I've read a lot about Gibson and uh I really like the Les Paul model more precisely the Standard ones and people are saying that the new models are really not worth it and that guitars are just worse and worse every year. So because the stores here only sell the new models of course I'm kinda skeptical of buying a new Standard one. (2016,2017,2018 models) I don't know people?
Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
- Thread starter benjaminc
- Start date
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
If you have read a lot about Gibson then what you have really done is read a lot of things posted by people who also read a lot of things.
You need to talk to people who have actually owned and played Gibsons. Most of the verbal wankers who talk about them have never even asked a GC employee to hand them one because they can't afford it.
First of all "Worth It" is a BS statement. It is worth whatever it is worth to you. Whether you will pay $2500 because of the name, the heritage, the mystic, the shape, the feel, the finish, the flame, the tone or whatever is YOUR business and yours alone. I paid 8k for a Frehley Budokan. Why? Because Ace Frehley. Is it "Worth it?" As a player/performer hell no. One working pickup, jacked up electronics, beaten, wore, scuffed, scratched, bashed, 74 Norlin pancake custom. There are literally 1000's of better lookers and players. That said, I had the cash, I wanted an exact replica of Ace's guitar, so I got it. KISS my @$$ Les Paul illuminati.
"Worse every year" compared to what? The various specs change, necks change, pickups change, etc. Les Pauls are one thing: NOT the same year to year - so whoever "They" are have no idea what "They" are talking about, or are flapping their jaws so generally that they may as well shut up because their comments are useless. Pull any 5 Les Pauls off the shelf, out of 20, for the past 5 years - mix them up and play them and I'll bet you $1000 you can't identify 100% of any specific year with your hands or your ears. And there won't be any of the OMG QA stuff everyone blathers about either. At least none that make a difference in how it plays or sounds. (robo tuner models excluded from this offer)
Are you buying one without playing it? Because honestly it sounds to me like you haven't. Here are your REAL options. Go into to a store or stores, play as many as you can. Decide which one Feels as good as you want. And don't b!tch about the setup. Your preferences may not be mine etc. A screwdriver can change that in 5 minutes to your personal definition of perfection. And in 1 hr the pickups/pots can get swapped to whatever classic modern ultra 50s or metal or blues or flexible setup you want. You need to listen to it ACOUSTICALLY. IS it deep, zingy, middy and full? Or is it muddy, warm, and mushy? So either play a lot and pick the one that speaks to YOU - not the internet armchair cork sniffers who treat Les Paul Vintages like wine, or order online sight unseen or felt/heard.
IF you order online...Odds are still just as good that you will get one solid playable Les Paul. Just like 98 of them out of a hundred. And if there is anything not to your liking, again, A Dan erlwine book or youtube vid and screwdriver will get it there. And - if it isn't....just be ready to ship it back and say "Try again". If you can't do that - don't order online.
I'm not ranting at you Benjamin - this at all of @$$clowns spewing dumb@$$ ignorant comments over the intarwenbs at people who don't know.
Gibson is a jacked-up company. For what you pay - every freaking guitar should be spot on perfection. But people really need to stop with the this year or that year and QC is awful and they are unplayable BS. It isn't like that at all. It's definitely not what it should be for the price, but good god - the guitars play and sound fine.
You are more likely to fine two extreme guitars out of the non any given year that are dark vs bright because of the particular slab of mahogany/rosewood/maple that came together randomly than difference between any two years.
If you have read a lot about Gibson then what you have really done is read a lot of things posted by people who also read a lot of things.
You need to talk to people who have actually owned and played Gibsons. Most of the verbal wankers who talk about them have never even asked a GC employee to hand them one because they can't afford it.
First of all "Worth It" is a BS statement. It is worth whatever it is worth to you. Whether you will pay $2500 because of the name, the heritage, the mystic, the shape, the feel, the finish, the flame, the tone or whatever is YOUR business and yours alone. I paid 8k for a Frehley Budokan. Why? Because Ace Frehley. Is it "Worth it?" As a player/performer hell no. One working pickup, jacked up electronics, beaten, wore, scuffed, scratched, bashed, 74 Norlin pancake custom. There are literally 1000's of better lookers and players. That said, I had the cash, I wanted an exact replica of Ace's guitar, so I got it. KISS my @$$ Les Paul illuminati.
"Worse every year" compared to what? The various specs change, necks change, pickups change, etc. Les Pauls are one thing: NOT the same year to year - so whoever "They" are have no idea what "They" are talking about, or are flapping their jaws so generally that they may as well shut up because their comments are useless. Pull any 5 Les Pauls off the shelf, out of 20, for the past 5 years - mix them up and play them and I'll bet you $1000 you can't identify 100% of any specific year with your hands or your ears. And there won't be any of the OMG QA stuff everyone blathers about either. At least none that make a difference in how it plays or sounds. (robo tuner models excluded from this offer)
Are you buying one without playing it? Because honestly it sounds to me like you haven't. Here are your REAL options. Go into to a store or stores, play as many as you can. Decide which one Feels as good as you want. And don't b!tch about the setup. Your preferences may not be mine etc. A screwdriver can change that in 5 minutes to your personal definition of perfection. And in 1 hr the pickups/pots can get swapped to whatever classic modern ultra 50s or metal or blues or flexible setup you want. You need to listen to it ACOUSTICALLY. IS it deep, zingy, middy and full? Or is it muddy, warm, and mushy? So either play a lot and pick the one that speaks to YOU - not the internet armchair cork sniffers who treat Les Paul Vintages like wine, or order online sight unseen or felt/heard.
IF you order online...Odds are still just as good that you will get one solid playable Les Paul. Just like 98 of them out of a hundred. And if there is anything not to your liking, again, A Dan erlwine book or youtube vid and screwdriver will get it there. And - if it isn't....just be ready to ship it back and say "Try again". If you can't do that - don't order online.
I'm not ranting at you Benjamin - this at all of @$$clowns spewing dumb@$$ ignorant comments over the intarwenbs at people who don't know.
Gibson is a jacked-up company. For what you pay - every freaking guitar should be spot on perfection. But people really need to stop with the this year or that year and QC is awful and they are unplayable BS. It isn't like that at all. It's definitely not what it should be for the price, but good god - the guitars play and sound fine.
You are more likely to fine two extreme guitars out of the non any given year that are dark vs bright because of the particular slab of mahogany/rosewood/maple that came together randomly than difference between any two years.
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
The whole "they get worse every year" thing is BS. At best it's current owners trying to drive up the used prices and others parroting what they read online.
They added (in the last ten years IIRC) locking tuners and plekking for frets, both of which are solid improvements IMO. Their QC was crap 15 years ago from what I remember and while my sample size on the newer ones is smaller, I haven't seen any seriously messed up ones like I did 15 years ago.
2014 and 2015 were rough years but I really like some of the spec improvements since then - e.g. small pickguard on the SG, some of the newer finishes, etc.
I don't believe they're getting worse.
Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk
The whole "they get worse every year" thing is BS. At best it's current owners trying to drive up the used prices and others parroting what they read online.
They added (in the last ten years IIRC) locking tuners and plekking for frets, both of which are solid improvements IMO. Their QC was crap 15 years ago from what I remember and while my sample size on the newer ones is smaller, I haven't seen any seriously messed up ones like I did 15 years ago.
2014 and 2015 were rough years but I really like some of the spec improvements since then - e.g. small pickguard on the SG, some of the newer finishes, etc.
I don't believe they're getting worse.
Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
If you're really skeptical of newer models, *buy used. There is plenty of bang for buck in the used market. I only say this because you seem to have the coin for a new standard. Ace is right tho, you need to go out to *either play some or find one that speaks to you. The last "standard" I owned was a 2014 Classic that sounded and played fine out of the box. Once I dialed it in, she was a excellent player. I bought it online. People seem to think that's a sin in buying guitars, but we praise others when they buy separate pieces to put a partscaster together (another sight unseen process).
I've owned about 10 Gibsons in the last 4 years (1960-2017). I think only 1 was pretty lack luster and it was a vintage guitar I restored. The rest played great out of the box and even better after tailored to my taste. I've had two 2017 CS models and they've been good guitars. One did have minor issues. Don't get me wrong, there are QC issues in Gibson guitars. But I've also used return policies or sweet talked my way into discounts for it. The dealers will uphold their end to keep your business. Use it to your advantage and don't shop meekly.
Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk
If you're really skeptical of newer models, *buy used. There is plenty of bang for buck in the used market. I only say this because you seem to have the coin for a new standard. Ace is right tho, you need to go out to *either play some or find one that speaks to you. The last "standard" I owned was a 2014 Classic that sounded and played fine out of the box. Once I dialed it in, she was a excellent player. I bought it online. People seem to think that's a sin in buying guitars, but we praise others when they buy separate pieces to put a partscaster together (another sight unseen process).
I've owned about 10 Gibsons in the last 4 years (1960-2017). I think only 1 was pretty lack luster and it was a vintage guitar I restored. The rest played great out of the box and even better after tailored to my taste. I've had two 2017 CS models and they've been good guitars. One did have minor issues. Don't get me wrong, there are QC issues in Gibson guitars. But I've also used return policies or sweet talked my way into discounts for it. The dealers will uphold their end to keep your business. Use it to your advantage and don't shop meekly.
Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk
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Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
Wow amazing text. Thanks. I've borrowed a 2016 Standard from Gibson: Nashville so I'm guessing it's handmade. I mean I think It's amazing but I don't have a real comparison between some other LP
Wow amazing text. Thanks. I've borrowed a 2016 Standard from Gibson: Nashville so I'm guessing it's handmade. I mean I think It's amazing but I don't have a real comparison between some other LP
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
Plus one to all comments so far. Here's the deal there are good Gibson's there are great dips Gibson's and there are lousy Gibson's. There are also good guitars and bad guitars made by other companies.
Everybody will agree on this go to a place that has a lot of guitars sit down and play them. Don't buy based on brand listen and check out the field. It can make sense to not even look at the prices when you're starting. You might find an Epiphone Les Paul that you like better than a Gibson Les Paul. You might find a godan or a reverend that you like better than a Les Paul. You might finda prs or yamaha's that you like better than a Les Paul.
This way if you find a Gibson Les Paul that you do love then you know you love it for what it actually is.
The bottom line is ignore brand let your fingers in your ears do the work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Plus one to all comments so far. Here's the deal there are good Gibson's there are great dips Gibson's and there are lousy Gibson's. There are also good guitars and bad guitars made by other companies.
Everybody will agree on this go to a place that has a lot of guitars sit down and play them. Don't buy based on brand listen and check out the field. It can make sense to not even look at the prices when you're starting. You might find an Epiphone Les Paul that you like better than a Gibson Les Paul. You might find a godan or a reverend that you like better than a Les Paul. You might finda prs or yamaha's that you like better than a Les Paul.
This way if you find a Gibson Les Paul that you do love then you know you love it for what it actually is.
The bottom line is ignore brand let your fingers in your ears do the work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
The main real-world problem with Gibsons over the past 20 years is that they leave the factory needing fret crowning, end dressing, and polishing, and with the nut needing the finishing touches. Everything is just rough cut (formerly by hand and now by a PLEK), and maybe finessed a bit by hand. But they are not brought to the level of fully finished and ready to play nuts and frets until you take them to a guitar tech and have this stuff done. The frets come out of the factory with virtually no crown (i.e. very flat across the top, with a sharp drop off to the sides), a crappy polish, and very square-cut edges (the ends should be rounded and smoothed into the sides of the frets). Their nuts come out looking roughly chiseled, with sometimes rough slots, often with slots cut to the wrong depth, and with the nut often cut to the wrong back angle (i.e. with the strings only contacting the leading edge of the nut). This has just been their S.O.P. for decades now: leave the final fret and nut work up to the customer; we don't have time for that crap in the factory. We've got too much money to make.
So, the way I look at it, new Gibsons need a new nut (or a tuneup on the stock one), a major fret crown, major end dressing, and polishing. Then they play like good guitars should play. Until then, they can play passably, but not ideally.
I can honestly say that in the past 20 years, I haven't played a single new standard production line Gibson that I consider to have professional quality fret and nut work...and I have played an ungodly number in that period. Often they are fine guitars otherwise...and sometimes they are crappy guitars otherwise...but the consistent part is that this one damn thing (proper finish work on the frets and nut), they just totally laze out on across the board, whether the guitar is good or bad over all.
The main real-world problem with Gibsons over the past 20 years is that they leave the factory needing fret crowning, end dressing, and polishing, and with the nut needing the finishing touches. Everything is just rough cut (formerly by hand and now by a PLEK), and maybe finessed a bit by hand. But they are not brought to the level of fully finished and ready to play nuts and frets until you take them to a guitar tech and have this stuff done. The frets come out of the factory with virtually no crown (i.e. very flat across the top, with a sharp drop off to the sides), a crappy polish, and very square-cut edges (the ends should be rounded and smoothed into the sides of the frets). Their nuts come out looking roughly chiseled, with sometimes rough slots, often with slots cut to the wrong depth, and with the nut often cut to the wrong back angle (i.e. with the strings only contacting the leading edge of the nut). This has just been their S.O.P. for decades now: leave the final fret and nut work up to the customer; we don't have time for that crap in the factory. We've got too much money to make.
So, the way I look at it, new Gibsons need a new nut (or a tuneup on the stock one), a major fret crown, major end dressing, and polishing. Then they play like good guitars should play. Until then, they can play passably, but not ideally.
I can honestly say that in the past 20 years, I haven't played a single new standard production line Gibson that I consider to have professional quality fret and nut work...and I have played an ungodly number in that period. Often they are fine guitars otherwise...and sometimes they are crappy guitars otherwise...but the consistent part is that this one damn thing (proper finish work on the frets and nut), they just totally laze out on across the board, whether the guitar is good or bad over all.
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justFred
Well-known member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
There are many similarities with Gibson and Porsche...Porsche took care of much of it early this millennium...but many still exist...Porsche has found the way to deal with them, Gibson has not....
There are many similarities with Gibson and Porsche...Porsche took care of much of it early this millennium...but many still exist...Porsche has found the way to deal with them, Gibson has not....
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
See - this is the kind of hyperbole I'm talking about. EVERY Gibson leaving the factory does not need this. I'm even gonna say MOST don't. However - as mentioned, for what you pay, NONE should.
And - Itsa's definition of what "Professional" level fretwork is may be very very different from mine. I'm guessing he is particular on the high end. But - this does happen - and it shouldn't happen at all.
But People act like only 2 out of 10 are playable when in reality 8 out of 10 are just fine. And the 2 are not unplayable. But again - at > $1k I find ANY defect completely unacceptable.
Thus I just bought a smokin' Jackson JS32 for $274. And yeah - Get used. Best deals around. TONS of LP's for 1200-1500 in awesome shape all day everyday.
See - this is the kind of hyperbole I'm talking about. EVERY Gibson leaving the factory does not need this. I'm even gonna say MOST don't. However - as mentioned, for what you pay, NONE should.
And - Itsa's definition of what "Professional" level fretwork is may be very very different from mine. I'm guessing he is particular on the high end. But - this does happen - and it shouldn't happen at all.
But People act like only 2 out of 10 are playable when in reality 8 out of 10 are just fine. And the 2 are not unplayable. But again - at > $1k I find ANY defect completely unacceptable.
Thus I just bought a smokin' Jackson JS32 for $274. And yeah - Get used. Best deals around. TONS of LP's for 1200-1500 in awesome shape all day everyday.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
My last paragraph was not hyperbole. My use of "to be honest" and "a single" was intended to make this clear. It was a *literal* statement. In that period of time, I have literally not played one single Gibson fresh out of the standard production line that has pro level fret and nut work. I play scores of Gibsons every year, and they *all* have the same problems with frets, and usually with the nut.
Proper, complete, fretwork (i.e. professional level fretwork) can be measured mostly objectively. You can have a subjective preference for a certain crown radius, for a certain level or style of end rounding, or a certain level of polish (I don't like *super* polished frets, myself)...but any artisan-level guitar builder will tell you that those things should always have been performed to some reasonably complete degree in order to consider it pro level fretwork.
I don't expect perfection from any mass production operation. I expect some corners to be cut, because they are cranking them out, not building them one by one. Also, I do own many Gibsons made during this period (how do you think I'm so aware of the finer technical points, and what needs to be done to get them up to snuff). And I do know that the problems I describe are fixable; you just have to finish (or have someone else finish) Gibson's lazy-ass work for them. But I do know how to properly judge the quality of fretwork on an objective level, and I'm gonna call a spade a spade. Gibson simply does not finish the fret work; they just rough it in by leveling, rounding over the fret ends on one dimension only, slightly transitioning the tops of the frets into the sides of the frets, and then doing a quick polish job. Look at this crap. This is what Gibson frets are like most of the time:
If you think these are properly dressed frets, you have a lot to learn. The ends are a joke; look how sharp the corners are – no transition whatsoever into the sides. The fret is just a box shape along its length, with slightly softened corners – no crown. You can see the roughness/lack of polish on the surface – they didn't even really try to make them shiny.
Here's another example, before proper fret dressing (guitar is already about 10 years old here):
...and after some degree of professional fret dressing (though still not 100% perfection):
Anybody who truly understands the process of fret installation and dressing can tell Gibson only roughs things in, within half a second of looking at the guitar. Show me any Gibson made during this period (that still has like-new frets), that you think has great frets, and I'll show you why it doesn't in two seconds – easy.
Those who know how to do this work will also realize why this is an area where any guitar maker in a rush would want to skimp. It is incredibly time consuming and takes a good amount of raw technical skill; it's really an art – and it's expensive to really do right, due simply to the labor costs involved.
Those who don't understand the dressing process will probably think the boxy Gibson frets are great. As I said, the guitars are passable (as in can be played, and played just fine if you're none the wiser), but they are not ideal. The fretwork is simply incomplete, and should be finished by a pro for best playability.
I own plenty of Gibsons made in this period, and I am genuinely happy with them. Whether I think the frets and nuts are properly crafted or not, there are other things that have outweighed this. I like the aesthetics of the right shapes, the paint jobs are usually gorgeous (when they don't have obvious flaws and orange peel), and they usually sound pretty good right outta the box (or sound really great in the case of P-90's). Yes, I care about looks, and I care about the classic brand name. There are many good things to be said about a real Gibson guitar. That doesn't mean that I'm fooling myself that lazy fretwork magically becomes good fretwork, though, just because I love Gibsons in general. It's still something that needs to be fixed. Nowhere did I say not to get one, I hate them, they are total crap, etc. What I said is that it is the factory's S.O.P. to just rough in their fret and nut work.
My last paragraph was not hyperbole. My use of "to be honest" and "a single" was intended to make this clear. It was a *literal* statement. In that period of time, I have literally not played one single Gibson fresh out of the standard production line that has pro level fret and nut work. I play scores of Gibsons every year, and they *all* have the same problems with frets, and usually with the nut.
Proper, complete, fretwork (i.e. professional level fretwork) can be measured mostly objectively. You can have a subjective preference for a certain crown radius, for a certain level or style of end rounding, or a certain level of polish (I don't like *super* polished frets, myself)...but any artisan-level guitar builder will tell you that those things should always have been performed to some reasonably complete degree in order to consider it pro level fretwork.
I don't expect perfection from any mass production operation. I expect some corners to be cut, because they are cranking them out, not building them one by one. Also, I do own many Gibsons made during this period (how do you think I'm so aware of the finer technical points, and what needs to be done to get them up to snuff). And I do know that the problems I describe are fixable; you just have to finish (or have someone else finish) Gibson's lazy-ass work for them. But I do know how to properly judge the quality of fretwork on an objective level, and I'm gonna call a spade a spade. Gibson simply does not finish the fret work; they just rough it in by leveling, rounding over the fret ends on one dimension only, slightly transitioning the tops of the frets into the sides of the frets, and then doing a quick polish job. Look at this crap. This is what Gibson frets are like most of the time:
If you think these are properly dressed frets, you have a lot to learn. The ends are a joke; look how sharp the corners are – no transition whatsoever into the sides. The fret is just a box shape along its length, with slightly softened corners – no crown. You can see the roughness/lack of polish on the surface – they didn't even really try to make them shiny.
Here's another example, before proper fret dressing (guitar is already about 10 years old here):
...and after some degree of professional fret dressing (though still not 100% perfection):
Anybody who truly understands the process of fret installation and dressing can tell Gibson only roughs things in, within half a second of looking at the guitar. Show me any Gibson made during this period (that still has like-new frets), that you think has great frets, and I'll show you why it doesn't in two seconds – easy.
Those who know how to do this work will also realize why this is an area where any guitar maker in a rush would want to skimp. It is incredibly time consuming and takes a good amount of raw technical skill; it's really an art – and it's expensive to really do right, due simply to the labor costs involved.
Those who don't understand the dressing process will probably think the boxy Gibson frets are great. As I said, the guitars are passable (as in can be played, and played just fine if you're none the wiser), but they are not ideal. The fretwork is simply incomplete, and should be finished by a pro for best playability.
I own plenty of Gibsons made in this period, and I am genuinely happy with them. Whether I think the frets and nuts are properly crafted or not, there are other things that have outweighed this. I like the aesthetics of the right shapes, the paint jobs are usually gorgeous (when they don't have obvious flaws and orange peel), and they usually sound pretty good right outta the box (or sound really great in the case of P-90's). Yes, I care about looks, and I care about the classic brand name. There are many good things to be said about a real Gibson guitar. That doesn't mean that I'm fooling myself that lazy fretwork magically becomes good fretwork, though, just because I love Gibsons in general. It's still something that needs to be fixed. Nowhere did I say not to get one, I hate them, they are total crap, etc. What I said is that it is the factory's S.O.P. to just rough in their fret and nut work.
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Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
Heres the nut and fret pictures of this 2016 Gibson that I was thinking of grabbing:
https://prnt.sc/jtfchb
https://prnt.sc/jtfcd4
I'm not an expert that's why I posted here I have no clue if this is how it's supposed to be or?
Heres the nut and fret pictures of this 2016 Gibson that I was thinking of grabbing:
https://prnt.sc/jtfchb
https://prnt.sc/jtfcd4
I'm not an expert that's why I posted here I have no clue if this is how it's supposed to be or?
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
I have a 2004 Studio, a 2012 Standard and a 2015 Special.
I have replaced the nut on all 3. The Studio was my #1 for a long time. I played the crap out of that guitar before it ever needed work.
The Standard had great fretwork right from the factory. After about 2 years the nut was wearing down on the D string. So, I replaced it with a bone nut. It’s been perfect since.
The Special was one with the adjustable nut made of brass. It sucked from day one. I emailed Gibson because they were offering free titanium replacement nuts. It was better but still not great. I ended up getting a graphtech tusq nut which is a huge improvement.
I have a 2004 Studio, a 2012 Standard and a 2015 Special.
I have replaced the nut on all 3. The Studio was my #1 for a long time. I played the crap out of that guitar before it ever needed work.
The Standard had great fretwork right from the factory. After about 2 years the nut was wearing down on the D string. So, I replaced it with a bone nut. It’s been perfect since.
The Special was one with the adjustable nut made of brass. It sucked from day one. I emailed Gibson because they were offering free titanium replacement nuts. It was better but still not great. I ended up getting a graphtech tusq nut which is a huge improvement.
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
I think you are answering your own question.. If you think it is really good, then go for it.... You are the best judge of what works for you. And yes, there are some issues sometimes. But not every one. A few years ago I bought (had to order it) a very expensive LP that was a DOG.... sent it back.
Back to the one you have. The best way to guage em is to play em. When the Trad Pros came out a few years ago,
I really wanted a black one. I played a few that didnt move me. I played a wine red one just for comparison sake and it played, felt and sounded amazing. I bought that one
I actually have the Les Paul Standard 2016 T Trans Black borrowed and well I think It's good but I really don't know if It's a good choice!
I think you are answering your own question.. If you think it is really good, then go for it.... You are the best judge of what works for you. And yes, there are some issues sometimes. But not every one. A few years ago I bought (had to order it) a very expensive LP that was a DOG.... sent it back.
Back to the one you have. The best way to guage em is to play em. When the Trad Pros came out a few years ago,
I really wanted a black one. I played a few that didnt move me. I played a wine red one just for comparison sake and it played, felt and sounded amazing. I bought that one
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
I don't think the SG's with a small PG instead of the full-size PG is an "improvement", it is a matter of taste. I have always liked the look of the SG's with the full-size PG, and have two of them, a '92 Standard and a Classic from the first year they put them out, both are great guitars, and I like the neck profile and sound better then the previous older '62 SG RI I had with the Slim Taper neck, which looked good but never felt right because of the slim neck. I tried to get used to that neck, but realized that I prefer the rounded profile of the '59 rounded neck. But these things as I said are just what I prefer, having one or the other is not an improvement.
Al
I don't think the SG's with a small PG instead of the full-size PG is an "improvement", it is a matter of taste. I have always liked the look of the SG's with the full-size PG, and have two of them, a '92 Standard and a Classic from the first year they put them out, both are great guitars, and I like the neck profile and sound better then the previous older '62 SG RI I had with the Slim Taper neck, which looked good but never felt right because of the slim neck. I tried to get used to that neck, but realized that I prefer the rounded profile of the '59 rounded neck. But these things as I said are just what I prefer, having one or the other is not an improvement.
Al
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
I like mine
Bought it local
Dealer sux
Has a flakey switch, but I don't change pickups often anyways
Pickups sound fine, for double slug cheapos
I have a JB / Jazz set to swap them with, I'll be fine
I got my particular one because the control layout was what I like
With the switch down by the knobs and out of the way
The one i have is a 16
And can be had just under $900 online
If I'd have paid 2 grand , I'd be pissed
But I didn't and I'm cool
I like mine
Bought it local
Dealer sux
Has a flakey switch, but I don't change pickups often anyways
Pickups sound fine, for double slug cheapos
I have a JB / Jazz set to swap them with, I'll be fine
I got my particular one because the control layout was what I like
With the switch down by the knobs and out of the way
The one i have is a 16
And can be had just under $900 online
If I'd have paid 2 grand , I'd be pissed
But I didn't and I'm cool
mojosman
New member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
In my opinion, these are not guitars one should buy on-line, despite the many bargains there are on the web. I started playing Fenders, and I knew very little about Gibson guitars, but I eventually got the bug. I didn't want to pay a lot for one, so I eventually traded a guy a G&L Tele for a Faded studio. It had the features I wanted: larger rounded 50's neck, and I didn't have to pay out of pocket. It needed work, the nut was poorly cut and caused the strings to bind, and the guitar went out of tune when you bent notes. Had the nut slots filed, installed 50's wiring and a set of Pearly Gates; boom! It became a pretty sweet guitar. More recently I bought a 50's Tribute Gold Top. Again, I installed a set of D. Allen pickups and a Tone Man wiring 50's style harness with Bourns pots and PIO caps. This one is also a great guitar, and wasn't a lot of money. The Studio is weight relieved, and the Tribute isn't. They each have their own tone, and the Tribute sustains like crazy. No binding, and no glossy finish, but it plays great and sounds great. If you are on the fence you look around, play as many as you can. Eventually you will know what features you want and you will find the one that is right for you. In my area there are many for sale used, and bargains are out there if you look and have cash in hand.
In my opinion, these are not guitars one should buy on-line, despite the many bargains there are on the web. I started playing Fenders, and I knew very little about Gibson guitars, but I eventually got the bug. I didn't want to pay a lot for one, so I eventually traded a guy a G&L Tele for a Faded studio. It had the features I wanted: larger rounded 50's neck, and I didn't have to pay out of pocket. It needed work, the nut was poorly cut and caused the strings to bind, and the guitar went out of tune when you bent notes. Had the nut slots filed, installed 50's wiring and a set of Pearly Gates; boom! It became a pretty sweet guitar. More recently I bought a 50's Tribute Gold Top. Again, I installed a set of D. Allen pickups and a Tone Man wiring 50's style harness with Bourns pots and PIO caps. This one is also a great guitar, and wasn't a lot of money. The Studio is weight relieved, and the Tribute isn't. They each have their own tone, and the Tribute sustains like crazy. No binding, and no glossy finish, but it plays great and sounds great. If you are on the fence you look around, play as many as you can. Eventually you will know what features you want and you will find the one that is right for you. In my area there are many for sale used, and bargains are out there if you look and have cash in hand.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
The necks are a subtle difference
My Epiphone Florentine has the slim c 60s neck
The Gibson Custom Studio has a Slim D
As does the Epi hummingbird
My Ehdwuld and the Dean Shire also have the Thicker necks
The Slim C is almost as thin as the Wizard II on my RGs
Neither is uncomfortable
But I did sell my MIM strat
Its neck just felt wrong
I had played a strat for years until then
The necks are a subtle difference
My Epiphone Florentine has the slim c 60s neck
The Gibson Custom Studio has a Slim D
As does the Epi hummingbird
My Ehdwuld and the Dean Shire also have the Thicker necks
The Slim C is almost as thin as the Wizard II on my RGs
Neither is uncomfortable
But I did sell my MIM strat
Its neck just felt wrong
I had played a strat for years until then
jmh151
Active member
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
I have a 1986 Les Paul Custom Flametop that I bought in 1992.
I also recently bought a 2015 Les Paul Standard SR.
What compelled me to buy a new Les Paul when I already have one? The 2015 was built sooooo much better and stays in tune much better than the 1986, the fret work is as good as my PRS and feels like a Mercedes or Rolex compared to older Les Pauls I've played in stores
I have a 1986 Les Paul Custom Flametop that I bought in 1992.
I also recently bought a 2015 Les Paul Standard SR.
What compelled me to buy a new Les Paul when I already have one? The 2015 was built sooooo much better and stays in tune much better than the 1986, the fret work is as good as my PRS and feels like a Mercedes or Rolex compared to older Les Pauls I've played in stores
Re: Was thinking of buying a Les Paul Gibson but... they only sell the new models?
JMH- thanks for an example of a good, recent Gibson- the good stuff often gets buried under the noisefloor-
JMH- thanks for an example of a good, recent Gibson- the good stuff often gets buried under the noisefloor-
