Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: horsehead on November 01, 2009, 03:49:18 PM

Title: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: horsehead on November 01, 2009, 03:49:18 PM
What they like? I quite fancy the look of one, but don't wanna buy a downer. Are they any good? I like the idea of a Humbucker bridge & P90 front
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Alex on November 01, 2009, 04:11:31 PM
No, I've seen them in real life though and I find at leas the ones I saw don't look as nice as they often come across in pictures. You really see the unfinished look right away.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Dmoney on November 01, 2009, 04:16:50 PM
ive played one.
felt lighter than other les pauls ive tried. pickups are ok. the neck felt like a baseball bat to me, pretty chunky.
I dont like the look so much, was interesting to play though.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: nfe on November 01, 2009, 04:22:09 PM
I've played lots of them, sound fine, cool kinda grunty vibe, but they feel (as I find with most cheaper Gibsons) very thrown together.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: WezV on November 01, 2009, 04:24:31 PM
felt lighter than other les pauls ive tried.

they are mostly hollow - i think they are a good design and like the rough carve look, but the other 'unfinished' details make them seem tacky... things like the missing truss rod cover :(

i liked the ones i tried though, although some had 'toneflakes' inside - obviously hadnt been hoovered out thoroughly before glueing the cap on
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Dmoney on November 01, 2009, 04:25:55 PM
it was better than i expected. les comfortable than my LPC is what im saying. im not into big necks.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: choucas09 on November 01, 2009, 05:34:49 PM
I was interested in buying one. It sounded pretty good, but the build quality was outrageous for the price. I like the big 50's necks on Les Pauls, but this one had that awful massive D shape Gibson insist on putting on their satin guitars. For the money you'd be much better off with a 2nd hand LP.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: dave_mc on November 01, 2009, 06:55:10 PM
I've played lots of them, sound fine, cool kinda grunty vibe, but they feel (as I find with most cheaper Gibsons) very thrown together.

agreed. the one i played sounded good, but felt very rough and ready. The frets in particular nearly cut the fingers off me. o_O
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: darcym on November 01, 2009, 08:36:36 PM
good studio guitars thanks to different sounds, play "fine" I like them, don't think I'd gig one too much. I've been toying this month with buying one for recording as I've seen a few second hand ones for good prices.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: darcym on November 01, 2009, 08:39:48 PM
one for sale on this very forum at what seems like a solid price.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19184.0
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Ratrod on November 02, 2009, 10:30:24 AM
Butt Fugly Guitar
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 02, 2009, 01:50:01 PM
I always assumed BFG stood for badly finished guitar
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: horsehead on November 02, 2009, 04:46:15 PM
Jonathan I'd take one of yours anyday, but
A) basically haven't go the money at the mo
B) haven't seen any of yours with humbucker & P90 in

yes I know yours are custom....
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: noodleplugerine on November 02, 2009, 11:56:34 PM
Wasn't this the guitar that was widely considered the worst thing Gibson had ever done? Like, terribly built with rubbish materials excused by the "rough" image?
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Will on November 03, 2009, 12:44:21 AM
Wasn't this the guitar that was widely considered the worst thing Gibson had ever done? Like, terribly built with rubbish materials excused by the "rough" image?

I think that award went to the Zoot SG. Constructed of high quality rainbow coloured (ply)wood.

It seems quite fashionable on LP forums to buy a nice sounding BFG, strip it, add whatever route / pickups you want and then put a proper finish on it. Doesn't work out as cheap in the UK I guess though.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: dave_mc on November 03, 2009, 03:56:06 PM
Wasn't this the guitar that was widely considered the worst thing Gibson had ever done? Like, terribly built with rubbish materials excused by the "rough" image?

probably. but they've released a lot more models since then, so...
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Philly Q on November 03, 2009, 05:18:07 PM
Wasn't this the guitar that was widely considered the worst thing Gibson had ever done? Like, terribly built with rubbish materials excused by the "rough" image?

probably. but they've released a lot more models since then, so...

I took a trip all the way to Andertons to try one of the current LP Junior models in "satin white".  It looks fine on the Gibson website but in the flesh it was hideous.  Really crudely made and the finish literally looked (and felt) like one coat of white emulsion slapped onto bare wood with a paintbrush.  :(

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Jr/Finishes.aspx (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Jr/Finishes.aspx)
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: blue on November 03, 2009, 05:34:41 PM
i know it's not one of the cheaper models, but i played a new Les Paul Standard a couple of weeks ago and it was a beautiful guitar.  it's lightness was a bit of a shock!  so it felt a bit odd, but would certainly be a lot more comfortable on stage than a heavy one.  fit and finish seemed good.  playability and sound were excellent.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: dave_mc on November 03, 2009, 10:51:22 PM
I took a trip all the way to Andertons to try one of the current LP Junior models in "satin white".  It looks fine on the Gibson website but in the flesh it was hideous.  Really crudely made and the finish literally looked (and felt) like one coat of white emulsion slapped onto bare wood with a paintbrush.  :(

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Jr/Finishes.aspx (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Jr/Finishes.aspx)

haha. to be fair, supposedly with all this plek lark etc., the QC has been improving over the last while, but I haven't tried any since they brought in the plek setups. Certainly before that, the QC was variable at best...
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Ian Price on November 03, 2009, 10:55:59 PM
Wasn't this the guitar that was widely considered the worst thing Gibson had ever done? Like, terribly built with rubbish materials excused by the "rough" image?

Was the BFG the guitar where it all started going a bit wrong for Gibson? It did fairly well and they may have thought some other non-trad stuff would go down well.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: dave_mc on November 03, 2009, 10:57:05 PM
i actually liked the idea of the BFG if they'd bothered to shape the neck and profile the frets. o_O On the one i tried, anyway.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Ian Price on November 03, 2009, 11:09:20 PM
A stripped down version of a classic shape does have it's merits. I agree hotugh - they could have put a bit more effort in. The ones I have tried didn't really do much for me (remember I'm not a les paul man). Perhaps they realised that even though it was shoddy it sold pretty well and that then lead to a few other bad principles. I'm wondering why Guitarist haven't reviewed any of the wazzy models.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Lew on November 04, 2009, 01:52:10 AM
Haven't you heard? Gibson are shite. Well... late 80s/early 90s Pauls rock as can Norlins. Maybe the old old ones are as good as people say, though (I wouldn't know). Btw, BFG stands for BAD $%&#ING GUITAR.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: MisterMuncher on November 04, 2009, 09:43:09 AM
I've only tried one BFG. I rather liked the concept, and I really liked the finish. Certainly, the "rough and ready" vibe appears to have been taken as licence to let it out of the factory half set-up. It's got that thing a lot of recently made Gibsons have to my eyes/mind/hands. There was the core of a really, really nice guitar in there, but it required a fearsome amount of effort to see it through the fug of sheer laziness and desperation around it. Gibson make asinine decisions about design and marketing. That's a given. The missing switch tips and truss cover, for example. Fine, sell the guitar without them, but would it kill ye to put them in a wee bag so I can put them on afterwards if I choose to. Hell's Bells, even a bloody Epiphone Slash signature could manage the optional pickguard thing. At what point in the pricing structure does Gibson, as a whole, lose it's marbles?

If/When it completely fails to sell, and the guitar shops drop the prices to something a little more in keeping with the quality on offer, and allowing for cost of putting right the egregious stupidity, I would imagine there'll be folks across the world snapping up BFGs.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Zaned on November 04, 2009, 11:17:51 AM
I haven't tried a BFG..

..but feast your eyes on this f**cker!

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Zakk-Wylde-Les-Paul-BFG.aspx (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Zakk-Wylde-Les-Paul-BFG.aspx)

 8)

-Zaned
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Dmoney on November 04, 2009, 11:33:42 AM
im not sure what to make of that.

i kind of want to like it, which is surprising. but i wouldnt get one at the $3000 mark.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Philly Q on November 04, 2009, 11:56:44 AM
Quote
A quick listen to any of Zakk Wylde’s seminal playing, from Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears” to Black Label Society’s “Bleed For Me”, tells you instantly that this guitarist goes at it rough and ready, and takes no prisoners.


seminal  [sem-uh-nl] 

adjective

1. pertaining to, containing, or consisting of semen.
2. Botany. of or pertaining to seed.
3. having possibilities of future development.
4. highly original and influencing the development of future events: a seminal artist; seminal ideas.



Take your pick which of those definitions apply.......   :|
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Pete24v on November 05, 2009, 09:46:36 PM
I have one for sale. It did have proper sharp frets, which i had sorted out. It's plays like a dream now! The first time i saw one was in the hands of Gary Moore, he did half a 2 hour set with a red one, it. sounded amazing, especially with the P90 and BB3 on at the same time

I need a quick sale if anyone here is interested. I'll post anywhere.  pics available
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: mecca777 on November 05, 2009, 10:24:59 PM
im not sure what to make of that.

i kind of want to like it, which is surprising. but i wouldnt get one at the $3000 mark.

"The Zakk Wylde Les Paul BFG comes protected in one of Gibson’s durable black, padded gig bags Gibson logo silk-screened across the front in white lettering."

Which to me, on a guitar with a $3000+ list price, says everything that needs to be said about Gibson's business model.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Tele52 on November 05, 2009, 10:28:01 PM
I had a red one. And now i have a Gary Moore BFG. They're great guitars. They're light, great sound combos, and you can buy one cheap. These will become collectibles. The people that have them love them. I can tell you the Gary Moore model seemed to have a higher quality.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Afghan Dave on November 05, 2009, 11:57:52 PM
im not sure what to make of that.

i kind of want to like it, which is surprising. but i wouldnt get one at the $3000 mark.

"The Zakk Wylde Les Paul BFG comes protected in one of Gibson’s durable black, padded gig bags Gibson logo silk-screened across the front in white lettering."

Which to me, on a guitar with a $3000+ list price, says everything that needs to be said about Gibson's business model.

you only get a f**king Gig Bag? -- F**k you Gibson :x
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Zaned on November 06, 2009, 05:54:35 AM

"The Zakk Wylde Les Paul BFG comes protected in one of Gibson’s durable black, padded gig bags Gibson logo silk-screened across the front in white lettering."

Which to me, on a guitar with a $3000+ list price, says everything that needs to be said about Gibson's business model.

A guitar that expensive should come with a hard case. Always.

Unacceptable.

-Zaned
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Tele52 on November 06, 2009, 06:32:22 AM
the Gary Moore BFG comes with a hard case
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: horsehead on November 06, 2009, 07:14:25 AM
& the Gary Moore BFG retails at £999 doesn't it?

Gibson = Fail
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Pete24v on November 06, 2009, 08:22:44 AM
Mine has a hard case too  :D

Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Pete24v on November 06, 2009, 08:28:32 AM
price dropped to £600, can be cheaper if sold on here.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: GuiTony on November 07, 2009, 04:53:00 PM
I have a BFG - a black one.

I was never a great fan of Gibson, but the BFG is changing my mind. 

It's relatively easy to sort out the real dumb aspects of the lack of finish - I've added a truss rod cover (it comes with the screws in place, just no cover), and replaced the clear cavity covers on the back, plus added a mounting ring for the bridge pickup and a cover for the P90.   I've also moved the p'up selector to its "normal" position (removing the kill switch) and swapped the Burstbucker out for an Iron Gear Rolling Mills which is tapped via a Cool Little Knob.

I actually like the rough finish of the guitar.  There's certainly no worry about bashing it and chipping the lacquer!  The neck is great (for my hands), it's not thin/fast, but then it's not baseball bat size either.  The lack of finish on the back of the neck improves the feel hugely.

The P90 is an amazingly powerful pickup.  The Burstbucker really didn't stand up too well against it, and the (overwound) Rolling Mill is still a little short of "oomph" by comparison, but the tonal options of the tap & CLK add some more sounds to the guitar.

I bought mine s/h, and any issues with sharp frets (etc) had been sorted out before I got it.  The lack of string grooves in the saddles annoys me a bit, because the strings don't quite line up evenly.  That apart, it's in my "keepers" set.
Title: Re: Gibson BFG, anyone tried one?
Post by: Tele52 on November 07, 2009, 05:40:14 PM
I have a BFG - a black one.

I was never a great fan of Gibson, but the BFG is changing my mind. 

It's relatively easy to sort out the real dumb aspects of the lack of finish - I've added a truss rod cover (it comes with the screws in place, just no cover), and replaced the clear cavity covers on the back, plus added a mounting ring for the bridge pickup and a cover for the P90.   I've also moved the p'up selector to its "normal" position (removing the kill switch) and swapped the Burstbucker out for an Iron Gear Rolling Mills which is tapped via a Cool Little Knob.

I actually like the rough finish of the guitar.  There's certainly no worry about bashing it and chipping the lacquer!  The neck is great (for my hands), it's not thin/fast, but then it's not baseball bat size either.  The lack of finish on the back of the neck improves the feel hugely.

The P90 is an amazingly powerful pickup.  The Burstbucker really didn't stand up too well against it, and the (overwound) Rolling Mill is still a little short of "oomph" by comparison, but the tonal options of the tap & CLK add some more sounds to the guitar.

I bought mine s/h, and any issues with sharp frets (etc) had been sorted out before I got it.  The lack of string grooves in the saddles annoys me a bit, because the strings don't quite line up evenly.  That apart, it's in my "keepers" set.
Yes, on my first one, there was a lack of balance between the two pickups. I replaced the BB with a Nail Bomb, that combo was cool. But the GM BFG has a cover on the P-90 and the two pickups work very well together. It has a Truss Rod cover. And the clear covers are replaced with dark smoke, they're pretty cool actually. I think it's a keeper. I don't know about the Zakk Wylde one, I agree the gig bag is bullshitee.