HowieJams
Active member
I really like the Standard 50s fret size.
Why do I prefer playing my Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s over my R9 and R8?
HowieJams
Active member
The Custom Shops were definitely more consistent, but when you get a great Standard 50s, it is a great guitar.
skoora
Well-known member
It’s the one thing that has stopped me buying a new one. I got a decent deal on a used Les Paul Special recently so went with the refret to 6100’s. Now it plays really well. Not paying to do that that on a new, 2700-3K guitar.
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Geo
Well-known member
Same here, my 02 Classic is the least expensive paul I own and it gets played the most. Go figure.
Jakem
Well-known member
It is strange how some guitars get more playing time. I have decided that whenever I find a nice Gibson at a guitar shop, I will buy that guitar.
nightlight
Well-known member
Cool thing is that someone might like your R9 and R0 more than your standards. That's just the incredible thing about instruments, some of them you really bond with, while others you don't.
In that regard, life's too short. If you'd like to try something else, sell and then move on. But always get some playing time in and mess around for a few days or even weeks before taking those kinds of tough calls, because more often than not, it'll haunt you down the line.
In that regard, life's too short. If you'd like to try something else, sell and then move on. But always get some playing time in and mess around for a few days or even weeks before taking those kinds of tough calls, because more often than not, it'll haunt you down the line.
HowieJams
Active member
That could get expensive , lol.
HowieJams
Active member
I would be be very hesitant to part with any of my 5 Gibson guitars, all were handpicked except the Custom Shop SG and I got VERY lucky with that one. I have parted with Custom Shop guitars in the past, a Les Paul GO, SG/Les Paul 3 pick-up model, SG VOS, and a Custom Shop Stratocaster, I have regretted letting go of all of those, especially the G0 and SG VOS.
Jakem
Well-known member
C
CoreyW
Active member
I am not a fan of the 50's including the R8 and R9. I do however love and adore the R0 and liked the 60s standards I played, I even have a 61 SG from the 2019 changes. I cant play fat neck guitars. I wish I could bond with the R8 and R9, it would open up the options for me significantly. I have had an R8 and let it go pretty quick, got into a R0 and really liked it but got an offer from someone who liked it more than I did, and I still have a 2012 standard that was my first "high end" guitar I ever bought.
You should try and get your hands on an R0, guitar center may still have their line of G0 guitars I am not sure if they still exist or not.
DanTravis62
Moderator
This. Since gibsons are still made by humans in a relatively old school way, they vary. Alot. Those small variances add up to big differences in feel.
Unless it's a spec difference (as in, the expensive model has ___ frets and you like ____ frets) the rule of thumb with gibson guitars is you have to play them in person, or have the option to send them back like with MF/GC or sweetwater.
I've owned a metric fuckton of les pauls over the years, everything from a Norlin custom, R0s and R8s and R9s, 90s good wood standards and Studios, to more modern supremes, classics, traditionals
The amount of variance between all these years and models is so vast its almost impossible to recommend someone an exact Les Paul model - its more like you need to point them in a direction, and then they need to try them out in person to see if it jives.
Sometimes you can find a Studio or Classic that has "it" - sometimes you need to try half a dozen R9s. It just varies from person to person. My favorite les pauls of all time are the norlin era, but I found a special edition Classic at a pawn shop that just has "it", and now it's the guitar I reach for more than any other. It has bigger frets and more of a in-between neck carve, and it's just perfect for me after I put a Roxy in the bridge.
There was a standard at the same pawn shop I bought this at, and it was better in every conceivable way, despite almost a grand price difference. If I wanted, i could certainly downsize a couple pieces of gear and find a custom shop, but I know I would regret selling this guitar that costs 1/4 as much.
I've met people who have really nice 90's or early 2000s Studios that are like that too.
HowieJams
Active member
I was the same way, could only play 60s style or thinner necks. Now the Standard 50s neck is my one of my favorites to play, well maybe behind my SG VOS 61 RI which has a thin neck.
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CoreyW
Active member
That 61 should have a neck pretty damn close to the neck of an R0, which is why I was suggesting you try one. You may like it.
HowieJams
Active member
When I bought the R8, about a month after I bought the R9, I was choosing between 2 different R8s and one R0, my particular R8 played and sounded better than the other two so I chose it. All had a basic set-up done to them.
I am sure if I would have bought the R0 I would have loved it, especially the thinner neck, but I spent a couple hours playing all 3 guitars and my particular R8 was too good to pass up.
I am actually starting to prefer the 50s style necks as long as they are not baseball bats.
I highly prefer double cutaway body styles for ease of fret access, but for some reason, probably mojo, maybe the thicker tone, I prefer Les Pauls over SGs
Airwave
Member
I have this 2001 '59 LP Standard "Murphy" it also has Tom Holmes pickups H450/H455 (no other modifications) and the Neck I really love, it's has the
thickness almost in-between a '59 and '60 though not as thin. I've had at least 100 LP's I also love a great '74 Les Paul Custom with Ebony Fretboard.
The standard is 8.0lbs so it's pretty lite but it also sounds full & balance (LP's can sound banjo to deadwood) when it's strummed it vibrates the body.
I also prefer the Strat-shape though SuperStrat specifications, I keep the '59 LP for recordings when a Les Paul tone is needed, Original frets wonderful gtr.
thickness almost in-between a '59 and '60 though not as thin. I've had at least 100 LP's I also love a great '74 Les Paul Custom with Ebony Fretboard.
The standard is 8.0lbs so it's pretty lite but it also sounds full & balance (LP's can sound banjo to deadwood) when it's strummed it vibrates the body.
I also prefer the Strat-shape though SuperStrat specifications, I keep the '59 LP for recordings when a Les Paul tone is needed, Original frets wonderful gtr.
HowieJams
Active member
That is beautiful. My R9 in Lemoburst has a lot less flame than that.
Attachments
Wetordry
Well-known member
It's a good question, I've been looking for one(custom shop) that is as good or better than a standard I play for about 10 years. I'm thinking sentimental reasons about the standard are complicating things.
It's not a perfect guitar but it's close and it took a while to find.
It's not a perfect guitar but it's close and it took a while to find.
HowieJams
Active member
Keep the Standard and find a Custom Shop that clicks all the boxes.
The R8s are the best value Custom Shop Les Paul, I bough mine new in January for $4900
R9s are high priced, mine was $6500 new also in January.
The SG VOS I scored a bargain on, I think it was $3200 brand new, an absolute steal, that is why I bought that one sight unseen.
One of my Standard 50s was $2400 new and the other was $2700 new. Both were hand picked and very close to my Custom Shops in every way.
Wetordry
Well-known member
R0 is what I'm looking for, most likely V2
I'm in a small market so it will likely cost me a road trip. They seem priced higher than a few others.
