Why do I prefer playing my Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s over my R9 and R8?

[HowieJams]

I have 5 Gibsons (2 USA and 3 Custom Shops)
2024 R9
2023 R8
2024 Standard 50s Goldtop
2023 Standard 50s Tobacco Burst
2024 SG VOS 61 RI

I have to admit, when I want to play a Les Paul I always grab one of the Standard 50s first.
The 2023 weighs 8.75lbs and the Goldtop around 9.5lbs.
Both Custom Shop Les Pauls are in the 8lb range

I do not find much quality diffrence between the Standard 50s and Custom Shop Les Pauls.

The tone is different due to the pickups, but for gain tones I prefer the Standard 50s Burstbucker 1&2s and for Cleans I prefer the Custom Shop Custombuckers, but it's not a major difference.

As for SGs, the Custom Shop SGs blow away the USA SG Standards.
Another thing I notice is...
Whenever I make a YouTube video, my best tones come when playing my Goldtop Standard 50s through my Friedman Little Sister amp.

I also must admit...
I think I would be very happy with just my two Les Paul Standard 50s and my Custom Shop SG.
The R8 and R9 were just an itch I had to scratch.

I think I prefer the Neck profile of the Standard 50s over the R8 by far, I tend to like thinner neck profiles.

The Custom Shop SG has the best neck profile and is easiest to play, but I still just gravitate towards Les Pauls.

If I had to play my best, the SG would be the easiest to play by far and the tone is close enough to a Les Paul that only I would know the difference.

I don't need the money, but one day in the future if i could get my money back and break even, I might part with the R8, R9, or both.

I would probably regret that move as I have done the same thing in the past.

Lastly, I have owned the newer Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s, but for some reason I did not like the pickups in that one, but it did have a great neck profile.

 

[Findthetone1]

I think people get caught up in the Custom Shop allure. I think I have always been more comfortable with run of the mill guitars. My dream guitar has always been an R0 but I know the first thing I'd do is get it refretted with larger stainless frets so why waste the money? I have a Tom Anderson Drop Top that I barely play because I just haven't bonded with it as much. It's phenomenal guitar in every aspect, I just like guitars I can knock around (not on purpose) and not care.

 

[HowieJams]

I think people get caught up in the Custom Shop allure. I think I have always been more comfortable with run of the mill guitars. My dream guitar has always been an R0 but I know the first thing I'd do is get it refretted with larger stainless frets so why waste the money? I have a Tom Anderson Drop Top that I barely play because I just haven't bonded with it as much. It's phenomenal guitar in every aspect, I just like guitars I can knock around (not on purpose) and not care.

I think you have it correct, it is the allure of having the very best, the Custom Shop prestige, but in reality they aren't going to make you sound any better, that is more the work of the amp.

Unfortunately, it took me 60 years to figure that out.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I my experience, Gibsons have enough natural variance from guitar to guitar that you just have to find the magic one you like. When I bought my Les Paul Custom, I played about 10 ebony LPC’s between two stores and there was one specific one I liked head and shoulders above the rest of them, just because of how that particular one resonated.

Sometimes a guitar just fits.

 

[Findthetone1]

I think you have it correct, it is the allure of having the very best, the Custom Shop prestige, but in reality they aren't going to make you sound any better, that is more the work of the amp.

Unfortunately, it took me 60 years to figure that out.

I'm not far behind you. In the end, whatever makes people happy. I don't care who plays what except for Chinese counterfeits. That I can't stand.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

I can tell you when Gibson made the changes to the Standards starting in 2019, they are some of the most consistent and best playing and sounding Les Paul's period. Yes you get some authentic vintage appointments with the custom shop models and they will hold value better but aren't really any better guitar for most musicians.

 

[HowieJams]

I my experience, Gibsons have enough natural variance from guitar to guitar that you just have to find the magic one you like. When I bought my Les Paul Custom, I played about 10 ebony LPC’s between two stores and there was one specific one that I liked head and shoulders above the rest of them, just because of how that particular one resonated.

Sometimes a guitar just fits.

I have to say, all 5 of my Gibsons have that magic, I just tend to grab my Standard 50s first for some reason.
With that said, the Tobacco Sunburst one at 8.75lbs is more comfortable than the 9.5lb Goldtop, but both are great.

 

[HowieJams]

I'm not far behind you. In the end, whatever makes people happy. I don't care who plays what except for Chinese counterfeits. That I can't stand.

I wouldn't buy a Chinese counterfeit, I have to have the real deal.
I am a bit shallow, I need to see Gibson or Fender on the Headstock, I can't play an Epiphone or Squier even though many of them are great.

 

[HowieJams]

I can tell you when Gibson made the changes to the Standards starting in 2019, they are some of the most consistent and best playing and sounding Les Paul's period. Yes you get some authentic vintage appointments with the custom shop models and they will hold value better but aren't really any better guitar for most musicians.

I have said the same thing all along, the 2019+ Les Paul Standard 50s are some of the best Gibsons ever made.

 

[Findthetone1]

I wouldn't buy a Chinese counterfeit, I have to have the real deal.
I am a bit shallow, I need to see Gibson or Fender on the Headstock, I can't play an Epiphone or Squier even though many of them are great.

I'm not shallow as I've owned a Heritage and currently have a Bacchus BLP-CTM MIJ Les Paul Custom. Gibson is always my first choice for that type of guitar if it's possible and I like it. China is the largest producer and exporter of counterfeit goods of any type so they get a pass from me on guitars for now.

 

[Findthetone1]

I can tell you when Gibson made the changes to the Standards starting in 2019, they are some of the most consistent and best playing and sounding Les Paul's period. Yes you get some authentic vintage appointments with the custom shop models and they will hold value better but aren't really any better guitar for most musicians.

Except for the tiny fret size. It's asinine.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I have said the same thing all along, the 2019+ Les Paul Standard 50s are some of the best Gibsons ever made.

Love my 50s Standards. I actually really like the Burstbuckers too.

 

[HowieJams]

Except for the tiny fret size. It's asinine.

I actually love the frets on the Standard 50s

 

[HowieJams]

Love my 50s Standards. I actually really like the Burstbuckers too.

I love the Burstbucker 1&2s

 

[Findthetone1]

I actually love the frets on the Standard 50s

The older I get the larger the frets I like. I bought a Jr. DC in spring not knowing how small the frets are now. I loved the guitar otherwise so it was refretted.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I mean, sometimes things just come together with a certain guitar.

I poured a bunch of love into a buddy's LP setup recently.

I got to play it again last night and thought - that has to be one of the best feeling guitars ever. Wow.

Not - the best LP studio I have played - one of the best LPs - period.

I have gotten to play custom shops and all that but this one..... everything came together just right and it is an absolute monster of a guitar!

Glad you were able to give the killer guitar the credit it deserves - despite lacking the 'Custom Shop' logo.

 

[cardinal]

I love the newer Gibsons except for the fret size. Wish they'd go back to at least whatever they used in the 90s. Or just limited runs with larger fret sizes instead of dumbass different colors. I'd think a lot of folks would jump at an LP Standard or Explorer with 6100-style frets.

 

[thegame]

I've said this before but you get a much better chance of getting a good LP from the more expensive CS lines but the USA's can be every bit as good once you find one that rings like a tuning fork.

 

[HowieJams]

The older I get the larger the frets I like. I bought a Jr. DC in spring not knowing how small the frets are now. I loved the guitar otherwise so it was refretted.

I find the Standard 50s frets very comfortable.

 

[HowieJams]

I mean, sometimes things just come together with a certain guitar.

I poured a bunch of love into a buddy's LP setup recently.

I got to play it again last night and thought - that has to be one of the best feeling guitars ever. Wow.

Not - the best LP studio I have played - one of the best LPs - period.

I have gotten to play custom shops and all that but this one..... everything came together just right and it is an absolute monster of a guitar!

Glad you were able to give the killer guitar the credit it deserves - despite lacking the 'Custom Shop' logo.

All of my guitars are great, but I just reach for the Standard 50s first.