Chibson

Life – Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Peace – Death.

Now a days, some guitar snobs might be a little too quick to dismiss the Far East manufactured guitars [Asia, Indonesia, China etc], especially without actually trying any for themselves? Lower labour [manufacturing] costs mean lower prices. The reality is, a Chinese made ‘Chibson‘ or ‘Chender’ guitar costs a fraction. of that of an equivalent (allegedly original) Made in USA, Gibson or Fender costs.

I bought my first Chinese Manufactured Gibson Guitar “Chibson” only a few months back after a friend, a guitar collector and fixer, Franc, [very good at making them even better than what they are], who had been performing some, long overdue, TLC on my ’76 reissue Gibson Explorer Custom. Franc brought another guitar along with him, a wine coloured, 335. It was impressive, although I’ve never liked the 335 model, but wow! It was a Chinese copy. Until then I knew nothing about Chibson.

I did some of my own research discovering several, well known, platforms for buying. Curiosity got the better of me. I ordered a Seafoam HSH Strat, Mahogany, with Maple neck, online with very little drama. Six weeks later the Strat arrived, extremely well packed, brand new, exactly as described. I was surprised by the overall, ‘straight out the box’, quality, feel, sound, price and above all the finish which was superb. I did not fall in love with it so I sold it on for a modest profit.

Selling

I am not trying to pass them off as anything other than what they are, not trying to mislead or miss-sell. They are advertised & described accurately, lots of quality pics, sold as quality, low cost, reproductions, not as genuine Fender, or Gibson. This is completely apparent by the price point. A brand-new, original, Gibson Less Paul Custom does not cost £275!  

I ordered several more which, again I sold on. Two were stopped and ‘checked’ on entering UK customs. I had to pay additional import duties plus VAT and another nice little slice paid to Royal Mail [Parcelforce] for what I cannot for the life of me rationalise.

What surprised me most were my buyers. Most are experienced guitar owners & players, highly knowledgeable about guitars and about Chibsons. Several told me they would likely replace the majority or some of the Chinese hardware, bridge & pickups mostly. They were most interested in the Wood and the expert finish of the guitars.

The way they looked at it was ‘they’re buying a hunk of wood with a glorious finish on it’, replace all [or some] of the electronics for things they prefer, and it sounds they way they want it to’. It’s made of the wood they want and most significantly it’s more affordable.

In Summary

The initial quality isn’t always perfect, but it really isn’t bad either. Minor tweaks, intonation, action set-up, some basic fret dressing can and does work wonders. None of the Chibsons & Chenders I have had sounded bad, they all sounded as you would expect especially the Jaguar (so much tonal variation) and the ES-335. As a general rule £ for £ they are amazing.

Chinese-made guitars used to have somewhat of a bad rep when it comes to build quality. Not so much now-a-days. Could they be even better? Yes, for a further modest spend to take it exactly where you want it to be?

I have found that the quality of the Chinese Les Pauls (Standards, Customs, ’58 reissues, 2PU, 3PU and trem systems) I have bought to be just as good if not better than lots of Epiphones I have experienced and even some Gibson’s. Maybe that’s because Epiphones are now manufactured in China?

Chinese made guitars are here to stay (you may even already own one)!

ALL the big players, to some extent, partly or exclusively manufacture guitars in China. That is going to increase not decrease. Chinese guitar makers (can & do) make quality guitars. A Chinese guitar can be great if the commissioning companies require [allow it]. They will manufacture to specification, and ultimately to price. That is out of ‘our’ hands. The big ‘Western’ companies control and dictate this.

When a company outsources to China [Fender/Squire, Epiphone, Yamaha even Gibson etc.] it’s usually to produce a high quantity of guitars for a cheap(er) price. If that’s the goal, they’re not always going to be very good quality. They will cut corners if need be. That does not mean that ALL Chinese guitars are poor quality. China produces some great, quality guitars, just look at the Ibanez Chinese customs.

It is possible to contact and liaise directly with the manufacturers in China even for one single instrument? By working with the ‘Chinese luthiers’ directly you can have a custom guitar made exactly to your specifications. I mean exactly! And for a fraction of the cost. I had a ’56 non-reverse [off-set] Firebird made, to spec, that is to die for and it hasn’t even had my mate Franc on it yet!

But it’s STILL made in China, I hear you scream!

All standard Fender guitars Stratocaster’s, Telecaster & Jazz master are now Made in China. Only the Fender Vintera Player, and Artist series guitars are made in Mexico now. Many Fender & Gibson [Made in USA] guitars are assembled in the US from Parts manufacture in China? All Chinese guitars combine traditional processes with the latest computerised numerical control (CNC) manufacturing & production facilities which results in super consistency, for less labour costs ergo tested quality at an affordable price.

Deviser. Fender. Epiphone. Ibanez. Yamaha, Vintage – are All manufactured by three huge companies in China – Guangzhou Huayi Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. b. Guangzhou Vines Music Instruments Co., Ltd. & c. Changle Feiyang Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. Only the Fender Performer, Professional, Original, and Ultra guitars are made in the United States now.

Guitars are like anything else, from one to the next, you will find some great, some good, some okay, and some not worth your time….kind of like people! Chinese produced Guitars have come a long way.

Example– NEW Custom Jaguar ‘RETRO’ Blue RARE 3 P90 Pickup Edition – Versatile, bright, tones, and smooth performance. A Brand new, quality ‘Custom Tribute model’ for at least a quarter of the of the price of a ‘so-called’ made in USA original? Cost – Delivered door to door, inc. all duties, £299.

What are you going to receive? What does it play like? Straight out of the box without any tweaks?

The action could [should] be lowered, a decent ‘pro set-up’ the way you prefer it would be worthwhile? But it already sounds good! A fully computerized manufacturing process which ensures accuracy and quality every time. Modern technology combined with experienced craftsmanship to create products that inherit history & incorporate innovative manufacturing producing far less expensive guitars for a new era.

I am currently working my way thru my guitar ‘Wish List’! I am literally living out my guitar fantasies, trying out, affordable, alternative Chinese versions of models of guitars I simply could never ever afford? keeping anything that I fall in love with along the way, moving the rest on adding a small profit to cover my time and customs charges. So far, I have not been disappointed with the overall quality.

Downsides

Time zone differences. Chinese culture & Logistics, Copyright & IP, ordering, processing and delivery can be somewhat arduous. Time taken, working with HMRC, language & translation and even cultural issues?

Old v NEW?

Many guitar owners will die by the cry that older guitars are the best. Ultimately, the era of build is not as important as the (individual) instrument itself? Are 60’s guitars better than 2020’s? Yes of course ‘some’ are but no some are not? If it is good, but happens to be inexpensive, win, win? Bottom line is who can afford £40K for a ‘60’s Black Beauty? On the other hand who would NOT take a chance on a £299 Chinese, ’58 Black Beauty Reproduction?

Thanks for Reading

Peace