2018 high performance (I didn't like it)

[1allspub]

The new HPs are not for me. But, I do appreciate Gibson trying to differentiate the HP from the regular line. But, I would just never, ever buy one. Just not my thing, like at all. I don’t think they’ve quite figured out the HP’s groove yet this year... but I do hope they continue to try over the coming years (as long as they always offer the normal/regular line as well)—but, I’m guessing that they won’t be great sellers in these early years, so it will take some dedication by Gibson to get them to the point that they are more accepted. That said, considering this is Gibson, and considering some of the bone-headed things they have attempted in the last few years (and failed miserably at), I am expecting that they won’t/don’t have much patience for things that aren’t an immediate success and they’re far more likely to dump these and try again with some new HP “approach” next year or the year after. I don’t know the answer to Gibson’s woes when it comes to trying/introducing new things, but they clearly are not good at it... for whatever reason.

I do have to issue though on the OP’s initial post where he says that the HP heel is “1000x better” for upper fret access. I’ve played around with HPs in stores for the past couple years (since they were initially introduced in 2016) and the new heel is such a yawner to me... it doesn’t allow more or better fret access to the upper frets (ie, I can reach all the upper frets fine with a traditional heeled LP). All it does is make it a bit more ergonomically comfortable when doing so. I’d accept that as a valid claim (ie, it makes access the upper frets more comfortable), but the claim that it gives more or better upper fret access is a fallacy (IMO).

 

[jstarr]

$3829? Uhhhh.... no.

 

[jstarr]

Imagine joining an awesome band with a slew of songwriting potential, but playing to only one crowd, every night, who booed everything except this one song. You desperately try to write something better, but time and again, these superfans just have to piss all over everything you try to accomplish, because they really aren't superfans of your band, just the one single song some previous members wrote 50 years ago. That would suck...

At least they like the one song. One = better than none.

 

[Scozz]

I agree with everything you said @diogoguitar!!

 

[JonCanfield]

The only one I like the fade burst on is the Desert Burst. I'm really happy with my 2017 HP, but I think about changing out the chrome bits for more traditional ones. The back is what really turns me off on the 2018s thought. I just don't like the screws. Personal preference, but if I was just buying, it would either be last years, or a standard T. Especially at the new price!

 

[Cjsinla]

Wow! It looks like they are building them like Rickenbacker!

Loading all the electronics into the top first and pickups into the bottom and then gluing them together...

No cavity plate even...Doesn't look like the wide jack-plate for access, so how do they get them in there?

There is a cavity plate, you just can’t see it in that picture.

 

[Scozz]

I do have to issue though on the OP’s initial post where he says that the HP heel is “1000x better” for upper fret access. I’ve played around with HPs in stores for the past couple years (since they were initially introduced in 2016) and the new heel is such a yawner to me... it doesn’t allow more or better fret access to the upper frets (ie, I can reach all the upper frets fine with a traditional heeled LP). All it does is make it a bit more ergonomically comfortable when doing so. I’d accept that as a valid claim (ie, it makes access the upper frets more comfortable), but the claim that it gives more or better upper fret access is a fallacy (IMO).

Yup...I totally agree, a spot on deduction iimo @1all's Pub!

 

[moreles]

Those bursts look silly, not because they aren't traditional, but because they do nothing to enhance the actual form of the guitar. They're a great example of superficial, mediocre design. Everything else mentioned here seems to me to be a positive step with reasonable purpose. I certainly don't mourn the "loss" of pickup rings, which are a really clunky old-school method of fitting pickups and simultaneously covering old-school, fairly inaccurate routing. We've gotten used to them so they look "right," but there's nothing attractive about them, really. I guess the wacky bursts are intended to make sure that everyone knows that you have a groovy new guitar. Overall, though, it's good to see Gibson looking ahead in ways that are 80% sensible and only 20% idiotic.

 

[cherrysunburst00]

That is an AMAZING GC you gots dere, @diogoguitar . The nearest to me (45 miles) nowhere near as nice

 

[cherrysunburst00]

Yup...I totally agree, a spot on deduction iimo @1all's Pub!

x2, Brother

 

[BBC]

I bought one a while back, actually liked the burst, different. It was tagged at 3299.00 and I bought it at GC on the weekend they had 20 percent off
no cap at 500.00 maximum discount. The guitar itself I like, like the wider neck, like the cut on the upper bout, the heel cut is nice, I even like the robo tuners quick tuning, quick change to open E which I use a lot. Call me lazy but if they mess up I will probably fix them. The pin switches in the control cavity give a bunch of options but the cavity cover should really be hinged for better access instead of being held in place by screws. The case is my only real complaint,a great case built well, latches that work but heavy, real heavy. After two gigs I traded cases with my wife's les paul. The included case has wheels and I can see why if you have to cover any distance at all.

 

[Filipem]

Gibson has the right idea with the HP line IMO. It appeals to me. Im sure it would appeal to many younger players if not that ridiculous price

 

[Scozz]

That is an AMAZING GC you gots dere, @diogoguitar . The nearest to me (45 miles) nowhere near as nice

Speaking of Guitar Centers, a new one just opened up in Daytona Beach about 3 weeks ago. It's only about 10 minutes from me, but I haven't been there yet. I know there are mixed feelings about GCs here, I have my own, but it's still nice to have one close by. At the very least we can all go there and try out stuff, and sometimes there'll be some nice deals there. The closest one to me before this one opened is in Winter Haven, about an hour away, so it's nice to have one so close. After the Holidays I'll be checking it out.

Sorry about the derailment...carry on!

 

[mudface]

That new sunburst looks like a miniskirt that doesn't quite cover the ass, might be nice on a girl, but not so much on a guitar.

 

[cherrysunburst00]

That new sunburst looks like a miniskirt that doesn't quite cover the ass, might be nice on a girl, but not so much on a guitar.

 

[DarrellV]

There is a cavity plate, you just can’t see it in that picture.

Oh... I saw the switch cover but no CC cover... my bad!

Derp!

 

[ToneasaurusRex]

Parker had this great advertisement a few years back (that I looked for but can't find on the 'net) that featured a 1950s-style band where the guitarist was holding a Fly.

They made their point really well . . . if the Fly design had come out in the early 1950s, then that's what everybody would think was best.

Goldtop Les Pauls with P90s don't have pickup rings . . . but make a humbucker Les Paul with no rings and people lose their minds.

 

[ACEit]

The case is my only real complaint,a great case built well, latches that work but heavy, real heavy. After two gigs I traded cases with my wife's les paul. The included case has wheels and I can see why if you have to cover any distance at all.View attachment 281247

the case of my 2016 trad HP just came from the store to home.. absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to use it .. it's in a closet with the protective film still on... another "pearl" of gibson products managers... thinking to go around with about 13/14 kilos hanged at you hand is just insane... moreover ... if you look at the price of a spare aluminium case is almost three times that of a traditional one.... as to say you are paying your guitar 300 $ more for a case nobody use and need to be swapped with a usable one ( spending more money..)

 

[mudface]

Parker had this great advertisement a few years back (that I looked for but can't find on the 'net) that featured a 1950s-style band where the guitarist was holding a Fly.

They made their point really well . . . if the Fly design had come out in the early 1950s, then that's what everybody would think was best.

Goldtop Les Pauls with P90s don't have pickup rings . . . but make a humbucker Les Paul with no rings and people lose their minds.

The no ring humbucker is one of the features on the '18 HP I like, the other is the heel contour, the rest is just bling. The semi-burst just plain sucks. The colors are cool though.

 

[sibyrpunk]

For some reason they remind me of ESP guitars.