if anything, gibson is finally pulling it's collective socks up the last few years, after two decades of solid bitching about how they feel justified in charging several thousands of dollars for a guitar with chatter marks on the fretboard, bad fret ends, finish flaws and etc. the newest gibsons i've played have been better, but not perfect (if you want perfect, buy a PRS). they have an undeniable character though. if you're near cambridge, go into murch's music and try the heritage stuff, that's great guitars for the money (they also have PRS and gibsons, and a lot of em).