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I didn't say they weren't versatile. It's just they don't really standout above other brands in any of the styles that you can play with them, especially for the price they ask. The only sound that Gibson really excels in is that classic rock sound, which is what most of the bands you listed play.

Plus, it's not even the pickups I have trouble with. It's the body itself. Every single Gibson I've ever played has been work. Guitars should feel natural and smooth to play. You shouldn't have to work or force the guitar to do anything if it's worth its name. Gibsons, however, tend to be extremely overweight with the action set too high and strings that refuse to bend well.

Besides, if I'm going to be paying a few thousand dollars on an instrument, I shouldn't have to spend even more money to change the pickups or customize it even more.

I guess I've been converted into a believer of quality coming at a cost. I just haven't found anything that's less than a thousand dollars that plays good and sounds good. I've played most of the LPs that come through the local Gibson dealer and to be fair I've only liked a select few, but they were very very nice guitars to play.

I also believe that each guitar is a work of art, and the more expensive it is, the more you're paying for that. Sometimes it's worth it; in the case of PRS, the money you pay for something like that is worth it. When it comes to Gibson it can be hit or miss, but I tend to think of the good guitars I've played for all the brands that I've played. I'm neither for or against any guitar brand, but I'll stand up for the guitars that I've played that kicked serious a**. xd

I can understand, but I just don't agree. My main standard-tuned guitar is a Squire Stagemaster that my dad bought fore $10 at a yard sale. It sounds and plays better than any PRS or Les Paul does. My other main guitar is an ESP Kirk Hammett that I keep dropped tuned to B. I have yet to get sounds of a Gibson that I have from that guitar, and it was only $450 through Musician's Friend.

Quality is relative, and I really don't think Gibson is going to match ESP in either artwork or custom shop anytime soon, even though the Japanese ESP is far, far cheaper (for the most part).

.... You basically said that they are very versatile but then you say to swap the pickups. I could go buy a Squire or cheap BC Rich (I hate the bronze series) and switch the pickups out and it'd probably sound great. Most pickups out there can have a variety of sounds but Gibson's stock pickups aren't very versatile for everything even though they give a warm sound. Zakk, Slash, and Jimmy don't even use the Gibson pickups. Jimmy and Slash use Seymour Duncan pickups while Zakk uses EMG pickups. Angus Young is probably one of the few that uses Gibson pickups. Malcolm uses Gretsch guitars if I remember correctly but maybe he use to use Gibson guitars even though I don't really remember seeing a picture of him with one but I do know the only Gibson related thing he uses now are the strings. All those genres can be played on alot of guitars/basses by other brands. If they generate a wide spectrum of sound then why switch out the pickups? I'll admit I like the Angus Young pickups on the Angus Young signature and I like the stock pickups on their explorers but they actually don't generate as many sounds as most may think. Doesn't Eric Johnson use Fender guitars?

I have a BC Rich Special Edition that sounded horrible and I swapped out the pickups to EMGs and it sounds amazing now so it kind of depends because the body is made of agathis which is horrible wood to use on guitars. EMG active pickups come with electronics but I don't know about the passive pickups.
I'll admit Gibson makes their guitars out of good material and everything but you can't deny that the pickups also give off some sound that the body won't do. If it's body material we are talking about I seriously wouldn't say that Gibson is the best because they make their guitars out of the same wood (Mahogany) that most brands do for a cheaper price.

Thanks for informing me.

don't listen. the only good gibsons are like 2000 bucks.

You don't have Breedlove as a choice on the poll. They are sexy acoustics. Absolutely beautiful both in sound and appearance, and to top it off, they're made in Oregon. I got to visit and see them being made last year. Incredible. Of course, most run a few thousand dollars, but they're gorgeous and sound so pretty.

I say Fender cause I'm a sucker for classical rock and blues. And it has just the best feel for that.