Rick Beato Signature Gibson Guitar: HONEST Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- My Only Guitar Course: oneguitarcourse.com
All My Stuff: linktr.ee/andrefludd
FREE Guitar Craft Newsletter: www.andrefludd.com/newsletter
Patreon for more guitar stuff: / andrefludd
Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/6pZwdWh...
Favorite Gear
GUITAR CHAIR & discount: www.hinomi.co/andre
Ergonomic tool: sweetwater.sjv.io/VmWY7A
Favorite guitar under $500: sweetwater.sjv.io/zNkboe
Favorite all-around amp: sweetwater.sjv.io/jrgyYe
Favorite strings: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKGEYr
Favorite Gear (Europe): thmn.to/thocf/ad464wb96y
0:00 Intro
0:35 Headstock & Tuning stability
1:33 My Experience with Gibson
2:20 Basic Neck Specs
2:47 Neck Quality Control
5:16 Price & Comparisons
9:45 High Fret Access
10:18 Neck Pickup & High Fret Tone Test
11:05 I Can't Shred This Guitar
11:40 More Upper Fret Access Talk
13:05 D'Angelico Did It Better...
13:26 The Body and Hardware
14:20 Pickup Talk
15:19 Pickup Tones
18:18 This Guitar Changed Me
20:35 How The Guitar Changed Me
22:08 Dynamics are Special - เพลง
I ended up doing an entire series on gibson: th-cam.com/play/PLABgkKiy07bMHmGBrHBAISKNSV2mRV_v9.html
On the subject of 'legato' style for shredding, from 1990: th-cam.com/video/76svWOj8B04/w-d-xo.html (Be sure to really watch both hands at 2:15)
Oh, BTW - he's left handed. 🙃
Top wrap that bad boy
The hindrance I find from a Les Paul's lower bout is from the back of the horn.
To see if it helped, I carved my old Epi LP's horn so there's what we think of as an 'upper fret access carve' on the back, and I just smoothed off the contour to a rounded horn on the back, but looking perfectly normal from the front.
Now, there's zero obstruction for the back of my hand, I'm going to implement this element on my new build.
Which will hopefully have Bluetooth enabled pickups...
Record your demos directly into the board professor. We don't have a clue what the guitar really sounds like when you mic an amp or the room. Sounds like that could have been the camera mic tbh. Gibson sucks, but you can do better as well.
"But guitars above $1,000 should be great, not good."
AMEN! Man, I love your videos. Not only are you entertaining and fun, but you clearly really know what you're talking about, and your opinions come from informed, educated, and experienced perspective. Plus, I love the brutal honesty. Fully subb'd up, and I plan on keeping it that way.
Thank you!
How much should a luthier make per hour? Aren't we just taking advantage of low labor rates in countries with a terrible standard of living?
These reviews are totally unlike any other gear discussion I’ve seen online. Such a fresh, careful, thoughtful discussion. Wow. I didn’t even know this was possible. I don’t think we have much in common in terms of skill or the type of music we are trying to play, but all of that gap is bridged by the fact that you are just so damn thoughtful and communicate so well. Damn.
Thank you! I appreciate that :)
I’m aware of the audio issues. I was using new gear in this video. They are fixed in other videos. Thanks for your patience.
did you contact Gibson to exchange it?
The music you play is trash so your opinion really doesn’t count
Happens to the best of us! It's valuable community service. Thank YOU
You do an amazing job of contextualizing everything. I love that you constantly compare everything to your Parker because it communicates what you look for in a guitar subjectively, but you also know what to look for objectively. I wish all reviews were this thorough, honest, and clear.
Thank you! Glad it was helpful!
i think the difference is most other reviews on youtube about anything are actually advertising. Sure, they all say "the company has no control over what I say". But they got sent a free product, which sways one's perspective. And are also trying to maintain relationships with these companies. From what I can tell, Andre is spending his own money and isn't maintaining relationships with the companies he's talking about. And that's definitely a great thing for us!
You just described why I play a Les Paul, my strat just couldn't give me what my heavy hand needed. The Gibson has the weight, the feel and the bendy string scale I need to express myself properly great review!
Well said sir! I totally understand why someone would play this guitar even if I'm not that person haha.
@@andrefludd How boring it would be if we all did it the same way I think that's the beauty of guitar, it is so personal and unique to each player, you can be Abasi or Angus or both. I really enjoyed hearing how your style changed on the Gibson, thanks for your reasonable approach, subbed.
The feel of a guitar is a personal thing...... I've got several favorites... and Gibsons are in there for that reason. If it makes you want to play, then it's a good guitar.
I like looks of strats and comfort etc, but I don't like the feel of having to fight with the fretboard to be more playable. I'm a les paul guy because of this. Just more stable and better sustain and energy easy to play. Plus gibson pickups always sound good!
The comment about made in America vs not America is eye opening.Two great guitars with with top specs and arguably better quality for half the price than the American made one. Made in USA no longer carries the prestige it once had. *Cough* American Series Jackson Soloist *Cough.
I’m not sure it holds true with other brands, but def true for Gibson. Never tried the American Jacksons. But I gotta say, Kiesel are amazing for the price and also made in the US.
My Music Man Silhouette is the best Guitar I have ever touched, couple years old, but still, Ernie Ball makes fantastic American instruments
@@Pyriander agree 100%. I hadn’t thought of them thanks for the reminder! Their QC is excellent in my experience.
those fucking Jacksons SUCK lmao
I'm still in awe over how utterly mid they are in comparison to literally any import Jackson or Charvel.
How does he not have more subs ? I’m not a guitar player just a music fan and I watch his videos, love the way he relays information
I Appreciate the support :). It doesn’t go unnoticed!
I agree, I just subscribed 🙂
+1 here. Keep them coming, sir.
guitar youtube just doesn't get many subscribers.
Really enjoy how in depth you go with this review, very well done!
Thank you!
And fair
Agreed! Very captivating! Subscribed! Looking forward to some of your lessons @andre fludd
This is one of the best guitar reviews that I have ever seen👍.
Wow, thanks!
That last portion when you started going over the pickups and how the guitar rewards extra dynamicism is, having watched and learned from Rick Beato for years, probably where the bulk of that price tag went.
That could be it!
That’s typical of a lot of p90’s.
I’m Rick’s age and have been playing for 45 years. I love Gibsons, but I a recent convert to modern guitars. A lot of players my age grew up loving Gibson guitars. To me, the double cutaway Gibsons have great upper fret access because I’m used to playing a Les Paul and other models with terrible upper fret access. I’m sure that Rick probably thinks the same way. These days I prefer my 24 fret PRSs.
I def. Red to try a custom 24!
What modern guitars do you like?
Was not expecting to sit through this whole video, but I stayed to the very end. You're excellent at what you do, sir.
Tell that to my university students haha, but seriously, thank you. I appreciate that.
I am not a professor but I completely agree that this guitar is inspiring in a way that is hard to pinpoint. I have no regret buying 2!
Wow 2?! That’s why they went so fast haha
I’m not by any means including you in this, however, word is a a handful of people purchased a large number of Beato Gibsons and then put them up on Reverb for a ridiculous amount of money. Same thing happened with the PRS Silver Sky back in the day.
@@tonymarinelli7304 Opportunity = Speculator
Honest and very detailed review. Not looking to buy another guitar atm, but you managed to keep me watching. I've just subscribed. Keep up the good work!
Awesome, thank you!
Never talk to atms.
I've been playing since 1977, and have handled and played a lot of other people's guitars, and I have to admit, this was a really objective break-out of even more details than I would have thought of. Fantastic review, and great integrity on this!!!
Thank you for your outstanding, comprehensive review! You hit on all the pluses and minuses, and compared a variety of guitars. I really appreciated that.
Thanks for supporting :)
I love the sound of your riff on the Gibson. I have a Les Paul (Gibson), and it has machining marks, some quirky things about it, and a big price tag. With all of that, there really is something special about how it sounds compared to the other brands I own (fender, prs, reverend), and it's always the first one I pick up when I practice!
True!
I am in the same boat. Once you find a Gibson unicorn, keep it
It's so cool to watch you explain really high end concepts, it's easy to see how you became a professor and I'm willing to bet you're an extraordinary one at that. Even though I would consider myself an expert on gear, every minute of every video you've put out teaches me something new while still keeping me engaged
Thank you :). I appreciate that
Subbed. As an aspiring guitar builder I appreciate that you notice the small things. Great work.
Hopefully I get to try your stuff one day :)
Congrats for being one of the guys who plays guitars cleaning up to hear what they sound like your reviews of been awesome from what I've seen dude keep them coming
Great review. Very informative, particularly on the subtleties of feel that might subconsciously or consciously influence why one person would choose to play a particular guitar over another. It’s amazing how you changed your playing approach on the same lick with the three guitars. The Parker seem to flow very naturally for you and you seem to make a very subtle adjustment with the D’Angelico to make it sound nearly as identical to the Parker. But, with the Gibson, you went the total opposite direction with a more aggressive attack, which to me, brings out the natural tonal characteristics of that style guitar. I think that is a great example of how different guitars can affect the creative direction of a musical idea. As far as the cost, I really appreciate how you pointed out the practical comparisons of the different price points. Most musicians I know are working musicians and don’t have lucrative deals to afford expensive gear. Their guitars serve as tools for expressing their creative voices in a recording studio or in front of a live audience. The playability and tonal capabilities of the guitars they play looks to be the most important consideration and some of those can be easily met without having to spend several thousand dollars on a “special” guitar. I own pretty much every style of solid body, semi-hollow and hollow body guitars from high-end to low-end price points. I’m not a collector or a working musician, but I like being musically creative with a guitar as a form of self-expression. So, I really only buy guitars if I feel like the instrument is telling me that there is something I can do creatively unique with it. My recent acquisition is a $300 Squier baritone with P90 style pickups. The reason I picked it up is it actually sounded good and it made me change my playing approach, much like you showed us in this video. My #1 is a single pick-up Allan Holdsworth Carvin headless signature model, followed by an Ibanez Artstar AS-80 a luthier friend found at a pawn shop and fixed for me. My least favorite guitar to play is a real vintage ‘61 Fender strat (neck radius is not for me), but it has a voice that works in very specific contexts and it does look good to wear, so I kept it. Anyway, thank you for keeping it real and thank you for creating content that are very informative and useful to people who may simply like guitars and to people who are deeply entrenched playing music in performing arts alike. Cheers.
Thank you for this comment and the support! The Parker is the guitar I feel most comfortable on for sure. I also love the Holdsworth Carvins and Kiesels. Great instruments! Bridge pickup, a little distortion and the highs cut. Very smooth sound. Love it.
One of the most affordable guitars I bought turned out to be the best for me. I've owned 16 different guitars Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squier, Sterling Music Man, Yamaha and others. They all have their own individual feel. Most of it is due the string scale length, neck profile, fret board radius, fret height and width, body shape and weight. It all adds up to the comfort and playability. Just because one is expensive doesn't mean it's the right fit for you either. You have to find one that fits your hands and your body. The tuners, hardware and electronics are secondary. They can all be changed to suit your needs.
Agree 100%. Thanks for sharing
I'm curious as to which is the guitar you found that was the one for you ?
Many guitars later and I play a beat up ltd ec 300
well said
First time I came across your channel, I really like the way you explain. Great playing too
Thank you :)!
Thanks so much for this thorough, in depth and honest review! With each of your reviews I learn something new about guitars in general.
Thank you for your brutally honest review of this signature model. As someone over 60, I have watched quality disappear from many products. I don't think many guitars live up to the hype. I played accoustic for many years before switching to electric, thus I have a heavy hand and it's very hard to lighten up. Don't loose your light touch and your very fluid playing style! I'll check out the cool leg rest. Thank you.
Thanks for your support :)
I think there’s a memory factor in play. I am over sixty and have played a multitude of guitars and basses from the mid sixties to today.
It is not labor as much as quality control.
I remember sitting (on an amp cabinet) in Manny’s as Henry brought up one Fender Precision after another until I found one that felt right and was made well. This was pre CBS.
There were no computers or laser guided routers etc back then. Much more hand work. Human imperfections. Why do Stradivarius violins stand out from other instruments of the same period?
Try a Tokai if you can find one. They are making Gibsons with the quality that they should have for a fraction of the price. You have to make sure you get a MIJ model though. The lower end stuff is made in China. I just got a Tokai 335 59' model and it plays better than any Gibson 335 I've played.
I have an SG and an Ibanez. The SG fights you a little and it makes you think. With the Ibanez it feels like you can do anything so you do even if you don't know what it is theoretically. The SG got me into Cream and Santana and how they approach blues.
Sounds about right! Thanks for sharing.
This guy likes Ibanez.
th-cam.com/video/7w0l18M3d0Q/w-d-xo.html
Subbed, been really digging your channel. As a Gibson and Vigier player, I appreciate both types of guitars. Gibsons bring different types of motivation while Vigiers (or other modern guitars) give me all I need for mechanical access/ease of play. Also, I like how Gibsons are still constructed with old school methods.
I’ve loved Gibson guitars since I was a kid. Honestly, I thought everyone did back then! 😆 It’s really nice to hear from someone who likes different styles of guitars because it puts into perspective what a Gibson is….It’s special. The quality has diminished over time. They’ve admitted it with the adjustments they’ve made over the last few years in their QC department and naming Cesar the brand President. I believe they still have some magic left! Great review & Solid playing!
Thank you, sir! I’d love to see Gibson turn things around. I always root for American companies with long rich histories.
I'm going to make one point, that PRS SE would fetch ya around $700 on the used market. That's if it's mint, but I've always made $ or broke even selling my bad Gibson's. A great Gibson guitar is like driving a Ferrari
It was an honest review indeed and very detailed on what might matter for different preferences. Following you because of this. I didn't notice any bias, you always keep in mind the way you play and the way that others do and other similar variables which I don't find a lot here in YT. 10 out of 10.
Andre, as a Gibson Fender Gibson guy who is 67 I am always happy to see your reviews of gibson vs other guitars. I like the short scale as I get older. I may check out the D'Angelico after your review. Thanks for you informed honest opinions. You also have impeccable credentials compared to most of the you tube guitar demo guys, many of whom are not good players honestly, thanks again.
This is the first video of yours I’ve seen. Loved the review and definitely earned a sub! Keep up the great work man
THank you!
Best review I've seen on this guitar so far ! Thank you for this quality dedicated work !
Glad you liked it! Thank you, Youri.
Im glad you brought attention to the satin finish sticky neck problem. I thought i was the only person that had a problem with that. I run away from guitars that are , as i put it....icky.
A review like no other! ....love your vibe man! ....cheers from the Caribbean ❤
It seems the Gibson has more "headroom" re: picking dynamics. This is something I very much look for in a guitar, I really don't like when a guitar "collapses" the sound too quickly (compresses) or folds under heavy picking. Open, dynamic range is where it's at for me. That guitar sounds great and nice review.
Couldn't agree more!
Dude I definitely know what you're talking about with guitars changing your playing. I also really like modern guitars. I did not buy my first Les Paul until I was almost 40. I sometimes go months without playing it but every time I feel like I'm in a rut or going stale I can break out a different instrument and instantly get a new perspective. I really like the old Jackson guitars(I think modern guitars pretty much start with Chavels and Jacksons). My favorite guitar has become a vintage Jackson that I bought in the early 90s for $200. I barely played the guitar for 15 years. After being set in my ways for many years(Ibanez all the way) I found a new layer to my playing trying not only older style guitars but guitars with different pickup configurations. I've found I really like playing guitars with the old style noisy P90s, though I would not recommend a guitar like this for beginners. I remember being endlessly frustrated by one of these instruments in my younger days and getting a lot of unpleasant noises from them. I tell all the younger players to try as many guitars as they can now. You never know when you'll surprise yourself and find something in you that you didn't know was there.
I agree 100%. Hopefully so new players read your comment. Thanks for the support :).
Very much this. It feels like a safe bet to stick to Fender or Gibson when you first start out, whose designs haven't really changed since the 1950s.. But as I have gained experience, I have found modern guitars have solved a lot of problems/issues that the "safe" brands refuse to address in any meaningful way.
Great detail and depth as usual. Best review of this guitar so far 👏🏼
Thank you kindly!
I was been looking for a modern 'metal' guitar. I tried some I ordered online and returned them because I didn't like them - for several reasons. So I went to a guitar store looking for that modern guitar, because 'rationally' they are better at pretty much everything. Quality of the build, access, playability and better components (like frets etc.). I walked our with an Epiphone LP. Never having owned (or seriously tried) one before, I picked one up and there was just something special in the way it made me feel and play. I forgave it all the bad access, finishing flaws and marks on the fret board and binding. It made me feel happy and inspired. So that's when I learned my lesson.
A guitar inspiring you is most important thanks for your comment!
Can't really go wrong with a LP for metal. I prefer a wider and thicker necks so I tend to gravitate around LP or SG style guitars. If you want to try a more modern looking metal guitar that will feel closer to a vintage LP spec give a Wylde Audio a play if you can. Definitely a modern metal guitar but lacking the stereotypical modern metal specs, they have some heft to them and have bigger necks and the upper fret access on them is really nice. I have a SG inspired Barbarian and I absolutely love it, I also have a diamond series Schecter Solo ii (basically a LP custom with some tweaks to spec) that I would also recommend giving a play if you can.
I have a Gibson SG Jr, that I bought back in 2003. When I got it, it also had a sticky neck. I found I was always wiping it and applying polish to it, now it is fine, one of my favourite guitars to play. I believe the Nitro finish, just takes a long time to dry properly. I can’t even remember when I stopped feeling that sticky sensation. But it eventually goes away. Great review, I love the old style P90’s nothing sounds quite like them.
Thanks for sharing! I do really like the P90s too apart from the noise.
@@andrefludd Wilkinson makes some noiseless p90'S on Amazon, I have them in my 335 clone and they sound awesome definitely louder than the standards but noisefree!
There are reasons not to like nitro but Gibson USA's finishing crew is Bad. Like, bad bad. No masks or goggles or nets in the paint booth bad.
A friend taught me a quick solution to get a new nitro finished neck smooth. It may sound weird and is kind of the opposite of cleaning it, but it actually works: new nitro finish doesn't need to be cleaned, it needs to be greased.
Touch your forehead or your nose with your fingers before you play and slighty rub the tiny bit of skin oil you got from this on the back of the neck. You usually won't have to do this more than two or three times till the neck loses the stickyness and gets comfortable.
@@Rainyman63 This is legit. All of my guitars have super smooth and shiny necks after years of playing from the oils in my skin absorbing into the wood, especially from the 1st fret to about the 10th where I typically play most. (I play mostly rhythm/open tuned blues) You can really feel where my hands have been.
I do enjoy my Gibsons but I have found even "perfect" for for them I'm probably a little less picky than for other brands, both cheaper and more expensive. Fantastic review, very honest and great playing!
Thanks, Marb! I really appreciate it :).
First time seeing you channel, Andre. Thank you for your honesty and a very good review. Thoroughly enjoyed this segment! Personally, for me there has always been something about Gibson, I’m just drawn to them. My ear so enjoys their tone, sound, feel and aesthetics. Never been crazy about the pricing, but it is what it is with them. I do have and play Ibanez, PRS, D’Angelico, and a host of others. It’s Gibson that I always “go to”. Favorite being the Les Paul. Totally agree with you on digging in! When the Gibson is in your hands, just makes you want to smother that neck and bend feeling it in your fingers and caressing the tone it produces. Could all be in my head, but I just bond with their brand. Love the history behind it. I started this journey at 8yrs old in 1969. My Father had me take lessons. My teacher at the time suggested to him the acoustic I was playing was a struggle for me. It was big. He helped my Father pick a guitar for me; a 1969 Kalamazoo Epiphone Crestwood Custom in Polaris white, batwing headstock and two mini humbuckers and a vibrola. The frets were low, the neck was thin, body small, and the action could be set as low as you want without buzzing, and still maintaining sustain. With the Gibson mini humbuckers, ABR 1 bridge, and other Gibson accouterments it was all you could want. This matched with a small Gretsch 6510 amp with Jensen speaker was perfect for me. Still have both and play to this day! Brings memories of my Father and my youth back to mind. All great memories 🙏. My teacher played a Gibson acoustic during my lessons, and the sound filled the studio. Could be all this still draws me back. Just know I’m a Gibson loyalist. Thank you, again for the Great informative and honest review. Looking forward to more from YOU!⭐️⭐️🎸⭐️⭐️
Thank you! I think acoustic guitars are a totally different animal, which is why I’m careful to discuss electric guitar build quality differently. I’d love to old an old gibson acoustic for sure .
Thank you very much for this thorough review. My primary guitar is a 1969 ES-330TD I inherited which is lightweight and has P-90 pickups. I like that this RIck Beato model shares these features in a solid body format. While it sounds like it isn't quite as good as it could be for the price, as you pointed out the minor deficiencies do not interfere with the playability, the only thing that matters at the end of the day. I hope to get one someday, even if I have to find one used.
Glad it was helpful!
Really refreshing review from a different perspective. I shy away from modern guitars because it feels like I'm cheating (seems absurd right?). There's a certain battle that comes with a Gibson. I've owned quite a few Gibson's over the years and that battle has mostly been lost several times but when you find the "one" it becomes a part of you. I agree about the quality. I stacked my recently acquired Les Paul studio vs a PRS se and mim strat that were far superior in build quality but lack the "mojo" of both of my Gibson's
I understand the “it feels like cheating” thing! I used to think I should be able to pick up any guitar and play anything, but over time I’ve found for me personally and my own personal goals, the most efficient way will be a modern guitar with an easy setup. I totally understand why other people like the classic feel though.
@@andrefludd agreed
Andre I totally relate to the "digging in" effect on A Gibson. I have been a super Strat guy for decades. I recently bought a Gibson V and later a Les Paul. For some reason they inspire me to play different. Sort of like going to the gym. I want to give it my all and let lose when I have them in my hands more so than my other guitars. Thanks for the video and the other great content you provide.
Thanks for sharing! I still haven’t tried a Flying V. Something about the body intimidates me, but I keep hearing they are surprisingly comfortable. What do you think?
@@andrefludd to me they make you play differently, more so than a Les Paul or a Junior would. Not better or worse just a different experience.
@@RayRay-pg3fx thanks for sharing!
@@andrefludd I've played a Dean MLX for almost two decades now and they're pretty easy to get used to. It's a lot similar to playing classical guitar when sitting down and when standing up the shape is pretty balanced. It's the Randy Rhoads models that take a bit of getting used to.
Thank you! I'm glad you brought up this upper fret access issue.
This is why I'm grateful to have a V. ❤️
i have played gibson all my life since 15 years old, when they are well made there is nothing like them but to each his own
Thanks for the thorough review!
I'm hearing a lot of moderate-to-low level clicks and pops in the audio, though.
_Wild Guess:_ It sounds like one of two possibilities a) your A/D converter is out of sync; as though it needs wordclock but it isn't connected. or b) your DAW software's audio buffer is set too low.
Funny how most Gibsons are just OK, and woefully primitive in a price-per feature vs other guitars.
Some YEARS are downright terrible, even....but when they _do_ build it right, ohhhhh boy :D
If I may relate my experience:
I have 2 Les Pauls. The 1st is an all-around rock and smokey jazz axe; played it live for dozens of gigs up and down the Sunset Strip and around Hollywood, and it was mostly good. However, the 2nd feels like being transported to the 1950s in a _d r e a m_ Built correctly; just change the strings for the last 5 years. For acquisition I played about 20 in all and considered many more. I had to persevere to find that 1 in 100 ( ?...or was it closer to 500, or 1000 lol) "magical specimen" Standard without having to pay out the @zz for a Custom Shop.
Owning about 25 guitars I’m not in the market for a new one - but stopped by the channel and have to say you really show how to do a great review - very thorough. I bought the entry level Gibson Les Paul tribute a couple of years and it was - meh. I have Greco and Tokai Les Paul’s that are great, and a Heritage custom that is amazing. You raise good points about comparative guitars and costs - maybe Rick’s guitar might end up as a collector’s item.
Thanks for the support, Wayne :).
top notch gear review! much appreciated!
Nice review! I just have to point out that we as guitarists live in a paradigm, where we think some production process is more expensive just because the guitars made that way are more expensive (for us as consumers -- which does not say anything about production cost). Case in point: set-in neck vs bolt-on. However, you can find classical guitars with set-ins or cheap violins with set-ins for 100 dollars or less, that are of decent quality. At least, the less-than-pro sound quality of these does not come from the neck, but rather from a laminate top or something like that. We should really stop believing these myths from guitar companies! Like, "Ooh, a Gibson Les Paul standard has a set-in, so of course it deserves a price tag of 3 000 USD!". As an economist and materials engineer, I have become very aware of these myths in recent years and simply laugh when I see something like: "buy these super-duper brass saddles for your Tele and the sound will be amazing, compared to stock steel string saddles!" In reality, even if brass has a different harmonic spectrum, such small parts impart such a small effect on the overall vibrations (or are even cancelled by some counter-vibrations of other parts) that only a lab-grade oscilloscope will pick up any difference.
I have Seymour Duncan P90s, Fralin P90s and Gibson P90s installed on different guitars, and of the three, I much prefer Gibson's P90s. Fralin's are quiet, but they don't have the character of Gibson's. Noisy or not, P90s are my absolute favorite pickup. Great review of the Rick Beato Les Paul Special, by the way. I really appreciated it.
I hate noise of noisy pickups so I tend to get silent versions, but I have to agree, something about a REAL p90 or single coil always has more character than their silent versions. Thanks for the support, Riley.
@@andrefludd I bought a gate. xD
The only Gibson I have ever owned was the Explorer, I think my dad paid 1100.00 back in 1979, even back in the 1970's I ended taking that Explorer to a guitar pro shop to have some of the same issues you had mentioned fixed. What I like is the pure fact that your giving a 100% honest review of this guitar. Thanks for your hard work on this video, Nice Parker Fly's in the background.
Thank you :)
I love your detailed dive into the instrument, but I incredibly appreciate the direct comparisons to competing products, including pricing,. It's something few reviewers dare to do but also the single most important thing for a purchaser. While I would not budget for an instrument in this price range, nearly always finding the value proposition nonexistent versus low-cost instruments, there is definite value in hearing an accomplished and informed player methodically present and argue their thoughts on an instrument. That sound demo in small volume increments! The reflectivity on how this guitar added to your understanding of guitar playing! THANK YOU
Phil McKnight of Know Your Gear has an ingenious way to test and show fret edge finishing imperfections, he wears a stocking on his hand like a glove as he runs it up and down the neck. Any sharp edges will snag and leave clear longitudinal tears in the thin nylon. I've never seen a more efficient or illustrative way to present fret sharpness and I hope it's something you can consider trying when if/when you encounter sharp edges again.
Thanks for your work! It helps me do my work better both as a player and an educator, and [unlike 95% of Rick's vids 😬] the careful and I imagine tedious editing keeps it entertaining and moving along at a good brisk pace.
Just found your channel and it’s so nice to see honest feedback about a major brand! Subbing!
Too bad Gibson cannot build a quality guitar for less than $5,000 dollars these days. They have been crap for years. Thanks for your honest review. The actual price that guitar should be priced at is $550 and that is because the case is worth $150
It is crazy. I actually talk about that $5,000 number in my recent podcast, check the description if you are interested.
Absolutely killlllllls me as someone who has recently gotten into collecting any and all guitars that catch my eyes. I can literally go buy 2-3 new American made strats for the price of a good Gibson LP. Say all you want about sound. Epiphones are ugly, they look and feel cheap.
Very interesting take, there is many things I dont like about Gibsons, but they always sounds great.
Can’t argue with that, the sound does speak for itself!
Great analysis, it boils down to what works best for your style of playing. I love all my Gibsons and my playing and sound is vintage based. Really liked the video. Thank you
Thank you :)! I totally agree.
Your video showed-up in my feed, and I feel I incredibly lucky. Great format, great video, great vibe.
Glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your kind words :).
I gotta say, I just think it's a gorgeous-looking guitar.
I agree. Beautiful guitar
Wow, the lick on all three guitars was eye opening! It sounds 10x better on the Gibson to me. That's the thing about Gibsons and Fenders. All the niceties aren't as nice as other brands, but maybe they just sound better and push you to play in a way that sounds better.
That's possible for sure!
A really informative analysis! Since you mentioned the pickups, here's my story. My main guitar for the past 23 years has been an Ibanez RG7620. I like it and it's comfortable for me, but the pickups have always been an issue and I've changed them a number of times. As my tastes and skills have evolved, I finally went and changed the pickups to a pair of humbucker sized P90s nut unlike the ones on the Beato model (but of course 7-string versions from a third party manufacturer). This was a massive shift along the lines you described here. My playing has taken a whole new direction with the new electronics, as there's just more to the sound.
First time viewer, Andre. I follow Rick's channel and enjoyed your perspective. I have to agree with you that many relatively inexpensive Asian made guitars offer great value and have recently overcome some legacy brands in quality. Your evaluation of the nuances of the guitar is really cool.
Shawn lane played ibanez S series. He was probably the most terrifying electric player of all time. Just absolute complete grasp of the instrument. He could do things Guthrie Govan still can't do. He had zero problems "digging in" on the ibanez s series.
Agreed 100%. Shawn Lane was a true innovator. Never tried his signature Vigier guitar, but I’ve reviewer Vigier on the channel. Great band.
The original Sabres were amazing. Scottish guitarist Keith Moore helped with the development. I met him once in a guitar store in Edinburgh when I was playing it. Loved that guitar.
I'm not sure if you know it or not? but Shawn Lane was a guitarist that is Left handed and plays the guitar right handed. I have a list of guitarists that are left handed and play right handed. several other notables are Gary Moore, Duane Allman, and Mark Knopfler. I know this because I'm also left handed and play the guitar right handed.
note; Gary Moore and Duane Allman are no longer with us and they are missed.
I am also left handed :). Small world!
@@musicauthority8704 i also am a lefty but learned guitar right handed. Comes in handy when I write music. I can keep the pencil in my fretting hand while I write and play.
That's it! I'm going to call Parker Guitars and demand them to release an Andre Fludd Signature Nitefly right this second. Just let me look up the contact information on goog- hmmm, I think there might be a problem
I was really enjoying this until I remembered…well…
You do sound alot better on this guitar being honest
Thank you :).
The faded series Gibsons are a great value.
Years ago, after I had gotten used to my Ibanez 7 string I bought 3 Gibson faded series Vs.
I brought a bunch of guitars to band practice and played them for my band mates. We all agreed that the Gibson flying V sound the best.
They are very comfortable to play. I love them.
Cool video, can definitely relate to digging into the guitar. I bought a LP Special and it's got it;'s own vibe, it's my first P90 guitar and I've been playing differently ever since. Love the versatility.
That said, there are some blemishes on the neck, the binding was a little chewed up with tooling marks, which was a bummer when I found them, considering the cost.
Thanks! Yea, I’ll have to try another similar guitar with better QC at some point.
Well, a lot of people keep buying Fenders and Gibsons. And I don't blame them, I'm one of them :-) That said, I recently discovered that my old trusted Japanese knock off, now dressed with Bare Knuckle pu's, is as good (or better) and the frets and binding are very good. I changed to this guitar for my latest performance (rock and blues band).
We all like what we like! I just would like to see better QC.
Same here. I own several Gibson guitars and in all honesty, the ESP Edwards I purchased in Japan 16 years ago is multi levels up in fit and finish. If my EB Luke was not so comfy, the Edwards would be my go to guitar.
First time on this channel. This was a very different kind of review, that I liked very much. Great job!
Awesome, thank you!
I looked at one of these but ended up buying a 2006, faded red finish. Great review and demo, love to Rick, and if you don't have a Gibson guitar with P90s this will be a lot of fun. I briefly had a 1960 LP Special back in the day... it had a cracked neck joint and so I returned it. It broke up nice, just like the Beato model and my 2006. The neck joint strength has been improved by moving the neck pickup about an inch towards the bridge. I'm not sure when that happened but I've read that a lot of the 59s and 60s Specials had broken necks because of the wood removed for the pickup well. Thanks for the demo.
Thanks for the support!
Several guitars with P90s that are better values. The new Yamaha Revstar Standard or a Godin LGSP 90. Love Beato, but wouldn’t pay 2 grand for that guitar.
Yamaha def on the list. I hear a lot of positive about the Revstar. I actually saw one in guitar center today, the neck was a lot thicker than I thought it would be, but in a good way.
And nice and eating smooth. Plays like butter , amazing guitars.
You’ve discovered what makes a Gibson’s cost of entry worth it. Digging in = inspiration.
Also, Gibson’s are not finished by high tech robots, they are finished by human hands which I greatly appreciate
I think digging in = inspiration for some people for sure and then maybe a Gibson is worth it. But not for me personally.
If you think they finished every guitars by hands you living in a dreams.
@@albutcher9152 every Gibson USA guitar is hand finished. Every one of them.. I work there lol
@@albutcher9152 I’ve done the factory tour, they are finished by hand. You can even watch Gibson factory tours on TH-cam and see for yourself.
@@albutcher9152 Funny hater-know-nothing
Enjoyed your review of the Rick Beato signature guitar. I liked your demonstration into how the guitar allows you to dig in more.
Thanks, Chris! I appreciate the support :)
I am on the complete opposite end of the gibson spectrum. I absolutely love Gibson guitars. I don't own one, I own two Epiphones, but I have friends who own Gibson LPs, and the owner at the local guitar shop always invites me to play a new gibson whenever Im at the shop. I love the feeling, I love the sound, I love playing them. Whether its standards, modern juniors, ones with 50s style necks, etc, i love gibsons, specifically les pauls. However I felt like this was an incredibly honest and informative review and I absolutely love the way you describe what you’re feeling, why you have a certain opinion, and how it may differ from other people. this was great
Stumbled onto the channel and love the host! Keep the content coming
Thank you :).
What I like about Les Pauls, whether they have P90s or Humbuckers, is when I use the neck pickup, volume 10 and tone 0, is the creamy woman overdriven tone. It is sublime for playing Blues-Rock. The Les Paul hits the front end of a tube amp like a sledgehammer. No overdrive pedal needed.
New sub here. Great review. I'm getting a few Gibsons SGs now, later in my playing career, and I'm so happy with them. But I'm trying to absorb the criticisms too.
One thing I have found, with my SG next to me on the couch, I am grabbing it far more often than any other guitars I've had around me in my life. And I find myself noodling and playing on and on more and more than any other guitar I've had. Thanks for the great video!
thanks for the support! I totally understand why someone would love a Gibson guitar and at the end of the day, what you love, what inspires you to make music is MOST important. I’d never tell Slash “hey you know Gibson has bad quality control.” Haha no guitar is perfect for everyone
@@andrefludd I love guitars. I have many different brands and styles. And more to go!
I bought a D'Angelico Bedford SH this year because I was looking for a semi-hollow and the price was right. I also picked up a D'Angelico TD with the plastic and tags still on it as "used" for $400, gig bag included. (Technically less but to keep it simple.) It always makes me happy when I see other people show off their D'Angelico guitars.
D’Angelico is quickly becoming my fav brand that still exists today!
I could never own a D'Angelico because they have the ugliest headstock that was ever made.
I think your review is awesome. One of the most honest I've seen so far. However, I own 2 Gibson Les Paul and these guitars are all about feelings and tonality. I don't have a Rick Beato model and nor do I want one but let's keep in mind that Rick is a hell of a guitar player. I like the fact that you don't hold the guitar responsible for your struggles. Keep up your good work!!! I just subcribed to your channel BTW. Hello from Ottawa, Canada.
I appreciate that! Thank you!
Cheers from Ottawa as well.
I bought a cheap DC Junior copy from Harley Benton after raeding and watching a number of reviews. I love this little guitar, it's got a personality due to the way the neck feels. I am looking forward to finishing modding it like crazy.
That was a really well done guitar review. New guy here. Thanks for the introduction to your channel.
Thanks for the sub!
That was a good demonstration of “digging in”. I mean, I guess I’ve always understood the concept. but that was a short clean lick, and made it clear to see and hear the difference.
Thanks!
Andre, this is my first video of yours that I have ever watched. I think we are probably vastly different players. My first guitar was a Gibson L6 Midnight Special that my cousin gave me. I still have it for ‘too many decades now to share’ for purely sentimental reasons .. not because it’s a Gibson or because it has 24 frets, incredibly low action or cream sparkle finish. My acoustic was a Spanish guitar that my brother and I bought on the streets of Barcelona in the 80’s with a little pocket money. Even when it splintered from decades of abuse I steamed it apart and have been rebuilding it lovingly. But perhaps you can sense that light handed legato shredding has never been my jam. I have other instruments now, but these early axes each had limitations which basically demanded that I dig into them and pull out something more gritty and emotional rather than polished. I also walked away from my guitar teacher and stepped away from the headier aspects of music theory. All these likely differences aside… I’m gonna watch some more of your videos. I’ve been cutting a new bone nut on a calfskin banjo that I am French polishing while I listened to this review.! Again… our inclinations are possibly far apart. But it’s really interesting to hear your introduction to Gibson guitars and your interest being piqued about that Gibson ‘vibe’. I also really appreciated you sharing what you couldn’t play on the Gibby as opposed to your other more fleetfoot and nimble guitars. Thanks. PS: the lower horn interfering with your higher access… dude you have really big hands!
K.. catch you next video✌🏽
Hey thanks for sharing some of your journey! If you enjoy my ramblings while you work, check out my podcast "Guitar Craft and other stuff." I do also love acoustics but as you alluded to we are very different players. Beautiful thing music is to bring us together even if just briefly through TH-cam. Believe it or not, I’ve also stepped away from the heavier aspects of theory, though I guess we may have different ideas of heady. Thank you for the support :). Oh and I guess my hands are on the larger side… a few people have mentioned that. I tend to forget since they are the only pair I have to test with haha.
@@andrefludd I’ll check out your podcast for certain! I always go back and engage with theory … but that mysterious spark of inspiration is the element I wish I could cultivate more and more often .. sometimes if I’m deep in theory,.. it can be a period of time when I’m not really writing very much. I do try to work on theory .. especially when I feel stuck.. Some of my favorite music is rather simple.. or self evident… but maybe it’s a bit of complexities being resolved?
Jeesh. Forgive me for going on and on.! Bless you.. have a productive and healthy Fall.
I was primarily a Gibson and Fender guitar owner and user for over 50 years (I’m 70 years old and have been playing since I was six). However, about five years ago a band mate bought his first PRS guitar and brought it to practice. I had never considered PRS guitars previously but the minute I played my friend’s PRS Custom 24 I was hooked! Over the past five years I purchased two PRS Core guitars (Custom Studio and Paul’s Guitar) and four PRS SE guitars (DGT, Custom 24, Hollow Body II Piezo, and a Paul’s Guitar). I play the Core guitars in the studio and the SE guitars on live gigs. My collection of other guitars (over 30 collected over 50 years) now largely sit unused in the guitar racks. PRS SE guitars are amazing guitars of high quality, with great tones, at very reasonable cost.
This is brillient.. I'm halfway through your video and I already made my mind.. at this point the second half of the review should be so amazing to cancle the first part I doubt it can be done.
I'll keep watch through and find out if I was wrong or right :)
I appreciate your openness about your personal biases, being a modern guitar guy. I could definitely hear the tonal difference and see how it made you play differently. i play mostly Telecasters and Strats and I notice that I play my brothers Les Paul differently from those instruments.
Hi there, Andre, I just discovered you and your channel today when this video came up in my feed and I have to say that right off the bad I really enjoy your presentation style and delivery and you are obviously a very intelligent man and a great player so I'm subbed up and going to check out a bunch of videos.
I had to chuckle a bit at the start of this video because you had said That you had no prior Gibson experience and as soon as you mentioned the binding not being lined up at the nut, the tooling marks on the fretboard and the side dots, i was like yep hes telling the truth there , ' no prior Gibson experience ', those three things are unfortunately very common with Gibson. I still love em though 😊
You have fantastic enunciation! Thanks for the informative review.
Calling yourself a Gibson "hater" you seem quite honest and nuanced to me. Coming from someone that does not like modern designs at all. Great video, man!
Wow, this is an excellent review… pointing out value, versus finish which does or does not affect playability… I am subbing now!
I love the speech-to-text subtitles: Rick Beato = Rippy Auto.
i had a univox "replica" of one of those double cuts from the 70's, it was one of my favorite gibson style guitars
First off I'm an older lifelong bassist that plays a bit of guitar, which I started on as a boy.My interest obviously is bass guitar.
That said I sat through the whole video with interest.You made a thorough review of this instrument and then some.So you earned a sub.It looks like you're relativity new,but I think you are going to be a success and those subs are going to grow fast.So good luck.I wish I got on the Parker Fly bass train in the day.
What a great review. As a left handed player I'll never own one of those but your review gave me good insight. Side note on the American build quality. I grew up in the 70's and the poor American build quality of American cars almost killed the American car industry. So Gibson needs to get with the game - especially for the price.
Great revue. Subscribed. This guitar seems to sound and feel like my 2016 Gibson P90 SG.
I love that guitar!
You might love this one too then. Or perhaps a diff les Paul special. I recommend it if it inspires you that’s what matters most at the end of the day.
Excellent video you’re definitely incredibly knowledgeable and talented.
A little shocked that the audio quality is not what I would expect lots of popping and crackling.
Really distracts from your stellar content .
Love your reviews. Just subbed.
Excellent review!! I especially appreciate the price point comparisons. I have a similar guitar but it’s a Heritage and although I like it I could have spent less and found something comparable.