2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

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Broke

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Been a while since I posted anything here but I need some help. I was just approached by a guy with a 2003 quilt top Brazilian board for sale. For starters seems like people either really like or dislike quilt tops. I really don't care about the top as much as the tone. My question though is are lower serial numbers in the 2003 lineup better then the higher ones?

For example, is "9 3014" better then "9 3425"? He wants to sell the guitar and is asking a reasonable price (as far as lp's go). I didn't know that the lower serial numbers got the better Brazilian boards. This true? If it is great cause this guitar he has is #14 from that year.
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

It seems like some oddball theory- as if Gibson cherry picked the good brazilian boards at first, threw the others back in the pile, but once they started running out were forced to use the ones they threw back. Gibson likely just picked boards randomly out of their supply- if there was a defect that made it unuseable, they hopefully threw it out, or the defect would be noticeable on the finished guitar.

I think the lower serial numbers applies more to the quality of the quilt top, as Gibson does cherry pick the tops in the beginning- but ultimately you can look at the top and tell that.
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

jmh151 said:
It seems like some oddball theory- as if Gibson cherry picked the good brazilian boards at first, threw the others back in the pile, but once they started running out were forced to use the ones they threw back. Gibson likely just picked boards randomly out of their supply- if there was a defect that made it unuseable, they hopefully threw it out, or the defect would be noticeable on the finished guitar.

I think the lower serial numbers applies more to the quality of the quilt top, as Gibson does cherry pick the tops in the beginning- but ultimately you can look at the top and tell that.
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You are right about the top it is very nice and the overall workmanship of the guitar is better then my 2005 r9. The guitar setsup just killer.

To be more specific about the board it is significantly darker then what I have seen. Although this is the first time I saw a Brazilian board LP.
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

Brazilian boards do tend to be darker than Indian Rosewood- I personally don't like light rosewood boards. However, I've heard that between oils and stains, Indian Rosewood can be made just as dark as Brazilian.
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

Most Brazilian is overrated IMHO anyway. Today you can get a nice piece of Indian that is just as dark and a lot cheaper, and as far as electric guitars go it really isn't going to sound any different. I wouldn't put a lot into the fingerboard wood all that much. I usually prefer RW over Ebony, but the species is really not that important. Brazillian is usually much darker than Indian, but thats about the only difference. Bottom line is if you like the way the guitar plays and sounds and looks, then buy it!
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

Braz board LP's got for a LOT more money than non Braz boards...however it has NOTHING to do wiht the serial number...

If you want to know for sure get the serial number and call Gibson they will tell you if it's Braz or not...FWIW, most Braz board LP's from 03 were Historic GT 57 reissues...
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

Bludave said:
Most Brazilian is overrated IMHO anyway.
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Same with my not so humble opinion.

I've got at least 3 instruments with Brazillian RW fingerboards and have owned many more. It's a freakin' fingerboard.
 
Re: 2003 Les Paul Brazilian Question - Help!!!

I was asking about low serial numbers please. Many say it makes a difference so there has to be something to it? Whether you like brazilian boards or not that's up to you I personally think it makes a big diff. Gibson has a way of verifying brazilian boards and the guitar is verified.

The question is...Did lower serial numbers get the better brazilian boards? It sounds a bit far fetched to me but maybe someone here knows one way or another.

If you know anything about that I would appreciate a response. If you don't know anything it (which I don't obviously) I would appreciate no response. Not trying to be smart or anything just trying to get to the point.

Thanks.
 
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