They're Gibson Beep. :)
My axe of choice these days is a 2013 SGJ - cost me $500. Ordered from Sweetwater, and I'm guessing that their 55 points check up had much to do with the fact that the guitar was great right out of the case. I lowered the action a tad and that was it.
A month later, I had my luthier check it up and verify the neck - there's a major climate difference between Indiana and Nevada. And that's it. It's been my No 1 since.
But I've seen some over at Guitar Center that weren't in such a great shape - as it's often the case w/ GC guitars, anyway.
Obviously, Gibson can't sell you an instrument for $500 w/o cutting some corners. The SGJ has no neck binding, quick connect electronics (which limits your options if you want to throw in new pick ups unless you are ready to redo all the electronics), and a very basic finish - porous fretboard, and a finish that seems to vanish under my hands.
Here's a recent shot - I've had my SGJ for 15 months now and played it in the studio only. I take great care. Some of the damage is hidden by the pickguard I've added.
For me, Quick Connect is a bonus. You wouldn't want me anywhere near a soldering iron, trust me. Plus, though it restricts options, it also makes it easy to switch back and forth between pick ups.
The neck on this guitar is PHENOMENAL. Bigger than your average SG, though not as big as the old Les Paul's neck. The satin finish is as smooth as it gets. Mechanically speaking, this neck is the path of least resistance between me and my music. Which is funny, because prior to that, the neck has always been the one thing that kept me from liking SG's. They just felt too frail for this big guy.
I know many folks who own big SG's and yet rave about those SGJ - provided that you pick a good one, and have it properly set up.
And unlike Epiphones, which can be absolutely fine ( I own a bunch of them and love them all), the Gibson logo on the headstock "guarantees" you that your guitar retains a certain value. You could take an Epi and customize it to no end, putting hundreds of $ in it - at the end of the day, if you need or want to resell it, you won't get much for it, no matter if it's 10 times better than more expensive guitars.
If I could, I'd probably grab one of those Tribute models. But I'm saving $ for my Marshall - and then maybe someday I'll get a Standard or that Derek Truck's signature model... :P In the meantime, I can always switch pick ups.