BluesJunkie
New member
What's the difference? From what I can tell, the 57's neck extends to the pickup cavity, and it has vintage style electronics. Is it really worth $500 more than a Standard?
Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
- Thread starter BluesJunkie
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Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
I'm not an LP expert, but friends told me several years ago that the '57 reissue was one of the better deals - basically same components as the other reissues, and less money. I looked at one recently and the neck was just too darn big for me!
It's probably a better investment in the long run, but you also want one that's comfortable to play !
I'm not an LP expert, but friends told me several years ago that the '57 reissue was one of the better deals - basically same components as the other reissues, and less money. I looked at one recently and the neck was just too darn big for me!
It's probably a better investment in the long run, but you also want one that's comfortable to play !
Re: Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
there is a significant benefit to a longer and wider neck tenon. My guitars have a neck tenon that extends through the neck pickup and are the full width of the neck. The benefits are improved sustain and tuning stability. While the difference between the two gibsons in your case is not night and day, there may very well be a noticable difference in tone/sustain/tuning stability
there is a significant benefit to a longer and wider neck tenon. My guitars have a neck tenon that extends through the neck pickup and are the full width of the neck. The benefits are improved sustain and tuning stability. While the difference between the two gibsons in your case is not night and day, there may very well be a noticable difference in tone/sustain/tuning stability
F
Falstaff
Guest
Re: Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
The neck will be fatter--that will be the most obvious difference. I sort of recently traded a LP Standard for an R7, and the R7 is a way better guitar. It just feels better, plays better, and has the X factor more than the LPS did. Of course, there are stars and dogs in both categories.
If you can find a used one (especially with the Brazilian rosewood board) it will most likely be a great deal.
The neck will be fatter--that will be the most obvious difference. I sort of recently traded a LP Standard for an R7, and the R7 is a way better guitar. It just feels better, plays better, and has the X factor more than the LPS did. Of course, there are stars and dogs in both categories.
If you can find a used one (especially with the Brazilian rosewood board) it will most likely be a great deal.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
That's an interesting question to me because my goldtop came from a batch of guitars that were the experiment for the R7. Sounds funny, but around 1990, as the Historic Division was in it's formation, they started making the prototypes for the 57 Reissue. That meant they were blurring the lines between the regular Std goldtops and what they considered the best color, binding, and neck profile for the new R7.
As a result, mine was not marked with the Historic badge, but given to an artist for an endorsement. My Goldtop has all the appointments of the R7, except that the neck is inbetween a regular standard and the 57 thickness. Also, the gold color is a little richer than most R7's I've seen. The binding is the same. All I can say is it's my #1 LP because it just "has it." Even if someone offered me a LP with a higher pedigree, I'd still stick with mine. It also has a bone nut, which might be one reason it sounds better than a lot of other Pauls I've played.
That's an interesting question to me because my goldtop came from a batch of guitars that were the experiment for the R7. Sounds funny, but around 1990, as the Historic Division was in it's formation, they started making the prototypes for the 57 Reissue. That meant they were blurring the lines between the regular Std goldtops and what they considered the best color, binding, and neck profile for the new R7.
As a result, mine was not marked with the Historic badge, but given to an artist for an endorsement. My Goldtop has all the appointments of the R7, except that the neck is inbetween a regular standard and the 57 thickness. Also, the gold color is a little richer than most R7's I've seen. The binding is the same. All I can say is it's my #1 LP because it just "has it." Even if someone offered me a LP with a higher pedigree, I'd still stick with mine. It also has a bone nut, which might be one reason it sounds better than a lot of other Pauls I've played.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Gibson '57 LP Goldtop Reissue vs. LP Standard Goldtop
The main differences between the R7 and the Std. are
R7 has a very fat deep D? profile neck. Std has the reg. 59 profile
R7 has laquered/aged binding. Std has cream binding.
R7 has vintage bridge and vintage tuner shaft ferrules. Std. has Nashville and Hex nuts
R7 has 57 Classic pickups. Std has 498/490's
Overall, I'd base my decision after playing both, because higher quality doesn't necessarily mean better playing/sounding guitar. I don't like 57 Classics or 498's, so the pickups mean nothing to me anyway.
The main differences between the R7 and the Std. are
R7 has a very fat deep D? profile neck. Std has the reg. 59 profile
R7 has laquered/aged binding. Std has cream binding.
R7 has vintage bridge and vintage tuner shaft ferrules. Std. has Nashville and Hex nuts
R7 has 57 Classic pickups. Std has 498/490's
Overall, I'd base my decision after playing both, because higher quality doesn't necessarily mean better playing/sounding guitar. I don't like 57 Classics or 498's, so the pickups mean nothing to me anyway.
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