https://reverb.com/blog/breaking-gibson-to-revert-prices-and-specs-on-2016-models?_aid=fb
 
There might be some hope after all. 
 
I've noticed a growing trend of people around me moving to ESP's twist on classic designs for new guitars. 

I'm not particularly surprised at the abandonment of the newfangled features. It's basically the 80's all over, when Fender and Gibson tried new things only to find that the primary appeal they had for most people was tradition. 
 
Gibson is probably better off either using one of their other brands or creating a new brand for anything that deviates too much from traditional designs.

i've been actively moving away from the Gibson brand, and the Fender Brand,
since 1979.
 
and there is no reason for me to change that modus operendi now.
 
spend your money wisely.
 

drewfx1
I'm not particularly surprised at the abandonment of the newfangled features. It's basically the 80's all over, when Fender and Gibson tried new things only to find that the primary appeal they had for most people was tradition. 
 
Gibson is probably better off either using one of their other brands or creating a new brand for anything that deviates too much from traditional designs.

Yup. When I was in the market for my Gibson Les Paul, I was after tradition, not innovation. I'm not such a purist that I would have tried to score a vintage instruments, but I definitely didn't want anything 2015, especially considering how much they were asking for those. 
 
I'm happy with my 2012 (IIRC) white LP Studio. 

drewfx1
....... the primary appeal they had for most people was tradition. 

 
Which in itself is strange. If you ask guitar players what their biggest fears are, one of the answers would be:

• I'm in a middle of a song, I just played my solo and now my guitar is out of tune

But the guitar players don't like the automatic tuning systems. So there must be a design fault.
If you'd design a guitar that looks traditional but has  invisible automatic tuners hidden in the stop tail piece or something like that, guitar players would complain less.   
 

Zonno
If you'd design a guitar that looks traditional but has  invisible automatic tuners hidden in the stop tail piece or something like that, guitar player would complain less.   

 
Or find something else to complain about! 
(Heck, if we were low maintenance, we'd play bass right?  )
 

craigb
......if we were low maintenance, we'd play bass right?  

I admit that plaing bass is about simplicity

My apologies for the deviation, let's get back on topic.

 

Hopefully their quality standards have improved...

don't count on it,
unless you are willing to drop at least 3 grand.
 
YMMV