Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

[ExplorersRock]

I keep seeing posts where someone refers to their Les Paul as an "R8" or an "R9" or something to this effect. What does this mean? I know car guys will refer go their motors by the numerical name (LS2, B16A2, etc.) or their chassis by the code in the vin # that indicates it (DC2, EG, Ek, etc.). Is it something like that? Help me out here :dunno:

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

(R)eissue, 5(8),5(9),6(0)

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

It refers to the Gibson Custom Historic Reissue line, by year.

1958 reissue = "R8"
1959 reissue = "R9"

And I will have an R9 someday...

By the way does anyone have the numbers for how many 58 and 59 reissues they've built compared to original 58s and 59s?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

By the way does anyone have the numbers for how many 58 and 59 reissues they've built compared to original 58s and 59s?

I figured it up once and there were about 2500-3000 Les Pauls sold with buckers before the SG. My guess would be 50:1 or 75:1.

Luke

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

(R)eissue, 5(8),5(9),6(0)

Oh, okay I get it. Makes sense.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Lol, good Q... Surprising answer. Totally thought it was about the tops, like for when they ran outta space writing a gazillion A's, or that maybe R# is short for doubledigit A's, like R#=A1#

I feel silly now

Oh well whatevs... My Pauls are good ol luthier built japs (a 70s matsumoku custom and a 90s ESP eclipse), not machine made reissues, and play circles around modern gibbies, so watch me not care

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Lol, good Q... Surprising answer. Totally thought it was about the tops, like for when they ran outta space writing a gazillion A's, or that maybe R# is short for doubledigit A's, like R#=A1#

I feel silly now

Oh well whatevs... My Pauls are good ol luthier built japs (a 70s matsumoku custom and a 90s ESP eclipse), not machine made reissues, and play circles around modern gibbies, so watch me not care

I'm glad your LP's are keeping you happy but this kind of statement ALWAYS makes me laugh. The amount of people I know who have had better copies of LP's, Strat's, Tele's and the like and who wouldn't waste their money etc etc etc and then years later ended up with the exact guitars they were slating in the first place. Just for the record Gibson Historics are awesome guitars, they sound and play pretty darn good as well as looking fantastic. Never say never.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

^ I also remember a certain member banging on about his Agile being better (or at least as good) as a Gibby for quite a while. Luckily he's sober now.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

By the way does anyone have the numbers for how many 58 and 59 reissues they've built compared to original 58s and 59s?

I don't have any hard numbers on Historic/VOS guitars built but there were less than 1750 sunburst LP's built between late 1957 and the end of the single cut LP in 1960.

There are more than that built of any given year reissue in a given year...

The number of reissue LP's since the first reissue LP's have to out number original Bursts by extreme numbers and that is one reason that Historic/VOS LP's will never really be worth much cash...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Lol, good Q... Surprising answer. Totally thought it was about the tops, like for when they ran outta space writing a gazillion A's, or that maybe R# is short for doubledigit A's, like R#=A1#

I feel silly now

Oh well whatevs... My Pauls are good ol luthier built japs (a 70s matsumoku custom and a 90s ESP eclipse), not machine made reissues, and play circles around modern gibbies, so watch me not care

You really believe that 70's era Mat copies and 90's ESP are hand made??

Sorry brother, but thats simply not true.

I am sure they are fine guitars and I am glad you enjoy them but I have to ask...have you ever played a Historic/VOS guitar?

 

[DonP]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

I'm glad your LP's are keeping you happy but this kind of statement ALWAYS makes me laugh. The amount of people I know who have had better copies of LP's, Strat's, Tele's and the like and who wouldn't waste their money etc etc etc and then years later ended up with the exact guitars they were slating in the first place. Just for the record Gibson Historics are awesome guitars, they sound and play pretty darn good as well as looking fantastic. Never say never.

LOL! Same here. My Gibsons sound fantastic. Can't say I ever gave the competition a chance, because when I wanted a Les Paul, I wanted a real one, not a wannabe.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Unless of course you get your Gibson excessively weight-relieved or with a plywood fretboard.

 

[chadd]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

I don't know what's worse; guys bagging on Gibsons and claiming their "whatever brand" is better, or guys bagging on anything that isn't made exactly like an original '59.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

I don't have any hard numbers on Historic/VOS guitars built but there were less than 1750 sunburst LP's built between late 1957 and the end of the single cut LP in 1960.

There are more than that built of any given year reissue in a given year...

The number of reissue LP's since the first reissue LP's have to out number original Bursts by extreme numbers and that is one reason that Historic/VOS LP's will never really be worth much cash...

I didn't realize they did that many a year. On your other point, that's kind of the idea right? For those of us that want that guitar but can't afford the 6 figure price of admission?

(True statement, if I ever win the lotto, I'm finding that Japanese guy that has like 10 bursts and making him an offer he can't refuse. )

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

I didn't realize they did that many a year. On your other point, that's kind of the idea right? For those of us that want that guitar but can't afford the 6 figure price of admission?

(True statement, if I ever win the lotto, I'm finding that Japanese guy that has like 10 bursts and making him an offer he can't refuse. )

I'd love to know how many reissue LP's get made in a year...the number has to be stupid high!!!

As for real bursts, as with any of these old wood grail guitars we talk about they are pretty amazing. I have played a few over the years and must admit they are special plus it's sort of a thrill to hold a guitar that is worth that kind of green!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

There was a series of Reissues built in the 80's? That were pretty sweet.

I sometimes refer to guys who get all stuck up on "R" Les Pauls (often Blues Lawyer types) as Rtards.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

I don't know what's worse; guys bagging on Gibsons and claiming their "whatever brand" is better, or guys bagging on anything that isn't made exactly like an original '59.

Of course if you do get a R8 or R9 you don't have any of those problems. They are done proper.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Something that kills me is that every few years they say "New this year, even MORE accurate to the original!" It's not like the target is changing, and they built the originals once... I'm sure it's all for marketing and ANY reissue from Gibson is an outstanding guitar.

(Oh, you only have a 2005? My 2009 is WAY better, the glue is made from cryogenically frozen horse hide glue from 1958!)

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

You know you can get some really nice LPs that are Epiphones or whatever. But as good as my old Epi Explorer was, the two Gibsons I have now can't be mentioned in the same breath. They are worlds better. That said, I agree with my tech. He once said you can line up ten Epis and ten Gibsons. The difference is that 7 or so of those Gibsons will be great guitars. And about 2 or 3 of the Epis will be great guitars. I think there is some truth there. I love my Epi LP, but I have put a LOT of work into it. All new hardware, pickups, and electronics. Pretty much only the neck and body are stock. If I spent the green to level and crown the frets I think it could give a Gibson a run for the money. But still, Gibsons have a different feel altogether. If I have the green and find one I like, I would not balk at the opportunity to buy a Gibby LP.

 

[DonP]

Re: Les Paul Guys! Please Explain!

Something that kills me is that every few years they say "New this year, even MORE accurate to the original!" It's not like the target is changing, and they built the originals once... I'm sure it's all for marketing and ANY reissue from Gibson is an outstanding guitar.

(Oh, you only have a 2005? My 2009 is WAY better, the glue is made from cryogenically frozen horse hide glue from 1958!)

Yeah, I'm glad no OTHER industries upgrade their products. I love my 1980's low horsepower musclecar that gets horrid gas milage....NOT!

Gibson knows exactly how to play the game to get you to keep wanting the latest and greatest.