It really comes to something when a brand as iconic as Gibson Guitars cant stay afloat!

@trelja Yes I know that Gibson and Epiphone are the same (US and Asia).I have a 2005 Gibson SG and an Epi Les Paul Special! The Epi LP is really nice, despite being made in Korea!

Then there are the Chibsons and Chinese D45s.

I have owned several Gibson's their QC has been not up to par for awhile . I could not believe even when spending $2k to gave orange peel in the clear  frets should be even and not .Telephone
Made overseas in many cases better finished. Very sad 
Taking pride in your work should be automatic. Just leaving on their past laurels,not Good. Fender I think was more up to standards.
PAUL Reed Smith.  Has really come on strong and build a very good product. The late great Tom Petty loved his Rickenbackers not as popular but very well made. There are several custom brands out 
There very good Earnie Ball ,Excellent built precision 
Very sad to hear about Gibson, the rock world is a whoes who 
Of Les Paul ,guitar players, or She's. Hopefully someone will bring back the Glory.

I believe it was mainly poor policy choices and some slipshod workmanship that felled this giant!
Hopefully yes somebody will seperate the guitars from the electronics and make a go of both business
But the QC will need to be upped considerably for me to ever consider a new Gibson.
I was in Guitar Center in Appleton, Wisconsin last night and thought would compare a couple of new les paul and sg to prs and schecter they had in.
So sad but the Gibsons just did not compare in build quality or playability.
Now obviously you can pay to have a Gibson set up better but like you say major fret work and neck work on a new $1600 guitar?
Not happening!