Dammit those Gibson prices

[Les Zombie]

I think the best value for the money when it comes to custom shop les pauls is the R7 goldtop or the R8 and 68, they can all be bought for 2k to 2500 if you look around for a used one and if you dont like it you wouldnt lose much on it at those price. You get a solid maghogany back and longneck tendon that you wont get on the regular usa models and the quality and woods are better.
So i would rather buy a used historic goldtop than a traditional goldtop.

 

[steve_k]

I just wrote this matter of fact and to the heart response about my thoughts on Gibson. The Coles Notes version on it is:

- I don't dig their rockstar signature models
- I don't dig their VOS nonsense
- I don't dig their forging ahead in the realm of digi-techno weirdness
- Their QC has definitely been scritinized, but lets not forget how many guitars they produce

On the flipside:
- My two best playing axes are both Lesters
- My other favourite 4 are all, taaaa-daaaaa, Lesters
- I don't care a rat's ass how much I pay so long as it makes me feel like the above mentioned two do
- Of the others I own, they're all unique and offering something tonally special
- I play a LOT of different guitars, but ALWAYS feel like I'm at home when I throw on a Lester

I have a number of fine Les Pauls, and I've also HAD a number of fine Lesters. The ones I've kept are because they're beautiful playing guitars (to me). I feel tapped into something very special when I play them. They're cosmically enhanced man...can't describe. Of the ones I've let go?? Some have been rack rate reissues, some have been vintage collectors' models - but if they didn't play or sound right, off they went.

My keepers?? Priceless. I mean that in the truest sense, to me, I could and would never sell them, the money's just not worth the magic they afford me. Done.

V.

I hear you Mo. But, I am betting you had cull a bunch to find a few. I have a 68 RI Custom from Music Zoo which is about as good as they get. I also have a 79 Silverburst Custom that is diaper green now and is the secret weapon. I bought a 59 VOS which is a POS. I also bought one of the newer Traditional Pro's and I use it for soldering practice. I think it is made out of that rare Balsa wood and weighs about 4 lbs. If it didn't cost so much to send it back, it would have went straight back.

Steve