Gibson's warranty?

[CoolerKing]

Is it worth a darn to buy a new Les Paul, or should I just look for a gently used one for 30% off the cover price? If the warranty was worth it, I might consider it, but with all their corporate restructuring going on, it may not matter. Advice appreciated in advance.

Partrick

[M19]

I'd say no. A Martin with an expectation of a need for neck reset in 20 years, maybe. A Les Paul? no way.

[jseth]

When I first got my ES-345 in 1975, I had a heck of a time getting it to play in tune... one tech (whom I trusted) told me that the guitar had the famous "Gibson hump", meaning a slight rise where the fretboard meets the body of the guitar... he told me that there was no way to get it fully intonated unless that issue was addressed properly.

I called Gibson (actually started with a letter - this was in '75, remember?) and they were not willing to even address the issue! Even though the sticker in the f-hole clearly says "guaranteed for life"...

That was in the late 70's; I don't think they've gotten any more accommodating in the interim.

I'd say the warranty is not a big concern...

[CoolerKing]

Sort of what I figured, but what the hey, I have a whole world of guitar experts at my fingertips! Thanks ya'll.

[rmp]

It really depends on what the issue is.

The warranty doesn't cover the finish, but a lot of the complaints that you'd see over at the Gibson Forum are finish related.

Some self inflicted (things making contact with nitro not fully cured.. guitar hangers or stands, head stock tuners) and some are just imperfections that some people can't or wont tolerate. Over spray on the bindings, "Orange Peel" along the neck joint.. things like that, which some buyers loose their mind over and others don't seem to mind one way or another.

If there's an issue that develops with things like electronics, the neck etc, the warranty should cover that.

I've friend with a ES339, the neck started twisting on him, he was able to get it fixed at no cost, he just needed to produce a copy of his sales invoice, he never registered it with Gibson when he bought it

I've also followed posts on the Gibson Forum where pickups have failed, and Gibson has covered those too, and other things similar. so the Warranty if applicable, will help in many situations.

I've got 6 Gibsons, oldest one is a LP Standard from 95, newest one was a SJ200 Standard purchased in 2016. all purchased new. I've never had a single complaint or problem with any of them. I've also got a Gibson Goldtone GA30RVS amp that I picked up in 2002, and I've never had an issue what that either.

[Dru Edwards]

I'd go used and save the $ if I had the chance. Warranty doesn't enter my mind with electric guitars and 30% off retail.

[BoneDigger]

I buy my electrics used 95% of the time.

[Bob Womack]

I've had two issues with Gibson guitars: An ES-335 that arrived missing the acorn nut that holds on the pickguard. I gave them a call and they sent a complete mounting assembly which arrive two days later. I bought an inexpensive Les Paul '60s Tribute and discovered that one of the volume controls knobs was split. I called and they overnighted me a new one.

Obviously, I have had no problems with Gibson customer service.

Bob

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

I've had two issues with Gibson guitars: An ES-335 that arrived missing the acorn nut that holds on the pickguard. I gave them a call and they sent a complete mounting assembly which arrive two days later. I bought an inexpensive Les Paul '60s Tribute and discovered that one of the volume controls knobs was split. I called and they overnighted me a new one.

Obviously, I have had no problems with Gibson customer service.

Bob

In addition to Bob's experience with Gibson customer service, I stripped a strap button screw about 10 years ago. I emailed Gibson and they mailed me a screw within a day or two. No problems there.

[aknow]

Their warranty is limited. I got an expensive 2018 SG hp last year and love it. One day, some ugly yellow chemical leaks from one of the pots and ruins the finish. Gibson didn't care cause they have a clause disallowing cosmetic damage, even though they either buy cheap parts or can't assemble them properly.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

I've had two issues with Gibson guitars: An ES-335 that arrived missing the acorn nut that holds on the pickguard. I gave them a call and they sent a complete mounting assembly which arrive two days later. I bought an inexpensive Les Paul '60s Tribute and discovered that one of the volume controls knobs was split. I called and they overnighted me a new one.

Obviously, I have had no problems with Gibson customer service.

Bob

That's because YOUR reputation precedes you!

HE

[Silly Moustache]

In my experience, warranties mean nothing but then Makers warranties for foreign made instruments (American Far-Eastern) are not honoured in the UK (EU?) as the responsibility for any such warranty is passed to th retailer.

What IS important is the makers reputation for Customer service and after-sales service.

Collings - Great, Others? IME -zero.

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

In my experience, warranties mean nothing but then Makers warranties for foreign made instruments (American Far-Eastern) are not honoured in the UK (EU?) as the responsibility for any such warranty is passed to th retailer.

What IS important is the makers reputation for Customer service and after-sales service.

Collings - Great, Others? IME -zero.

Taylor did establish its service organization in Amsterdam.

Maroastraat 113
1060 LG Amsterdam, Netherlands
Service: +31 (0)20 667 6033

Bob

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by aknow

Their warranty is limited. I got an expensive 2018 SG hp last year and love it. One day, some ugly yellow chemical leaks from one of the pots and ruins the finish. Gibson didn't care cause they have a clause disallowing cosmetic damage, even though they either buy cheap parts or can't assemble them properly.

Wow. I've never heard of pots ruining finishing before. How did the leak go from the pot to the finish ... or was it the shaft under the volume/tone control where it leaked?

Sorry to hear about that.

[Tahitijack]

If a warranty is important, buy a used Gibson Les Paul at Guitar Center and add their warranty.