Les Paul Customs versus Historics

[Blackmore]

I have a 2013 R8, that I bought new. I'm currently waiting for a replacement bridge pickup, and the wait is giving me GAS. I've always wanted a Black Beauty and am now toying with the idea of picking one up.

Would it be crazy to sell the R8 to get a '54, '57 or '68 reissue? Would a newish non-historic or an old norlin be a huge step down (played one briefly, wasn't thrilled with it)? I've found a '12 for under $1500, but that laminated rosewood fretboard is really turning me off.

What do you guys think?

 

[johnpace2]

The 2013s are killer so I wouldn't do that swap unless you can play the custom first. I'm not sure why, but I prefer standards over customs.

 

[johnpace2]

Also I have a 2013 R8 and personally would not do the swap you are contemplating.

 

[glip22]

I own a 2013 R8 LB I bought brand new and it is the best Les Paul I have played yet. I went on a trying out spree first and played maybe 30 R8's and R'9's. This 2013 is the best. I would highly recommend a set of OX4 High wind pickups. Trust me. I tried quite a few and these are the tits in the Les Paul. Great for everything. Blow the Custom Buckers away. Custom is a different animal.

 

[LP Freak]

I'd go with the Historic personally. Here's my R9 and R0

 

[glip22]

Nuff said

I'd go with the Historic personally. Here's my R9 and R0

 

[Blackmore]

Thanks for all the help guys. I should have clarified a bit, in that I would trade the R8 only for a '54, '57 or '68; definitely not a non-historic or Norlin. I totally get the sentiment about how great the '13s are, they really are something else and the one I picked up felt and sounded perfect (amongst a lot of other great guitar). I'm odd, however, in that I like the black beauty (or even oxblood) cosmetics over the bursts. I likely stay pat on the R8.

So how about that '12 LPC as a "beater"? Or a recent Silverburst studio? Would be great to get a good sounding LP that I don't have to totally baby, but worried that the drop off in quality would be way too much.

 

[lespaul6]

+10 to everything said above!!

I just picked up a 2007 Les paul classic and it really sounds fantastic.. total clarity and no mud or laziness. The classic is just a standard with a plain top!

 

[Blackmore]

As to the whole standard versus custom question, I've found the few customs that I've played to be much more narrower or focused than the standards. Is this just generally the way things are, or is it model dependent?

 

[lespaul6]

I think it depends on the guitar, although the ebony board is going to be different than the rosewood for sure.. that might be what your noticing.

 

[fretout]

You'll want to stick with a reissue if you go the Custom route. That way, the features will be the same as your R8 (long neck tenon, ABR-1, period-correct materials, ect.). The LPC Reissues are the best bang-for-your-buck option in the entire Gibson line, and they are every bit as great as the R8 and R9 IMHO...

I'm biased (see sig), but I like the 68RIs more than the B4s and B7s because I like humbuckers and a maple top, but if you want a thicker tone than your R8, the B7 may be perfect for you. I also have come to prefer the 57 Classic PUPs compared to be Burstbuckers.

As far as quality goes, I've never seen the flaws you find on "normal" Gibson Customs. The RIs seem to be where Gibson decided to adapt a zero tolerance policy.

Be prepared, the Custom's bodies are thicker than an R8 or R9, and depending on what RI you pick up, these are a few 68RIs that have necks that are way bigger than Gibson's normal "58 profile". If you're buying used (which you'll have to do to get any of the guitars you mentioned unless you're considering Gibson's new "true historics"), just make sure you get a chance to demo it to see if the neck works for you.

 

[fretout]

As to the whole standard versus custom question, I've found the few customs that I've played to be much more narrower or focused than the standards. Is this just generally the way things are, or is it model dependent?

I'd say it's guitar-dependent. All my 68RIs sound different than the others. Some are more resonant, while others are more "focused". They all sound great and have their purposes so I hang on to them all. The LPC may sound thicker, which may be attributed to the thicker slab of mahogany on the body, and the Ebony fretboard may give you more attack, but it's much more subtle. I prefer Ebony because the way it feels, FWIW...

 

[johnpace2]

My 57 re-issue black beauty plays differently than my r8 and my r7s. I have no idea why but maybe the frets are different sizes. Who knows.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Keep the R8, save for a used RI BB. I'm biased and would take my 57 BB7 over any production LPC out there.
I have a 2008 BB7 and 2009 R7, different animals but both awesome guitars

 

[Salos]

Those 68 Ri are chambered so be aware of that as well.

Are you sure? I have a 2001 68RI and I'm pretty sure there's no chambering/weight relief. It weighs in at over 10 pounds, .

 

[lespaul6]

Don't be afraid of chambering.. you might like it. I love my chambered Les Pauls tone, nice and balanced.

 

[Fordman65]

I'm a rare bird I guess. I really love my 71 lpc. I've played a number of r8's and I come back to the 71 every time. It is that bad ass.That said I don't know that you can go wrong with either. It's about your preference.

 

[Salos]

Those 68 Ri are chambered so be aware of that as well.

Are you sure? I have a 2001 68RI and I'm pretty sure there's no chambering/weight relief. It weighs in at over 10 pounds, .

Call Gibson, give them your serial number. Let me know what they say.

I just did after I replied actually. The guy on the phone said the 68RI has never been chambered, neither the CA nor VOS.

 

[some dude]

I've found a '12 for under $1500, but that laminated rosewood fretboard is really turning me off.

What do you guys think?

2012 (and newer) Customs have a Richlite fretboard.

I think that if it sounds good, it is good.

I also think that 2013 was a benchmark year for Gibson and that the value of that guitar of yours will increase as time goes by.

 

[lespaul6]

Loud with a drummer I have no issues with a chambered les paul... but I play hard rock not downtuned metal or modern metal. Lots of heavy tones played loud with a chambered guitar... Malcolm, Duffy, billy G, list is endless.

For me the most important element when trying out a les paul is the acoustic ring tone.. if that's not there no amp with correct it. And they all sound different!