got my first les paul

[Boogie Bill]

Re: got my first les paul

And classic - X Thousand dollar guitar, and the E string buzzes. From the Custom shop…..Seriously Gibson?

Ace, you know I respect you, and I always look forward to your posts, but I kinda have to call you on this point.

The simple truth is that we don't know the condition of this guitar, and what happened to it after it left the factory. I'm pretty sure that this guitar was Pleked at the factory; all of the new Historics I've played over the last couple of years have played pretty well. That said, not all of them have played to MY preferences. A FACTORY setup is never going to meet the demands of ALL players...everyone has their preferences.

I'm going to assume that esandes bought this guitar as a used, pre-owned guitar. But it could be a NOS guitar that has hung in the shop for a few years and not played; hung on the wall. Did the shop pay any attention to humidity? It can get pretty dry up there in Alberta, which can cause all kinds of fret problems--they can just pop up. Is that Gibson's fault? NO.

Perhaps the previous owner set the guitar up for 11's, adjusting the truss rod and re-filing the nut. Esandes puts 9's on it--bingo, you've got a buzz. Or vice-versa. Gibson's fault? NO.

The neck could be twisted. Bad wood? Okay....Gibson's fault. Use the Lifetime Warranty.

The nut could just be worn. Gibson uses the same type of plastic that they used in the '50s. Yeah, bone nut would be better...but then it wouldn't be an accurate representation of the '50's-built guitars, would it?

The problem here is that nothing is really known about this guitar's history. And maybe it came that way from the factory. In which case, I could understand being miffed about the playability of the guitar. But once it leaves the factory, and is owned and perhaps modified, Gibson can't really be held accountable for its condition, can they?

We really don't have any knowledge of what's causing the buzz, and without the guitar in hand, it's impossible to determine the cause, as I stated in my earlier post.

But to blame Gibson...at this point...? No. Won't fly.

Respectfully,

Bill

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: got my first les paul

esandes, I did a little research.

I think your guitar is a 2011 Full Gloss R7. If the paint is shiny and the pickup covers and metal parts are shiny--that's a Full Gloss version, and that's good--they are a little more expensive than the VOS version. The VOS pickups have a matte, brushed finish. The VOS guitars have sort of a patina, but the finish can feel a little "sticky", and not smooth to the touch. Some like the VOS; some like the Gloss version.

The serial number format for a Historic would be 7 XXXX. The 7 indicates the Reissue model. (You should also have a stamp in the control cavity in black ink that says, "R7".)

The next digit indicates the year. 1 could indicate either 2001, or 2011. I believe this is a 2011, due to the Gibson Custom plate on the back switch plate. And, the points on the crown inlays look nice and sharp in the photo; the points are a bit rounded on the earlier guitars.

If your serial number reads, "71XXXX", with no space between the 7 and the 1, this would indicate a high production number, late in the year. That might also account for the Gibson Custom plate, as GuitarGuy503 pointed out.

A 2001 R7 would probably have Classic '57s; and I think the 2011 would have an A2 Burstbucker 1 and 2 set, with 500K CTS pots and Bumblebee caps under the control plate. (I don't think the Custom Buckers were out in 2011.) I really like the Burstbuckers in my Historic LPs. I have an R8, the R9 and two of the Tobaccoburst VOS G0 Guitar Center versions. I've got some Seths and Antiquitys laying around, but I don't really feel the need to replace the pickups in these guitars. I do classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc. in a cover band. I like the Classic '57s for their warm tones in my 335s, but the Burstbuckers have a nice crispness to them, definitely brighter and more defined. I'd try them for a while and see how you like them.

My used 2006 R9 Reissue came with a brown "Lifton" case with a single neck support, crappy latches and pink lining. (These are horrible cases, lol, though period correct...oh well. ) I'm guessing yours came with a black "Gibson Custom" case with dual neck supports and a dark magenta lining. There should have been a certificate book, and hopefully some other case candy as well.

This just a beautiful Gold-Top, esandes. I hope you get years of playing out of it, and great joy and satisfaction and inspiration. It should be played often, but I think these guitars will be good investment that will hold their value. Mine have SIGNIFICANTLY gained in value since I bought them. They are all great guitars, and they get played out. And I ALWAYS get a smile on my face!

Sing your wife a beautiful love song, and she'll love that guitar as much as you do! Congrats.

Bill

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: got my first les paul

pants wettingly good.
get it set up properly tho...that might include a new nut. Worth the small extra investment tho.

 

[esandes]

Re: got my first les paul

esandes, I did a little research.

I think your guitar is a 2011 Full Gloss R7. If the paint is shiny and the pickup covers and metal parts are shiny--that's a Full Gloss version, and that's good--they are a little more expensive than the VOS version. The VOS pickups have a matte, brushed finish. The VOS guitars have sort of a patina, but the finish can feel a little "sticky", and not smooth to the touch. Some like the VOS; some like the Gloss version.

The serial number format for a Historic would be 7 XXXX. The 7 indicates the Reissue model. (You should also have a stamp in the control cavity in black ink that says, "R7".)

The next digit indicates the year. 1 could indicate either 2001, or 2011. I believe this is a 2011, due to the Gibson Custom plate on the back switch plate. And, the points on the crown inlays look nice and sharp in the photo; the points are a bit rounded on the earlier guitars.

If your serial number reads, "71XXXX", with no space between the 7 and the 1, this would indicate a high production number, late in the year. That might also account for the Gibson Custom plate, as GuitarGuy503 pointed out.

A 2001 R7 would probably have Classic '57s; and I think the 2011 would have an A2 Burstbucker 1 and 2 set, with 500K CTS pots and Bumblebee caps under the control plate. (I don't think the Custom Buckers were out in 2011.) I really like the Burstbuckers in my Historic LPs. I have an R8, the R9 and two of the Tobaccoburst VOS G0 Guitar Center versions. I've got some Seths and Antiquitys laying around, but I don't really feel the need to replace the pickups in these guitars. I do classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc. in a cover band. I like the Classic '57s for their warm tones in my 335s, but the Burstbuckers have a nice crispness to them, definitely brighter and more defined. I'd try them for a while and see how you like them.

My used 2006 R9 Reissue came with a brown "Lifton" case with a single neck support, crappy latches and pink lining. (These are horrible cases, lol, though period correct...oh well. ) I'm guessing yours came with a black "Gibson Custom" case with dual neck supports and a dark magenta lining. There should have been a certificate book, and hopefully some other case candy as well.

This just a beautiful Gold-Top, esandes. I hope you get years of playing out of it, and great joy and satisfaction and inspiration. It should be played often, but I think these guitars will be good investment that will hold their value. Mine have SIGNIFICANTLY gained in value since I bought them. They are all great guitars, and they get played out. And I ALWAYS get a smile on my face!

Sing your wife a beautiful love song, and she'll love that guitar as much as you do! Congrats.

Bill

thanks buddy. the serial starts with 711..must be a 2011 with everything you mentioned. the pickups sound a bit lacking with the A and D string. i was hoping they were the custom model. i did raise the bridge and the buzz is gone. the intonation sounds better than my other guitars.

yeah i have the brownish cover case with the pink interior. there's a certificate book.

my wife said i'm not getting a christmas or birthday gift for the next few years. worth it.

i was wondering about this but i'd hate to modify it..
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...lpiece-set-small-posts-notched-saddles?pfm=sp

 

[DankStar]

Re: got my first les paul

No sex for a few years

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: got my first les paul

Esandes, that is a "Nashville" bridge and will not fit your guitar without modifying your guitar...not recommended. You'll need to look for the ABR-1 version.

I have mixed feelings about the Tonepros bridge and tailpiece, but I honestly believe the Gibson parts are of better quality.

The brown case with the two cross-bar neck supports is a fine case, much better than the older versions.

Bill

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: got my first les paul

I believe this is a 2011, due to the Gibson Custom plate on the back switch plate. And, the points on the crown inlays look nice and sharp in the photo; the points are a bit rounded on the earlier guitars.Bill

You can see a crown inlay in his photo???

 

[astrozombie]

Re: got my first les paul

and here I was expecting an Epiphone Congrats.

 

[Johnny-DK]

Re: got my first les paul

Sweet! Happy NGD

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: got my first les paul

You can see a crown inlay in his photo???

The trapezoid inlays on the fretboard visible in the pictures are often referred to as "crown" inlays.

And here's a little tidbit for you. The so-called "crown" inlay, featured on many Gibson headstocks like the 335, is not a crown.

It's a simple representation of a...

FLOWERPOT!!!

You have the pot at the bottom, two leaves coming out of the sides and then the "flower" coming up out of the pot in the middle.

Once had a conversation with a Gibson exec many, many years ago, and this is what he told me. The flowerpot was the symbol often used by MASTER luthiers in olden days as a mark of quality. You can see a fancier representation of the flower pot on Some of Gibson's more deluxe models, ala the Byrdland and the new Les Paul Classic. The version used on the 335 is simpler to cut out and inlay...suitable for a model with less ornamentation, but still of high quality.

I've noticed on the Gibson website, they just refer to it as a "Traditional Mother Of Pearl Inlay." I suspect that even Gibson doesn't know what to call it anymore, LOL!

Bill

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: got my first les paul

The trapezoid inlays on the fretboard visible in the pictures are often referred to as "crown" inlays.

And here's a little tidbit for you. The so-called "crown" inlay, featured on many Gibson headstocks like the 335, is not a crown.

It's a simple representation of a...

FLOWERPOT!!!

You have the pot at the bottom, two leaves coming out of the sides and then the "flower" coming up out of the pot in the middle.

Once had a conversation with a Gibson exec many, many years ago, and this is what he told me. The flowerpot was the symbol often used by MASTER luthiers in olden days as a mark of quality. You can see a fancier representation of the flower pot on Some of Gibson's more deluxe models, ala the Byrdland and the new Les Paul Classic. The version used on the 335 is simpler to cut out and inlay...suitable for a model with less ornamentation, but still of high quality.

I've noticed on the Gibson website, they just refer to it as a "Traditional Mother Of Pearl Inlay." I suspect that even Gibson doesn't know what to call it anymore, LOL!

Bill

Well, I didn't know that.

I've always heard that the headstock ("flowerpot") inlay was the "crown" inlay. Never heard the fret markers referred to as anything other than traps.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: got my first les paul

Nice! That's a heck of a first Les Paul!!!!!

 

[esandes]

Re: got my first les paul

turned out the high E buzzing was due to the bridge pickup being so close to the string.

the low E has very high action and despite that it buzzes from the 12th fret up. the pickup clearance on that string is ok.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: got my first les paul

Interesting. Not sure about this issue....darn, I sure would love to get my hands on this one, lol!

Les Paul standard set-ups can be so...weird.... sometimes. I use standard 10-46 on most of my Gibsons, but three seem to want 9-46 gauge. ???? I normally like a little more relief in the neck than standard since I hit hard--but got one that plays best with just the TINIEST amount of relief. Sometimes you just have to take what the guitar tells you is right.

It shouldn't buzz though. I hope you find it soon.

Bill