I think it's ridiculous how gibsons have become so expensive. I want an SG standard, but they recently went up from around $1000 to $1200. (US dollars) I have two gibsons. a 2005 les paul special, which I bought brand new, and the quality is terrible...It needed a setup badly. I still don't like how it plays. you pay for the name really....I have a 2001 SG junior as well, which I love more than life, but that's before gibson had issues with quality control.
OK, better not get carried away...
Give me a good fender any day! :D