2013 Les Paul Standard 1960 reissue

[kalt]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up and wanted to know if any RTers had some experience or comments they would care to share. I have a 2011 custom (50s neck) and a classic custom (60s neck) so I dig both profiles. I'm looking for that thick solid tone that the custom gives me (not weight relieved) with the comfort of the 60s neck. They are a bit o' dough so any thoughts (good and bad) would be appreciated before I pull the trigger!

 

[steve_k]

My experience says, If it's not a Custom Shop, be careful. If it is a Custom Shop, you are probably paying too much. Best to look for an older one for a good price on eBay or here. A used 68RI Custom is a safe play.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

the classic tone comes or the fatter LP necks

I think people put way too much emphasis on weight relieved or not. Some of the non-weight relived units are lighter than ones with the 9 swiss cheese holes, my 2012 Trad + weighs in at 9.6 lbs. My 2008 57 RI is 10.7 lbs and no weight relief on that one

Your best bet is to get you hands on whatever you can try out, look at bit 2013 standards and Traditional's. its Gibson so consistency is an issue you may have to dig through a few to find one that speaketh to you I don't agree with steve-k on it has to be a CS...that is just not case from my experience there plenty of good trads and standards out there.

 

[Mark Day]

I had a 68 RI Custom from the Custom Shop and it was terrible. Twisted neck from the factory, all kinds of finish flaws and way too bright sounding. A real piece of shit. It did however look amazing from a distance.

Mark

 

[steve_k]

I had a 68 RI Custom from the Custom Shop and it was terrible. Twisted neck from the factory, all kinds of finish flaws and way too bright sounding. A real piece of shit. It did however look amazing from a distance.

Mark

Really? Damn. I have owned two of them (black) and both were great. Still have one of them.

There you go! Best to play a Gibson first before plunking down the cash - unless it is someone you trust on here.

 

[Aristocat]

If it's a real cause for concern in your mind, Gibson QC (and it's well known) as been going downhill for a good while now.

In my mind, if I'm going to pony up $2,100-$4,200 for a brand new instrument that thing better be damn near free of imperfections. I've played new LP Trads/Standards that have mismatched inlays going up the neck. Granted I can swap them; but I shouldn't have to.

I've played some (and bought one) where it'll never intonate correctly and the fret ends (while having nibs on them) are still sharp as hell.

Some I've jammed on, have orange peel galore and the finish is already so thin that if I were to wet sand, I'd end up going right through into the clear coats.

The point of my argument is that while most issues either cosmetically/structurally can be fixed, you don't have to or shouldn't have to pay x amount of dollars to put more money into outside of the norm (pickups/pots/tuners/caps etc.).

Most LP's I've played pre 2005 have been really consistent and are great looking/sounding guitars through out.

The new ones do look cool though! Good luck man!

 

[joepete77]

I would buy an older model or go custom shop. It's not so much just the qc with production gibsons but its also how they lowered spec and standards on materials etc. most all lp's and sg's before 2003 have 1pc bodies ,necks, and fingerboards and rosewood seems nicer then also for the most part.

 

[Stramm8]

As Steve mentioned if you can try before you buy, do it. I have a white '96 LP Studio with an ebony fretboard and it is one of if not the best playing/sounding lesters I've owned and I've had 58/59 reissues, standards, customs you name it. I also have a 2008 worn cherry SG that has a two piece body and it is one of the most resonant guitars I've ever played. Sounds absolutely killer and it set me back a whopping $329.00 My point is, price does not always directly correlate to quality when it come to Gibson or any other company really. You can walk into GC ready to buy a $2000 guitar and end up walking out with a better one of the used rack for hundreds less...

 

[MrDan666]

Try before you buy. Do not buy blind.

It's a major gamble when buying a Gibson without trying it first. Had plenty of bad experiences myself. Save yourself the headache and just try a bunch first. If one really speaks to you, then buy it.

 

[napalmdeath]

I say bullshit. I've ordered two LP Classic Plus's, and an Explorer from AMS and ZZounds, all play/played flawlessly , after some personal tweaks. The key is knowing how to do your own setups, and maintaining it.

 

[Aristocat]

I say bullshit. I've ordered two LP Classic Plus's, and an Explorer from AMS and ZZounds, all play/played flawlessly , after some personal tweaks. The key is knowing how to do your own setups, and maintaining it.

So are you saying that not one person in this thread is either qualified or knowledgable enough on their own to maintain/set up their instruments?

Or is are we full of shit?

There were also not any deterring or disparaging remarks made to the OP's issue/question; just real experience on our ends.

 

[BackCrack]

There's a very cool '60 reissue at Mark's Guitar Loft that recently had a full makeover done by Dave Johnson. DJ does such amazing work...

 

[skoora]

It's pretty, but 9K

Oh yeah, and don't forget to add 3% for a credit card

 

[Deleted member 16554]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up and wanted to know if any RTers had some experience or comments they would care to share. I have a 2011 custom (50s neck) and a classic custom (60s neck) so I dig both profiles. I'm looking for that thick solid tone that the custom gives me (not weight relieved) with the comfort of the 60s neck. They are a bit o' dough so any thoughts (good and bad) would be appreciated before I pull the trigger!

Here's mine...I bought a plaintop because I already have a bunch of flametop LP's. Always wanted a a '60's neck profile

My personal opinion is if you can try it in person, obviously do that. I love the way the neck feels and the stock pickups have a wonderful thick and creamy tone no matter what amp you play through...not recommended for metal at all though hahaha.

For me it was impossible to find a shop that stocked a shit ton of gibson custom shop pieces, so after some research I found wildwood guitars. Lance is pretty much my go to guy for custom shop LP's (or any guitar for that matter). Even if you're just looking for some info, just call him and he'll happily tell you everything you need to know. This is after having spent thousands upon thousands of my dinero with them

Worth every penny though

 

[SFW]

Personally, I think Gibson is making some of its best guitars in the companies history. I like the standard US production stuff. I have yet to play a CS guitar from them that I felt was worth the extra coin. If having the CoA helps you to sleep better at night, then go for it. I'll keep rockin my lowly Classic.

 

[BackCrack]

It's pretty, but 9K ...

Agreed, seems very steep.

Still, if you check out some the past DJ's that Mark has sold, people are paying the bucks.

Not me...I can't even afford to pay attention.

 

[Aristocat]

Personally, I think Gibson is making some of its best guitars in the companies history. I like the standard US production stuff. I have yet to play a CS guitar from them that I felt was worth the extra coin. If having the CoA helps you to sleep better at night, then go for it. I'll keep rockin my lowly Classic.

There is nothing like an LP Classic (I'm biased)!

After I got my first LP (Black Beauty) my Classic was my second and last LP: I'm set.

OP,

Did you settle on something? FWIW.

LP PP Classic (Premium Plus) guitars made (I may be wrong-terms of date) pre 1994 are really close to Gibson Historic spec Les Pauls in terms of playability and aesthetics. IMHO.

 

[skoora]

LP PP Classic (Premium Plus) guitars made (I may be wrong-terms of date) pre 1994 are really close to Gibson Historic spec Les Pauls in terms of playability and aesthetics. IMHO.

I find the necks on 90's classics to be unplayable. Very skinny with an almost flat section in the middle. It might as well be an Ibanez almost. Their 335's from the mid 90's also have it. I had a beautiful flame top classic that was a '93 or '94 I think, but I had to sell it because it just hurt my fretting hand to play it at length. I love the 60's profile they've been using for the last 10 years. Slimmer than the 50's but still nicely rounded.

 

[Aristocat]

LP PP Classic (Premium Plus) guitars made (I may be wrong-terms of date) pre 1994 are really close to Gibson Historic spec Les Pauls in terms of playability and aesthetics. IMHO.

I find the necks on 90's classics to be unplayable. Very skinny with an almost flat section in the middle. It might as well be an Ibanez almost. Their 335's from the mid 90's also have it. I had a beautiful flame top classic that was a '93 or '94 I think, but I had to sell it because it just hurt my fretting hand to play it at length. I love the 60's profile they've been using for the last 10 years. Slimmer than the 50's but still nicely rounded.

Although I found it comfortable, you're right about that.

My LP is a 2000 and the neck is perfect. It feels like a 59 more so than the advertised slim 60's.

Then again, I feel comfortable playing baseball necks as well.

 

[kalt]

Thanks guys for all the words of wisdom. Still in the hunt......