made it 50s style wiring. Incredible playing and sounding.
The 2017 tributes sound the best. I have an 18 gold top. They weren’t weight relieved. Mine weighs 8 1/2 pounds. I heard the 17s were 9 holed relief weighted. 18s weren’t and the rest from 19 to 24 are weight relieved.I’m in the process of putting in burstbuckers and thinking about putting a coat of lacquer on it.
I bought a Tribute a few months ago to replace a Studio I had to sell. I prefer the 490s to Burstbuckers I tried. The 490s seem a little brighter sounding to me. I also like the satin finish. I have an SG with gloss and it is sticky especially if it's humid weather. I'm mostly a Strat guy so I'm still learning what to do with my Gibsons.
@@Ray-Angel I like the 490s. I have a couple Les Pauls with 498Ts in the bridge position. I like them too. I have Burstbuckers but they are in my Epiphone 59. lol Yeah, I like em all.
I got one of those and it sounds awesome I have a classic too and these can hold up I also have a special tribute with P90’s and it checks that box well
I bought a faded honey burst 2017 Tribute brand new when it came out for $850 out the door. The only I did was put a poker chip on the toggle switch because well, a LP needs one. 7 years later and it’s still mega badass.
I love the cheaper Gibson stuff. I think the honeyburst model you have looks awesome. Congrats! Maybe one day I'll grab one to go with my studio. Cheers
I liked the tobacco burst tribute. It was a beautiful guitar. They better come up with something more affordable. I'll stick with my Epiphone Les Pauls now.
Tribute is a great Gibson guitar disguised as a Les Paul. My 2011 is so weight-relieved and has the "baked Maple" fretboard, so that the 490r/498t set sounded desperately wrong, at least to my ears. A few mods later, it was a dream axe.
Yup I got my studio in 2016 my standard in 2016 and my standard hp in 2016…I’m never selling them! Eventually Gibsons aren’t gonna be affordable to anyone except lawyers and collectors sad to so because I’m not a fender guy…born and raised in LA California but never been a fender guy
@@knockoutguitarist087 I can afford a higher end version, I just won’t pay it. I kinda draw the line around $1,000. They are beautiful guitars and they sound and play fantastic. I’ve considered getting a Standard many times. Just can’t do it. lol
I have a 2017 HP Tribute with a soft case from Sweetwater. I think its a great guitar. Wouldn't sell it. It's got weight relief, Rosewood Fingerboard, Mahogony body and neck with a nice thick maple cap. Contoured carved Neck/Body joint. Titanium adjustable nut. A pickguard you can use or remove in a flash. The only replacement I needed to do was the robotic tuners. Sweetwater price was good. Best soft case I've ever seen. It plays and sounds as good as any LP I've ever played, and I've been playing for 60 years. 'Course I never played a '59 or '60 Burst. It's a real Keeper!
It's pretty sad that Gibson is moving away from sub $2000 guitars and leaving that segment to Epiphone. If you've got your eye on a Les Paul Standard or SG Standard you'd better hurry up because in a few years they will be double the price they are now.
@@neverenoughguitars8276 I had a used SG Standard in my hands at a music store. $1,000. Nah, a new one is $1,300. Blink of an eye and here we are. Should have bought it. Prices went crazy.
Not sure the market will bear the higher prices for Epiphones over the long run given the brand’s recent historical positioning. At least with Fender‘s Squier brand they all look the same as their bigger brother Fenders and you can get mainstream Mexican Fenders for less than $1k. Not so with many Epiphones, that actually don’t always even have exactly the same body shapes as the Gibsons-just look at the slightly less pointy horns and less dramatic cutaway for some Epiphone Les Pauls-nevermind the headstock differences. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gibson had another financial crisis again if a recession hits, or if they just resign themselves to being more of a niche luxury brand for hobbyists instead of a market leader. They seem to be overly aggressive with their pricing and attempts to turn themselves into the Leica or Rolex of guitars.
Not sure the market will bear the higher prices for Epiphones over the long run given the brand’s recent historical positioning. At least with Fender‘s Squier brand they all look the same as their bigger brother Fenders and you can get mainstream Mexican Fenders for less than $1k. Not so with many Epiphones, that actually don’t always even have exactly the same body shapes as the Gibsons-just look at the slightly less pointy horns and less dramatic cutaway for some Epiphone Les Pauls-nevermind the headstock differences. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gibson had another financial crisis again if a recession hits, or if they just resign themselves to being more of a niche luxury brand for hobbyists instead of a market leader. They seem to be overly aggressive with their pricing and attempts to turn themselves into the Leica or Rolex of guitars.
I think the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite is supposed to take the place of the Tribute. It's an interesting guitar but for $1500 it's a little overpriced in my humble opinion. Hadn't heard they are dropping the Studio as well.
I traded a really cool epi explorer and traded for a tribute. Love it. Plays good, sounds good. I felt a little bad, right after, as I have a full gloss Studio and several Epiphone Les Pauls. Now Im very glad to have it.
What a shame. I was considering getting one. I'm in the market for a new Les Paul but there's no way I'm paying current prices for an overpriced Chinese Epiphone.
@@user-li3pu4du6k Nothing against the P90s or the TV Yellow, it's a nice guitar for what it is, but it's not what I'm looking for. I'm very specifically looking for a classic 50's or 1959 Les Paul with some kind of burst top (something like iced tea, lemon burst, factory burst, etc) and humbuckers. The 50's models start at 700 dollars, and the new 59 is 1,300! Both of these Epiphones should be around 100-200 cheaper that where they're currently priced. For being made in China, Epiphone's never seemed to cut any cost by doing so, either that or they just want to pocket more per guitar. I guess I'd consider getting a used Epiphone if the price is right, but there's no way I'm giving that company my money for a new sweet and sour guitar with hit or miss QC.
I have a 20-21 not sure… I love it..! I have 3 Les Paul’s .. a standard and a Slash AFD… also an SG… I think it feels and plays as good as my others… I will never sell mine either… Enjoy it and rock on..!
@@beastmode003Took dean to court over headstocks. Normal behavior for the company really, they’ve taken Dimarzio to court over their use of the term “PAF” just last year and that’s just one legal battle started by Gibson on a long list of legal proceedings
@@scottanderson4175 Oddly enough, my first Gibson Les Paul was a model called the XR2. It was a post The Paul and pre Studio affordable axe. $600 with case. Standards then were $750. Imagine that. 1982. Rare? Yes. They go for about $2,000 now if you can find one. I traded mine on my Studio back in 1992.
I had a 2017 model, and that was definetly weight relieved. Great guitar, regret selling it. I think I bought it for 8000 new. Is the Studio model really going out of production too?
@@Alfgunnarp I don’t know but that’s what another TH-camr said. Yeah, mine is nice and light too. I could be remembering what I read wrong. Like I said, tried to find it and couldn’t. Thanks for watching!
That’s a beautiful guitar. Sad to see the more affordable Gibsons go away. I assume they are discontinuing the lower price Gibson models to avoid competing with their new higher priced Epiphone lines.
@@PaulLue That’s my guess.
Yep I think you're right. All the gold logo Gibsons are going to go away, I think.
@@kosmonument2682 I have several gold logo instruments. lol I look for value. (I’m cheap)
Thats because everyone kept wanting epiphones to be gibson quality. Well they got their wish. Now if you wanna spend less than 2 grand you can get a nice epiphone it you want.
@@OttophilI'm not going to pay a grand for a Chinese Epiphone. No thanks. Your getting a inferior copy guitar at old Gibson prices.
I'm regretting not picking up one when they were available new. That's a nice one!
I have 2 LP tributes , one is a 2011 & the other is a 2016 both are great guitars
Saw a cover band in Las Vegas called Alter ego, they played classic rock to early 2000s rock, both guitarists were playing Les Paul Tributes. These les Paul tributes sound amazing, I purchased a 2020 Tobacco burst and always smile at how well they play and get that nice and gritty ZZ Top tone with ease. The 490r is a great pickup that just has a very jazzy clean tone, the 490t sounded good after some height adjustment on the pickup and pole pieces.
@@DavidValdezBigWaveDave Great guitars for sure.
I have a 2022 Tribute. Absolutely love it. Super well made. Paid $1160 for it new and would do it again.
@@benpower3679 I love mine!
I had one of these in a gold top finish. A 2018 model. I sold it to put the money towards a 50s Standard and while I love the Standard I wish I still had the Tribute. It's a beautiful guitar and it played amazingly.
@@kosmonument2682 I’ve thought about doing something similar. Even if I traded to Guitar Center, the deal I got would mean that between the crap price they gave me combined with the 10% on a $2,00.00 plus Les Paul I’d get my money back on it. I think I’m good just keeping it though.
@@WickedFesterBand Yeah when I sold it, I did so on the private market. Kid bought it from me for the same price I paid, which was pretty similar to yours. I did end up with my dream guitar so it ended well.
@@kosmonument2682 That is cool! I looked and right now Guitar Center has a 2017 they want $1,058.99 for. Just wow.
www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gibson/2017-Les-Paul-Tribute-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc
I have a 2011 60’s tribute honeyburst with P 90’s. Paid $499 for the guitar new in 2011 and forked over 50 bucks more for a real Gibson case. I’ll die with it!
@@MBeshada Awesome!
I had a Gibson LP Tribute back in 2012. My parents saved to buy me it after a cancer op I had as a kid. They paid less than £700 new. It came PLEK’d from the factory. It means so much to me. It’s had its knocks but what a guitar. I put in 2 Lollar P90s and made it 50s style wiring. Incredible playing and sounding.
@@locky828 That is awesome!
The 2017 tributes sound the best. I have an 18 gold top. They weren’t weight relieved. Mine weighs 8 1/2 pounds. I heard the 17s were 9 holed relief weighted. 18s weren’t and the rest from 19 to 24 are weight relieved.I’m in the process of putting in burstbuckers and thinking about putting a coat of lacquer on it.
2017 was a good year at gibson ! i got a SG special for under 700 US it Rules.
@@geraldfichtner Have to like a deal. Amazing how the prices shot up.
You are spot on. At last a good review
I bought a Tribute a few months ago to replace a Studio I had to sell. I prefer the 490s to Burstbuckers I tried. The 490s seem a little brighter sounding to me. I also like the satin finish. I have an SG with gloss and it is sticky especially if it's humid weather. I'm mostly a Strat guy so I'm still learning what to do with my Gibsons.
@@Ray-Angel I like the 490s. I have a couple Les Pauls with 498Ts in the bridge position. I like them too. I have Burstbuckers but they are in my Epiphone 59. lol Yeah, I like em all.
I have one that was modified with Tradbucker pickups (No coil split electronics though) and ABR-1 bridge. Love it!
I got one of those and it sounds awesome I have a classic too and these can hold up I also have a special tribute with P90’s and it checks that box well
@@stepvanjoe3469 Nice gear!
I have the Tribute, a Gibson Standard and an Epiphone 1960's LP inspired by Gibson. They each have their use.
I bought a faded honey burst 2017 Tribute brand new when it came out for $850 out the door. The only I did was put a poker chip on the toggle switch because well, a LP needs one. 7 years later and it’s still mega badass.
@@joemerchant92 Yeah, I feel the poker chip is necessary too!
I love the cheaper Gibson stuff. I think the honeyburst model you have looks awesome. Congrats! Maybe one day I'll grab one to go with my studio. Cheers
@@BenBreard Thanks for watching!
They also discontinued the SG Junior. I can’t believe that. The SG Junior is one of my favorites.
@@Panic42000 I have an SGJ that was crazy cheap and is pretty cool.
I have a very sentimental to me 2011 honeyburst with P90's and a Bigsby B7 that I love to death. It's got such a vibe. I'll never sell it.
@@A-Wall That’s great!
I liked the tobacco burst tribute. It was a beautiful guitar. They better come up with something more affordable. I'll stick with my Epiphone Les Pauls now.
@@hotrodjones74 I actually play my Epiphones more than my Gibsons.
Tribute is a great Gibson guitar disguised as a Les Paul. My 2011 is so weight-relieved and has the "baked Maple" fretboard, so that the 490r/498t set sounded desperately wrong, at least to my ears. A few mods later, it was a dream axe.
Yup I got my studio in 2016 my standard in 2016 and my standard hp in 2016…I’m never selling them! Eventually Gibsons aren’t gonna be affordable to anyone except lawyers and collectors sad to so because I’m not a fender guy…born and raised in LA California but never been a fender guy
@@knockoutguitarist087 I can afford a higher end version, I just won’t pay it. I kinda draw the line around $1,000. They are beautiful guitars and they sound and play fantastic. I’ve considered getting a Standard many times. Just can’t do it. lol
I have a 2017 HP Tribute with a soft case from Sweetwater. I think its a great guitar. Wouldn't sell it. It's got weight relief, Rosewood Fingerboard, Mahogony body and neck with a nice thick maple cap. Contoured carved Neck/Body joint. Titanium adjustable nut. A pickguard you can use or remove in a flash. The only replacement I needed to do was the robotic tuners. Sweetwater price was good. Best soft case I've ever seen. It plays and sounds as good as any LP I've ever played, and I've been playing for 60 years. 'Course I never played a '59 or '60 Burst. It's a real Keeper!
@@garycraw9781 Sounds amazing. I’ve only seen pics and videos of the soft cases but they look great.
It's pretty sad that Gibson is moving away from sub $2000 guitars and leaving that segment to Epiphone. If you've got your eye on a Les Paul Standard or SG Standard you'd better hurry up because in a few years they will be double the price they are now.
@@neverenoughguitars8276 I had a used SG Standard in my hands at a music store. $1,000. Nah, a new one is $1,300. Blink of an eye and here we are. Should have bought it. Prices went crazy.
Not sure the market will bear the higher prices for Epiphones over the long run given the brand’s recent historical positioning. At least with Fender‘s Squier brand they all look the same as their bigger brother Fenders and you can get mainstream Mexican Fenders for less than $1k. Not so with many Epiphones, that actually don’t always even have exactly the same body shapes as the Gibsons-just look at the slightly less pointy horns and less dramatic cutaway for some Epiphone Les Pauls-nevermind the headstock differences. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gibson had another financial crisis again if a recession hits, or if they just resign themselves to being more of a niche luxury brand for hobbyists instead of a market leader. They seem to be overly aggressive with their pricing and attempts to turn themselves into the Leica or Rolex of guitars.
Not sure the market will bear the higher prices for Epiphones over the long run given the brand’s recent historical positioning. At least with Fender‘s Squier brand they all look the same as their bigger brother Fenders and you can get mainstream Mexican Fenders for less than $1k. Not so with many Epiphones, that actually don’t always even have exactly the same body shapes as the Gibsons-just look at the slightly less pointy horns and less dramatic cutaway for some Epiphone Les Pauls-nevermind the headstock differences. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gibson had another financial crisis again if a recession hits, or if they just resign themselves to being more of a niche luxury brand for hobbyists instead of a market leader. They seem to be overly aggressive with their pricing and attempts to turn themselves into the Leica or Rolex of guitars.
IT'S KILLER, I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE ONE. I GOT A 2023 NOW THERE GONE
I think the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite is supposed to take the place of the Tribute. It's an interesting guitar but for $1500 it's a little overpriced in my humble opinion. Hadn't heard they are dropping the Studio as well.
@@ernestschultz5065 Not sure on the Studio, just repeating what I heard another TH-camr say.
I got mine !!!!! Rhey were too good to keep in the market.
I traded a really cool epi explorer and traded for a tribute. Love it. Plays good, sounds good. I felt a little bad, right after, as I have a full gloss Studio and several Epiphone Les Pauls. Now Im very glad to have it.
@@greggrant502 I have …. Hold on …. lol 4 Gibson and 4 Epiphone Les Pauls. Love em all.
Friend has one. I was thinking about getting one myself. I have an 86 Gibson Les Paul custom SG I bought in 89.
@@ericbitzer5247 Sweet!
Real glad I got one
What a shame. I was considering getting one. I'm in the market for a new Les Paul but there's no way I'm paying current prices for an overpriced Chinese Epiphone.
Not sure how you feel about p90s but a good lp in that price range is the Gibson lp special tv yellow.
@@user-li3pu4du6k Nothing against the P90s or the TV Yellow, it's a nice guitar for what it is, but it's not what I'm looking for. I'm very specifically looking for a classic 50's or 1959 Les Paul with some kind of burst top (something like iced tea, lemon burst, factory burst, etc) and humbuckers. The 50's models start at 700 dollars, and the new 59 is 1,300! Both of these Epiphones should be around 100-200 cheaper that where they're currently priced. For being made in China, Epiphone's never seemed to cut any cost by doing so, either that or they just want to pocket more per guitar. I guess I'd consider getting a used Epiphone if the price is right, but there's no way I'm giving that company my money for a new sweet and sour guitar with hit or miss QC.
Great guitar. I have the tribute with P90’s
@@corkbour7708 I love mine!
i love my 2021 Tribute! Fantastic guitar
Bet youre very happy to have one! Ill get a real Gibson LP ... _SOMEDAY!_ 🎸 You have some _killer_ LPs!
@@bighardbooks770 Thank you!
I have a 20-21 not sure… I love it..! I have 3 Les Paul’s .. a standard and a Slash AFD… also an SG… I think it feels and plays as good as my others… I will never sell mine either… Enjoy it and rock on..!
@@mikelore8187 Rock on as well! Thanks for watching!
I'm all done with Gibson after the BS they've pulled on Dean... Gibson should be boycotted into the ground for their crap... 💥
@@ShaighJosephson I like their guitars ….. well ….. I like all guitars, but yeah, how they do business. Makes you scratch your head.
what did they do?
@@beastmode003Took dean to court over headstocks. Normal behavior for the company really, they’ve taken Dimarzio to court over their use of the term “PAF” just last year and that’s just one legal battle started by Gibson on a long list of legal proceedings
Hell yea brother, we jam til we die
I have a 2011 with p90s bought new, love it
It will be a collector’s item one day 😐
@@scottanderson4175 Oddly enough, my first Gibson Les Paul was a model called the XR2. It was a post The Paul and pre Studio affordable axe. $600 with case. Standards then were $750. Imagine that. 1982. Rare? Yes. They go for about $2,000 now if you can find one. I traded mine on my Studio back in 1992.
I had a 2017 model, and that was definetly weight relieved. Great guitar, regret selling it. I think I bought it for 8000 new.
Is the Studio model really going out of production too?
@@Alfgunnarp I don’t know but that’s what another TH-camr said. Yeah, mine is nice and light too. I could be remembering what I read wrong. Like I said, tried to find it and couldn’t. Thanks for watching!
Fender is better, if that helps. Or any other guitar brand, whose line not made in China or Indonesia is affordable.
I love my Gibson tribute!!
Sloppy...
Timing is off on zeppelin
seems the only people that like Tributes are people that own them, no one else wants one, that satin finish is so ugly