I thought Gibson quality problems with overexagerrated, but...

[guitarzan2]

Wow, some of the stuff I've read here. Somebody said buy an Epiphone, they are just as good or better. You've got the be f'ing kidding me !!!! The new Epiphones are complete shit. They have the worst frets I've seen on a guitar other than maybe some super cheap Chinese models. The Gibsons are hit or miss. You have to mess with a bunch of overpriced turds to find a good one. USA Fenders are crap. USA Jacksons have gone downhill. Japanese Jacksons have gone from great guitars to most being junk.

The only company that has kept the quality and actually improved is Ibanez Japan. Japanese Ibanez Prestige guitars are scary consistant and have the best necks and fretwork of any guitar period. PRS is still doing a good job of QC. USA Deans are amazing but have gone stupid with price increases.

[emperor_black]

Japanese Jacksons have gone from great guitars to most being junk.

play my jackson slsmg and then talk

[KennyF]

I own two Historic Les Pauls (an R8 and an R4), and both have been back to the factory for one reason or another. In fact, Gibson replaced my R8 with a hand selected custom shop R8, due to neck issues that could not be corrected with adjustments. They did this with NO questions asked. The replacement guitar is quite possibly the BEST guitar I've ever had my hands on. My R4 was sent back to Gibson for minor issues and was returned to me in less than two weeks. This guitar is just as good, if not better the my R8.

Is it aggravating and inconvenient??? It sure is!!! Especially when you consider the price tag, but in the end, the build quality, fit, finish, feel and playability are second to NONE!!!

I've also seen some pretty poor examples hanging on guitar store racks as well. What can I say? If it sucks, don't buy it.

Somebody mentioned Fender Q/C issues??? I don't know??? I always grab a few Strats off the wall when I'm at the shop, and I've haven't seen to many bad ones. On the other hand, I'm pretty understanding of how Strats are shipped and I DON'T critique the factory set up, which usually sucks.