Whitestrat
New member
VOS is a spec of the Historic Guitars. They also come in "Gloss" versions which are like brand new, and VOS is actually cheaper than the gloss, unlike Fender where the relics are more expensive than the NOS models.
Whether Heritage is "true Gibson" or not depends on how you look at it. You must first understand the reasons for the change. Gibson management in the 80s shifted to a new plant for operational reasons. These workers that stuck behind and refused to move did so mainly because they didn't want to relocate to another state. Nowhere in the history of this move says anything about quality issues. Also, don't forget that those who chose to stay behind might or might not have been the better craftsmen?
I have gone through many Heritage guitars, and more often than not, I'm usually disappointed. I really don't see where the big deal is. They screw down the tailpiece and don't topwrap the strings. The E and the A are touching the bridge at 2 points. And the neck inclination angle they chose is a bit deep. Nothing of those guitars I have seen or experienced convinces me they are any superior to Gibson USA guitars. They are nice guitars, don't get me wrong. But the oft heard claim on how superior they are, and how much they slay Gibson LPs is a bit full of hot air, and very much for the uninformed.
I bought 3 Gibsons straight out of the box. Only one is a Custom Shop Historic. None of them have been set up at all. No set up was needed. I have only changed the electronics and pickups according to my own tastes. i have jammed with these on a regular basis, and not babied them around. And I have never even had them go out of tune as much as I had initially expected (maybe one string slightly every 4 to 5 songs?) No build issues, no QC issues, nothing. They are impeccable guitars.
The FGNs, on the other hand, are almost perfect. Seriously almost perfect. The only thing not perfect about those, is the typical Japanese finishing in Poly. But that actually doesn't really matter unless you insist on nitro. They got every spec right compared to a 59. They use top grade Gotoh hardware, and a bone nut (not the most accurate thing though). The stock A8 pickups are pretty nice, surprisingly. I'd buy one for sure to satisfy my cravings for a fantastic 59 LP-styled beater guitar. I'd very much love to have one reliced naturally, modify it heavily, and not feel any heart pains on that. (though I don't really bother to keep my Gibsons in pristine condition either)
Oh, and I actually prefer the FGN headstock to the Edwards "copy" version.
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