Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

[Kurtastrophe]

G'day out there in Gibson land. Long time reader, first time poster. I have recently brought a 2001 Les Paul Custom 68 reissue (#010738) which, Gibson confirmed (via email) its serial number is consistent with a heritage cherry sunburst figured top. I have not seen any of these 68 reissues in this darker colour, but love it nonetheless. Even the guitar dealer I bought it from was advertising it as a triburst, which I guess could be easily mistaken for. It has a 50's wiring circuit modification and PIO capacitors. I do appreciate the vintage tone but I mainly play high gain music, and will be swapping out the PAFs for a Seymour Duncan Custom (sh-5) in the bridge (uncovered/gold poles, for a non-nasally tone), and a Jazz neck (sh-2. ) (covered). I was just wondering if anyone has seen a 68 reissue in this darker than normal burst, and if anyone has used this combination of pickups in guitars with the same or similar specs (e.g., ebony fretboards). Also, does anyone know the history of the 68 reissues, (i.e., when they were first made, the cost brand new, average cost now, etc). Thanks in advance for any information and advice. P.S., not sure how to upload pics of it.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Welcome to the forum.

I owned an original '68 Custom, but it was black with gold hardware. Beautiful looking, playing, and sounding guitar.

I've seen lots of Heritage Cherry burst finishes. Some very light almost pinkish, and some very dark that looked like they almost faded to a rootbeer color. But I have NEVER seen any that could even remotely be confused with triburst (which fades to black around the edges)! Sounds like the dealer doesn't know what he's doing.

Does your guitar have Classic '57 pickups or Burstbuckers? In any case why swap out the neck for a Jazz? What are you trying to accomplish by this swap? The main difference is that the Jazz has a cleaner more scooped tone. If you mainly play "high gain" I can somewhat see why you would change the bridge pup to a Custom, but why not the Distortion? Both are great pups if you like the ceramic magnet sound, but for high gain the Dist. seems like the more appropriate choice.

Don't know what the new price was, but used ones go for $2000-3000, with $2500-3500 as a common asking price.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

i recently played a Gibson Standard with a Duncan Distortion. A its a real weapon for saturated tube amps, not so in the clean dept - but you are obvisily not aiming at that. The Duncan Custom is not that crunchy middy pickup, more even and a bit boring in my book. i really can recommend the Distortion. The Gibson Standard came with an old T-Top in the neck, which gave a good Led Zep ballad sound. Since I've been loving you, ya know. Good combo.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

I've had a Custom and Jazz in an Explorer with an ebony board since 2003; great tones for metal & heavy rock. I don't remember the exact price (around $3K I think), but I first remember seeing those 68 RI figured top LP Customs around 2000 or 2001.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

If you have a dark burst on 68, it was common. It's not "Heritage Cherry" however.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

I've played a Custom/Jazz combo in an LP Custom, and it was remarkable. If you don't want to go as hot as the Custom, check out the 59/Custom Hybrid, too.

 

[1b4n3z]

Re: Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue Heritage Cherry Sunburst

I have that exact pickup combo in my '68 Reissue and it is just perfect for rock 'n roll. The color on mine is something of a lemon-dragged-through-dirt with a bright red back. It's just too nice with the 60's neck profile. My other 68RI is equipped with a Custom8 & '59. The C8 sounds absolutely punishing through my Orange. Through anything, really