[DuaLeaD]

Let me preface this with saying, I finally shelled out $7,000 for a Gibson Custom Shop 1965 Firebird VII Reissue in "Pelham Blue" and it is nothing short of masterwork quality. It is the best-crafted guitar I have seen in my life.

My main axe is a 2007 Les Paul Supreme in "Alpine White" (my avatar), but I have been looking for a sweet backup Les Paul. Or that was the plan...Perhaps "backup" is entirely the wrong label when you look at the two choices I have narrowed it down to:
2012 Gibson Les Paul Standard in "Heritage Cherry Sunburst"
OR
1960 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Reissue "Washed Cherry Burst"

Now I whole-heartedly agree that Gibson Les Pauls are superior to Epiphone Les Pauls, by a noticeable margin tone, quality, aesthetics, etc. But can you honestly say Custom Shop Les Pauls sound $3,000+ better then Gibson USA Les Pauls? Is the difference just as noticeable? My Les Paul Supreme sounds just as good, if not better than the 1959 Custom Shop Les Pauls I've put it against in the store, so I'm kind of leaning toward just getting the sweet new features and versatility of the 2012 Les Paul Standard at this point. Would like Custom Shop Les Paul owners to weigh in on this, because I'm not sure if I can justify spending multiple thousands of dollars on a new axe again, though the "cool-factor" is undisputable....

[nitefly]

I am not sure what the real retail prices are in the US but I paid 650 Euros more for my R8 than what I paid for my 08 std. Of course prices can vary and I have seen R8s and 08 Stds alike go for more than what I paid. In any case, my experience of the R8 is that it is an exceptional guitar. I like my 08 std but the R8 was a revelation to me, it was like I was transported back in time to 1958, it just has that old worldly type workmanship quality. I was astounded at the feel and tone. I bought it unexpectedly too, as I actually was in the store to buy a pedal and ended up walking out with the guitar. It felt so good and the tone knocked me out. Don't get my wrong the 08 std is a great guitar but there is just something about the reissues that appeals to me. I am just waiting for my local store to get in a new consignment from Gibson and I intend to trade in the 08 std for another reissue.

[pippy]

Four out of the six best Les Pauls - in terms of sound, playability and build-quality - I've ever played (over a 35 year period) have been Historics.

There really is something intangible about them that marks them out as 'special' somehow.
It's very easy to doubt the truth of this statement but once the 'revelation' is experienced suddenly all the hype makes perfect sense.

But I have also played dozens of Historics that have left no great impression on me in terms of 'tonal improvement' over a regular LP.

The advice given to those searching for a regular Les Paul also holds true for the re-issues; search for as long as it takes until you find a good one.

P.

[DuaLeaD]

pippy, on 14 November 2012 - 02:02 AM, said:

Four out of the six best Les Pauls - in terms of sound, playability and build-quality - I've ever played (over a 35 year period) have been Historics.

There really is something intangible about them that marks them out as 'special' somehow.
It's very easy to doubt the truth of this statement but once the 'revelation' is experienced suddenly all the hype makes perfect sense.

But I have also played dozens of Historics that have left no great impression on me in terms of 'tonal improvement' over a regular LP.

The advice given to those searching for a regular Les Paul also holds true for the re-issues; search for as long as it takes until you find a good one.

P.

This will definitely not be an easy decision....

[pippy]

DuaLeaD, on 15 November 2012 - 08:45 PM, said:

This will definitely not be an easy decision....

The upside of finding the 'Right One' is that you'll probably never play a better Les Paul and that will make you a very happy man indeed.

P.

[Farnsbarns]

Are they "worth it" that's tricky, only you can know. Is the average RI better then the average standard? IMX YES!

[AXE®]

Quote

Custom Shop Les Pauls sound $3,000+ better then Gibson USA Les Pauls?

What Country are you in?


Jeebus!!!

[Tim Plains]

Yeah, I don't know where you are buying your guitars from but you are paying way too much. Play a few at your local dealer, expect them to be poorly set up, and see where you land. It's a no brainer for me.

[DuaLeaD]

R9, on 16 November 2012 - 06:07 PM, said:

Yeah, I don't know where you are buying your guitars from but you are paying way too much. Play a few at your local dealer, expect them to be poorly set up, and see where you land. It's a no brainer for me.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul VOS Reissues were going for $5,700 each at my local music shop (I am assuming it would be $6,000 for gloss). That is right in line with the prices I have found on www.musiciansfriend.com
If you know better places to get lower prices, I am definitely all ears...

The 1960 Reissues were at the same prices as well.
As far as the 2012 Les Paul Standard, it is going for $3,000 on www.musiciansfriend.com and $2,700 at my local music shop.

[Tim Plains]

It's no surprise that prices are in line on every website. Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy if you didn't know. Some places, like Guitar Center, will not budge from that price. Others will. My 50th R0 was $4,400.

[DuaLeaD]

R9, on 17 November 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

It's no surprise that prices are in line on every website. Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy if you didn't know. Some places, like Guitar Center, will not budge from that price. Others will. My 50th R0 was $4,400.

Holy cow!! Was that from the dealer you recommended to me??

[Farnsbarns]

My R8 was under $3000, and that's in rip-off Britain. That was just before our VAT (sales tax) increase from 15% to 20% but still. Now, that was in a shop in which I've spent about £1000 a year for 20 years but the prices I'm reading on here are bonkers.

[CowboyBillyBob1]

R9, on 17 November 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

It's no surprise that prices are in line on every website. Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy if you didn't know. Some places, like Guitar Center, will not budge from that price. Others will. My 50th R0 was $4,400.

GC will definately negotiate the MAP price. Every Gibson and Martin I purchased from them was way below that price.

[DuaLeaD]

CowboyBillyBob1, on 18 November 2012 - 04:09 PM, said:

GC will definately negotiate the MAP price. Every Gibson and Martin I purchased from them was way below that price.

Never seen that happen...Musician's Friend and Guitar Center, you're dealing with the same outfit.

[DuaLeaD]

Farnsbarns, on 18 November 2012 - 12:53 PM, said:

My R8 was under $3000, and that's in rip-off Britain. That was just before our VAT (sales tax) increase from 15% to 20% but still. Now, that was in a shop in which I've spent about £1000 a year for 20 years but the prices I'm reading on here are bonkers.

Dude, if I could get a Custom Shop 1960 Reissue in GLOSS for $4,000 I will be definitely sold....