The new 2014 model year lineup from Gibson is now available. There are a few changes that are sure to create controversy for the traditionalists out there.
Perhaps this is best illustrated by Gibson’s decision to forgo the “nibs” on the neck binding in favor of “undercut fret over binding”. This is one of the easiest ways to determine is a Les Paul was a fake. Most fakes do not have “Nibs” since there are so difficult to recreate. Chinese Les Paul counterfeiters everywhere rejoice.
Some are also questioning why Gibson is using a 120th Anniversary fret board inlay on every 2014 guitar. While some like it most don’t. Who celebrates a 120th anniversary anyway?
2014 Gibson 120th Anniversary Inlay
Read on for more changes …
A few of the other changes good, and controversial, are:
1. SG Standard models all come with Min-ETune installed. There is no option to have standard tuners.
2. Gibson is claiming a new serial number system will make the guitars more collectible.
3. Graph Tech nuts.
4. Gibson goes back to one piece fret boards.
5. 25+ Models.
6. Peculiarly colored plastics on some LP Studios and SG Specials (the new color plastics make the fleshy colored plastics of the earlier model Traditionals look wonderful).
7. The new 2014 Les Paul Melody Maker. No slab body and non-skinny Melody Maker headstock of years gone by.
I’ll go out on a limb and say that in my opinion the 2014 Les Paul Melody Maker, LPJ, and SGJ will be their sales leaders simply because of their low price for a USA made Gibson.
I suspect the Traditionals will have a modest showing while the Standard models decline. I also think the 2014 Les Paul Classic and Les Paul Signature will have a good year. I’m more on the fence about the other models.
What are your thoughts?
Gear 