gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
- Thread starter shred-dog
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Innocent_Bystander
New member
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
I own a '91 Standard and I can't complain about the quality. I also paid very little for the guitar about 9 years ago which helps.
It has a fairly thin neck on it, it's probably not the thinnest Gibson neck but it's certainly not of the extremely fat necks like my '57 has.
I think the Gibsons that people tend to avoid are the early 80's models. Since this is when Gibson closed shop and moved to Tennessee. I really don't get much into politics when it comes to years since I don't really know that much about what is wanted and what isn't.
Hopefully that helps on some level.
I own a '91 Standard and I can't complain about the quality. I also paid very little for the guitar about 9 years ago which helps.
It has a fairly thin neck on it, it's probably not the thinnest Gibson neck but it's certainly not of the extremely fat necks like my '57 has.
I think the Gibsons that people tend to avoid are the early 80's models. Since this is when Gibson closed shop and moved to Tennessee. I really don't get much into politics when it comes to years since I don't really know that much about what is wanted and what isn't.
Hopefully that helps on some level.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
Like anything bro. Some are, some aren't. I had a couple that were excellent. I play some that weren't. But those years are generally when Gibson started improving after the Norlin era stuff.
Go play a current SG standard to get a feel for the neck size. It's big but def not a baseball bat like on a Historic, and it's bigger than the current "production 50s" neck on Standards.
regardless, don't buy unless ya can play it first. Wood and tone.
shred-dog said:
Like anything bro. Some are, some aren't. I had a couple that were excellent. I play some that weren't. But those years are generally when Gibson started improving after the Norlin era stuff.
Go play a current SG standard to get a feel for the neck size. It's big but def not a baseball bat like on a Historic, and it's bigger than the current "production 50s" neck on Standards.
regardless, don't buy unless ya can play it first. Wood and tone.
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
My first Les Paul guitar was an '89. I loved it. The neck was on the thicker side. I've probably had 13-15 of them now, and that one was top three. The debate rages, of course, about QC and manufacturing, but I think a lot of folks give the '80's get bad grades. That's really unfair in my opinion, because being made as they are, they can vary so widely. I specifically sought out '80's after that first one. Slash likes 'em, if that does anything for you. I'd play a few before buying.
My first Les Paul guitar was an '89. I loved it. The neck was on the thicker side. I've probably had 13-15 of them now, and that one was top three. The debate rages, of course, about QC and manufacturing, but I think a lot of folks give the '80's get bad grades. That's really unfair in my opinion, because being made as they are, they can vary so widely. I specifically sought out '80's after that first one. Slash likes 'em, if that does anything for you. I'd play a few before buying.
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
Since I've always idolized Slash, I've always been a HUGE fan of LPs. I tried out some 80's models (along with other years) at my local Guitar Center not long ago. From the time I spent playing them, they didn't seem especially different from the 90's/00's models. The neck feels different, but the sound was almost identical. To me, the year on LPs just doesn't matter. Hope that helps!
Since I've always idolized Slash, I've always been a HUGE fan of LPs. I tried out some 80's models (along with other years) at my local Guitar Center not long ago. From the time I spent playing them, they didn't seem especially different from the 90's/00's models. The neck feels different, but the sound was almost identical. To me, the year on LPs just doesn't matter. Hope that helps!
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
if its a gibson les paul standard and it plays well...
its good & a keeper!
if its a gibson les paul standard and it plays well...
its good & a keeper!
Dave Simpson
New member
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
I'm more from the Zakk school of thought. Any Les Paul before '81 is my type. I'm probably one of the few that likes the Les Paul's that have the maple necks and rosewood fretboard that they used from '75 to '81. To me they sound a lot better. The individual notes seem to come out clearer.
Also after '81 is when Gibson started drilling big holes in the mahogany slab of the body to cut down the weight. I know they claim it doesn't make any difference in the tone, but when they're taking it from anywhere under the bridge it's got to make a difference.:eek13: Those are the "Swiss Cheese" Les Paul's. Tap on the back of the guitar and you can find all the holes pretty easily.
I'm more from the Zakk school of thought. Any Les Paul before '81 is my type. I'm probably one of the few that likes the Les Paul's that have the maple necks and rosewood fretboard that they used from '75 to '81. To me they sound a lot better. The individual notes seem to come out clearer.
Also after '81 is when Gibson started drilling big holes in the mahogany slab of the body to cut down the weight. I know they claim it doesn't make any difference in the tone, but when they're taking it from anywhere under the bridge it's got to make a difference.:eek13: Those are the "Swiss Cheese" Les Paul's. Tap on the back of the guitar and you can find all the holes pretty easily.
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
my 76 Deluxe has the maple neck... i really would of prefered the earlier per 75 Deluxe models with a mahogany neck but this one was in stock at a used store in the late 80's..... I borrowed and begged enough for the $700 price tag... Only reason i bought the guitar is it is the model Pete Townshend used.. from 76-79 he used Maple Neck models.....pre 76 he had a bunch of the Mahogany neck ones.... One of my favourite tones Pete has ever had is the Live clips of WGFA from the Kids Are Alright movie recorded on a sound stage in 1978.... Great sounding guitars.... If i can find a Mahogany neck model oneday for a good price i'd be happy as hell to own both models......
Right now my 76 Deluxe has a full sized JB in the bridge postion.... it just fit without routing any wood away..... i'm going to have the original pickups potted a second time and see if they can stop the microphonics
Dave Simpson said:
my 76 Deluxe has the maple neck... i really would of prefered the earlier per 75 Deluxe models with a mahogany neck but this one was in stock at a used store in the late 80's..... I borrowed and begged enough for the $700 price tag... Only reason i bought the guitar is it is the model Pete Townshend used.. from 76-79 he used Maple Neck models.....pre 76 he had a bunch of the Mahogany neck ones.... One of my favourite tones Pete has ever had is the Live clips of WGFA from the Kids Are Alright movie recorded on a sound stage in 1978.... Great sounding guitars.... If i can find a Mahogany neck model oneday for a good price i'd be happy as hell to own both models......
Right now my 76 Deluxe has a full sized JB in the bridge postion.... it just fit without routing any wood away..... i'm going to have the original pickups potted a second time and see if they can stop the microphonics
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
Besides that, those holes are far from "tone chambers" they're like an inch or two in diameter.
I thought they started that in the 90's. I don't think weight was much of an issue in the 80s. Maybe I'm not "on it" or something, but I've never heard much of tonal evidence from a "weight relieved" body and a solid body. I'll lay dollars to doughnuts if you had never seen those pictures on the intarweb you'd never have known they were there. Just as people freak about the "short tenon" neck.Dave Simpson said:
Besides that, those holes are far from "tone chambers" they're like an inch or two in diameter.
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The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
What year did Gibson start the wide headstock? What year did they start the maple neck? What year did they start the sandwich body? What year did they discontinue T-Tops? Which year did they start embossing "Gibson" on the pickup covers? Which year did they use "Gibson" branded Schaller tuners? Which years did they use the "handle" tuners? Which year did they reduce the top carve? Which year did they re-instate the 'narrow' headstock? Which year did they start using Grovers?
The years of manufacture do matter.
The years certainly do matter. I look at it like model years on a car. What's the difference between a 64 GTO and a 74 GTO? Other than they both look like Novas from their respective years (kinda odd isn't it? :laugh2: ) but the years certainly do matter.bigalthethird said:
What year did Gibson start the wide headstock? What year did they start the maple neck? What year did they start the sandwich body? What year did they discontinue T-Tops? Which year did they start embossing "Gibson" on the pickup covers? Which year did they use "Gibson" branded Schaller tuners? Which years did they use the "handle" tuners? Which year did they reduce the top carve? Which year did they re-instate the 'narrow' headstock? Which year did they start using Grovers?
The years of manufacture do matter.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
I didn't answer the question... In all honesty, I would look into a post 02 LP Standard with a "1960s neck" rather than an 80s Gibson, and feeding into that "vintage 1980's" BS. For as much crap you hear about Gibson's "Quality Control," I think your chances finding a "better" guitar from Gibson are better in the past 15 years than they have been since 1969.
I didn't answer the question... In all honesty, I would look into a post 02 LP Standard with a "1960s neck" rather than an 80s Gibson, and feeding into that "vintage 1980's" BS. For as much crap you hear about Gibson's "Quality Control," I think your chances finding a "better" guitar from Gibson are better in the past 15 years than they have been since 1969.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
#1 Don't call them Paula's - It sounds like you've been on a chowder diet. Les Paul, LP, or Paul.
#2 There is something to love about most of them - Icompletely dig my Norlin era...but carful with those.
#3 While Gibson QA sucks - they do make about 60% of their guitars really well.
#4 A pair of Duncans can soup up even the most mediocre epiphone!
#5 Two sizes of neck: Obnoxiously large (my fave!) and medium (which is "thin" in Gibsoneese) Play one of each at a GC.
#1 Don't call them Paula's - It sounds like you've been on a chowder diet. Les Paul, LP, or Paul.
#2 There is something to love about most of them - Icompletely dig my Norlin era...but carful with those.
#3 While Gibson QA sucks - they do make about 60% of their guitars really well.
#4 A pair of Duncans can soup up even the most mediocre epiphone!
#5 Two sizes of neck: Obnoxiously large (my fave!) and medium (which is "thin" in Gibsoneese) Play one of each at a GC.
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Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
You guys are funny.
I'm a Les Paul kind of guy. Not the LPF hardcore kinda guy but they are my guitar of choice. I like the way they look, feel and sound. I have owned a few Les Pauls over the years but I also own or have owned Strats, Teles, PRS, Charvels and a few other guitars as well. If you get down to it I'll play just about anything with six strings as long as it will stay in tune.
You really only have 3 choices when it comes to buying a Gibson LP, the pre 1960s stuff, the post 68 stuff and the post 1986 stuff. Most of us will not be buying a pre 1960 Les Paul any time soon so the choices are really from the two later groups.
The pre 1986 stuff is just fine unless you are really hooked on the pre 1960s specs. There were a few variations including maple necks, pancake bodies, flakey electronics and funky pickups. It's an interesting period for the Les Paul so you have to know what you are getting. Better or worse depends on if you have to have mahogany necks or not. Really they are just different. They can also tend to be fairly heavy guitars and I remember playing a probably mid to late 70s Custom that was seriously heavy. If you are buying a Norlin you need to know what you are getting. Quality wise they are overall fine guitars. Being a Norlin doesn't make a LP good ar bad, just different.
After 1986 Gibson tightened up the specs and from 1987 on they got pretty consistant. There are a few diamonds and a few stinkers but most are very playable guitars. The 1990s LPs are fine guitars and I have seen many killer examples online. My 1995 and 1998 Stds are both killer players.
The new stuff is all good too. Find one that works for you and have at it.
You guys are funny.
I'm a Les Paul kind of guy. Not the LPF hardcore kinda guy but they are my guitar of choice. I like the way they look, feel and sound. I have owned a few Les Pauls over the years but I also own or have owned Strats, Teles, PRS, Charvels and a few other guitars as well. If you get down to it I'll play just about anything with six strings as long as it will stay in tune.
You really only have 3 choices when it comes to buying a Gibson LP, the pre 1960s stuff, the post 68 stuff and the post 1986 stuff. Most of us will not be buying a pre 1960 Les Paul any time soon so the choices are really from the two later groups.
The pre 1986 stuff is just fine unless you are really hooked on the pre 1960s specs. There were a few variations including maple necks, pancake bodies, flakey electronics and funky pickups. It's an interesting period for the Les Paul so you have to know what you are getting. Better or worse depends on if you have to have mahogany necks or not. Really they are just different. They can also tend to be fairly heavy guitars and I remember playing a probably mid to late 70s Custom that was seriously heavy. If you are buying a Norlin you need to know what you are getting. Quality wise they are overall fine guitars. Being a Norlin doesn't make a LP good ar bad, just different.
After 1986 Gibson tightened up the specs and from 1987 on they got pretty consistant. There are a few diamonds and a few stinkers but most are very playable guitars. The 1990s LPs are fine guitars and I have seen many killer examples online. My 1995 and 1998 Stds are both killer players.
The new stuff is all good too. Find one that works for you and have at it.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: gibson les paul standard late 80's ?
I'm with Robert on this....there's some good ones and some that aren't the greatest. In the mid 80's, Gibson was struggling to sell them because superstrats were the rage, so I've seen a few that aren't so appealing. IMO, 86-2002 are the recent 'golden years'....and 94-97 were primo wood years. A few years after 2000 is when the quality started getting spotty.
However, the very best Pauls I own are 89 and 90, and I think Gibson was realizing right about then that they need to do things like the 50's again.
I think almost all of them had the 59/50's profile, and they really only used skinny 60's necks on the Classic 60's models. Most Standards have the 59 profile, which is my favorite. Too chunky, and they feel to different from all my other guitars. Too thin, and the tone thins out a little and my left thumb gets more fatigued when chording.
I'm with Robert on this....there's some good ones and some that aren't the greatest. In the mid 80's, Gibson was struggling to sell them because superstrats were the rage, so I've seen a few that aren't so appealing. IMO, 86-2002 are the recent 'golden years'....and 94-97 were primo wood years. A few years after 2000 is when the quality started getting spotty.
However, the very best Pauls I own are 89 and 90, and I think Gibson was realizing right about then that they need to do things like the 50's again.
I think almost all of them had the 59/50's profile, and they really only used skinny 60's necks on the Classic 60's models. Most Standards have the 59 profile, which is my favorite. Too chunky, and they feel to different from all my other guitars. Too thin, and the tone thins out a little and my left thumb gets more fatigued when chording.
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