Why do we love Gold tops?

[Uk Ant]

I'd love a gold top, but I don't actually know why.
I remember Adrian Smith using one and have wanted one ever since.
Thing is, they're really quite gaudy.
Thinking about it it's quite a surprise that the gold top LP was the first solid bodied guitar gibson brought out.
I mean, for a conservative company like Gibson to bring out such a glam looking thing is quite a turn for the books. Then again they still do crazy things to this day. Oddly this one worked.
My dear wife, who is one of the few people in my life who understands why I love guitars so much, doesn't understand why I want one.
Thing is, neither do I... but I still do.

So, gold top lovers, what is it about this showy, slightly over the top finish we like so much?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Duane Allman's first LP
My first Les Paul
Pete Townsend's Deluxes
Pete Townsend's Schecter PT (Toronto 83 & Live Aid)
My current PT

They aren't really that gaudy, especially once they age a bit. Very understated, when compared to all those AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+ quilts and flames out there these days.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Yep. I think the high grade maple tops are much gaudier, and they age much less gracefully than a nice gold top.

 

[SFW]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I love them because they are classy, and sexy looking guitars. I don't find them to be gaudy at all. When I see a gold top, I see an elegant guitar with a long pedigree.

I'm not a fan of gold jewelry at all. However, when I say this gold top, something snapped and I had to have it. It's been my number one guitar since I bought it seven years ago.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I love them because they are classy, and sexy looking guitars. I don't find them to be gaudy at all. When I see a gold top, I see an elegant guitar with a long pedigree.

Yes, yes exactly.

For me, I remember going to a local guitar shop and the store owner had just gotten in a goldtop Les Paul. That moment was downright magical. I thought it was the coolest guitar and lusted for one.

This one was an old guitar I had (a Soapbar McCarty with an Indian Rosewood neck):

And my most recent one (of course):

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

90'sguy, that solid bodied PRS is nice, not sure about the mini's in the semi mind, but still a very nice looking guitar.
Perhaps it's just my wife

 

[jeremy]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

i dont, thats why

 

[ex-250]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

this is gaudy.

this is not.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I don't like them at all.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I didn't used to like them, until I owned one. They do look very classy. I do not like the gold flake tops at all.

An aged goldtop with some finish cracks in the nitro looks damn sexy, but so do new ones. I will have one again one day.

 

[JaySwear]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

i'm very picky about which ones i like. the good ones i absolutely love, the ugly greenish ones i think are some of the ugliest guitars i've ever seen.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

My GT has become my #1 go to.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I don't like them at all.

+1. "Why do we love gold tops?" We don't, you do. I love LP's, but gold tops just can't compare to a nice vivid flame top or an ebony Custom. If I had to have a gold top, it would be a '52 version with the trapeze tailpiece which doesn't seem as tacky (maybe the tailpiece distracts your eyes from the cheesy gold color). And HB's on a gold top? Gotta be P-90's baby.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Duane Allman's first LP say no more.....
Funny story about that LP, I saw the guy who owned it at a guitar expo in Orlando Fl last year, I got to hold it......sweet! I think he was showing it at the show.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Now now, for those who prefer their goldtop with a slightly longer scale:

Same guitar with bad color:

And here's mine:

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

I've also been known to play a Gibby in my day:

 

[phil_104]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Gold tops are nice, but a nice subtle vintage looking burst will never be beat in terms of what looks good on a Les Paul. Ever.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Do we?

 

[sosomething]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Even my wife (who is far more aesthetically-savvy than I) likes gold tops.

She wants me to buy one.

I definitely married up.

 

[butnut]

Re: Why do we love Gold tops?

Love my gold top...my first LP was a very old gold top, gonna say I was too young and dumb to realize it musta been a 50's...P90s and a trap tail....traded it in for a nice black Custom with HB's....kept that one for 10 years...I still jones for a black Custom, but my gold top is getting all the play time now.