dbossman Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Hello all, I just bought my first LP two days ago from GC. It is a 2013 Standard Cherry Burst. Wow the tone is awesome with the pickp/tone pot capabilities of splitting, bypass, and phasing. Overall, I am so psyched about the guitar... Only thing is when I got it home and under real lighting I noticed several flaws in the maple top that doesn't seem like it would be passed off as a LP Standard. The flame top is very inconsistent and not well defined. There are two knots and some other natural wood flaws in the grain but maybe not so natural when you look closely. This was a $2,500 GC/ $3,400 list price. I would expect better "visual" quality top for the price personally and saw some lower $$ models that I recall with better quality. I guess the excitement of purchasing my first LP got the best of me. It does play like a dream and really that is what I was focusing on. I know that its all about how it feels to an individual but I also want to make the best of this sort of investment. I don't turn and burn guitars. I buy them and keep them and will be left to my children some day so again, this is an investment. Is it normal for a LP at this level to have so many flaws in the maple top? The flaming in the wood grain isn't very prominent either. Any advice from the hardcore LP crowd would be appreciated. I have never laid down close to this much money on a guitar... See attached pic. I outlined the flaws. I had a hard time getting a good picture and will use another camera to see if I can do better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUSHian Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I think it's the amount of flame and how pronounced it is, how it's matched to the other side... . It's normal to see what you have in the grains. There's some on mine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Grading wood is not an exact science. Is yours meant to be a AA top? If so it's a nice one. If it's meant to be an AAA top I've seen 'better' but it's still OK. As far as knots etc are concerned; I've a "AAAA" LP which has a very prominent knot 'blemish' but it's a natural occurence and I really couldn't care less. I actually think it makes the whole thing more interesing. If you don't like it all I'll say is send it back. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 It does play like a dream... Enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 The number of 'A's used to name a top means absolutely nothing, because anyone can call anything anything they want. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 . I agree with what's been commented above. You didn't mention the grade of your top, but Pippy addressed that. Additionally - often the underlying grain of the wood can be seen through the figuring, including knots and other grain markings. You have a great looking LP STD and you're saying it plays like a dream - that's the best of both sides of the coin. Congrats. . B) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Come on, it's real Wood, not a "photoflame!" Those kinds of "imperfections" are natural. Gives it, it's own "character." I've never seen a "perfect" top, nor a "perfect" guitar! Besides, A, AA, AAA, AAAA, won't do a thing, for the sound, or playability. Just enjoy your guitar. That's a VERY NICE Les Paul Standard, you have...IMHO. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Come on, it's real Wood, not a "photoflame!" Those kinds of "imperfections" are natural. Gives it, it's own "character." I've never seen a "perfect" top, nor a "perfect" guitar! Besides, A, AA, AAA, AAAA, won't do a thing, for the sound, or playability. Just enjoy your guitar. That's a VERY NICE Les Paul Standard, you have...IMHO. CB +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local_Machine Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) On 10/28/2013 at 1:08 PM, RUSHian said: I think it's the amount of flame and how pronounced it is, how it's matched to the other side... . It's normal to see what you have in the grains. There's some on mine: Reviving this thread a bit... I am 8 years late to the game. I have a Les Paul Standard arriving Friday with a AAA top and I was wondering the exact same thing. I know, none of it matters as far as playability, but I was also curious of the rating. I am sure many, many others wonder as well. BTW, these photos are pw protected. Edited February 10, 2021 by Local_Machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 27 minutes ago, Local_Machine said: Reviving this thread a bit... I am 8 years late to the game. I have a Les Paul Standard arriving Friday with a AAA top and I was wondering the exact same thing. I know, none of it matters as far as playability, but I was also curious of the rating. I am sure many, many others wonder as well. BTW, these photos are pw protected. AAA is one better than AA. Problem solved. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Local_Machine Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 25 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: AAA is one better than AA. Problem solved. I understand better. I was wondering on the grading system. From what I read, the upper may more closely match the lower. Some pictures of AA vs AAA would be great to see, for others who may wonder as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 17 minutes ago, Local_Machine said: I understand better. I was wondering on the grading system. From what I read, the upper may more closely match the lower. Some pictures of AA vs AAA would be great to see, for others who may wonder as well. I think we need to see if a professional wood grader is on the forum to chime in. All my guitars have big holes in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 When buying a Guitar I want the whole package. Materials, Craftsmanship, Looks, QC, Sound & Playability. Otherwise, over time, the magic wears off & it ends up living in its Case... Then I sell it & get something better.. If you don’t totally love it don’t keep it.... Get something better.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 My post from 8 years ago is still The Way: Anybody can call anything anything they want to. There is no commission scratching their beards over "10 Tops" and AAAAA flame. There just isn't. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Here's my experience with the A's. A was the grade I was assigned in school whenever I did something that made the teachers happy. This occurred only rarely. AA is Alcoholics Anonymous. I'm not a member because my alcohol abuse is rather public and well-known. It's hard to be anonymous about it when everybody is hip to your passions. I contribute money and time to the local Chapter of AA anyway, because they assist/support people in crisis, and they have helped people dear to me to stay alive. AAA is some sort of automobile club where you pay a modest fee, and then when your car or truck breaks down, they'll come get you and haul your rig to the repair shop for free. I don't use them. I keep my vehicles and motorcycles in tip-top shape instead, and avoid outside agencies putting their greasy hands on my stuff. AAAA is the Army Aviation Association of America. Though I have been an Army aviator for well over 40 years, I have never been an member of AAAA. I'm not much of a joiner, I guess. Okay, I'm gonna shut up now. 😬 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 A- A grade I rarely got in school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Top Grading Systems Gone Wild... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 I want B- or ungraded wood. I'm so fed up with strippey guitars. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01GT eibach Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 There is no "official industry standard" that all makers work to, with each vendor determining what each grade is for themselves. Also, the different makers (Gibson, especially) have had a significant lack of consistency on their grading. This is what I understand for Gibson: Grade A - nicely grained, but with no quilting and/or striping Grade AA - A good amount of striping , but usually not completely and varies by viewing angle Grade AAA - Lots of striping, without the best book matching Grade AAAA - Lots of striping, and very good book matching 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Though somewhat evasive, Gibson has defined what the top differences are, sometimes in word and sometimes as illustrations. Here is an example of one such illustration shown for the 2015 LP Traditional. http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/USA/Les-Paul-Traditional.aspx I find any such explanations to be of little use. From what I have seen, it is no more than a general and loosely followed (or at least highly subjected) scale. The 2015 LP Traditional is supposed to have an A+ top. Here is mine: Judge for yourself, but I can tell you that it is a lot nicer than almost all other 2015 Traditionals I've seen. I think it is more like AAA, but it is what it is. Edited February 14, 2021 by Wmachine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Boy, that's a pretty guitar. String spacing looks a little off, you might want to have that looked at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 1 hour ago, SteveFord said: Boy, that's a pretty guitar. String spacing looks a little off, you might want to have that looked at. Thanks. String spacing is perfectly fine. Either the angle or maybe that its a 2015 with the wider board that is throwing you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Nothing was throwing me off, that was a joke about the 2015 model's dubious innovations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 9 hours ago, SteveFord said: Nothing was throwing me off, that was a joke about the 2015 model's dubious innovations. Nothing dubious about the 2015 necks or string spacing. They're terrific to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 18 hours ago, SteveFord said: Nothing was throwing me off, that was a joke about the 2015 model's dubious innovations. What's funnier than that (to me at least) is that you made me go look at it again just to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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