I dont think you can rule out that some of the complainers werent buyers. That pricepoint is hard to resist even if you dont like the guard. The only more affordable option of decent quality is the newish Hamer model ( closer in look to a vintage one though they try to be subtle about the extra cutaway depth), but i bet people are will to pay 1 to 200 more just for the name on the headstock to be ‘Gibson.’
If thats one big ole route under there ( theres precident for that woth Gibsons budget models like my Sonex) then it also makes a sweet mod platform that requires no further routing ( and therefore ability return to stock and hold value for resale if it comes to it).
Its an ugly guard , Dave, you know its true, but its ok to get a gross out boner every now and then, and you cant tell me thats not what at least half of the sales volume is ( also speculators, after the Bonamassa sig firebird they came out of the woodwork and think theyre players now).
The other half are are younger people giddy at the thought thay can afford a real Gibson.
Sales volume , like chart success, are no indicator of a quality product.