Spending $1500.00 dollars or more on a guitar? The Gibson's Fender's Days are long gone.  I in the past would love only Gibson or Fender.  Go to E-bay and check out the Tom Anderson's.  There is no comparison.  These are way better in tone, intonation (by a mile) playing ease looks, the list go on and on. I sold a 1960 Gibson 345 because it was not even close to these guitars.  But first you will have to lose that Gibson Fender mind set.  Also if you buy an Anderson used it will still be worth the same amount two years later if you don't damage it.