And waiting........

My lengthy post in other thread has also disappeared... Attempts to re-post have also failed.
I blame Gibson

Jim Roseberry
My post disappeared...  

Restored, the spam filter caught it for some reason.

Thanks Noel!

Thanks Noel!
You're the best.  

Jim Roseberry
People buy a Les Paul Standard because it's a classic tried/true instrument.
Once you've put on robotic-tuning (which can be flaky)... and change the nut to a brass adjustable piece (which changes string spacing), it's innovative... but no longer the same. 
I know our local GC (back in 2015) had to remove the robotic tuning system and put on Grover Locking Tuners to sell their remaining 2015 Les Paul Standards.
 
It's got to be difficult being a Heritage guitar company.
People buy/love the guitars for what they are... not what they could be (even technical improvements).
I have exactly the same reaction...
Whenever I see Gibson come out with something new/innovative/different, it's somewhat of a turn-off.
That's got to be frustrating... because the company wants to develop/innovate and create new instruments/standards.
 
Out of many guitars I've owned over the past 12 or so years (took up guitar later in life), two of the very best are Gibson Les Pauls.  Are they over-priced?  Maybe.
IME, Gibson's best guitars are exceptional.
Manufacturing anything of quality in the U.S. has gotten extremely expensive.
Doesn't matter if you're talking cars, guitars, etc...
It may never happen... but it would be nice to see a renaissance in quality U.S. manufacturing... where top-notch products could be made/sold at reasonable cost.  I fear the answer to this dilemma is above my pay grade.  
 
Though guitar may fall somewhat "out of vogue" with younger generations, maybe we're not doing enough to expose kids to the wonders of guitar... and the love of playing an instrument.
 

IMO, another part of the problem is that there are high quality alternatives available at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson.  My '99 Historic '57 Gibby is the highest quality guitar I own.  I bought it new for $1950 back then.  I would never pay the prices being asked today.  I also have a '14 Gibby LP Studio Pro.  Really nice once I got some decent pups into it.
 
The kicker is that I also have a PRS SE ZM that has every ounce of quality - for less than 7 bills new.
 
I see Gibson's story running in parallel with Harley's.  HD has tried various innovations over the years, but their bread and butter remains with big V twins.  Their story differs in that HD quality has improved in step with their prices.  They have managed to improve quality without diminishing the experience.  BUT, they are still largely dependent on older buyers with means and brand loyalty.
 
Motorcycles are WAY more complicated than guitars.  Your basic LP Standard only has so much room for improvement without changing the experience.  This keeps the focus on fit/finish ... which hasn't necessarily kept pace with the times.
 
Now add in the reduced focus on guitar in modern music.
 
And no nibs on neck binding any more?!!! 

 I have an LP Studio since I like chunky necks.  Something about USA made guitars is they are often inconsistent compared to imports.   I've seen some poor finishes on Fenders.   I traded in a lot of my cheap guitars to get my LP. I had to play a few studios and the one I bought made sound on the 22nd fret.  Since I don't play that much I'm content with it.  I still like PRS but I would have to play a lot more to justify paying $2000+ for one. 
 Ernie Ball tried to make USA models with the MM Sub series. They dropped them because they couldn't make a profit selling them for $700.   I got a MM Sub 5 Bass for $500.  I'll never get rid of that but it's like wearing a railroad tie.
 
 Guitar is probably still the most popular instrument in the US.  There's a big decline in kids wanting to play wind instruments.  I think it's a regional thing.  A Sam Ash in Phoenix is pretty sad compared to one in the Chicago area when it comes to wind instruments.   I'd also say that when it comes to high end guitars as well.  

BobF
 
IMO, another part of the problem is that there are high quality alternatives available at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson.   . . . . . . . . . .
 
The kicker is that I also have a PRS SE ZM that has every ounce of quality - for less than 7 bills new.
 

Ain't that the truth, I have 2 SE Custom 24s (2016 and 2017 models), and I would rather play them than either of my LP's (Custom and Standard) or my SG, and they sound gorgeous, I also have their big brother, the real Custom 24 and it's in it's own league, simply beautiful. I also find Schecter to be excellent with quality and features, even at the lower(ish) end, the Damien Elite or Damien Custom series are excellent value at around the $1100 -$1300 here in Australia now(around $600-$800 US I guess) certainly nothing to sneeze at. I have a Damien Elite for a knockabout, and I love my 2 Hellraisers(a bit more expensive), Hellraiser C1 and Hellraiser Solo II, the build and finish quality is awesome, they feel and sound awesome, and again I much prefer playing them over my LP's and SG. I'd never buy another Gibson, way over priced, and quite simply you can get as good and better for less, much less. But if you want the 'name' and that classic vibe, or you just like the look, feel and sound of the classic Gibson, then you gotta pay the price, not for me though.

Regarding Gibson sound/playability:
I've played some recent make Les Paul Standards that I thought felt "cheap" compared to Gibson Custom, PRS, or other higher-end guitars.
I've also recently played R9 and R10 Les Pauls.
 
To me, the R9 and R10 are some of the best sounding/playing guitars I've ever picked up.
There's a certain little extra something that those guitars have... that's just not in any Standard that I've played (nor many other guitars).  Ironically, no advanced switching options (coil-taps/splits, phase, etc)... just 3 position switch.
What it does... sounds amazing.  Big, aggressive, well-defined tone... that just screams ROCK guitar.
I wouldn't pay full price for a R9 or R10, but at heavy discount (or good condition used) I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

I owned a PRS SE Custom 24 and it was decent, but NOTHING
compared to my CE24...it's night and day...so I'm sure the 
Custom 24 raises that even more...