Another 18 months, and at that time a lot of the protectionist FReepers will call Gibson a traitor and sell-out. Of course, Gibson either moves production to China, or goes out of business. Not because of pricing or labor, but simply because they cannot get the materials desired by customers.
The US Federal Government is the number one reason companies move production off-shore. It's not lower labor costs, or lower factory costs. It's simply availability of materials and taxation/regulation laws.
Have to remember this thread when that happens. I have a feeling that the days are numbered for Gibsons being built in Tennessee. Eventually, all the components will be manufactured overseas and shipped to be assembled in America. Sometime thereafter, this iconic American institution will quietly shutter its Tennessee factories and move the production line overseas, leaving behind a skeleton crew in a garage churning out but a small handful of astronomically-priced custom guitars for the collectors' market.
I hope I'm wrong but I'll be holding on to my USA-made Les Paul for the time being.