Daniel Woods

Im new here, but I've done some research and just wanted to say to all the Flame top lovers out there that the number of 1950's guitars with Flame Maple tops is much higher than the few that made it out of the factory. Reason being was it wasn't really looked at as this highly prized wood like it eventually became. They are PLENTY of Black Beauties and Gold Tops with gorgeous tops underneath. We will never know how many but Ive pesonally witnessed a Goldtop, I believe like a '55 - '57, completely stripped down for refinishing only to reveal like a nasty 3/4" tiger maple Flametop. Ill try to get some pics. I haven't seen my buddy in quite awhile but he has the whole project photographed. His aim was to put put a brand new Goldtop finish on it. Now its completely converted into a beautiful Lemon Drop Tiger Flametop. I really wonder how much flame wood Gibson actually used for Goltops and Beauties. I got in touch with Gibson and they said its super rare which is great news for my buddy because now its worth a small fortune because the serial # dictates a Goldtop. Its probably the only LP to be stripped of the original finish and be worth so much more. You guys will have your jaw hanging if I can get some of his pics uploaded. Cheers

I really believe the only way to purchase a Les Paul is to buy it in person. Play it. Check it all out. They cost a lot of money and if you cant find any in your area its worth taking a road trip. Its an investment. I don't play Les Pauls because they are just not comfortable for me to play gigs with. I wield an SG for that, But I do own a Flame Top that literally took months and months of looking. Some road trips, the whole thing because I knew I was looking in the $5000 range. I would never computer shop for that even from the Nashville plant itself. And its funny because that was my last trip. Right to the Gibson showroom. I ended up getting a beautiful R9. I didnt get it custom made for me but i got to choose the neck carve i liked, the sound the feel, even the neck angle because they do vary a bit. Mine has a nice shallow 3°. So its got tons of room for adjustment. The neck angle was a custom order that was never purchased. My gain. Lol. Good luck ever finding that neck angle. I hate anything over 4°. My friends LP is like 6°. Definately a QC disaster. It plays ok but it hasnt much room to mess with the bridge. But any way. Gibson has had alot of QC problems which would be ok if they were charging $500 not $5000. Sorry you got a less than perfect one. Rock on brother.

Hello everyone. New here. Probably the only person on here who does not like Les Pauls...lmao. But I LLLOOOVVVEEE the SG and thats what brings me here...GIBSON. I have guitars for all styles but the SG is my go to hard rock guitar. My best one is a 1999 Standard with large pickguard, 4° neck angle and old school abr-1 bridge. Just one of those "universe came together that day" kind of axe. It needs a refret pretty bad but i feel its like my child going under the knife. Lol. I have 9 SGs but that is THE one. Next would be my vintage 1965 junior. Any hoot. Hello everyone.🤘🎸

Hello everyone. New here. Probably the only person on here who does not like Les Pauls...lmao. But I LLLOOOVVVEEE the SG and thats what brings me here...GIBSON. I have guitars for all styles but the SG is my go to hard rock guitar. My best one is a 1999 Standard with large pickguard, 4° neck angle and old school abr-1 bridge. Just one of those "universe came together that day" kind of axe. It needs a refret pretty bad but i feel its like my child going under the knife. Lol. I have 9 SGs but that is THE one. Next would be my vintage 1965 junior. Any hoot. Hello everyone.🤘🎸