Gibson Copies Made In China

MikeyT · June 09, 2011, 01:15:05 AM

Post pics/ descriptions of your Asian made Gibson copies (not the "fakes").

It seems that the huge # of electric guitar players, the consequent greater demand for electric guitars, the intense competition for sales, and computer enhanced technology have led to lower end guitars that are better constructed, play better, and sound better than ever before.

Don't have a digital camera, but here are images of the Chinese/Korean made Gibson-style guitars I have.

Ibanez Artcore AS-73 Sunburst. Got it used locally, no case. Thought it was a little high, but it's the only Sunburst AS-73 I've run across, so I figure it's worth it. (They don't make either of the colors I have right now)
These AS-73s sound great. I would say almost as good as a Gibson. It's been a long time since I played a Gibson ES-335, though.
Mahogany neck (set neck), Rosewood fretboard, laminated maple body, two good sounding humbuckers.
As far as I know, most of the bodies on the high dollar semi-hollow body guitars are made of maple laminate, too. Apparently, on this type of guitar, solid wood for the body is not that important.

The first one I bought is this color, a fairly dark transparent brown (the pic doesn't show the beauty of the finish of the guitar, though. It doesn't look quite that dark, and you can really see the woodgrain)
Got it new at Music Sound World in Tulsa, several years ago. Case was extra.
The only weak points I can think of regarding this guitar are:
1) the tuning keys. They're not bad, but I'd really like to have Schallers, or, 2nd choice, Grovers.
2) the frets stick out from the neck a little (on the brown guitar). I should be able to fix that myself.

Bought another one w/case off Craig's List. Gave it to my nephew. He loves it.

VOLVO))) · June 09, 2011, 01:49:58 AM

deja vu ^.^

MikeyT · June 09, 2011, 02:35:33 AM

Yeah, SunnO))), I know I posted about those on SRC, but SRC is gone.

I thought it would be good to have a companion thread to the 'fake Gibson' thread for balance.

Tradition Guitars is based in Texas. I think their instruments are Korean made (they were, not sure if they still are). Bought the Metallic Black S2000 (it's actually kind of a subtle Black metal flake) on the far left w/case for $275 from a pro player who has a bunch of guitars & needed to sell some. He wanted more $$, but I waited him out. Killer deal.
I think the retail price is around $799 to $1000, which is still cheap compared to a similar Gibson Les Paul.
It looks great, sounds good, and plays very well.
I'm still assessing the vibe/sound/tone. So far I've only played it through a cheap little practice amp; but the pups sound kind of dark and fairly hot. It seems to sound best for Hard Rock & Rock'n'roll (big surprise). Smooth is the best word I can think of to describe this guitar. I don't plan on altering it in any way.

These reviews will give you a good idea of the quality of this guitar.

http://www.betterguitar.com/equipment/guitars/tradition/s2000.html

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/other-les-pauls/92858-ngd-tradition-s2000.html

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Mar/Tradition_S2000_Deluxe_Electric_Guitar_Review.aspx

http://www.traditionguitars.com/index.html

http://www.traditionguitars.com/_Trad_2011_Cat_002.pdf

I've got one of their SG copies, too. It's not made any more. Well built, looks real pretty & a good player. I like the sound of the pickups, but they're not very loud. It's obviously one of their lower tier models.
I was going to change the pups, but I think I'll just leave them. Why ruin a unique sounding guitar?

MikeyT · June 09, 2011, 03:11:19 AM

These copies play easier than many of the Gibsons I've owned (a couple of Les Pauls, but mainly Flying V's) or played (SG's).
I'll hopefully snag an actual Gibson SG someday, but I'm not settling for one with a baseball bat neck or mediocre tone.

Wilkinson Vintage Reissue VS6. Bought a new one off ebay for $320. Beautiful guitar, sounds great. Heard it in a youtube video before I pulled the trigger. English company, guitar is made in China.

Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany – Set Neck
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale: 24.75"
Frets: 22
Neck Inlays: Pearloid Crown
Tuners: Wilkinson® Deluxe WJ44
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Bar Tailpiece
Pickups: Wilkinson® Double Coil x 2 (N) MWVC (B) MWVC
Hardware: Chrome (VS6/ VS6B/ LVS6) Gold (VS6CG)
Controls: 2 x Volume/ 2 x Tone/ 3-Way Toggle

MikeyT · June 09, 2011, 03:39:17 AM

Never thought I'd go for a Jay Turser, but this PURPLEBURST! SG inspired guitar with P-90's was just too hard to pass up. "Purple Haze, all in my brain..." I went a little crazy & bought two of them.

It probably squeals at high volume; but the neck is impressive, and I've gotten some sweet tones out of it.

Baltar · June 10, 2011, 09:53:35 AM

Eastwood Corona $388
bone nut $50
Grover Mini-Rotos $60ish shipped
Fret dressing and set-up $50
GFS Dream 180 neck, '59 PAF zebra $70ish shipped
leather strap $60ish
$680-$700 all said and done. Eastwood is in Georgetown, ON. Made in N.Korea or China, found out afterwards. Stock P'ups were hot and muddy, I threw them out, literaly. Nut was plastic. Tuners were junk too.
Almost no neck radius, flat like a Gibby Sonex.

MikeyT · June 10, 2011, 09:39:52 PM

Baltar, are you happy with it now that you upgraded ?

Baltar · June 10, 2011, 11:12:48 PM

Fuck yes bro! I knew I'd like it before I got, I'd played their Ovation GP clone. My buddy has a fucking real GP. So I'd played both and was impressed with their work. The SG Corona has a super-flat fucking neck. Kansas-Nebraska flat. It practically plays itself, I highly recommend this guitar. I grew up 30 mins. from Kzoo, Gibson is like religeon in SW Mich, but this is a really decent SG. Eastwood stopped making the Corona and I'm not sure how many they made. So if you see one, BUY IT! They might be collectable in a few years. This guitar came alive after the p'up change and bone nut. Their P90 Specials are jumping off Ebay in the $400 range.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastwood-P-90-Special-Cherry-Electric-Guitar-/380333466604?pt=Guitar&hash=item588da423ec

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastwood-P-90-Special-TV-Yellow-Electric-Guitar-/380345548457?pt=Guitar&hash=item588e5c7ea9

And a couple of "Stormbirds"

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastwood-STORMBIRD-Electric-Guitar-SUNBURST-P-90s-/380295530486?pt=Guitar&hash=item588b6147f6

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastwood-STORMBIRD-Electric-Guitar-BLACK-P-90s-/260702514574?pt=Guitar&hash=item3cb314ad8e

VOLVO))) · June 10, 2011, 11:18:50 PM

I've been lookin' for one to snag. I'm really itchin' for a LP, I got that Yamaha SG that I love, but now I want an LP to play...

Baltar · June 10, 2011, 11:23:05 PM

First guitar I ever bought. 1992 Studio. Hurt my back, but they sure play nice.

MikeyT · June 11, 2011, 02:55:10 AM

"Fuck yes bro! I knew I'd like it before I got, I'd played their Ovation GP clone. My buddy has a fucking real GP. So I'd played both and was impressed with their work. The SG Corona has a super-flat fucking neck. Kansas-Nebraska flat. It practically plays itself, I highly recommend this guitar. I grew up 30 mins. from Kzoo, Gibson is like religeon in SW Mich, but this is a really decent SG. Eastwood stopped making the Corona and I'm not sure how many they made. So if you see one, BUY IT! They might be collectable in a few years. This guitar came alive after the p'up change and bone nut. Their P90 Specials are jumping off Ebay in the $400 range."

Cool. Glad you like it.
Those Eastwood models sound interesting. I'll check those links when I get home.

It must have been fun living nearby when Gibson was in Kalamazoo.

I've always loved Gibsons. Just wish they could be a little cheaper.

VOLVO))) · June 11, 2011, 02:58:36 AM

And better quality, these days...

Baltar · June 11, 2011, 10:15:22 AM

^Totally. Heritage is still there of course, Mikey. I'm not sure what their LP's go for now, but I'm sure they kill current Gib's. Heritage still offers tours of the factory on Wednesdays. The only room they won't show you is the finishing room.

Here's my photos from my visit a while back.

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/bren1973/GibsonKzooFactory/

It's a lot smaller place than you think.