i got a gibson sg special at xmas there, and its a pretty fine guitar...
I think Gibson are capable of making a good guitar, it's just that it doesn't always happen. I played a Les Paul Historic Reissue last year and I was shocked at how bad it was: sharp fret ends, shoddy binding on the neck, and the humbucker rings weren't flush with the body because they were chipped and dented beyond repair. The price? £2700.
To anyone who
has to have a Gibson, I'd recommend checking it out very thoroughly first. I wouldn't mail order one under any circumstances.
Personally, I'll never buy a new Gibbo - the quality issues and the vile PRS lawsuit have seen to that. The Gordon Smiths look like very good, cheap alternatives, and if you're hankering after an expensive maple-top Les Paul, why not get a top British luthier to custom build you the guitar of your dreams?