Mabey you are right,but i dont know for sure.It is hard to determine the quality of wood.Just go and buy what sounds best to you.And dont forget to try other guitars too.
In gibsons and epiphones i always liked one thing best.That it is very easy to play on them.For me it was very easy.Almost as easy as in a stratocaster while in other guitars the setup of the knobs and the bridge kind of prevents you from doing several staff.
But i couldnt find another reason to get a gibson.Personally i dont like that sound.I dont hate it but i dont like it either.
So be sure to check lots of guitars and be sure to check them with the right equipment.Many shop owners put the guitars in 100 watts amps and when you hear it you say: ahhh!!! But when you put it on your amp (mine was a 20 watt gorilla :P) you just can dial a similar sound.
Tell him to plug it into a normal 50 watt amp and then try and buy.