What makes this guitar $8,000+?

[Bearclaw Spruce]

Is anyone familiar with the Gibson Custom Shop Monster Signature?



I'm just trying to understand, someone told me that the reason it's so expensive is because of the quality of the wood - but it looks like Maple to me, and I am just wondering whether or not prices of Maple vary as much as say Brazilian Rosewood.

I am a complete electric guitar noob, but they also said it's like the difference between Epiphone and Gibson. If you put Gibson pickups on an Epi, they said, you will hear the difference because the quality of the wood is different.

Is this true? Also, what exactly is different about the wood? Weight? Density? Etc?

Many thanks.

[zabdart]

Is this one of those Les Pauls with a robo-tuning mechanism?
Otherwise, it's simply a matter of what the market will bear... and if there are people out there willing to pay that kind of money for one, Gibson's going to smile.

[sportrider24]

$8,000 for a custom shop Les Paul Studio flame top?? I doubt if there is any reason that guitar would cost $8,000 other than there are Gibson collectors that are willing to pay that price to have it sit in their collection.

[redir]

It's called marketing

I build mostly acoustic guitars but I've built at least 15 electric guitars over the years and I don't believe the wood has much influence on tone, no where near as much as an acoustic for example. There is something there when considering the density of the wood which will give you more sustain and a different attack and pickups do have some microphonics that might actually 'hear' the tone wood but it's more about what pickups you choose, what pedals or electronics you have on the floor or what amp you are using then anything else.

You hear all kinds of mystery and voodoo on both sides of the electric vs acoustic isle and I would suggest you take a lot of it with a big fat grain, er block, of salt. If you put good picups in a Epi you will absolutely notice the difference.

That's my 2 cents and I'm stickin' to it

[Vognell]

They're not worth $8,000.

[Eric_M]

Only 25 made apparently. Apart from that, can't really tell from a picture what else might account for the price.

[arie]

the tone is worth $8000. can't you tell?

[EoE]

some Gibson addict will pay that much for it.. I personally know one. but he always comments on how good my tone is...

I have several electrics. But I always got the best tone from the cheapest, a Parker P-38 I bought new for about $600 some years ago. It's also the lightest and easiest to play. It is ugly though.

[Dru Edwards]

Hi Bearclaw. $8000, not sure why, but I'm guessing the run of 25 will sell out.

As far as the difference between Gibson and Epiphone guitars - Better pickups and electronics in the Gibson. Better tuners. Better hardware (i.e. bridge). Made in USA vs made in China. I have a couple of Gibsons and a couple of Epiphones. Both of the Epiphones have USA made pickups and it makes a significant difference. I bought them both used because they sounded, and played, great.

[tabl10s]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Hi Bearclaw. $8000, not sure why, but I'm guessing the run of 25 will sell out.

As far as the difference between Gibson and Epiphone guitars - Better pickups and electronics in the Gibson. Better tuners. Better hardware (i.e. bridge). Made in USA vs made in China. I have a couple of Gibsons and a couple of Epiphones. Both of the Epiphones have USA made pickups and it makes a significant difference. I bought them both used because they sounded, and played, great.

They're trying to match PRS in quality and bling with limited editions. A tad too late I'm afraid. I don't like LP's and the only one I'd take would be from the '50's just to say I have one and re-sell it later. Even the rear of the PRS headstock is better looking plus the variety of sea shell and fossilized material used tops anything Gibson can produce.

[punkybub]

The only reason a new production sold body Gibson is priced at $8K is the hubris and greed of the producer.

I love acoustic guitars !

[mc1]

What makes this guitar $8,000+?

i'm going to guess the price.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by mc1

What makes this guitar $8,000+?

i'm going to guess the price.

Hahaha!! I can't stop laughing at that one, MC1!.

[Drubbing]

I can hear the sustain from here...