Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

[Benjy_26]

Hey all.

Just wondering about the details on Gibson's VOS series Lesters.

After visiting GC, I noticed a pair of LP's that caught my eye. Both had satin finished hardware and were around $3k. One was a '57 Gold Top and the other was a '60 Plaintop in a cherry burst. Both played superbly off the rack and both had tone to die for. Coming off my tele's and Hamer, I liked the neck and snappy tone of the '60 a bit more, but I could definately leave either one stock and be perfectly happy.

I can get a KILLER deal on either from a friend on the inside (I'm talking less than a LP Standard), so one will be in my home sooner rather than later.

My questions:
Are the VOS part of the Custom Historic line, or are they standard production model?

Do they have long tenon joints?

Do they swiss cheese/chamber these?

Does the '57 Gold Top have a mahogany top?

What pickups come in these?

Thanks for the info, y'all.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Are the VOS part of the Custom Historic line, or are they standard production model?
Historic, without the glossy buffed out finish.

Do they have long tenon joints?
yes.

Do they swiss cheese/chamber these?
No, I think they use lighter and better timber.

Does the '57 Gold Top have a mahogany top?
No, maple. The 57 Customs are solid mahogany though.

What pickups come in these?
Burstbucker 1&2, I think. Copies of the original Seth Lover......so essentially, they're Gibson Seth Lovers.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Cool. Thanks for the info, GJ. Anything else I should know about these?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Yeah, make sure you like big chunky necks, because most people are used to normal C necks. Standards and Premium Plusses offer more normal sized necks, with 50's being the most preferred. The 57 Goldtop comes with a much fatter profile.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

I like 'em big and chunky. My fave neck is on my 62RI strat. That one, for some reason, is bigger than an SG Standards.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

GJ nailed the specs so I don't have much to add.

I have one of the 60 Plaintop VOSs. It kills. Excellent bang for your buck even at full price. It's frequently referred to as a G0 because it's a Guitar Center exclusive.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

The Historic line kind of became the VOS line but like GJ said they are made to look a little older...not aged pre se just a dulled finish and hardware, FWIW I prefer the older Historic line myself and while we're at it that dulled look is something Gibson puts ON the guitar, not something they take OFF...if you have a VOS and you buff it long enough the dull goes away, the finish wil shine and whatever it was/is will be all over your rag!!! The only thing Joe said that Im gonna disagree with is that the BB1/2 set is like Seths...sure the specs are close...alnico II, unpotted (however I think they ones that come IN the ghuitars are no potted...maybe, not sure), PAF range DC resistance , etc however the tone is different...the BB's are not as clear and articulate as any Duncan PAF and they lack the punchy attack of a Duncan PAF. I swapped out the BB 1/2 set in my R8 wiht a set of Ants and nevr looked back, the BB's were good, real good in fact and IMO better than ANY Gibson pickup in YEARS but a set of Duncans is an improvement IMHO.

As far as the rest of the details...

-NO chamering, they are a tad heavy but to keep the weight down Gibson uses a better and lighter mahogany in these guitars

-long neck tenon

-light weight tailpiece

-all the other "features" are the same as the last year of Historics (which I think was 05..?)

Really great guitars but like I said I prefer the older plain Historics, which FWIW, can be bought at a pretty good price and right now the market is a tad soft so you coudl go used and save a bundle if you wanted to.

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Yes....that spooge or whatever they put on the guitar to dull the finish comes off by using certain polishes. I removed it from my '58 and then buffed the finish with some 3M Imperial compound and it shines like the non VOS models. Be aware the the Les Paul signature on the headstock is silkscreened with no finish over it (which is period correct) so you cannot be aggressive with polishes on that area. I agree that these are awesome playing guitars, especially the ones that are pleked.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Thanks for the tips!

It's nice to know I could make a VOs "pretty" if I wanted to.

As far as price goes, what would a used Historic Gold Top or Plaintop go for?

I've never played a used Historic, and I'm somewhat uncomfortable with buying a guitar that I can't play beforehand. That's why those VOS guitars appeal to me. I can get one for under $2000 brand spankin' new with a case.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Thanks for the tips!
It's nice to know I could make a VOs "pretty" if I wanted to.
As far as price goes, what would a used Historic Gold Top or Plaintop go for?
I've never played a used Historic, and I'm somewhat uncomfortable with buying a guitar that I can't play beforehand. That's why those VOS guitars appeal to me. I can get one for under $2000 brand spankin' new with a case.

HOW?!

If you can nail down a VOS for UNDER 2k GET IT...Hell, get 2 or 3...I'll buy one from you!!! Last time I prices one a VOS Goldtop/plain top was right around (maybe a little under, maybe a little over) 3k so under 2 is a steal!!!

I would say used VOS/Historic in this market is gonna be right aorund $2500 give or take so like I sad, if you can get one for aroun2 jump on it quick!

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

The last two years for Gibson historics kinda sucked pricewise. The prices just went through the roof once they came out with VOS... I got lucky, my R7 goldtop (maple top btw) was one of the last non-VOS historic with the gloss finish. I played a billion LPs before I picked out mine, this one played the best and was the lightest out of them all. Sounded beast too. I don't like that VOS crap all too much, even though they are still nice guitars. I prefer the gloss finish. And like Christian said, the pickups that came stock (BB1 and BB2) are a GREAT set. I changed them out for antiquities as well, I liked them better. More clarity, less harshness especially in the bridge. I also put a tonepros bridge on mine and I might put the tonepros locking stopbar studs.

Plus I put black plastic parts on mine and a metal jack plate. It's a sick guitar...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

HOW?!

If you can nail down a VOS for UNDER 2k GET IT...Hell, get 2 or 3...I'll buy one from you!!! Last time I prices one a VOS Goldtop/plain top was right around (maybe a little under, maybe a little over) 3k so under 2 is a steal!!!

I would say used VOS/Historic in this market is gonna be right aorund $2500 give or take so like I sad, if you can get one for aroun2 jump on it quick!

Beauty of it is, I don't have to jump 'til i'm ready. I know a guy who knows a guy who can get me what I want from Gibson BELOW cost.

We go waaaaaayyyyyy back.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

VOS = Very Overpriced S***





















just j/k, just j/k....

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tell me about Gibson's VOS guitars.

Beauty of it is, I don't have to jump 'til i'm ready. I know a guy who knows a guy who can get me what I want from Gibson BELOW cost.

We go waaaaaayyyyyy back.

Well thats the deal then...you can't even touch a faded Standard for less than 2k...