-Plywood is absolutely not a weak product. I don't really know where anyone would come up with that misconception but I hear that all the time. It's almost as good as the softwood-isn't-strong argument.
-Even if Les Pauls were neck-through, it wouldn't matter that much. I have neck-through Ibanez that I'm selling for only $300.00 so...
This is already a weird thread. 😆
If you're a Gibson player, you want the guitars to be expensive. (Subconsciously or not.)
Gibson has a reputation for making well-crafted instruments and that reputation is reflected in the price tag of a new (or used) Gibson.
If they came out with a $300.00 Gibson, people would immediate discredit them based on the MSRP. Even if the guitar was top of the line with all of the deluxe appointments, the majority of people would try to find fault with them because the idea of something being nice and affordable seems absurd.
Take, for instance, the Melody Maker. I don't think that I've read a negative first-hand review. Everyone that has one raves about the quality, the feel, the sound, etc. But then you look online and people automatically assume that they're crap just because almost anyone can afford one. Or that the guitar would be okay if you upgrade the pickups, the hardware, the wiring, the neck, the body and enlarge the headstock. 🙄
Gibsons seem more prestigious is they aren't affordable. They're like the holy grail of guitars. Some bozo in a garage band probably can't afford one. They're for the real players.
Either way, there are only about three Gibson models that I've ever liked so Gibson can keep their guitars. 
