gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
- Thread starter openj
- Start date
dgk2448
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
Don't quote me on this, but i think that the VOS are produced, or at least atempted at, the same way they were back then.
Vintage Original Spec series instruments receive a special nitro-cellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar while handcrafting enhances comfort and playability. Each VOS model has a solid mahogany back; historically accurate long-neck tenon for strength and sustain; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics.
Thats really all I know about the VOS, I hope this kinda helps.
Don't quote me on this, but i think that the VOS are produced, or at least atempted at, the same way they were back then.
Vintage Original Spec series instruments receive a special nitro-cellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar while handcrafting enhances comfort and playability. Each VOS model has a solid mahogany back; historically accurate long-neck tenon for strength and sustain; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics.
Thats really all I know about the VOS, I hope this kinda helps.
Gunny47
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
I played an old gloss R7 and a VOS R7 next to eachother and they were basically the same thing. The VOS had the non glossy finish, but it was not a satin finish. It was like in between, actually very nice. The neck wasnt as sticky either. Also, the VOS is supposed to have a slightly thicker neck and a PLEKed fretboard (which i think makes the fretboard thinner or something and rounds it off more. The necks were basically the same to me. I didnt feel anything too noticable. But both guitars are great, but I wouldnt pay the extra 400 or so for the VOS if they had a new gloss one.
I played an old gloss R7 and a VOS R7 next to eachother and they were basically the same thing. The VOS had the non glossy finish, but it was not a satin finish. It was like in between, actually very nice. The neck wasnt as sticky either. Also, the VOS is supposed to have a slightly thicker neck and a PLEKed fretboard (which i think makes the fretboard thinner or something and rounds it off more. The necks were basically the same to me. I didnt feel anything too noticable. But both guitars are great, but I wouldnt pay the extra 400 or so for the VOS if they had a new gloss one.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
the VOS have a dull finish other than that the ony difference I see is the price increase...
the VOS have a dull finish other than that the ony difference I see is the price increase...
JeffB
Let it B
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
Plek'ed...thats the BIG diff...
My pre VOS R8 didn't need a Plek..played incredible (best guitar I've ever owned)..no fretwork needed...but I suspect the Plek will make them much more consistent from guit to guit.
I'd just find a good pre VOS if I were in the market again and was worried about $
Plek'ed...thats the BIG diff...
My pre VOS R8 didn't need a Plek..played incredible (best guitar I've ever owned)..no fretwork needed...but I suspect the Plek will make them much more consistent from guit to guit.
I'd just find a good pre VOS if I were in the market again and was worried about $
Innocent_Bystander
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
I have a vos '57 reissue and this is what I've found to be differences.
- Gisbon started Pleking necks on the very late '05 models and all of the '06 models up to this point.
- They have a slightly duller finish but I wouldn't by any means consider it dull, it actually looks pretty amazing. There aren't any cracks or dents or stress marks.
-You also get aged hardware, the screws look like the have a touch of rust in the grooves and the nickel has a haze to it. The best way to explain it is it looks like you fogged up a cold piece of metal with your breath, if that makes sense.
- I've also heard that some of the some on the angles on the guitar are routed to be a little more round than the "glossy" models.
Basically, the guitar doesn't look brand spanking new. I have a '91 Les Paul Standard and 15 years of natural aging have produced a similar looking guitar.
I really think Gibson pays a little more attention to the fine details when making the vos guitars.
After playing both the glossy '57 reissue and the vos '57 reissue, I wouldn't own a non-vos guitar if a vos is offered on that model. It's a beautiful instrument.
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7789/goldtop23mm.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2289/goldtop10uu.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3316/goldtop43iw.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8153/goldtop31wp.jpg
I have a vos '57 reissue and this is what I've found to be differences.
- Gisbon started Pleking necks on the very late '05 models and all of the '06 models up to this point.
- They have a slightly duller finish but I wouldn't by any means consider it dull, it actually looks pretty amazing. There aren't any cracks or dents or stress marks.
-You also get aged hardware, the screws look like the have a touch of rust in the grooves and the nickel has a haze to it. The best way to explain it is it looks like you fogged up a cold piece of metal with your breath, if that makes sense.
- I've also heard that some of the some on the angles on the guitar are routed to be a little more round than the "glossy" models.
Basically, the guitar doesn't look brand spanking new. I have a '91 Les Paul Standard and 15 years of natural aging have produced a similar looking guitar.
I really think Gibson pays a little more attention to the fine details when making the vos guitars.After playing both the glossy '57 reissue and the vos '57 reissue, I wouldn't own a non-vos guitar if a vos is offered on that model. It's a beautiful instrument.
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7789/goldtop23mm.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2289/goldtop10uu.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3316/goldtop43iw.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8153/goldtop31wp.jpg
Robbiedbee
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
I don't normally like Goldtops, but that one is pretty sweet.
I don't normally like Goldtops, but that one is pretty sweet.
callous_frigid_chill
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
The plek also does the nut too.
The plek also does the nut too.
Innocent_Bystander
New member
jmh151
Active member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
PLEK is a new expensive machine on the market that provides the BEST fret job and setup possible- basically the guitar is put in this machine with the strings tuned to pitch, laser scanners scan the fretboard, fret heights, and neck bow, then they can program how they want the frets shaped and leveled. Once the parameters are programmed, the machine dresses, levels, planes, etc.. the frets. EVERY guitar will come out with the same, identical, consistent setup. The machine can also be programmed for different setups.
To get your guitar PLEK'd at a shop that has a PLEK machine normally costs about $300 plus the setup. The machine is very expensive, I think $150,000.
Heritage started using it to help with their inconsistent and poor setups. I guess Gibson has done so as well.
PLEK is a new expensive machine on the market that provides the BEST fret job and setup possible- basically the guitar is put in this machine with the strings tuned to pitch, laser scanners scan the fretboard, fret heights, and neck bow, then they can program how they want the frets shaped and leveled. Once the parameters are programmed, the machine dresses, levels, planes, etc.. the frets. EVERY guitar will come out with the same, identical, consistent setup. The machine can also be programmed for different setups.
To get your guitar PLEK'd at a shop that has a PLEK machine normally costs about $300 plus the setup. The machine is very expensive, I think $150,000.
Heritage started using it to help with their inconsistent and poor setups. I guess Gibson has done so as well.
openj
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
just wondering because when i was bored browsing musicians friend i noticed that the VOS ($2799.99) is the guitar that is $300 cheaper and the gloss ($3099.99) is the more expensive one... what i've herd helps me understand but it doesn't make sense to me that the VOS would be cheaper....
just wondering because when i was bored browsing musicians friend i noticed that the VOS ($2799.99) is the guitar that is $300 cheaper and the gloss ($3099.99) is the more expensive one... what i've herd helps me understand but it doesn't make sense to me that the VOS would be cheaper....
Innocent_Bystander
New member
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
This is a question that I've wondered as well. It seems as though all of the vos guitars are $300 cheaper than their non-vos companions. You would figure it would be the other way around. I might have to give Gibson a call on this one when I get a chance.
openj said:
This is a question that I've wondered as well. It seems as though all of the vos guitars are $300 cheaper than their non-vos companions. You would figure it would be the other way around. I might have to give Gibson a call on this one when I get a chance.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: gibson R8 VOS vs. normal... whats the $400 difference?
I don't like the whole aging thing. I do a good enough job of that on my own. Why the hell would I want rust and corrosion purposely put on my guitar? Not that my stuff is pristine, it's all pretty beat- but all the wear on them is from me, not a guy paid to make my stuff look like I played it.
I don't like the whole aging thing. I do a good enough job of that on my own. Why the hell would I want rust and corrosion purposely put on my guitar? Not that my stuff is pristine, it's all pretty beat- but all the wear on them is from me, not a guy paid to make my stuff look like I played it.
