The Les Paul Custom is Back!! - Gibson USA Les Paul Custom '70s Guitars

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I hate the white(ish) top with black sides. I know they made a few of them back in the day, but they suck too.

I assume they did this as cost cutting (Gibson says white is more expensive for them to do) and/or because they are assholes preserving all white LPCs for the more expensive models.

I'd say it's both, but 80% the latter. Gibson, "We'll give you half of what you want on a $4k guitar. Nevermind we still do white Studios for $1799. If you want a white Custom you gotta pony up a couple more K's."

 

[napalmdeath]

I'd say it's both, but 80% the latter. Gibson, "We'll give you half of what you want on a $4k guitar. Nevermind we still do white Studios for $1799. If you want a white Custom you gotta pony up a couple more K's."

The Studio is white satin for $1799, mind you.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

The Studio is white satin for $1799, mind you.

I get that, but considering over the years they've put out a good few gloss white models, sometimes limited, sometimes dealer runs, but on some regular USA models too I find it hard to believe the cost increase is so much that they can't simply raise the cost by $100-$200 for USA production models in white.

 

[napalmdeath]

I get that, but considering over the years they've put out a good few gloss white models, sometimes limited, sometimes dealer runs, but on some regular USA models too I find it hard to believe the cost increase is so much that they can't simply raise the cost by $100-$200 for USA production models in white.

Yeah, considering they don't need a fancy top. I remember back in the day, they used to price tops/colors accordingly. They'd offer a plain top, and a $300 upcharge for certain tops/finishes. Anything other than cherry or ebony used to have an upcharge.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

To not offer it in true Randy Rhoads cream is just... fucked

It might age but I agree.. I also think that for the price, I would just for for another Edwards at what 1/3rd or 1/4th the cost? It will scratch that itch just fine, I have one.

 

[glpg80]

It might age but I agree.. I also think that for the price, I would just for for another Edwards at what 1/3rd or 1/4th the cost? It will scratch that itch just fine, I have one.

I’ve had an Edwards, own three real Norlins (two of which are maple necks), a standard and a traditional.

Even the norlins sound vastly different from one another. Back then they weren’t pushing for quality - it takes a ton of work and money to turn Norlin guitars into solid machines but once you start with a great base and invest the money, absolutely nothing touches them in sustain or speed. I’ve done it three times and don’t have interest in doing it a 4th time.

I feel a modern LP type guitar like an ESP would get you close. One thing I know for sure they didn’t get right were the necks - mid 70’s Norlins have this pencil dick neck at the nut and chunky at the heel. It’s not like anything they offer today and they are stupid fast to play on. Like Ibanez to traditional from the nut to the heel.

The lack of jumbo frets are also going to limit them. Maple necks and jumbo frets are what make norlins metal machines. It’s way cheaper to get close to them with a modern LP. With these you’re $4k in and still need to swap pickups, bone nut, refrets, and still don’t have the correct profile or the pancake body.