Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

[Diego]

I'm being offered a 1999 Gibson LP Special for pretty cheap. Stock everything, just setup.

I'm not familiar with the Special line. Any info you guys could give me about them?

Here's a picture: http://img25.imageshack.us/f/s8003126thumb.jpg/

 

[Wattage]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

Is it a straight Special? P-90's, neck binding, pearl logo, flat back (no tummy cut)? There have been a lot of guitars over the last decade or so that get a Special model name but aren't necessarily traditional Specials.

 

[Diego]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

The guy says in the ad it's slightly thinner than the average LP and it has a contoured back.

Other than that, it's what you see on the picture. A regular Les Paul, unless I'm missing something?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

This is an upgade from the LP Specials I've seen. They're very basic, a mahogany slab in red or TV yellow with P-90's. What year was it made? What PU's? How's it sound?

 

[Wattage]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

I think that is an SL version of the Special, nice enough guitar. All mahogany which is great IMO but the are not especially desireable. Good solid guitar though.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

looks good, yeah what year is it and how does it sound?

 

[Diego]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

It was made in 1999. 490/498 humbucker set.
Maybe the guy's wrong and it's actually a Studio?

I would imagine too that a Special = P90 pickups.

Haven't tried it yet, might get my hands on it tomorrow.
Funny thing it's that it would cost the same as that Epi LP I was drooling about a few weeks ago...
It's an unreal deal if the guitar's good. I'll keep you guys updated!

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

It was made in 1999. 490/498 humbucker set.
Maybe the guy's wrong and it's actually a Studio?

I would imagine too that a Special = P90 pickups.

Haven't tried it yet, might get my hands on it tomorrow.
Funny thing it's that it would cost the same as that Epi LP I was drooling about a few weeks ago...
It's an unreal deal if the guitar's good. I'll keep you guys updated!

Ya def let us know. If it's good, grab it. Always good to have a LP (esp gibson) in your arsenal

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

It was made in 1999. 490/498 humbucker set.
Maybe the guy's wrong and it's actually a Studio?

I would imagine too that a Special = P90 pickups.

The 498T should sound pretty good in that, the mahogany slab should fill in the mids. The 490R may be a little dark, but an A5 will brighten that up (which what I do to my 490R's).

Get that guitar!

 

[John_L]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

As always with a used Gibson check the neck as they are prone to head break.

 

[brunogio]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

Looks like a keeper.

I fully expected to see a double cutaway slab body with P90s which is the Special I once owned. Nothing against those guitars but they are certainly dialed down versions of an LP.

Those are fine pickups and the mod Bluesman mentions should make them even better.

As far as the price goes bear in mind what a used Studio goes for and this price should be somewhat lesser IMHO. To me it would not be much of a bargain if he's asking the going rate for a Studio which is somewhere in the $600-900 range in the Eastern US. Not sure about the prices in your area though.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

It was made in 1999. 490/498 humbucker set.
Maybe the guy's wrong and it's actually a Studio?

I would imagine too that a Special = P90 pickups.

Haven't tried it yet, might get my hands on it tomorrow.
Funny thing it's that it would cost the same as that Epi LP I was drooling about a few weeks ago...
It's an unreal deal if the guitar's good. I'll keep you guys updated!

Either way if it's a deal then you better snag it before someone else does.......don't be that guy

 

[freddarl82]

Re: Gibson Les Paul Special. Any information on these?

It was made in 1999. 490/498 humbucker set.
Maybe the guy's wrong and it's actually a Studio?

I would imagine too that a Special = P90 pickups.

No, not a studio. Studios have a carved top. On the "Faded" Studios, the body is all mahogany, but the top is carved nonetheless. The other studios (with the gloss finishes) have a maple cap (carved) just like the higher-up Gibsons. What differentiates the Studios from the Standards, etc., is the bodies and necks are not bound. The "Faded's" have dot markers and the gloss ones have block inlays like a Standard (there's probably exceptions to this general guideline out there).

Notice on the Special you are looking at: it's a slab of solid mahogany with a flat top (that's not to imply it's a bad thing). Gibson has made a number of these with the contoured back and humbucker pickups. The flat top cuts production costs - they seem to sell used for $450-600. What kind of deal are you looking at? If it looks, feels, and plays great, I'd jump on it if the price is right!