Gibson's "Satin" & "Vintage Finishes

[ExCaptain]

I don't know about anyone else, but I was really psyched when I got the flyer from Sam Ash advertising Gibson LP Special Dbl Cutaways with P-90's for $689.99. I thought, WOW!, a Gibson for that price with P-90's!!!! I had to go down and check them out. I get there and the guitar is much thinner than most Les Pauls and the "Satin" finish looked like I did it myself. The wood grain was very pronounced and raised. You could slide your fingernail across the grain and feel the bumps. There was no shine whatever. It looked like they cut the wood, didn't sand it at all and then sprayed on flat black from a spray can. I really think I could do better myself!!!!

I was really bummed out. I would not consider buying it. My friends would think I built it myself in my garage and put on a Gibson decal I got from eBay (even the decal looked like it was put on by my 7 yr old, you can seen the film edges around it). How could Gibson get away with this. I have an Epi LP junior I got from Guitar Center for $89.00 that looks unbelievable for the price. I mean, the guitar plays great with the one humbucker and the finish is like a mirror. You can see every detail of anything in it's reflection!!!! A finish like that on an $89.00 guitar made in China!!!

The same goes for their Melody Makers and "vintage" SG's. I hope Gibson can shed some light on why they put out such a product.

Anyone else have any opinions on this???

P.S.: I just posted this on Gibson's forum to complain and also to point out how Epiphone's Finshes on their LP Juniors totally BLOW AWAY the finishes on their new "satin" finish guitars.

[supedupviper]

I agree. At one time I planned on getting a Les Paul Special Faded. I thought "hey, how bad could it be?" So I went to guitar center, and luckily they had one there. It sounded pretty decent, but it was at least half as heavy as a real les paul, and the finish was a lot worse than I expected.

The whole point of the faded and satin finishes it to attract people who buy guitars just for the name on the headstock.

[theboatcandream]

I love thinner satin finishes. They allow the guitar to be more resonant, and they make for faster necks.

[theboatcandream]

Additionally, it's not a glossy finish, but it is nitro and glossy finishes stick to your hand anyway. The wood is sanded, but mahogany necks will not sand to the same smoothness as maple which is used in many epiphones. Ultimately it's a matter of personal taste and looks.

[CAFeathers]

Actually the "Faded" finish is the same finish Gibson uses on all their guitars except less of it. On a regular Gibson the finish is "7 mil" thick, on the Gibson Faded guitars it is only "1-1 1/2 mil" thick. To properly care for the "Faded" finish take a piece of 0000 Steel Wool and lightly rub it on the guitar with the grain.

I have one of the LP Faded DC's with P-90's and I love it.

[theboatcandream]

Well, there's also the matter of wood sealer and buffing.