Gibson 2018 models

Another year has gone by and it is time for the yearly release of new Gibson models (again, no real idea of when they will be here in Australia). Just throwing it out there, but with guitars that are so iconic is it necessary for them to be renewing models every single year?

So what is there to say about the new models? Not much really, some new ways of treating frets and some new colours and that is about it. The Cobalt Fade is very reminiscent of the PRS Whale Blue, while the Hot Pink Fade looks like an uncooked set of ribs. Apparently, they have cryogenically treated the frets as well – but according to Sweetwater, this is something that they have been doing since 2014 anyway.

I have to say that I am not overly impressed with this years release, and that Gibson seems to be on a push to just make money regardless. The problematic thing also is that there are rumblings that they are deeply in debt with very little ability to pull themselves out of it, with the debt maturing last month.

Regardless, in my own opinion, I feel that the boutique market and comparable market (Supro, Duesenberg) are starting to gain ground and that means that people are looking for variety and as a result not buying Gibson LP’s. Even looking at PRS, they seem to be building market share as well, and with the quality and look of their instruments may be a very big competitor to Gibson even with their SE range. What are your thoughts, is a change in colours enough to get you to buy a new Gibson for a premium price, or would you rather buy on the used market?

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3 Responses

  1. Gibo at AMI says:

    How can you review a guitar that has NEVER BEEN IMPORTED TO AUSTRALIA!! NO 2018 GIBSON HAS BEEN IMPORTED TO AUSTRALIA!! NOT BY AN AUSTRALIAN AGENT ANYHOW!!

    • AGREditor says:

      Hi Gibo, this isn’t a review of the 2018 Guitars, just an observation on the guitars that were announced. Makes me wonder why no-one has imported them though…

  2. Gibo at AMI says:

    We won’t be getting any either! (That’s not your fault!) Dealerships and the importers have fallen asleep at the wheel! Customer’s refunded off the books! Hush hush mentality we shouldn’t be talking about! Rosewood import paperwork never filed! Import permits not equired! Orders have never been placed! If this isn’t the end of Gibson I will eat my hat!! The best one I heard last week was from a Gallins music salesman who said we have 450 new Gibson’s in stock! I said I will be there in half an hour to check your stock! He promptly said there’s only about 20 here!(I knew full well he was full of it!!) These companies have adopted the stance of lying through there teeth to customers and the public! Do me a favor! Step into a Gibson/Epiphone dealer and try and order a guitar!(not one off the shop floor!!) One off the 2018 catalogue! Try a Gibson Explorer Natural Mahogany!

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