Gibson Generation Collection

terada · September 2021

These have just been released starting at where the J15's used to be priced.

Look quite interesting. I'm curious about the sound hole on the side.

Any thoughts?

https://www.musicradar.com/news/gibson-generation-collection

digitalkettle · September 2021

Glad they've invented the 'sound port'...now I know what to call all the ones I've seen over the last few decades

Rabs · September 2021

tomjax · September 2021

Wow, look at Gibson getting all 21st century. Quite fancy a look at the Writer version tho (aka the Songwriter).

Stratavarious · September 2021

Looks like the cheaper Martins which are great throw in the kit gig guitars.

Tempted to try one.

Mellish · September 2021

I'd say give them a try. If you find a good Gibson, you've got one heck of a guitar. With the series you're looking at you get a solid, Sitka top. That's a plus but do try my dear. Don't order online and hope you'll like what you get

terada · September 2021

Mellish said:

I'd say give them a try. If you find a good Gibson, you've got one heck of a guitar. With the series you're looking at you get a solid, Sitka top. That's a plus but do try my dear. Don't order online and hope you'll like what you get

And solid back and sides

Mellish · September 2021

Even better

. I had a Gibson once, a Hummingbird Modern Classic - one of the best guitars I ever owned. Absolutely blossomed within three months. But you know what's coming, the fool in me sold it

Andy79 · September 2021

What is it with cheap Gibsons and thinner bodies??

chrisj1602 · September 2021

digitalkettle said:

Glad they've invented the 'sound port'...now I know what to call all the ones I've seen over the last few decades

Apparently they did in the early 60s…

Mellish · September 2021

@terada. Try them m8, you might find one you really like

DavidR · September 2021

Thanks terada. They look nice. Full marks to Gibson (or anyone) for giving us yet more traditional acoustics. In this case solid sitka and walnut at the mid-range price point. Apart from electrics on the larger of the 4 models, I wonder why the price varies so much from $999 (£734) for the OO to $1999 ($1464) for the jumbo? Personally I don't like the extra soundhole, but I'm a bit of a purist. The review doesn't comment on playability or tone so you would have to give them a go and, anyway, the "Gibson Player Port" (which I notice they have trademarked) will make them all stand out from the crowd. Very attractive guitars aren't they.

On the sound hole thing. Luthiers have been messing about with the externalisation of sound for an awfully long time from the exotic infills of medieval lutes to modern manufacturers, notably Godin and Ovation. Also classical luthiers have been doing sideholes routinely for several decades if the customer wants one. Take a look at the modernistic acoustics from Emerald Guitars in Ireland too. But for one of the large American manufacturers to fit one to an entire range is brave and, for them, quite radical. It matches Martin's foray into the SC13E.

Well done Gibson and I hope they do well - and sound nice too when a few more people have played them.

More guitars. Lovely!

DavidR · September 2021

Just found this review from Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana (where these Gibsons are made). Only additional comment having watched this is that I think I would expect a bit more purfling at this price point. The G45 looks a little plain and I can't imagine Yamaha or Eastman not ornamenting a little more. Nit-picking though.

Gibson G-45 - New 2021 Generation Collection Review! - YouTube

dindude · September 2021

I’m not into fancy acoustics but they look too austere for me - the Taylor AD-17 blacktop is a way better way to get to a price point looks wise I think, no comment on sound through, the Gibsons may smash it.

Tannin · September 2021

The price point looks a little high, which means it is about right. Gibson (same as Martin) can afford to charge a bit more than the going rate for most things because it has outstanding brand recognition.

Somehow though I have never warmed to Gibson acoustics. These seem to tick all the boxes but I daresay that if I eventually try one it will be as underwhelming as all the other Gibson acoustics I've ever tried. Plenty of people love them, and when someone who likes (for example) a J-45 plays one, it sounds fine to me, but as something to actually play (rather than listen to) I just can't warm to them.

Still, good luck to Gibson with these. They have had the balls to put big money into building a major extension to the plant at Bozeman and I hope that it repays them for their confidence, and for their decision to back building stuff at home rather than sucking in even more cheap imported shit from China.

Kilgore · September 2021

Interesting, especially if you really want Gibson on the headstock. Personally, at these sorts of price points, I would probably be more inclined to look at Eastman. I'm not into bling, but these are a bit too austere for me, and no binding.

Caffeine_Vampire · September 2021

Tannin said:

The price point looks a little high, which means it is about right. Gibson (same as Martin) can afford to charge a bit more than the going rate for most things because it has outstanding brand recognition.

Somehow though I have never warmed to Gibson acoustics. These seem to tick all the boxes but I daresay that if I eventually try one it will be as underwhelming as all the other Gibson acoustics I've ever tried. Plenty of people love them, and when someone who likes (for example) a J-45 plays one, it sounds fine to me, but as something to actually play (rather than listen to) I just can't warm to them.

Still, good luck to Gibson with these. They have had the balls to put big money into building a major extension to the plant at Bozeman and I hope that it repays them for their confidence, and for their decision to back building stuff at home rather than sucking in even more cheap imported shit from China.

Gibson don't make guitars in China and Epiphone quality is very good.

Mellish · September 2021

I think the Generation Collection is Gibson hitting back... What I mean is: Martin did the Re-imagined series, Taylor the new bracing. They're forcing each other to up their game. Or is it just me thinking that?

Caffeine_Vampire · September 2021

Mellish said:

I think the Generation Collection is Gibson hitting back... What I mean is: Martin did the Re-imagined series, Taylor the new bracing. They're forcing each other to up their game. Or is it just me thinking that?

Just finding a new way to sing an old song is more like it.

Tannin · September 2021

Epiphone is Gibson. Since 1957.

Honkycat · September 2021

I could never have a port in a guitar. Or controls on the side. Abominations I tell you! But seriously, each to their own.

Mellish · September 2021

@Honkycat I'm with you on controls on the side. If I find a good guitar, they won't put me off, but I'd rather they weren't there

tomjax · September 2021

Honkycat said:

I could never have a port in a guitar.

Have you seen how Ryan guitars do it? Very clever!

https://ryanguitars.com/the-guitars

Deadman · September 2021

These have definitely piqued my interest. Gonna have to try out the base model somewhere, soon.

Honkycat · September 2021

tomjax said:

Honkycat said:

I could never have a port in a guitar.

Have you seen how Ryan guitars do it? Very clever!

https://ryanguitars.com/the-guitars
i have! Beautiful designs, but I couldn’t have it lol.

guitarjack66 · September 2021

Rabs said:

Those guitars look ridiculously expensive to me given what you can buy for half of those prices today. The name on the headstock means little to me though provided it isnt too expensive and plays well.

MichaelWatts · September 2021

I have two of them right here that I'm reviewing for Guitar.com

Without giving too much away I'm pretty impressed.

sev112 · September 2021

The specs look like they are trying to match the lower end Taylors.

I quite like the idea of Gibson, who do make a good acoustic guitar, doing things slightly differently. Innovation is doing things differently, and not necessarily inventing new stuff. Will be interesting where / how these go.

Tannin · September 2021

Innovation always involves inventing something new. Every single time. If it isn't new, then it is not an innovation. That is what the word means. It comes from the Latin novus, which means "new".

But I'm nitpicking and agree with your point about progress for a company, and also about Gibson aiming at the lower end Taylors. The 1 and 2 Series Taylors sell for around about where Gibson seem to be aiming these new ones, and well-made though the Taylors are, they are laminated, and made-in-Mexico. Only the tops are solid. If Gibson can make a quality solid guitar in the US at those Taylor prices, it will set the cat amongst the pigeons in the US market. (Less so in other markets where "made in the USA" isn't the major selling point it is in the States.) In most non-US markets the new Gibsons will no doubt be out-performed, dollar for dollar, euro for euro, by locally made instruments - things like (in the various markets) Furch, Maton, and MIJ Takamines. But that applies equally to the existing Taylor and Martin lines, and that hasn't stopped them selling very well.

tomjax · October 2021

I played the G45 today at PMT Music in Leeds. Great tone and I really liked the port hole, genuinely gives you extra volume to hear what you're playing.

But in terms of taking on Taylor and others at a lower price point, I don't think they're even close. The guitar seemed poorly finished, with that horrible naked finish that scratches up as soon as you look at it and no body binding at all. I can't see these holding up to regular use other than very careful home playing. The neck also had a really poor finish with machining marks in it and a rough, cheap feel.

I compared them alongside Taylors and Yamaha guitars in the store in a similar price range and there's absolutely no comparison. They seem hugely over priced if you contrast the build quality and finishing. Really don't understand why they can't compete on this front. An 1100quid guitar should have body binding at the very minimum.

But on the upside, I played a J200 Studio in rosewood and spruce that was absolutely fabulous and showed why the Gibson name still has some cachet attached to it.

Mellish · October 2021

tomjax said:

I played the G45 today at PMT Music in Leeds. Great tone and I really liked the port hole, genuinely gives you extra volume to hear what you're playing.

But in terms of taking on Taylor and others at a lower price point, I don't think they're even close. The guitar seemed poorly finished, with that horrible naked finish that scratches up as soon as you look at it and no body binding at all. I can't see these holding up to regular use other than very careful home playing. The neck also had a really poor finish with machining marks in it and a rough, cheap feel.

I compared them alongside Taylors and Yamaha guitars in the store in a similar price range and there's absolutely no comparison. They seem hugely over priced if you contrast the build quality and finishing. Really don't understand why they can't compete on this front. An 1100quid guitar should have body binding at the very minimum.

But on the upside, I played a J200 Studio in rosewood and spruce that was absolutely fabulous and showed why the Gibson name still has some cachet attached to it.

Not played one of the Generation models but I know how good a Gibson CAN be. You have to find it, though, and that's not always easy. In my case I struck lucky first time. But finish-wise I've seen some bad ones

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