Les Paul Customs versus Historics

[chunktone]

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.

I'd consider one of these.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/guit ... nd_item_en

 

[messenger]

+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!

What is laziness? Never heard of that to describe a guitar

 

[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!

What is laziness? Never heard of that to describe a guitar

yeah lol... my word for a muddy guitar with no snap to the response. if that makes sense- I know it when I hear/feel it but hard to describe.

 

[messenger]

I think I know what your talking about now lol.

 

[Blackmore]

Thanks again for the help guys.

Just tried some more LPCs out at GC, and I'm just not clicking with them. Thought the best one out of the group was an '76, but it was a triburst and still didn't sound or play as nice as my R8. I guess I have to wait around to try a LPC historic reissue.

I appreciate the tip on the Edwards and will look into it more, what I've heard has definitely been good and I'm definitely not adverse to a MIJ guitar.

For now, I think I'll likely focus on a pickup swap. Still waiting for the replacement bridge custombucker from Gibson, so this is a great time to try something else. Basically, I want everything; from Page to Modern. Not asking much right? Thinking about a JB and/or some other SD/DiM pickups (Ants, PAF Pros & 36th, etc.). Heard great things about the OX4s and the Wizzes, even BKPs,but don't want to sick nearly $500 into a flavor of the month (I remember everyone going crazy for the Throbaks). Just looking for something CLEARLY (and objectively) better than the custombuckers, not just subjectively so.

Thanks again.

 

[LP Freak]

I hated the Custombuckers in my R0. They're way too bright and not hot enough for me. I swapped them for an Aldrich and an SSV and couldn't be happier.

 

[some dude]

Basically, I want everything; from Page to Modern. Not asking much right?

If that's your goal then I'd suggest setting up two different guitars. Probably both cheaper and/or less frustrating in the long run.

 

[fretout]

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.

I stand corrected, thanks for setting me straight!

Actually, there are some 68RIs that are chambered. I may not work for Gibson, but I do have access to an x-ray machine. Just to be clear, this wasn't weight relieving (that has never been performed on any 68RI), only chambering. They typically weigh between 7.5 and 9 pounds. You can identify whether the 68RI is chambered by looking in the control cavity. There will be "steps" carved into the cavity, and there will be holes in the sides of the control cavity.

Two 68RIs that are known to have chambering are the LPC68RIs in Ebony, some Silverbursts, and a few of the Pelham Blue. Gibson themselves even listed the spec as "chambered". It doesn't support my post, but both of mine that "should" be chambered aren't. And, the instances of chambering were mainly found in the later years of the 68RIs. Most reports I've seen show they started in 2007 or 2008 with the Pelham Blue 68RIs, but the Ebony 68RIs had chambering, going back to 2003 IIRC, but I don't think Gibson listed the fact that some of them were chambered in the specs. Here's verification of my Pelham Blue 68RI that (according to Gibson) only cam chambered, but mine is solid. It just proves that there were departures from the color specs every now and again, and this is the earliest (and only) 2005 68RI Gibson made in Pelham Blue...



The 68RIs were a line of LPCs that had the old features like a long neck tenon, ABR-1 bridge, vintage-correct headstock angle, and had the correct neck contours. Some of the 68RIs are passed over by purists because some of the colors that were found on the 68RIs were not vintage correct (like Pelham Blue, Triburst, Red Tiger, Cobraburst, Orange Widow, ect.).

Here's the rarer colors...

Red Tiger:




Cobraburst:




Orange Widow:


Even though the paintjobs are a drastic departure from the traditional 68RI, the fretboard materials (just like the chambered or solid body construction) were allowed to vary on these 3 colors. For some reason, they allowed the fretboard material to vary. Some even came stock with a Nashville bridge. Also worth noting is that these 68RIs had the same "Custom Shop" logos on the backs of the neck, but the serial number was different than all the other lines of 68RIs. While the serial number was inked and started with letters, the certificate of authenticity that was issued with these rarities states that they are 68 Custom Fs. According to Gibson themselves, the Custom Shop didn't keep good records on these modern guitars, so don't be surprised if they can't identify a specific guitar. I've had to try to work with them on updating their records of the 68RI Line. I get the impression that if there was anyone in the factory that wanted a "one-off", they used the 68RI as the starting point. We see a lot of different colors that were never advertised, and sometimes, they leave the factory with colors that Gibson never released on any other guitar.

I'm not trying to call anyone out at all. I'm just trying to share what I've been able to learn so that you can make informed decisions. The 68RIs that were solid bodies and painted with the vintage-correct colors are just as good as any other R8/R9/B4/B7/ect. reissue that Gibson made, but even aware that there were a few guitars that got out of the factory with less than vintage-correct specs.