[sausagefingers]

Basically my question is do i buy a CUSTOM or a STANDARD, i dont gig its just home use or jamming with my son, is the CUSTOM so far superior to the STANDARD to warrent the extra bucks, I know the difference in specs etc, but ireally cant decide, do i buy the standard and keep the extra bucks towards a MARSHALL OMBO 50th anniversary (if thy decide to make one) or the CS. I would gratefuully appreciate all comments as this will be my first and last LP. My only buy is a HERITAGE kalamazoo semi. Some of you may well think this a bit of a daft posting, but i really am stuck, and a complete newbie.
cheers.
If ATTIC reads this i would like to read his comments he seems pretty tuned in on this stuff.

[Tim Plains]

Assuming you're trying to compare a historic Custom/historic Standard and not a USA guitar...

I own both. The big (and sometimes only real) difference is how the ebony fretboard feels. Customs typically have fat necks - R8/R9-ish; they also tend to weigh more. A historic Standard and historic Custom is nearly the same guitar - the only differences are the lack of a maple cap and ebony fretboard. The lack of a maple top sometimes makes the Custom sound warmer/muddier but I've played several that just the opposite. The rest of the changes are just bling bling and Customs are in no way superior to Standards. You're the only one who can determine if a Custom is worth the money and the only real way to do that is by playing a few. Same goes for comparing a Custom Shop guitar to a USA guitar. One thing to keep in mind is there are four Customs out there - '57 reissue, '68 reissue, chambered Custom, regular/modern Custom. There's Custom Shop and then there's "Custom Shop."

[sausagefingers]

ADDICT....thanks for that, it certainly clears up a few issues i had. Not to prolong this too much for you, but one more thing, you mention "USA guitar" can you explain what these are in my ignorance i thought usa guitar meant any model manufactuerd in the nashville plant, how do these differ from the rest of the genre,s !
apology for earlier misspelling my eyes are not what they used to be.
cheers..

[Tim Plains]

Gibson USA is their regular line of guitars - Studio, Classic, Traditional, Standard, etc.
Gibson Custom is their higher quality line.

Gibson USA = Chevrolet.
Gibson Custom Shop = Cadillac.

Some Custom Shop guitars are really just Gibson USA guitars with Custom Shop logos.

[stein]

R9, on 30 May 2011 - 07:45 PM, said:

Gibson USA is their regular line of guitars - Studio, Classic, Traditional, Standard, etc.
Gibson Custom is their higher quality line.

Gibson USA = CADILLAC DEVILLE
Gibson Custom Shop = CADILLAC FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM

Some Custom Shop guitars are really just Gibson USA guitars with Custom Shop logos.

FIXED.

perhaps FENDER would be more like Chevy. (I like Chevy's too)

[sausagefingers]

Guys i,m learning fast

[sausagefingers]

I have got one more question, regarding the pick ups, i play almost all blues albert bb, that type of stuff, i got 57 classics and play mainly on the clean channel on my marshall jcm 2000 dsl 401, and i got the settings perfect for my ear, but i would like a change in pups,some thing different you know what i mean, i know nothing about mules. pafs, p90s etc, my local shops dont really have a great selection of LPs to try out, any thoughts, my two favourite guitarists joe bonamassa and gary moore, that sound you know.

[SlashPerryBurst]

sausagefingers, on 31 May 2011 - 05:20 AM, said:

I have got one more question, regarding the pick ups, i play almost all blues albert bb, that type of stuff, i got 57 classics and play mainly on the clean channel on my marshall jcm 2000 dsl 401, and i got the settings perfect for my ear, but i would like a change in pups,some thing different you know what i mean, i know nothing about mules. pafs, p90s etc, my local shops dont really have a great selection of LPs to try out, any thoughts, my two favourite guitarists joe bonamassa and gary moore, that sound you know.

Gary Moore apparently swore by the Burstbuckers towards the end of his life. I have a standard with burstbuckers and I love them, but my favourite ever pickup is the 57ri. It all boils down to personal taste but both will do the job.

[Pure Evil Music]

Tough call. I myself love the look of the Custom but can't jive with the thick neck. The Traditional Pro is actually my favorite playing LP as of right now.

[JazzGtr]

I never heard of guitar players buying a custom and regretting buying a standard. But I have heard guitar players buying standard and regretting buying custom.

Go custom!

Jazz,

[MickRohman]

sausagefingers, on 30 May 2011 - 09:47 AM, said:

Basically my question is do i buy a CUSTOM or a STANDARD, i dont gig its just home use or jamming with my son, is the CUSTOM so far superior to the STANDARD to warrent the extra bucks, I know the difference in specs etc, but ireally cant decide, do i buy the standard and keep the extra bucks towards a MARSHALL OMBO 50th anniversary (if thy decide to make one) or the CS. I would gratefuully appreciate all comments as this will be my first and last LP. My only buy is a HERITAGE kalamazoo semi. Some of you may well think this a bit of a daft posting, but i really am stuck, and a complete newbie.
cheers.
If ATTIC reads this i would like to read his comments he seems pretty tuned in on this stuff.

I own both a custom/historic shop quilt top and a standard LP. Both feel great while playing but I have to say my standard is by far my favorite to play! She has a wider voice range and her tone and sustain is unequalled! I own 4 Gibsons, 3 LPs and one Victory MVX (not to mention 6 Fenders) and my 2011 wine Standard is my favorite guitar! I would say to play them both and see what feels and sounds better to you and don't look at the price, over time price means nothing when playing music! Being happy does!!!!! My Standard was half the price of the quilt top.( the quilt is the most beautiful of them!)

[Martin Zephyr]

In the old days, the Custom got updates before the Standard or GoldTop. But the main difference is that the Custom was built to look pro and formal. My suggestion is go with the Custom if you can live without the bucks. I don't know how much you're willing to spend on this guitar, but the Les Paul Custom is for quite a bit more than the Standard.

[Yunker]

I spent a few hours in a music store trying out standards and customs and although the standards are good I felt the customs played and sounded better. Personal taste I guess comes into it but the custom plays and sustains like a dream !!

[WKnight2]

Play as many guitars as you can until you find one that speaks to you. Custom or standard, there are "bad" guitars and "good" guitars. Only you can judge what feels/sounds/looks best.