Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

[AlexR]

Re: Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

^ What like the gold and black guitars grail era guitars from the early 50's which were the only choices???

And what cosmetic 'sins' that are likely to be covered would also impact on the tone of the guitar......this being the only relevant metric.
Is this also like the 3 piece tops of the 50's??

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

^ What like the gold and black guitars grail era guitars from the early 50's which were the only choices???

And what cosmetic 'sins' that are likely to be covered would also impact on the tone of the guitar......this being the only relevant metric.
Is this also like the 3 piece tops of the 50's??

The 1950's is not what we're talking about. I've been told in discussions with guys from the manufacturing line over the last 20 years that it's common practice to put the most flawed woods under solid colors; e.g. knots and odd grains. Not always true, but it's a blind date grab bag if you buy a guitar and can't see the grain.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

^ What like the gold and black guitars grail era guitars from the early 50's which were the only choices???

And what cosmetic 'sins' that are likely to be covered would also impact on the tone of the guitar......this being the only relevant metric.
Is this also like the 3 piece tops of the 50's??

The 1950's is not what we're talking about. I've been told in discussions with guys from the manufacturing line over the last 20 years that it's common practice to put the most flawed woods under solid colors; e.g. knots and odd grains. Not always true, but it's a blind date grab bag if you buy a guitar and can't see the grain.

Gibson of the 50s was nowhere near as obsessed with saving a buck as they are now. I've never heard of a 3-piece top prior to the 70s, but there are 50s goldtops where the seam is off-center. AFAIK Gibsons of the 50s were all 1 piece backs, where that definitely isn't the case anymore.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

There are known 3-piece 50's goldtops......and not just 1 or 2 either.

But the point here is that cosmetic flaws like knots or anything else is not any guarantee of a poor guitar any more than a perfectly bookmatched even grained flame top is a guarantee of a great sounding guitar.
I can understand the crippling OCD sufferer worrying about what they can't see, and it affecting them and the enjoyment of the guitar. For the rest of us, it really is a non-issue.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Gibsunday Question #1.... Les Paul Customs

There are known 3-piece 50's goldtops......and not just 1 or 2 either.

But the point here is that cosmetic flaws like knots or anything else is not any guarantee of a poor guitar any more than a perfectly bookmatched even grained flame top is a guarantee of a great sounding guitar.
I can understand the crippling OCD sufferer worrying about what they can't see, and it affecting them and the enjoyment of the guitar. For the rest of us, it really is a non-issue.

It’s not just OCD. This was a recommendation from the guys that actually build the guitars on the line. I was told the better woods, that pass all their tests, eg tap tests for tone/as a sound board, moisture / density etc., the best woods go into the guitars where you can see the grain.