Hello

[patchkit123]

I am a new member, looking at a 2003 Les Paul standard at our local music store and have a few questions. I am 51, just started playing and have always loved the Les Paul guitars. It is a 2003 Les Paul standard with a very nice flame red wine top. The guy at the shop tells me it is all original. How can tell? I have been told that the pickups on a 2002- 2006 are unique and the best. How do know if they are factory pickups? The torsion rod cover is blank. it doesn't say standard anywhere. Is this normal? Which tuners did it come with? I would just like to be sure that is a real standard like he said it was. It has chrome and I am only seeing them with gold hardware. They want 1100.00 for it. Thank you very much for your time.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Hello

Standards have changed specs over the years and I don't know a lot about 2003 specifically so I'll just touch on a few points...

$1100.00 is a low price for any LP Standard. Maybe "too good to be true" low.

Standards come with Chrome hardware.

Trussrod cover: I've seen plain black and with the word "Standard".

Pickups are...eh. ok. I think that should have burstbuckers.

You could check the serial number, but even then, with all the counterfeiting nothing is guaranteed.

Do you know anyone knowledgable on Gibson Les Pauls that you could take to the shop with you?

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Hello

You said you've only seen them with gold hardware - is this the guitar they have in the shop?

If so, get it ASAP. I've seen Standards in the 1100-1300 range, and they never last long.

If it's this one:

then it'd be a LP Studio, and I'd pass on it. They're not worth nearly that much.

 

[patchkit123]

Re: Hello

It is the first one. Thank you. It does have the gold knobs on the volume controls. The pick ups look just like that and it has a beautiful flame top.

 

[patchkit123]

Re: Hello

Also thanking Poorman. Thanks guys!

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Hello

$1,100 for a Les Paul is cheap. Did it's previous owner do a relic job? (aka beat the crap outta it) If not; buy it!

 

[patchkit123]

Re: Hello

The bad news is, it has had a factory headstock repair. He pointed it out to me. I cannot see it or feel it. It looks perfect, but I am very green at this. He said he set it up and it plays great. He said the repaired area was stronger than it was new???? He also said it had not fret wear. I will try and post some pics, it looks perfect and sounds great! The guy seems honest and said he knows that the repair was done at Gibson by the finish.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Hello

Welcome to the forum!!

Even with the repaired headstock, $1100 is a pretty good deal, but tell him you'll give him $1000, and walk out the door with it. The headstock really will be stronger now that it's been repaired. If it truly was repaired by Gibson then it was done the way they want them repaired.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Hello

Welcome.

Good luck from another Area 51 inhabitant on your LP purchase.

LP Standards are Cool enough but I like a real Standard, Hamer Standard that is, :biglaugh: also around $1100 on the used market sometimes.

 

[patchkit123]

Re: Hello

Thank you all very much for your input!