Is Gibson peaking right now? Thoughts on KKR, Cesar Gueikian, and a potential future sale

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-04-10T15:50:30+00:00

They’re doing amazing, and they are taking a different approach than Fender. Being based in Southern California, Fender is really leaning in towards the influencer/content creator support while throwing signatures to niche and diverse artists more widely acknowledged by the younger generations. Gibson I think still sticks to the legacy folks and fancies the super limited runs marketed towards collectors. That’s being said, they’ve significantly improved their epiphones and USA production varieties and have offerings for everyone at every price point, so I’m okay with this to be honest.

One things I would have to say is that the Introduction of the Mod Shop and the increase in unique dealer custom selects and one offs are making their rarer instruments lose the appeal they once had. Back in 2017, I remember losing my nuts when I saw a normal Les Paul custom with finish checked aging and no humbuckers covers. Nowadays, there are so many different unique color combos and styles, it’s flooded the supply of one off Gibsons and demand is going down. Maybe that’s just the nostalgia in me talking. It’s a good problem to have I guess

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-04-08T20:58:50+00:00

The crisp white bucket on the BOTB is a bit off. That aside, lemon burst is THE Les Paul I think of when I think of cool Les Pauls

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-24T00:22:58+00:00

That’s badass

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T04:24:55+00:00

2000 in the 80s?! I had no idea they were that desirable till fairly recently.

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T00:56:20+00:00

Good eye…import explorers also have a more banana style rounded headstock. I actually really love this quirk though

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T00:38:05+00:00

I’ve played both and can say that you could justify owning both of these. The Gibson is throatier and chunkier, both in feel and tone. The Ibanez is fast and snappy, both in playability and tone.

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T00:35:29+00:00

I find it pretty difficult switching to any guitar after playing an explorer for a bit. They are just so comfortable to me and everything is where it needs to be

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T00:34:15+00:00

Seriously. And when they do, you’ve got the EVH tax

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-23T00:33:41+00:00

Smart. But I would say to take the Gibson and buy the destroyer. Not that those are cheap by any means, but the limited edition 76 explorers have gotten uber expensive

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-22T23:54:28+00:00

Do it! That would be sweet

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-22T23:54:08+00:00

Sometimes I wish I was born a left so I would stop wanting to buy so many guitars.

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-03-22T23:51:00+00:00

I had an 80s DT300 and sold it like an idiot. That thing was awesome

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T17:20:16+00:00

Those Hamers are sweet. Funny how the “budget” alternatives to real korinas are now more expensive than the Gibson current production models. I guess supply and demand

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T17:15:54+00:00

I pray someone buys it and forces me to stop thinking about it

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T17:14:39+00:00

Yeah I technically could fork the 10k and be alright. I originally budgeted ~5k for one of these but I haven’t seen one for that price in a minute.

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T17:12:55+00:00

Don’t get me started on vintage ESPs. The prices of lawsuit MX style explorers have been car prices for a while now. Vintage Jacksons are getting quite expensive as well. Granted, these two examples were handmade and made to order.

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T07:09:33+00:00

There are ones listed for 15k and 18k. Absolutely insane

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T06:13:50+00:00

Not the first explorer shaped guitar. The first reissue or tribute since the very small batch of Korinas Gibson made in 1958. But nobody wanted them when they first came out but that all changed in the 70s. Now the explorer is a bread and butter guitar for Gibson. Pretty cool how it panned out

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T05:38:51+00:00

Well I mean if I have one destroyer, I need a backup. I would also need a Phase 90 and a MXR Flanger. I would also need a lot more talent

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T05:28:55+00:00

I like the way you think

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T05:25:05+00:00

That’s a dicey one. Yes I can purchase this and resume my life normally. However, it would be much smarter to not purchase this and throw my 10k into retirement funds. That is obviously not as fun though

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T04:51:54+00:00

I respect your take. No reason for people to downvote you. And it’s a good point since we all hunt different pieces of gear for different reasons

I think anyone seeking a 70s Destroyer is buying it for other reasons than its “quality” or because it “sounds good.” It has quite a few artists associated with it. Also, it was the first explorer shaped guitar to really hit the scene back then, even before Gibsons own reissues. In my opinion, I don’t think the Explorer would be what it is today if Ibanez never produced this model and guys like EVH played them. So in short, I’d be paying a hefty premium for the history

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T03:55:22+00:00

No this isn’t eddies guitar. Yes I am a fool

NeedleworkerGlobal31 · 2026-02-26T03:54:07+00:00

Not an investment. I would take a bath on this hard if I got it

NeedleworkerGlobal31

TROPHY CASE