The Bench

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Ebony with gold hardware, front view

Is the Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson Custom" Lin...

'Inspired by Gibson Custom' is really two guitars wearing one badge. Here's what each tier actually gives you, where the money still shows on an overseas build, and why buying...

Is the Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson Custom" Lin...

'Inspired by Gibson Custom' is really two guitars wearing one badge. Here's what each tier actually gives you, where the money still shows on an overseas build, and why buying...

Illustration of guitar resale value over time: most guitars depreciate and plateau while a small minority of rare or vintage guitars appreciate over decades.

Are Used Guitars a Good Investment? An Honest A...

Most guitars depreciate like cars; only a narrow set of vintage and Custom Shop pieces appreciate. A used-guitar shop explains what actually holds value, what quietly kills resale, and how...

Are Used Guitars a Good Investment? An Honest A...

Most guitars depreciate like cars; only a narrow set of vintage and Custom Shop pieces appreciate. A used-guitar shop explains what actually holds value, what quietly kills resale, and how...

Gibson Les Paul Tribute T in Faded Honey Burst with a satin nitrocellulose finish and covered humbuckers

Is the Gibson Les Paul Tribute Worth It? A Benc...

The Tribute is the most affordable way into a genuine USA-made Les Paul — but the name has covered several very different guitars. A bench tech breaks down what you...

Is the Gibson Les Paul Tribute Worth It? A Benc...

The Tribute is the most affordable way into a genuine USA-made Les Paul — but the name has covered several very different guitars. A bench tech breaks down what you...

Two covered nickel humbuckers on a Gibson Les Paul Standard — the classic PAF look

What Is a PAF Pickup, and Why Do Players Chase ...

A PAF is the original Gibson humbucker from 1957–62, named for the "Patent Applied For" decal on its baseplate. Here's what actually makes the "PAF sound" — low output, mismatched...

What Is a PAF Pickup, and Why Do Players Chase ...

A PAF is the original Gibson humbucker from 1957–62, named for the "Patent Applied For" decal on its baseplate. Here's what actually makes the "PAF sound" — low output, mismatched...

Diagram comparing correct capo placement snug behind the fret wire versus too far back, which pulls notes sharp and can buzz

Do Capos Damage Your Guitar? What Actually Wear...

A bench tech answers whether capos damage guitars: they will not warp your neck and fret wear is minor. The real issue is tuning, so here is how to place...

Do Capos Damage Your Guitar? What Actually Wear...

A bench tech answers whether capos damage guitars: they will not warp your neck and fret wear is minor. The real issue is tuning, so here is how to place...

Illustration: why a Gibson sunburst fades - the finish stack with the fugitive red aniline dye layer, and a fade spectrum from Cherry Sunburst to Honeyburst to Lemonburst

Why Do Gibson Sunbursts Fade? Unburst, Lemonbur...

A bench tech explains why Gibson sunbursts fade: the red aniline dye is fugitive and gives out under UV, which is why bursts drift to teaburst, honeyburst and lemonburst. What...

Why Do Gibson Sunbursts Fade? Unburst, Lemonbur...

A bench tech explains why Gibson sunbursts fade: the red aniline dye is fugitive and gives out under UV, which is why bursts drift to teaburst, honeyburst and lemonburst. What...