100% agree. It doesn't make sense to me to buy branded fake guitar and to not hide the brand. I don't care about legal issued, but it's just a phony thing to buy fake. I'd rather play Gibson junior models which are very affordable then Chinese fancy toys
It's always possible to order what you want and either leave it unbranded or put something else on the headstock. Keep that in mind. No general complaints about the Epi Juniors and Specials, but let's be honest... they will likely need at least SOME of their hardware and electronics replaced to make them palatable (most likely the pots, pickups and DEFINITELY the tuners). Basically, the same things you'd have to do with the Chibsons. However, with the Chibson, you could get a carved top, set neck, binding, flamed top and other upmarket features for just a little more than the cost of the bottom-shelf Epi.
I get that people can do what they like, and more power to them for doing so. I also get that a good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of shape or name on the headstock. What I just don't get is the idea of seeking out and buying something that is made fully and intentionally to be a fake.
How about when you have to guesstimate a musician's collection and you have to tell the widow that the most valuable guitar in her late husband's collection is a Korean made Squier because everything else is a Chibson or Chender. That's Depressing.
@TSBChibsonForever I don't know but when I gave her a number the look on her face told me she was expecting a lot more. Maybe he told her that he had Slash and Eddie Van Halen's Guitar on his wall (lol). I told her to part out the collection and warned her about the market. She wanted to pay me for my time but I refused to take her money. also I peruse enough Facebook Groups to know this happens frequently - the whole someone inheriting a dead person's Chibson, Chender or Chickenbacker and thinking it's worth a lot of money when it's not.
The thing I find most amusing about people who buy a Chibson because they want other people to think that they own a Gibson, is the fact that the only people who would give half a rat's ass what kind of guitar you're playing, are the same people who will take one look at it, and know damn well that it's a fake.🤡🤡🤡
The last chibson video I saw was on the Fulton Street or something. The OP was doing a demo and ISTG it was going out of tune as he played it. I left a comment laughing at him and all the retreads who were praising it and him. He told me I wasn't wanted there... Lol
Excellent video- I could agree more with everything you say here. It's mind boggling how many well-subscribed youtuber guitar reviewers (whose videos I have generally enjoyed) are acting like this is normal and that it's just as legit to review these as it is to review non-counterfeit guitars. Your vids about this subject are truly appreciated and a necessary injection of sanity and truth into the madness of so many TH-cam guitar influencers that I have respected and enjoyed (up til now) ignoring how terrible this situation is. THANK YOU Jake!
it all comes down to price, getting a guitar that says gibson on the headstock for dirt cheap is attractive to some. They will kid themselves into thinking it's not a bad guitar because they so desperately want a guitar with that name on the headstock. There is nothing wrong with wanting a knock off Les Paul because you don't like gibson as a company, but there are so many really good Gibson style guitars out there that are legit, won't say Gibson on the headstock, but they will play just as nice.
I will never understand, why people are buying counterfeit guitars. And if somebody just don't like Gibsons? I don't like them too (despite the fact that I have one) but Chibby? Come on. Now we have a hundred of options in every price range, and that's a hundred of reasons to not buy a chibson. In a high price range I can order custom one from local luthier (with luthier's logo on headstock of course), with some improvements to the original. Or I can buy from botique brand like Maybach, or Heritage. In a medium price range I can buy old japanese lawsuit era guitar like Greco, Burny, or just buy an Edwards from Japan. And in my country there is a small manufacture called Mensinger that makes 100% handmade, high quality guitars for something like $2000. Absolutely rips in this price range, and I can support local brand. And If I don't have money, I still have plenty of options like Sire or Vintage. Or in even lower price range there is Harley Benton, Jet and many more budget friendly brands. Really there is a shitload of really good guitars on the market in every price range, I don't just don't understand why anyone would want to buy a Chibson.
yes, they're all full of sh*t, but it's not just the chibson crap buyers. Here online you'll see all cheaper makes being marketed and compared to high end guitars, mostly to Gibson & Fender. The thing is, a budget 300$ mass produced guitar is a guitar, but in no way a professional grade instrument that any actual working musician would get to rely on for anything involving their work. It's all just cheap online swindle marketed to kids, beginners, and the ignorant
I've thought about this a lot and there's really no justification. Ive considered Chinese dupes of certain fashion items like shoes and watches that have been made unobtainable by scalpers but I still can't bring myself to pull the trigger on buying them. Just get better at making money and save up for the real thing. I like my Epiphone just as much as my Gibson.
I wouldn't buy, or support anything that's counterfeit. I'd much rather earn, and save my money to get what I really want. In the end it's so much more rewarding.
I own a real Les Paul Classic, but only because Guitar Center was blowing them out for 1200 a decade ago. The finish was unpopular (seafoam green). Have I bought Aliexpress guitars before? Absolutely. I love Aliexpress and Temu. I love cheap junk. There's a thrill in finding the right factory, discussing what you want with them, getting a finish that isn't even available on the market normally. And that's a huge problem. I don't buy guitars if they aren't green. Guess what most brands refuse to do? Make green guitars. So I make them a reality. Life is short and the market doesn't serve me. Make bright green guitars. Make a sparkly green PRS Mira. Do something more than ugly black, red, and tobacco on every damn brand and model. But, overall, it's fun. Do you want to know what I do with my $1200 Les Paul Classic? It's in the hard shell case under my bed. I never take it out. I've played it like 3 times since I purchased it, and once to record a session. I'm afraid to play it, it was expensive. I have a lock on the case and an airtag sewn into the lining. So what do I play? All the crappy Squier and Ibanez I got for 300 dollars. That's what I play every day. That Gibson stays in the case. I don't want to even get fingerprints on it. You know what's more important to me than a guitar playing good? It looking good. And I want green baby. I find more cheap guitars in finishes I like than expensive guitars, and I buy guitars for the finish. Heck, if I want a Lemon Burst Les Paul I can buy one for 600 dollars from Epiphone... But is it a real Lemon Burst? No. It's Honey Burst with a name swap. So am I going to spend 3000 on a Les Paul '60s AAA to get the real finish? Heck no. Am I going to spend 1600 on the ESP version? No. Am I going to spend 300 on the Aliexpress version? Still **no.** I'm going to get the Aliexpress version in metallic apple lime, something that doesn't exist at all. Then I'm going to put the crappiest ebay pickups and Amazon tuners on it and tell everyone it's the best guitar I've ever played. And no one will ever know because I'm a shut in that doesn't have friends. And that's cool. It's for me, and I'm proud of being selfish. I haven't step foot into a brick and mortar shop since I bought that Les Paul Classic. But, mostly, the gamble is exhilarating. You never know what you're going to get from those factories. It's more fun than buying something nice. That was never the goal to begin with. I buy for the finish first, and nice guitars don't come in margarita salt flake puke.
That's what blows my mind with this. You can usually find a nice used LP studio in the 700 to 1K range. I actually saw the nicest studio I've ever seen on consignment in a store about a year ago for 750. The top was on par with most standards. Why people would buy a Chibson over something like that just boggles my mind when its going to cost them about the same just to do the hardware upgrades to even make the Chibson playable.
As a guitar player of many years - it took me a long time to get my Custom LP & it was worth the wait. Buying a crappy Chinese fake ‘instrument’ is just stupid AF considering there are so many better budget guitar alternatives. Great points - great video 👏👍
Oh, good questions. I'll speak for myself. 4. "Why buy it if you hate it" - I love the aesthetics of the original, but I hate the pricing policy of the original, in my country the price is inflated to absolutely obscene proportions. In this vision, Epiphone and Squire are not options, they have noticeable differences that are aimed at slapping the buyer in the nose with the realization "you're a bum, you couldn't even afford the original, take a different head shape and two pots". 3. "You'll never be the Gibson audience" - yes, I know, also Fender and other original american company. Because of that I don't care if shit is original or chinese copy, I'm in for aesthetics not for capitalistic moral clearness. 2. I don't want to deceive people on stage or sell it as original, or even just sell lol, I have problems parting with my things and am not a stage man. 1. Yeah, back to 3. I also don't believe in a tenfold increase in quality with the same increase in price, if the copy is really good as a musical instrument, why not say that it is good. And the last thing i want to do is worry about the feelings of a multi-billion dollar company
The broke failed rockstar logic always makes them cling to these garbage guitars. The sole fact of having the gibson logo makes them disregard all other factors because it makes the FEEL like the gibson rockstar they never got to be
My dad had one. It was incredible 🗑. I grew up a Gibson fanboy. I can't bring myself to pay their ridiculous prices or support their shady business dealings. 💯 agree with the argument about Slash: it absolutely was NOT a Chibson.
I do think a lot of these people praising Chibsons can't play worth a damn and don't know a good guitar versus a bad one. I saw a guy in GC talking to his buddy about how he can't believe the price on the Gibsons and that his Chibson is just as good and so on. 20 minutes later I see him pull a guitar off the wall and start playing and it was like watching my daughter after she had been playing about two months. Obviously, some of the people praising them can play but I do think there is a decent size group which doesn't have the skill to realize if the guitar they are playing is even in tune and just likes to feel like they know something other people don't.
Chibson guitars or other fake brand name guitars are illegal counterfeits that flood the secondary market and destroy the guitar market as a whole. It's not illegal to own the Chibson but it's definitely illegal to sell one in the USA. If it says Gibson on the headstock even if you disclose it to the seller or remove the headstock label it' still illegal. Just buy an Epiphone or a Heratige, you are still getting a better guitar that will have better parts and definetly better built.
I almost bought a Chibson specifically for a wall hanger, a cheap copy of the peter Frampton to hang on the wall next to the framed Frampton comes alive album cover, but I just couldn't bring myself to support the counterfeit industry, every Chibson I've played was used in a guitar store and they had lost money buying it or as a trade in by someone who claimed it was real,,, and they've all been completely shit guitars You're absolutely right the cheapest Epiphone or squier is better than the fanciest Chibson
The Reason Why People Buy Chibsons Is Gibson`s IAre Way Over Priced Their $5000 Dollar Guitars Should be No More Than $1500 Thats Why We Buy Chibson So Jake Call Gibson And Tell Them To Come Down To Earth On Their Prices Player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont know guys, I mostly buy Harley Benton and Mod the way I want. I normally put about 300 bucks in it and it is perfect for me and I'm super happy... Guitar Snobs is so Pasay when budget guitars those days can be upgraded to be better than most mainline brands as I bought starting out 40 years ago. the upgrades I put on you can't get off the shelf on these big brands. I put in the wiring the way I like out-of-phase switching, onboard electronics, tone shapers, and pickups the possibilities are almost limitless with today's tech and a little creativity.
Deal. People instinctively desire to get a deal. With Chibsons, the deal is definitely skewed more towards the elusive and rare “something for nothing” end of the spectrum rather than the typical “10% off is a nice bonus!” end of the spectrum. Because they have such an intense experience and desire for the “something for nothing” deal, they can experience huge cognitive dissonance when they are presented with facts, reality,opinions etc that directly contradict their desires. Some people change their views when presented with these facts etc and are humble enough to change their opinion, but others dig deeper and typically use a few tools to help them cope with the contradictions- typically this is some type of justification or minimization of the faults.
@TSBChibsonForever you created a TH-cam username one day ago specifically to troll anti-Chibson videos? Lmfao. That is such a niche trolling interest. Is this like a practice account from which you learn your crafts and will then branch out to more general trolling? Or will you cross-troll on videos unrelated to guitars with this account?
@TSBChibsonForever lol. Its 2024. You are pretending that “lmfao” is throwing you off from being able to actually address someone’s comment? Do us small IQ people a favour and magnanimously (ohhh *big* word eh!) answer what your motivation was to create a TH-cam username TSBCibsonForever ONE DAY AGO (lol) and explain why that is not pathetically cringeworthy. Or…just troll around the issue Lmfao
You'd think the egregious amount of lead in these guitars would have put this company out of business. And to the people buying these because they can't afford a Gibson, Epiphone has been outclassing them for years now
I’ve been in the guitar industry for over 20 years. Out of sheer curiosity I bought a typical a Chibson Les Paul. The guitar was crap! The frets were not dressed the finish was awful and it played and sounded like crap. I kept it for about a week to inspect it and then I flipped it on Craigslist. I did let the buyer know it was a Chibson. I’ve seen dad’s with no guitar knowledge get burned buying one for their kids.
I bought mine because I took my gibson 12 string to a gig in Mexico and had to check it coming back. I was a nervous wreck.I bought a "chibson" dove 12 string to my specs with a solid spruce top for $400. I put my name on the headstock, so it isnt a forgery, but it is easily replaceable. I would never buy one with a gibson name on it.
I totalt agree with everything in this video, in several Gibson Les Paul groups on Facebook, from time to time it pops up a Chibson that the owner claim its a real Gibson, I know almost varying about these chibsons and how to spot them and several others in those groups do to, and tell them to delete the photo because these groups are mostly only for real Gibson´s, and what you talked about that many many people say they are just as good as any Gibson, well, that's bullshit, they have probably never had a real Gibson in their hands before so they would´t know the difference. I really love Gibson guitars and I will keep buying them, used or brand new, I have a guitar workshop so it happens from time to time that I even buy the bad ones that dont feel right so I can fix it to play great. There is no way to stop this Chibson market, because in China this is possible, no one can do anything about it and china actually support this because in one way or another all the money from this Chibsons ends up in the pocket of rich important Chinese people, I dont wanna be a part of that industry, at least not when it comes to the counterfeit products. The replicas you are talking about that Slash played, those are worth very very much money today and they are very collectible too, Zimm´s guitar said they are worth 20k.. that's like a decent house. Thanks for the video.. cheers..
Seems like some of these people are buying them just because they think it triggers people. Like an edgy teen doing stupid stuff because their parents don’t understand them
@@AkaSnugD they think they’re getting one over on the big corporate guitar man. What they’re really doing is burning hole in their wallet putting good parts in a bad guitar. I understand it. I’m a lefty. The guitar companies don’t cater to me. But this ain’t it.
Then you have guys like Fulton Stret Beats who takes Chibson love to am entirely ridiculous level with the Chibson Cult. He's in so deep hes lost his mind.
If your Chibsons are so legitimate for you, why do you not remove the Gibson label and replace it with one that says Chibson? Why doesn't Chibson put a Chibson label on their own guitars? I suggest that if Chibson put a Chibson label on the headstock, this whole debate over them would then be null and void and everyone would stop talking about them. They would then fade into the distance because they could not survive the long term on the poor quality they present to the market. Talk may be cheap, but as long as your name is crossing lips, you maintain a certain level of relevance/notoriety. In this case loose lips are helping to keep the Chibson ship afloat. And the Chibson makers know this is the best reason to not put their name on the headstock. I think the only way to combat this absurdity may be to just refuse to engage in its discussion altogether.
@@breakfastbuddy5 I know nothing about Gibson's suing situation. I have a brother that bought a brand new Gibson ES-335 back in the 70s or 80s. Within the last 10 years he bought an Ibanez of some sort. Any other guitar brand that is not Gibson, Fender, Martin or Ibanez is put down by him and he will say they are Japanese junk. He has no clue what brands are made in Japan, China, Korea, or Indonesia. He just calls them all Japanese junk. He wouldn't even know where to start looking for these countries on a map. His Idolized precious Gibson ES-335 has multiple places in the finish where the red color has disappeared and left it looking like bare wood under the clear coat. Playing wear aside, these are not wear marks. They are finish degradation issues with the finish. And he admits that this is a poor quality issue from the factory that weren't there when he bought the guitar new. A couple of places are 2 inch roundish shapes where bare wood is seen. His guitars have never been in a harsh environment. He takes very good care of them. Yet he still insists that nothing is a good as his Gibson. He has no idea of the quality level of any Gibsons through the years, since he bought his 335. I do not subscribe to his opinions that Gibson rules and everything else is crap. I didn't discount Gibson in any way in my post, so it may have come across as I was a big fan of Gibson since most people that don't agree with chibsons practices are Gibson loyalists. I have a very nice 1967 Apollo transparent greenburst ES-335 copy that I really like. I have no desire to own a Gibson. I don't own any at all. I have Apollo, Aria, Epiphone, Jasmine, Cort, Stella, Kay, First Act, Samick, Fender, Squier, S101 Guitars, Foxxe, Hagstrom, Laguna, Rogue and Lyon guitars. Any guitar that plays nice, sounds nice and isn't constantly breaking down, is a good guitar. Regardless of brand or no brand. I just wanted to clarify that I am in no way promoting or demoting Gibsons. That was not the intent of my original post. I was just voicing my own logic as to the legitimizing of a blatant knock-off guitar brand. Most guitars on the market are copies of others' designs, anyway. But they put their own name on it. Vehicles do this too. I really don't care if someone buys a chibson guitar. It is harder to save up enough money, to buy a more expensive guitar, than it is to buy a cheaper one and buy better parts for it over a longer period of time. Life happens and that future guitar savings fund can be easily gobbled up by unexpected, unforeseeable events, that take priority over a guitar fund. So, if a chibson upgrading route is better for you, than do that. But don't say or claim it is something it is not. 37 guitars and counting. I can't even play a single song all the way through. But I sure enjoy buying them in bad repair and bringing them back to a reliable functioning instrument status. I am more of a builder than a player. Remember, someone built or fixed up your home before you could use it. I am one that builds or fixes up guitars before the can be played. Yes, I am a long-winded sob. I kept this short for your convenience.
lmao, I don't know if its a chibson, but I just scored ANOTHER stewmac les paul kit ...... my bro had one he didn't want to deal with so I scooped it up. These are the best les paul kits ever. You have to work those frets, stewmac wants you to buy their tools :) fortunately, I have all the tools, best les paul kit ever, stewmac :)
I've bought 4 Les Pauls at least, guess why.....................Slash, he was my hero when I was ten, I'd love to get ahold of a Jessica...... but I play for a living, lol, so not in my price range
I've owned two dozen Gibsons of all types over the years. I sold all of them after I had kids and wasn't playing in a band anymore. I ended up buying a Chibson off Craigslist to have the LP feel without the nervous feeling my kids were going to break the neck off a $5k guitar. It already had the tuners replaced with real Grovers. It had Epiphone electronics in it which sounded pretty good. Is it a Gibson or as a good as a Gibson? No. I can tell it's not a real Gibson with my eyes closed. I got it for $200 and I can leave it out on the stand without worrying. Since I bought it a few years ago, I bought a new Gibson because I missed the feel and smell of a real Gibson.
I don't really care don't care about chibson nor Gibsons. I often see alot of clones guitar with with their own headstock brand name on it. A lot of people are snatching them up quick because they are affordable and at least plays well enough for the price you are paying. That's most hobbyist want, something that looks nice and plays well. It gives them room to mod, or even buy more guitars.
There is absolutely no point in having more than one of these things. It would be smarter to sell or trade up what you have. But if you decide to order one of these replicas, knockoffs, counterfeits, whatever you want to call them, you are forfeiting your right to many things. You will not receive the attention to detail that makes or breaks a guitar. You forfeit many of your rights to consumer protection unless you work tirelessly to get your money back. You forfeit your right to sell the guitar. It will not look, sound or feel like what it is imitating unless you either get lucky or your expectations are already low. You will hear people praise the value for the money, how the one they got was comparable or preferred over their now Gibson. The Chibson community like to play this like Russian Roulette with guitars, only they love to tell you how much fun it is to play, and anyone who doesn’t like it will be silenced. That is, right up until they are sent a dud guitar. Some of these people have 6-7 of these guitars and over $1,000 in fake guitars and the upgrades put into them. You can get one very nice, legal and legitimate guitar for that money. Yes, you can also get lucky a few times, but the odds are against you. These sellers’ business is based on “overpromise and underdeliver”. They will get your money first and worry about issues later.
I'd build my own guitar out of scrap shit wood before I buy a Chibson. Anyone that tells you a Chibson is almost or as good as a real Gibson is just lying.
@TSBChibsonForever I think the lead thing is overblown. These guitars are not made in the same factories. Probably same city, but not the same factory.
Ok, got 1... probably not. You buy a chibson to actually show people how trash they are by comparing it with your actual Gibson? That is what it takes. Having to buy 1 and change NOTHING on it, then side by side, compared to an actual Gibson, it WILL be laughably bad, and there is no argument. Oh sure, the die hards will still scream from the mountains... well from the chibson foothill, that you just got a bad one on purpose. That or some b.s. but the ignorant (not an insult) people will at least be spared, maybe?
you can have the guitar made without the gibson wiyjout the logo on it...they will even put a custom logo on it for you...I dont own a chibson...i bought a cnc and made my own guitars.. I used to carve Band names in peoples guitars.. cut out space for floyd roses and stuff for my friend who owned a couple of recording studios...chicago , denver and north carolina....that cnc cost me 6k...
Korea Epi or even a Chinese bolt on neck Epi I’d still love to add my touch to it. Swap out the pups and if needed go full Size pots. Crown n polish frets and roll the ends, better tuners, bridge, nut and we’re taking on the world
People buy these pieces of garbage because A), they don't want to spend the money to buy a good, real guitar, and B) because they want to fool people into thinking they have "the real deal". If you want a good guitar that is affordable, and you want the gibson brand, buy an epiphone or a kramer etc. If you buy an epiphone, even used, take it to a tech, ugrade it and do some fret work, IT WILL PLAY just as good as a gibson, and you will have a quality guitar that isn't illegal, or a counterfeit. Most of the people that buy these, also don't know that you can buy them legally (in theory), but reselling them afterwards is absolutely illegal, and you could be prosecuted for selling counterfeit goods. I wish that people would just buy what they can afford and actually take the time to become better guitar players, better musicians, and better people overall.
You are sooo right... now buy yourself some illigal drugs or go get laid ! (I got mine for 320$ incl. shipping and tax, took the pickups from another project guitar, a 'Kraken Legion' which I modded the heck out of by sanding it down to thin profile and easy access neck, made a deep belly cut, new pickups and more. Thinking of doing the same to the Chibson neck, because it is a cheap guitar well suitet for DIY projects. Thank you for your concern).
And yes... at the time I bought the Chibson, the headstocks looked like something from my grandmothers mandoline or waffel iron... didn't at the time realize I just could have cut it myself, into something a little more aesthetic. ;)
It's a fake Rolex - it's a watch - it keeps time and looks the same. I the case of Gibson, just go with the Epiphone - it just as good if not better. 👍
🎼🎶🎶NOW IF SOMEONE BUYS OR SELLS SOMETHING WITH ANOTHER LUTHIER'S LOGO THAT IS SKETCHY...A LUTHIER'S LOGO MEANS LITTLE SO I CAN APPRECIATE OTHER LUTHIER'S FOR INSTANCE "SOLAR" "WYLDE AUDIO" "NASH"
Shawn from Scar My Guitar has been saying for a while now that he believes Gibson themselves have a hand in the making of many (but not all) Chibson guitars, and has come to this conclusion from tearing apart numerous examples over the years. There is evidence that they use real Epiphone pickups and hardware, have the exact same shape and top carve as the Epiphones (probably using the same CNC files) and they are very likely made by the exact same factories making the Epiphones after hours on the same floor! Generally, there is no such thing as copyright, trademark, or even IP in general in China, example: their top brand of guitar strings, Alice, are successful enough that within the country other factories make counterfeits so Alice has to include authentication codes in their string packs to verify through their website that they are legitimate. Remember when that Squier LP-Jr. inspired Strat model was discovered to have real Epiphone wrap-tail bridges on them?? Fender were caught dead to rights and swore it wouldn't happen again (they probably did not want to pay extra to have a new bridge mold made or even just have the branding scratched out!) There is no way Gibson would not notice any of this, especially in their own factories. There is a theory that the big G would rather control the black market supply of counterfeits and get a cut than let someone else control that market. Think about how many of these get past customs, think Gibson doesn't hear about it? Why are they not flagged and destroyed? DISCLAIMER: I do not necessarily support counterfeits and do not own any or plan on buying one. Just thought I needed to put this information out there for those discussing / debating this issue. Most importantly, keep on Rocking everyone! \m/
I got one Chibby back in 2013 (Trade Tang I believe was the site) because I wanted the 24 3/4, glued neck, stop tail, mahogany build style and didn't want to take a financial beating if I didn't like it. Obviously I'm a 25 1/2 scale (strat) guy, but I've had real deal Gibbys before and am aware of thier abilities. I still have mine and after a little fretwork and a pickup swap, can say it is every bit a very good example. I shaved it's big 'ol neck down and put a belly contour on it which I would have NEVER done on a Gibby. At the end of the day it isn't hard to tell the real from the copy, aesthetically, but it is subjective as to which sounds better. There are MANY mediocre sounding Gibbys out there that are THOUSANDS of dollars..........basically a piece of stylized furniture that are owned by guy's who have more money than they do musical talent.
A good reason is, you are a wood distributor in China and want to keep the chibson business alive, so they keep buying wood from you. Another might be, your teenage soon work on the sweatshop and you want to keep him employed, so you buy a chibson so the business keep going and your son stays employed.
Im laughing at all of this (the fact you need to explain this, that is), but the last 2 things about Gibson ARE kind of true... the lousy Q.C. and too high prices, lol. Sorry, had to.
Chibson 63 "Les Paul Custom" $250: Hey man this is pretty nice Gibson 63 "Les Paul Custom" $7000: Hey man this is pretty nice Is there a difference, yes absolutely, is there a $6750 difference, absolutely not
@@ASWCo09 1. Most people aren’t saying how nice a Chibson is because the vast majority of them are not good. 2. Like he’s saying, go buy an Epiphone if you can’t afford a Gibson.
@@sethd6090 all of the chibsons I’ve played have been fine, the good ones have been good and the bad ones have been the same quality as a cheap epiphohe but look better
If people didn't put so much value in a brand name on a headstock, Chibsons wouldn't exist. Both sides of the coin are part of the same problem. Brand loyality is one of the stupidiest things you can do as a musician, especially when you have nothing to gain from it or are not an endorser for the company, which would make you a brand ambassador and salesperson for the brand. And in the world of modern manufacturing where 99% of the work is done by CNC machines, you're paying more for some light work and a brand name on a headstock.
Most of the youtubers that I have seen purchase these guitars also own expensive guitars too. So I cant agree that gibson isn't advertising to their consumer level. They have legit guitars too but they still dive into the chibsons for some reason.
Good rant, mostly solid, but you skipped a few circumstances. Have you seen the custom work the Chinese factories do now? I guess the slaves have gotten skilled. What if a 20y/o kid wants the blue sparkle Ace Freely mode? You cant buy a cheap epiphone of that. And what if it doesnt have a name applied, some people requst a blank headstock. Now rhat custom chinese guitar is not much less legit/ethical than the T-Shirt you bought that's a Bonds design ripp off. Thirdly, chibsons that are really well set up can be very good players, just like squires and Epis. No need for you to reject that notion. I've played some rubbish feeling genuine Gibsons and Fenders. I agree with everything you said. Great video, not repetitive, angry or insulting. Thank you.
its just some pieces of wood glued together with some metal bits. If they got the skillset to level some frets and change the electronics to make it into a good instrument then good for them. If you wanna pay top money for a (hopefully) perfect instrument then go for it. The only thing unethical about these copies is when you would sell them as real gibsons on the second hand market.
🎼🎶🎶Not sure what the issues are...To each their own. It's not for me to concern myself why anyone buys some variety other than Gibson or Epiphone...To be honest there are alot of Luthiers out there who put their skill into their art and don't charge what Gibson/Epiphone charges...This should be a wake up call to Gibso/Epiphone to focus on producing high quality guitars that from their least expensive up...This isn't consistently the case currently...I don't own a Chibson but no problem with someone who does. As long as patient copyrights aren't infringed it's not sketchy as far as I can see..
I don't know what kinds of Chibsons dude was playing, but Ive never come across one that was that awful. I understand that most people who order them will do so knowing they will have to change the electronics and hardware to get a giggable axe, so the aftermarket pots, bridges, pickups and tuners were better than the ones it shipped with. That said, i'm very impressed with the wood, binding and finish. I've seen new Gibsons on the shelf with finish runs, cracked binding, badly-aligned strings and hardware (and not even stamped or listed as b-stock). Not cool with a $325 import to have, but patently unacceotsble for a $3k Nashville-made legacy brand. I don't think it's ethical to use the brand name, but people have to deal with their own conciences regarding I've been petitioning a certain well-known brand to make a production run of a certain bass model that they haven't mass-produced in around 25 years. Im pretty sure it isn't going to happen at this point. Understandable, as the company is much more scaled-down now and the model apparently just isn't in demand these days. I rarely see these on the used market, but they are either trashed or pristine with a mid-4-figure price tag when I do. There's an Asian custom shop that will make it for under $500. I could either buy the parts I want for likely under $350 and send them over to be installed or (more probably) just wait and install them here to expedite delivery. The company will either put their own logo on the headstock or a custom inprint, if I want to provide one. Are there legitimate reasons not to buy Chibsons (Vibsons, Indibsons, etc...)? Of course. Beyond the trademark infringement, there's the possibility of getting ripped-off by the shop. Maybe you do get substandard materials and/or excessive waits, However, that is where diligent research into the builder comes in. There ARE well-built Chibsons on the market. I think the brush with which they are painted here is way too broad, because there are Chibsons that are well-made (and they'll even use the correct pots when you order a lefty).
To me it was just not finding that Dean slime razorback guitar in the trunk of a Big Benz because Rihanna got drunk on Brandy and thought I couldn't put a laptop on a Crystal table top. I still like your sister but what the hack. I don't know. Namastè.
Three times in the past years i went to GC with 3 grand to by a LP standard and walked out with a Epiphone why is that? The USA standards i played felt looked and played like dog shit one year (2019) I walked in to buy the SG standard that one was even worse i walked out with a Epiphone again! 😆 Dude do you know how many Gibson returns Gibson USA gets? Why is there over 350 used new 2022-2023 USA Gibson les Pauls on musicians friends site if they are such a great made guitar? thats just mind blowing! 😂 Why is there so many blemished and returned Gibson USA lp's at zZounds? Dont get me going on sweetwater returns! 😆
This has absolutely nothing to do with Chibsons and it doesn’t legitimize them at all. Why did you even bother saying this? You provided the logical alternative yourself: Epiphone.
@BigJakeMusic Nope I just wanted to let you know my experience with terribly made USA gibson guitars and why are there so many returns of them if there such great guitars
Im sorry but talking about being moral and doing not illegal things for Gibson is hilarious. Sue happy, guitar destroying, insurance claiming, price gouging gibson is who youre worried about? Ive seen them destroy truck loads of guitars and film it instead of donating to music programs for kids who are totally broke and want to play. Gibson is morally bankrupt in many regards and there are guitars that are cheaper by thousands that can outplay a good deal of "hi end" Gibsons.
They sell because it is the cheapest route to get that name on the headstock. It's the only thing that matters to some buyers.
I love the term 'Chickenbacker'. That is hilarious.
This man spittin straight facts. Probably the best argument against Chibson and Chibson endorsers on the internet. Thank you this made my day.
100% agree. It doesn't make sense to me to buy branded fake guitar and to not hide the brand.
I don't care about legal issued, but it's just a phony thing to buy fake.
I'd rather play Gibson junior models which are very affordable then Chinese fancy toys
It's always possible to order what you want and either leave it unbranded or put something else on the headstock. Keep that in mind.
No general complaints about the Epi Juniors and Specials, but let's be honest... they will likely need at least SOME of their hardware and electronics replaced to make them palatable (most likely the pots, pickups and DEFINITELY the tuners). Basically, the same things you'd have to do with the Chibsons. However, with the Chibson, you could get a carved top, set neck, binding, flamed top and other upmarket features for just a little more than the cost of the bottom-shelf Epi.
I have a white Squire Mustang , white Epiphone Muse , white WestCreek Les Paul Junior . I like them all very much .
I get that people can do what they like, and more power to them for doing so. I also get that a good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of shape or name on the headstock. What I just don't get is the idea of seeking out and buying something that is made fully and intentionally to be a fake.
How about when you have to guesstimate a musician's collection and you have to tell the widow that the most valuable guitar in her late husband's collection is a Korean made Squier because everything else is a Chibson or Chender. That's Depressing.
@TSBChibsonForever I don't know but when I gave her a number the look on her face told me she was expecting a lot more. Maybe he told her that he had Slash and Eddie Van Halen's Guitar on his wall (lol). I told her to part out the collection and warned her about the market. She wanted to pay me for my time but I refused to take her money. also I peruse enough Facebook Groups to know this happens frequently - the whole someone inheriting a dead person's Chibson, Chender or Chickenbacker and thinking it's worth a lot of money when it's not.
The thing I find most amusing about people who buy a Chibson because they want other people to think that they own a Gibson, is the fact that the only people who would give half a rat's ass what kind of guitar you're playing, are the same people who will take one look at it, and know damn well that it's a fake.🤡🤡🤡
Make America Great Again
The last chibson video I saw was on the Fulton Street or something.
The OP was doing a demo and ISTG it was going out of tune as he played it.
I left a comment laughing at him and all the retreads who were praising it and him.
He told me I wasn't wanted there...
Lol
“Shut up and let us play our firewood! You don’t know what you’re missing Gibson fanboy!”
That Fulton dude is a tool 😂
@@christianwilson5643 someone should tell him just because it chugs doesn’t make it good.
@TSBChibsonForever
What does it say?
That you frauds don't want me around?
You're probably one of the 9 year olds that build them...
Excellent video- I could agree more with everything you say here. It's mind boggling how many well-subscribed youtuber guitar reviewers (whose videos I have generally enjoyed) are acting like this is normal and that it's just as legit to review these as it is to review non-counterfeit guitars. Your vids about this subject are truly appreciated and a necessary injection of sanity and truth into the madness of so many TH-cam guitar influencers that I have respected and enjoyed (up til now) ignoring how terrible this situation is. THANK YOU Jake!
it all comes down to price, getting a guitar that says gibson on the headstock for dirt cheap is attractive to some. They will kid themselves into thinking it's not a bad guitar because they so desperately want a guitar with that name on the headstock. There is nothing wrong with wanting a knock off Les Paul because you don't like gibson as a company, but there are so many really good Gibson style guitars out there that are legit, won't say Gibson on the headstock, but they will play just as nice.
One thing that I find very awkward on a Chibson is the white blue-ish plastic inlays ! Totally agree ! Everyone should buy a used Special
I will never understand, why people are buying counterfeit guitars. And if somebody just don't like Gibsons? I don't like them too (despite the fact that I have one) but Chibby? Come on. Now we have a hundred of options in every price range, and that's a hundred of reasons to not buy a chibson.
In a high price range I can order custom one from local luthier (with luthier's logo on headstock of course), with some improvements to the original. Or I can buy from botique brand like Maybach, or Heritage.
In a medium price range I can buy old japanese lawsuit era guitar like Greco, Burny, or just buy an Edwards from Japan. And in my country there is a small manufacture called Mensinger that makes 100% handmade, high quality guitars for something like $2000. Absolutely rips in this price range, and I can support local brand.
And If I don't have money, I still have plenty of options like Sire or Vintage. Or in even lower price range there is Harley Benton, Jet and many more budget friendly brands.
Really there is a shitload of really good guitars on the market in every price range, I don't just don't understand why anyone would want to buy a Chibson.
yes, they're all full of sh*t, but it's not just the chibson crap buyers. Here online you'll see all cheaper makes being marketed and compared to high end guitars, mostly to Gibson & Fender. The thing is, a budget 300$ mass produced guitar is a guitar, but in no way a professional grade instrument that any actual working musician would get to rely on for anything involving their work. It's all just cheap online swindle marketed to kids, beginners, and the ignorant
I've thought about this a lot and there's really no justification. Ive considered Chinese dupes of certain fashion items like shoes and watches that have been made unobtainable by scalpers but I still can't bring myself to pull the trigger on buying them. Just get better at making money and save up for the real thing. I like my Epiphone just as much as my Gibson.
GIBSON LOVES CHIBSONS, BECAUSE THEY MAKE A FORTUNE OFF OF ALL THE GIBSON PARTS THAT CHIBSON OWNERS BUY!
I wouldn't buy, or support anything that's counterfeit. I'd much rather earn, and save my money to get what I really want. In the end it's so much more rewarding.
Gender Bullets are rad! Great platform guitar. I saw a Firebird zero for $400.00 with a $100.00 Gibson gig bag. Cheaper than a decent epi.
I own a real Les Paul Classic, but only because Guitar Center was blowing them out for 1200 a decade ago. The finish was unpopular (seafoam green).
Have I bought Aliexpress guitars before? Absolutely. I love Aliexpress and Temu. I love cheap junk. There's a thrill in finding the right factory, discussing what you want with them, getting a finish that isn't even available on the market normally. And that's a huge problem. I don't buy guitars if they aren't green. Guess what most brands refuse to do? Make green guitars. So I make them a reality. Life is short and the market doesn't serve me. Make bright green guitars. Make a sparkly green PRS Mira. Do something more than ugly black, red, and tobacco on every damn brand and model.
But, overall, it's fun. Do you want to know what I do with my $1200 Les Paul Classic? It's in the hard shell case under my bed. I never take it out. I've played it like 3 times since I purchased it, and once to record a session. I'm afraid to play it, it was expensive. I have a lock on the case and an airtag sewn into the lining. So what do I play? All the crappy Squier and Ibanez I got for 300 dollars. That's what I play every day. That Gibson stays in the case. I don't want to even get fingerprints on it.
You know what's more important to me than a guitar playing good? It looking good. And I want green baby. I find more cheap guitars in finishes I like than expensive guitars, and I buy guitars for the finish.
Heck, if I want a Lemon Burst Les Paul I can buy one for 600 dollars from Epiphone... But is it a real Lemon Burst? No. It's Honey Burst with a name swap. So am I going to spend 3000 on a Les Paul '60s AAA to get the real finish? Heck no. Am I going to spend 1600 on the ESP version? No. Am I going to spend 300 on the Aliexpress version? Still **no.**
I'm going to get the Aliexpress version in metallic apple lime, something that doesn't exist at all. Then I'm going to put the crappiest ebay pickups and Amazon tuners on it and tell everyone it's the best guitar I've ever played. And no one will ever know because I'm a shut in that doesn't have friends. And that's cool. It's for me, and I'm proud of being selfish. I haven't step foot into a brick and mortar shop since I bought that Les Paul Classic.
But, mostly, the gamble is exhilarating. You never know what you're going to get from those factories. It's more fun than buying something nice. That was never the goal to begin with. I buy for the finish first, and nice guitars don't come in margarita salt flake puke.
I have a real Gibson SG special. It was £700 and in excelelent condition. Not far off a Chibson price.
That's what blows my mind with this. You can usually find a nice used LP studio in the 700 to 1K range. I actually saw the nicest studio I've ever seen on consignment in a store about a year ago for 750. The top was on par with most standards. Why people would buy a Chibson over something like that just boggles my mind when its going to cost them about the same just to do the hardware upgrades to even make the Chibson playable.
As a guitar player of many years - it took me a long time to get my Custom LP & it was worth the wait. Buying a crappy Chinese fake ‘instrument’ is just stupid AF considering there are so many better budget guitar alternatives. Great points - great video 👏👍
Modern Epiphones are damn good.
Oh, good questions. I'll speak for myself.
4. "Why buy it if you hate it" - I love the aesthetics of the original, but I hate the pricing policy of the original, in my country the price is inflated to absolutely obscene proportions. In this vision, Epiphone and Squire are not options, they have noticeable differences that are aimed at slapping the buyer in the nose with the realization "you're a bum, you couldn't even afford the original, take a different head shape and two pots".
3. "You'll never be the Gibson audience" - yes, I know, also Fender and other original american company. Because of that I don't care if shit is original or chinese copy, I'm in for aesthetics not for capitalistic moral clearness.
2. I don't want to deceive people on stage or sell it as original, or even just sell lol, I have problems parting with my things and am not a stage man.
1. Yeah, back to 3. I also don't believe in a tenfold increase in quality with the same increase in price, if the copy is really good as a musical instrument, why not say that it is good. And the last thing i want to do is worry about the feelings of a multi-billion dollar company
The broke failed rockstar logic always makes them cling to these garbage guitars. The sole fact of having the gibson logo makes them disregard all other factors because it makes the FEEL like the gibson rockstar they never got to be
@TSBChibsonForever just looking at your comment history shows how much you're chugging the copium
My dad had one. It was incredible 🗑. I grew up a Gibson fanboy. I can't bring myself to pay their ridiculous prices or support their shady business dealings.
💯 agree with the argument about Slash: it absolutely was NOT a Chibson.
Stop Simping For Gibson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do think a lot of these people praising Chibsons can't play worth a damn and don't know a good guitar versus a bad one. I saw a guy in GC talking to his buddy about how he can't believe the price on the Gibsons and that his Chibson is just as good and so on. 20 minutes later I see him pull a guitar off the wall and start playing and it was like watching my daughter after she had been playing about two months. Obviously, some of the people praising them can play but I do think there is a decent size group which doesn't have the skill to realize if the guitar they are playing is even in tune and just likes to feel like they know something other people don't.
Agree! Even if you upgrade you ll still never sound like a real LP standard or custom.
I TOTALLY. agree. Love my epiphones. They are excellent. And your opinion counts. I've seen you playing your epiphone live. Have a great weekend.
epiphone les pauls, are very very nice guitars.
Well said Jake!
Chibson guitars or other fake brand name guitars are illegal counterfeits that flood the secondary market and destroy the guitar market as a whole. It's not illegal to own the Chibson but it's definitely illegal to sell one in the USA. If it says Gibson on the headstock even if you disclose it to the seller or remove the headstock label it' still illegal. Just buy an Epiphone or a Heratige, you are still getting a better guitar that will have better parts and definetly better built.
I almost bought a Chibson specifically for a wall hanger, a cheap copy of the peter Frampton to hang on the wall next to the framed Frampton comes alive album cover, but I just couldn't bring myself to support the counterfeit industry, every Chibson I've played was used in a guitar store and they had lost money buying it or as a trade in by someone who claimed it was real,,, and they've all been completely shit guitars
You're absolutely right the cheapest Epiphone or squier is better than the fanciest Chibson
I bought my Chibson because I saw the great Juan Mayor playing one
Juan is my cousin. I can get tickets if you want. Give you #1 best deal.
The Reason Why People Buy Chibsons Is Gibson`s IAre Way Over Priced Their $5000 Dollar Guitars Should be No More Than $1500 Thats Why We Buy Chibson So Jake Call Gibson And Tell Them To Come Down To Earth On Their Prices Player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gibson is not for everyone like lambo
Amen brother.
Sire L3 is 399 at sweetwater. Literally z we ro reason to get a Chibson.
I dont know guys,
I mostly buy Harley Benton and Mod the way I want.
I normally put about 300 bucks in it and it is perfect for me and I'm super happy...
Guitar Snobs is so Pasay when budget guitars those days can be upgraded to be better than most mainline brands as I bought starting out 40 years ago. the upgrades I put on you can't get off the shelf on these big brands. I put in the wiring the way I like out-of-phase switching, onboard electronics, tone shapers, and pickups the possibilities are almost limitless with today's tech and a little creativity.
Deal.
People instinctively desire to get a deal.
With Chibsons, the deal is definitely skewed more towards the elusive and rare “something for nothing” end of the spectrum rather than the typical “10% off is a nice bonus!” end of the spectrum.
Because they have such an intense experience and desire for the “something for nothing” deal, they can experience huge cognitive dissonance when they are presented with facts, reality,opinions etc that directly contradict their desires.
Some people change their views when presented with these facts etc and are humble enough to change their opinion, but others dig deeper and typically use a few tools to help them cope with the contradictions- typically this is some type of justification or minimization of the faults.
@TSBChibsonForever you created a TH-cam username one day ago specifically to troll anti-Chibson videos?
Lmfao. That is such a niche trolling interest.
Is this like a practice account from which you learn your crafts and will then branch out to more general trolling?
Or will you cross-troll on videos unrelated to guitars with this account?
@TSBChibsonForever lol. Its 2024.
You are pretending that “lmfao” is throwing you off from being able to actually address someone’s comment?
Do us small IQ people a favour and magnanimously (ohhh *big* word eh!) answer what your motivation was to create a TH-cam username TSBCibsonForever ONE DAY AGO (lol) and explain why that is not pathetically cringeworthy.
Or…just troll around the issue
Lmfao
I noticed that too. People need to be reassured their pieces of shit are somehow good. And to abide the jealousy.
You'd think the egregious amount of lead in these guitars would have put this company out of business. And to the people buying these because they can't afford a Gibson, Epiphone has been outclassing them for years now
I’ve been in the guitar industry for over 20 years. Out of sheer curiosity I bought a typical a Chibson Les Paul. The guitar was crap! The frets were not dressed the finish was awful and it played and sounded like crap. I kept it for about a week to inspect it and then I flipped it on Craigslist. I did let the buyer know it was a Chibson. I’ve seen dad’s with no guitar knowledge get burned buying one for their kids.
I bought mine because I took my gibson 12 string to a gig in Mexico and had to check it coming back. I was a nervous wreck.I bought a "chibson" dove 12 string to my specs with a solid spruce top for $400. I put my name on the headstock, so it isnt a forgery, but it is easily replaceable. I would never buy one with a gibson name on it.
Also, fyi, I own 13 gibson guitars, basses, and acoustics, 10 being over 40 years old. I love gibson.
I totalt agree with everything in this video, in several Gibson Les Paul groups on Facebook, from time to time it pops up a Chibson that the owner claim its a real Gibson, I know almost varying about these chibsons and how to spot them and several others in those groups do to, and tell them to delete the photo because these groups are mostly only for real Gibson´s, and what you talked about that many many people say they are just as good as any Gibson, well, that's bullshit, they have probably never had a real Gibson in their hands before so they would´t know the difference. I really love Gibson guitars and I will keep buying them, used or brand new, I have a guitar workshop so it happens from time to time that I even buy the bad ones that dont feel right so I can fix it to play great. There is no way to stop this Chibson market, because in China this is possible, no one can do anything about it and china actually support this because in one way or another all the money from this Chibsons ends up in the pocket of rich important Chinese people, I dont wanna be a part of that industry, at least not when it comes to the counterfeit products. The replicas you are talking about that Slash played, those are worth very very much money today and they are very collectible too, Zimm´s guitar said they are worth 20k.. that's like a decent house. Thanks for the video.. cheers..
Seems like some of these people are buying them just because they think it triggers people. Like an edgy teen doing stupid stuff because their parents don’t understand them
@@AkaSnugD they think they’re getting one over on the big corporate guitar man. What they’re really doing is burning hole in their wallet putting good parts in a bad guitar. I understand it. I’m a lefty. The guitar companies don’t cater to me. But this ain’t it.
Right on brother, don't tread on Gibson!...
Then you have guys like Fulton Stret Beats who takes Chibson love to am entirely ridiculous level with the Chibson Cult. He's in so deep hes lost his mind.
You nailed it.
If your Chibsons are so legitimate for you, why do you not remove the Gibson label and replace it with one that says Chibson? Why doesn't Chibson put a Chibson label on their own guitars? I suggest that if Chibson put a Chibson label on the headstock, this whole debate over them would then be null and void and everyone would stop talking about them. They would then fade into the distance because they could not survive the long term on the poor quality they present to the market. Talk may be cheap, but as long as your name is crossing lips, you maintain a certain level of relevance/notoriety. In this case loose lips are helping to keep the Chibson ship afloat. And the Chibson makers know this is the best reason to not put their name on the headstock. I think the only way to combat this absurdity may be to just refuse to engage in its discussion altogether.
it dont matter Gibson sues anyone , its a
shitty company.
@@breakfastbuddy5 I know nothing about Gibson's suing situation. I have a brother that bought a brand new Gibson ES-335 back in the 70s or 80s. Within the last 10 years he bought an Ibanez of some sort. Any other guitar brand that is not Gibson, Fender, Martin or Ibanez is put down by him and he will say they are Japanese junk. He has no clue what brands are made in Japan, China, Korea, or Indonesia. He just calls them all Japanese junk. He wouldn't even know where to start looking for these countries on a map. His Idolized precious Gibson ES-335 has multiple places in the finish where the red color has disappeared and left it looking like bare wood under the clear coat. Playing wear aside, these are not wear marks. They are finish degradation issues with the finish. And he admits that this is a poor quality issue from the factory that weren't there when he bought the guitar new. A couple of places are 2 inch roundish shapes where bare wood is seen. His guitars have never been in a harsh environment. He takes very good care of them. Yet he still insists that nothing is a good as his Gibson. He has no idea of the quality level of any Gibsons through the years, since he bought his 335. I do not subscribe to his opinions that Gibson rules and everything else is crap. I didn't discount Gibson in any way in my post, so it may have come across as I was a big fan of Gibson since most people that don't agree with chibsons practices are Gibson loyalists. I have a very nice 1967 Apollo transparent greenburst ES-335 copy that I really like. I have no desire to own a Gibson. I don't own any at all. I have Apollo, Aria, Epiphone, Jasmine, Cort, Stella, Kay, First Act, Samick, Fender, Squier, S101 Guitars, Foxxe, Hagstrom, Laguna, Rogue and Lyon guitars. Any guitar that plays nice, sounds nice and isn't constantly breaking down, is a good guitar. Regardless of brand or no brand. I just wanted to clarify that I am in no way promoting or demoting Gibsons. That was not the intent of my original post. I was just voicing my own logic as to the legitimizing of a blatant knock-off guitar brand. Most guitars on the market are copies of others' designs, anyway. But they put their own name on it. Vehicles do this too. I really don't care if someone buys a chibson guitar. It is harder to save up enough money, to buy a more expensive guitar, than it is to buy a cheaper one and buy better parts for it over a longer period of time. Life happens and that future guitar savings fund can be easily gobbled up by unexpected, unforeseeable events, that take priority over a guitar fund. So, if a chibson upgrading route is better for you, than do that. But don't say or claim it is something it is not. 37 guitars and counting. I can't even play a single song all the way through. But I sure enjoy buying them in bad repair and bringing them back to a reliable functioning instrument status. I am more of a builder than a player. Remember, someone built or fixed up your home before you could use it. I am one that builds or fixes up guitars before the can be played. Yes, I am a long-winded sob. I kept this short for your convenience.
Nailed it!
lmao, I don't know if its a chibson, but I just scored ANOTHER stewmac les paul kit ...... my bro had one he didn't want to deal with so I scooped it up. These are the best les paul kits ever. You have to work those frets, stewmac wants you to buy their tools :) fortunately, I have all the tools, best les paul kit ever, stewmac :)
I've bought 4 Les Pauls at least, guess why.....................Slash, he was my hero when I was ten, I'd love to get ahold of a Jessica...... but I play for a living, lol, so not in my price range
Almost bought a chickenbacker bass at a pawn shop glad I did some research
I've owned two dozen Gibsons of all types over the years. I sold all of them after I had kids and wasn't playing in a band anymore. I ended up buying a Chibson off Craigslist to have the LP feel without the nervous feeling my kids were going to break the neck off a $5k guitar. It already had the tuners replaced with real Grovers. It had Epiphone electronics in it which sounded pretty good. Is it a Gibson or as a good as a Gibson? No. I can tell it's not a real Gibson with my eyes closed. I got it for $200 and I can leave it out on the stand without worrying. Since I bought it a few years ago, I bought a new Gibson because I missed the feel and smell of a real Gibson.
Interesting use of Powell's logo there, buddy.
@@flapjack413 good eye.
I don't really care don't care about chibson nor Gibsons. I often see alot of clones guitar with with their own headstock brand name on it. A lot of people are snatching them up quick because they are affordable and at least plays well enough for the price you are paying. That's most hobbyist want, something that looks nice and plays well. It gives them room to mod, or even buy more guitars.
There is absolutely no point in having more than one of these things. It would be smarter to sell or trade up what you have. But if you decide to order one of these replicas, knockoffs, counterfeits, whatever you want to call them, you are forfeiting your right to many things. You will not receive the attention to detail that makes or breaks a guitar. You forfeit many of your rights to consumer protection unless you work tirelessly to get your money back. You forfeit your right to sell the guitar. It will not look, sound or feel like what it is imitating unless you either get lucky or your expectations are already low. You will hear people praise the value for the money, how the one they got was comparable or preferred over their now Gibson. The Chibson community like to play this like Russian Roulette with guitars, only they love to tell you how much fun it is to play, and anyone who doesn’t like it will be silenced. That is, right up until they are sent a dud guitar. Some of these people have 6-7 of these guitars and over $1,000 in fake guitars and the upgrades put into them. You can get one very nice, legal and legitimate guitar for that money. Yes, you can also get lucky a few times, but the odds are against you. These sellers’ business is based on “overpromise and underdeliver”. They will get your money first and worry about issues later.
ESP Japan passed consistent quality and attention to detail long ago.
heres a reason to buy a chibson..... just kidding dont buy those pieces of utter garbage and shit
It's like buying a Fauxlex (fake Rolex) watch. I prefer to buy a real Godin.
This is so on point & really had to be said! You kinda lost me a bit on the Sultan's of swing comment though.
I'd build my own guitar out of scrap shit wood before I buy a Chibson. Anyone that tells you a Chibson is almost or as good as a real Gibson is just lying.
@TSBChibsonForever@TSBChibsonForever I don't buy Chinese junk when I can avoid it. I tend to buy US made only. Sorry not sorry.
@TSBChibsonForever I think the lead thing is overblown. These guitars are not made in the same factories. Probably same city, but not the same factory.
Never seen a Chibson in person but the lawsuit era Takamines are great guitars.
Ok, got 1... probably not. You buy a chibson to actually show people how trash they are by comparing it with your actual Gibson? That is what it takes. Having to buy 1 and change NOTHING on it, then side by side, compared to an actual Gibson, it WILL be laughably bad, and there is no argument. Oh sure, the die hards will still scream from the mountains... well from the chibson foothill, that you just got a bad one on purpose. That or some b.s. but the ignorant (not an insult) people will at least be spared, maybe?
you can have the guitar made without the gibson wiyjout the logo on it...they will even put a custom logo on it for you...I dont own a chibson...i bought a cnc and made my own guitars.. I used to carve Band names in peoples guitars.. cut out space for floyd roses and stuff for my friend who owned a couple of recording studios...chicago , denver and north carolina....that cnc cost me 6k...
Are you the guy from " I'm tired of respecting all guitar builds" lol
i bought one and immediately painted the g into a ch so there’s no mix ups w the guitar snobs gubson banter
Korea Epi or even a Chinese bolt on neck Epi I’d still love to add my touch to it. Swap out the pups and if needed go full
Size pots. Crown n polish frets and roll the ends, better tuners, bridge, nut and we’re taking on the world
People buy these pieces of garbage because A), they don't want to spend the money to buy a good, real guitar, and B) because they want to fool people into thinking they have "the real deal". If you want a good guitar that is affordable, and you want the gibson brand, buy an epiphone or a kramer etc. If you buy an epiphone, even used, take it to a tech, ugrade it and do some fret work, IT WILL PLAY just as good as a gibson, and you will have a quality guitar that isn't illegal, or a counterfeit. Most of the people that buy these, also don't know that you can buy them legally (in theory), but reselling them afterwards is absolutely illegal, and you could be prosecuted for selling counterfeit goods. I wish that people would just buy what they can afford and actually take the time to become better guitar players, better musicians, and better people overall.
@TSBChibsonForever good for you
Gibson is not for everyone
I got my Gibson tribute for $800 there still out there
You are sooo right... now buy yourself some illigal drugs or go get laid !
(I got mine for 320$ incl. shipping and tax, took the pickups from another project guitar, a 'Kraken Legion' which I modded the heck out of by sanding it down to thin profile and easy access neck, made a deep belly cut, new pickups and more. Thinking of doing the same to the Chibson neck, because it is a cheap guitar well suitet for DIY projects. Thank you for your concern).
And yes... at the time I bought the Chibson, the headstocks looked like something from my grandmothers mandoline or waffel iron... didn't at the time realize I just could have cut it myself, into something a little more aesthetic. ;)
@@Kenneth.W.63 So basically you did everything yourself except grow the fucking tree!😝
4:51
It's a fake Rolex - it's a watch - it keeps time and looks the same. I the case of Gibson, just go with the Epiphone - it just as good if not better. 👍
🎼🎶🎶NOW IF SOMEONE BUYS OR SELLS SOMETHING WITH ANOTHER LUTHIER'S LOGO THAT IS SKETCHY...A LUTHIER'S LOGO MEANS LITTLE SO I CAN APPRECIATE OTHER LUTHIER'S FOR INSTANCE "SOLAR" "WYLDE AUDIO" "NASH"
They want to own a gibson but can't afford it next best thing....free country do what you want.
Who hurt you
Shawn from Scar My Guitar has been saying for a while now that he believes Gibson themselves have a hand in the making of many (but not all) Chibson guitars, and has come to this conclusion from tearing apart numerous examples over the years. There is evidence that they use real Epiphone pickups and hardware, have the exact same shape and top carve as the Epiphones (probably using the same CNC files) and they are very likely made by the exact same factories making the Epiphones after hours on the same floor!
Generally, there is no such thing as copyright, trademark, or even IP in general in China, example: their top brand of guitar strings, Alice, are successful enough that within the country other factories make counterfeits so Alice has to include authentication codes in their string packs to verify through their website that they are legitimate. Remember when that Squier LP-Jr. inspired Strat model was discovered to have real Epiphone wrap-tail bridges on them?? Fender were caught dead to rights and swore it wouldn't happen again (they probably did not want to pay extra to have a new bridge mold made or even just have the branding scratched out!)
There is no way Gibson would not notice any of this, especially in their own factories. There is a theory that the big G would rather control the black market supply of counterfeits and get a cut than let someone else control that market. Think about how many of these get past customs, think Gibson doesn't hear about it? Why are they not flagged and destroyed?
DISCLAIMER: I do not necessarily support counterfeits and do not own any or plan on buying one. Just thought I needed to put this information out there for those discussing / debating this issue. Most importantly, keep on Rocking everyone! \m/
I discovered things don't bother me when I simply don't give a shit.
the lower quality in gibsons makes it a option , or do you think that you get what you pay for ?
I got one Chibby back in 2013 (Trade Tang I believe was the site) because I wanted the 24 3/4, glued neck, stop tail, mahogany build style and didn't want to take a financial beating if I didn't like it. Obviously I'm a 25 1/2 scale (strat) guy, but I've had real deal Gibbys before and am aware of thier abilities. I still have mine and after a little fretwork and a pickup swap, can say it is every bit a very good example. I shaved it's big 'ol neck down and put a belly contour on it which I would have NEVER done on a Gibby.
At the end of the day it isn't hard to tell the real from the copy, aesthetically, but it is subjective as to which sounds better. There are MANY mediocre sounding Gibbys out there that are THOUSANDS of dollars..........basically a piece of stylized furniture that are owned by guy's who have more money than they do musical talent.
Buy this chibson so I really know this is not b8
A good reason is, you are a wood distributor in China and want to keep the chibson business alive, so they keep buying wood from you.
Another might be, your teenage soon work on the sweatshop and you want to keep him employed, so you buy a chibson so the business keep going and your son stays employed.
Im laughing at all of this (the fact you need to explain this, that is), but the last 2 things about Gibson ARE kind of true... the lousy Q.C. and too high prices, lol. Sorry, had to.
Chibson 63 "Les Paul Custom" $250: Hey man this is pretty nice
Gibson 63 "Les Paul Custom" $7000: Hey man this is pretty nice
Is there a difference, yes absolutely, is there a $6750 difference, absolutely not
@@ASWCo09 1. Most people aren’t saying how nice a Chibson is because the vast majority of them are not good. 2. Like he’s saying, go buy an Epiphone if you can’t afford a Gibson.
@@sethd6090 all of the chibsons I’ve played have been fine, the good ones have been good and the bad ones have been the same quality as a cheap epiphohe but look better
@@ASWCo09 congratulations you’re one of the lucky ones.
@@sethd6090 No I'm not, a bunch of my buddies have chibsons and chenders, they're all perfectly fine more than good enough for $200-400
@@sethd6090 Nothing reeks of 'I really wanted a Gibson but couldn't afford it' more than buying an Epiphone.
If people didn't put so much value in a brand name on a headstock, Chibsons wouldn't exist. Both sides of the coin are part of the same problem. Brand loyality is one of the stupidiest things you can do as a musician, especially when you have nothing to gain from it or are not an endorser for the company, which would make you a brand ambassador and salesperson for the brand. And in the world of modern manufacturing where 99% of the work is done by CNC machines, you're paying more for some light work and a brand name on a headstock.
LOL!🤣
😂👍
Most of the youtubers that I have seen purchase these guitars also own expensive guitars too. So I cant agree that gibson isn't advertising to their consumer level. They have legit guitars too but they still dive into the chibsons for some reason.
Good rant, mostly solid, but you skipped a few circumstances.
Have you seen the custom work the Chinese factories do now? I guess the slaves have gotten skilled.
What if a 20y/o kid wants the blue sparkle Ace Freely mode? You cant buy a cheap epiphone of that.
And what if it doesnt have a name applied, some people requst a blank headstock. Now rhat custom chinese guitar is not much less legit/ethical than the T-Shirt you bought that's a Bonds design ripp off.
Thirdly, chibsons that are really well set up can be very good players, just like squires and Epis. No need for you to reject that notion. I've played some rubbish feeling genuine Gibsons and Fenders.
I agree with everything you said.
Great video, not repetitive, angry or insulting. Thank you.
its just some pieces of wood glued together with some metal bits. If they got the skillset to level some frets and change the electronics to make it into a good instrument then good for them. If you wanna pay top money for a (hopefully) perfect instrument then go for it. The only thing unethical about these copies is when you would sell them as real gibsons on the second hand market.
Esp navigators and Edwards are better than Epiphones and many gibsons . Made in Japan and cheaper and better built than a Chibson
Is this Tommy Chong? He's working for Gibson now?
🎼🎶🎶Not sure what the issues are...To each their own. It's not for me to concern myself why anyone buys some variety other than Gibson or Epiphone...To be honest there are alot of Luthiers out there who put their skill into their art and don't charge what Gibson/Epiphone charges...This should be a wake up call to Gibso/Epiphone to focus on producing high quality guitars that from their least expensive up...This isn't consistently the case currently...I don't own a Chibson but no problem with someone who does. As long as patient copyrights aren't infringed it's not sketchy as far as I can see..
So... you don't care about trademarks, illegal import or reselling of counterfeit items? Not sketchy?
I don't know what kinds of Chibsons dude was playing, but Ive never come across one that was that awful. I understand that most people who order them will do so knowing they will have to change the electronics and hardware to get a giggable axe, so the aftermarket pots, bridges, pickups and tuners were better than the ones it shipped with. That said, i'm very impressed with the wood, binding and finish. I've seen new Gibsons on the shelf with finish runs, cracked binding, badly-aligned strings and hardware (and not even stamped or listed as b-stock). Not cool with a $325 import to have, but patently unacceotsble for a $3k Nashville-made legacy brand. I don't think it's ethical to use the brand name, but people have to deal with their own conciences regarding
I've been petitioning a certain well-known brand to make a production run of a certain bass model that they haven't mass-produced in around 25 years. Im pretty sure it isn't going to happen at this point. Understandable, as the company is much more scaled-down now and the model apparently just isn't in demand these days. I rarely see these on the used market, but they are either trashed or pristine with a mid-4-figure price tag when I do. There's an Asian custom shop that will make it for under $500. I could either buy the parts I want for likely under $350 and send them over to be installed or (more probably) just wait and install them here to expedite delivery. The company will either put their own logo on the headstock or a custom inprint, if I want to provide one.
Are there legitimate reasons not to buy Chibsons (Vibsons, Indibsons, etc...)? Of course. Beyond the trademark infringement, there's the possibility of getting ripped-off by the shop. Maybe you do get substandard materials and/or excessive waits, However, that is where diligent research into the builder comes in. There ARE well-built Chibsons on the market. I think the brush with which they are painted here is way too broad, because there are Chibsons that are well-made (and they'll even use the correct pots when you order a lefty).
Seriously 🤦🏻 some people
To me it was just not finding that Dean slime razorback guitar in the trunk of a Big Benz because Rihanna got drunk on Brandy and thought I couldn't put a laptop on a Crystal table top. I still like your sister but what the hack. I don't know. Namastè.
Three times in the past years i went to GC with 3 grand to by a LP standard and walked out with a Epiphone why is that? The USA standards i played felt looked and played like dog shit one year (2019) I walked in to buy the SG standard that one was even worse i walked out with a Epiphone again! 😆 Dude do you know how many Gibson returns Gibson USA gets? Why is there over 350 used new 2022-2023 USA Gibson les Pauls on musicians friends site if they are such a great made guitar? thats just mind blowing! 😂 Why is there so many blemished and returned Gibson USA lp's at zZounds? Dont get me going on sweetwater returns! 😆
This has absolutely nothing to do with Chibsons and it doesn’t legitimize them at all. Why did you even bother saying this? You provided the logical alternative yourself: Epiphone.
@BigJakeMusic Nope I just wanted to let you know my experience with terribly made USA gibson guitars and why are there so many returns of them if there such great guitars
If that's what they want to do, what business is it of yours?? Mind ya business
Epiphones are made in China.
Im sorry but talking about being moral and doing not illegal things for Gibson is hilarious. Sue happy, guitar destroying, insurance claiming, price gouging gibson is who youre worried about? Ive seen them destroy truck loads of guitars and film it instead of donating to music programs for kids who are totally broke and want to play. Gibson is morally bankrupt in many regards and there are guitars that are cheaper by thousands that can outplay a good deal of "hi end" Gibsons.
This dude is a pair of clown shoes 💯 build your own then talk honestly you are the ignorance on the internet