Oh, no they didn't?!? (Gibson content, humorously.)

Gibson hit some design home runs with a few of its solid body guitars - the Les Paul, LP Jr. and SG come to mind, as does the Explorer - but there have been some very odd ducks, too.

I give them props for pushing the design envelope. Sometimes they pushed it in less-than-stellar directions, but that happens when you’re swinging for the fences instead of playing it safe.

Life is too short to not own a weird looking guitar at least once!

When I first saw my Custom 24 in 1991, I felt the upper horn was a little on the long side, and a bit too avant-garde for my taste. The more even balance of the Santana design strikes me as more beautiful. But I liked the guitar anyway, bought it, and got used to the look. By now it’s kind of a standard, and I’ve had a bunch.

But it’s a little on the ‘too swoopy’ side.
 
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Gibson hit some design home runs with a few of its solid body guitars - the Les Paul, LP Jr. and SG come to mind, as does the Explorer - but there have been some very odd ducks, too.

I give them props for pushing the design envelope. Sometimes they pushed it in less-than-stellar directions, but that happens when you’re swinging for the fences instead of playing it safe.

Life is too short to not own a weird looking guitar at least once!
I'm seriously considering the Iguana green one. But, I'm picky about the top quality. Too used to PRS tops.
 
I'm seriously considering the Iguana green one. But, I'm picky about the top quality. Too used to PRS tops.
I was drawn to that one, too! Looks to me like Eriza Verde a little.

I’m not going to buy one because I’m downsizing, and am really a 22 fret player. But I can see finding the thing interesting.

The top wouldn’t be an issue for me; it’s not like the guitar is ever going to be considered a great beauty no matter what kind of lipstick you put on it!
 
Looks like an S2 or a Knaggs. Can't stand the offset carve. Nothing against S2 lovers. Just not my style.
S2s generally have the same look/carve as their Core counterparts. It's only the Vela that is "offset".

I agree, this does look Vela-esque. Not as well executed, IMHO, and the Vela bridge gives it a unique look/sound, vs the Gibson's standard two-piece bridge.

The finishes I've seen for the "figured" Gibson Victorys seem a bit underwhelming. But I suppose, price-point-wise, they are about level with the PRS S2 CU24s, which have similar "less-figured" tops. And similarly, the non-figured Victory prices are in line with the S2 Vela or S2 Standard 24.

Not that I was going to buy one of these new Gibsons if it had a 10-top like finish anyway - I have some specific models in mind on my GAS list, most are PRS of course, and there isn't much to budge me from that.
 
I’m the first one to call Gibson out on their BS but this thread is a bit much. As pointed out above, the original Victory came out a little before PRS was ever a thing. The body looks pretty normal by today’s standards and wouldn’t get a second thought if it were from another brand like Ibanez or ESP.

From the beginning it was actually a pretty reasonable response to the design flaws of the SG. The horn is extended and strap button relocated to fix balance and positioning issues. The headstock was originally similar to the Firebird and does away with the more extreme angle at the nut to help with tuning stability. The reissues use the explorer peg head shape. You know, the one from 1958.

Coming into it only knowing which came first, it sure does look like the S2 Thinline is the copycat. If it is upsetting you that much, it probably says more about you than Gibson.

P.S.
I seriously dislike Gibson and resent you making me defend them ;)
 
I’m the first one to call Gibson out on their BS but this thread is a bit much. As pointed out above, the original Victory came out a little before PRS was ever a thing. The body looks pretty normal by today’s standards and wouldn’t get a second thought if it were from another brand like Ibanez or ESP.

From the beginning it was actually a pretty reasonable response to the design flaws of the SG. The horn is extended and strap button relocated to fix balance and positioning issues. The headstock was originally similar to the Firebird and does away with the more extreme angle at the nut to help with tuning stability. The reissues use the explorer peg head shape. You know, the one from 1958.

Coming into it only knowing which came first, it sure does look like the S2 Thinline is the copycat. If it is upsetting you that much, it probably says more about you than Gibson.

P.S.
I seriously dislike Gibson and resent you making me defend them ;)
Some folks here might be too young to remember back as far as us...
 
I don't see this thread as too much by this non Gibson hater but each their own.. what's weird to me is the PRS comparison. Ok, I can see the Vela slapped by a hockey stick. Still they are decades a part and clearly differnet.
 
It was a joke about Gibson/Kahler/80s... I think that Huey Lewis dude used a Gibson w/ Kahler.
I did have a Kahler endorsement in the early 90s...sort of. I was using their Steeler tremolos though.
I still have a Strings and Things Memphis Custom that has a Kahler on it. I like the guitar; they were all the rage back in the mid-late 80s. The Kahler works, and stays in tune. It’s a huge block of metal in there.
 
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