to be honest dude, it sounds like you have already made up your mind...and it seems that you want the Warmoth a bit more than the Gibson...and I agree...for that sort of money, you should get exactly what you want...and if you are gonna have to mod the guitar (in any way) it is clearly not exactly what you want. Personally, I think I would go for Gibson...probably because I love set necks...but it is un fortunate that the neck is finished on most set neck guitars...but with lots and lots of play, those necks break in nicely!