Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

[Surgeon]

Hey guys,

So, I finally got pics from the seller... Usually I'm ok for makin' my opinions for myself but I guess I'm hesitating a little on this one (maybe that's a sign?)....

Anyways, I recieved the following five pics from the seller, none of them are gigantic but I can still make out some stuff from them: First, it is cherry burst.
The headstock seems to have a lot of scratches and nicks (that's mainly the reason why I'm hesitating, it's putting me off.... The lower bout doesn't seem to be nicked, just dirty with fingerprints (since Scott made the remark that it was either dirty or nicked...).

As I said in the other thread, I could go play this thing next week-end and get it for 800$US....

What do you guys think? I'm really hesitating and your opinions/impressions will be more than welcome...

Thanks

 

[JeffB]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

Hey guys,

So, I finally got pics from the seller... Usually I'm ok for makin' my opinions for myself but I guess I'm hesitating a little on this one (maybe that's a sign?)....

Anyways, I recieved the following five pics from the seller, none of them are gigantic but I can still make out some stuff from them: First, it is cherry burst.
The headstock seems to have a lot of scratches and nicks (that's mainly the reason why I'm hesitating, it's putting me off.... The lower bout doesn't seem to be nicked, just dirty with fingerprints (since Scott made the remark that it was either dirty or nicked...).

As I said in the other thread, I could go play this thing next week-end and get it for 800$US....

What do you guys think? I'm really hesitating and your opinions/impressions will be more than welcome...

Thanks

I didn't see your other thread....but a few points to consider...

1) looks like it may be a maple neck...I just don't like maple neck LP's..IME that takes away noticeably from "true" LP tone......however so do the mini's to a certain extent...combo of the two is a bit much for me... (new mini's rawk, tho)

2) It *is* a little beat/scratched up..specially the headstock...which is the weakest area due to the angle...I would want to inspect it more closely.

I think for $800 bucks it would have to play very very well, and have great sustain/resonance/tone for me to pull the trigger. I'd rather pay another $300 bucks and play through a bunch to find a good new Les Paul Studio if I wanted an inexpensive LP, personally.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

Thanks Jeff, I also was starting to think that due to the condition, 800$ might be borderline, I just dunno if I want to drive 300km to test a guitar that might or might not be that good sounding....

I'm not sure about the neck tho.. if you look closely you'll see that it's the same color as the body...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

I agree with jeff! I dig mini's but I do not care for the maple neck, and IMO BOTH on the same guitar would make for a pretty bright LP. I have no idea what the XR-2 stuff is about...it looks like a CSB LP Deluxe to me?!? Anyway...I would not buy it, but that's because I know that what I want out of a Les Paul won't come out of that one. If you can play it, and you dig it after you play it, and it sounds good, grab it! That said for $800.00 you could get into a nice Studio, an Epiphone, or one of the MIJ clones (Edwards, Tokai, Burny, Greco, etc).

 

[JeffB]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

I'm not sure about the neck tho.. if you look closely you'll see that it's the same color as the body...

On Les Pauls (barring that Zakk Wylde model) the necks are finished the same color as the back of the body....but you can see the grain through (unless it's a blackback goldtop,or solid color custom, etc)...hard to tell from the pic but the back of the headstock doesnt seem to have the grain of Mahogany.

I would assume this is a 70's/early 80's era guitar which would be more indication of having a maple neck as well.

Plus it has dots....etc....as I said, I'd find a Studio or an Epi Elitist or suttin personally.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

Thanks guys,

TGWIF: These are Les Pauls with minis and a coil-tap switch... they are a lot like the deluxes, minus some appointments... they were manufactured in the 80s mostly... this one's an '81....

Jeff: Thanks, I didn't even think of the finish (yeah, I can be dumb too...) And good catch with the grain once again... thanks mucho... I didn't know 80's LP had a maple neck as a default... thanks once again...

I do agree that altho minis weren't a turn off, the maple neck sure is one... I don't really like maple necks, except on my RG570 where it seems in its place....

I was in the process of selling a couple guitars to buy a heritage eventually (kinda soon if I can) and saw that one for kind of a low price...that's what caught me...

I guess I'll resume saving... Minis are cool IMO but I'm really not sure about the maple neck....

Thanks guys

 

[dani]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

just something out of topic. imo, with $800, you can get yourself a used mij lawsuit era tokai, burny, orville etc. real quality guitars with a good price to match.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Need your opinion on this XR-2 Les Paul (continued with Pics)

Thanks Dani,

Altho I do understand that these guitars are nice, I'm not a huge fan of those copies for some reason even I can't put my finger on.... thanks tho...