I'm sure if you're recording a modeller or pedal could do the trick sound-wise, but 'feel' is very important to some folks (myself included). It's the same with guitars - most LP users could sound the same with an Epi LP, but their Gibson will feel nicer/better/more responsive to play.
Its all in the head !!
It's only 'in the head' for those that think a big brand name guarantees quality and therefore 'better' tone etc.
Pretty much all of us on here wouldn't fall into that category.
Maybe not in here, but to many out there DO fall for the name Gibson!
I would never buy a new Gibson, when i can get 3-4 superb MIJ for the price of one Gibson...
I agree in principle with what you're saying, but people always use Gibson as an example in these discussions - I've done it myself - almost as if it's an established
fact that Gibsons are (a) rubbish and (b) overpriced.
In my obsession with Les Paul Juniors and similar guitars, I've owned loads of Japanese guitars in recent years - Edwards, Tokai, Orville, Greco and MIJ Epiphones (no Burnys, yet!
). They're great guitars, and great value for money. The Japanese Epis, in particular, are fantastic and I'll never sell them.
However, in the last year or two I've done what I said I'd never do...... I've bought some Gibson custom shop versions of the same guitars. And they are.... better. The build quality and finishing aren't significantly better, the hardware is basically the same, so it must, I guess, be the timber. There's just that bit more resonance, more "magic". It's NOT just the name on the headstock, it's NOT all in my head, they are better guitars.
Are they worth 3-4 times the price of the MIJ guitars? That's a different question. It's
never a case of
"3 times the price = 3 times the guitar", you're always paying a premium for just an extra.... 10%, maybe, performance-wise. It's up to you whether that's worth paying for.
