Raymond Lin Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I have agreed a trade with a store for a Gibson Custom Shop Class 5 Les Paul for my PRS Custom 22 Special. This For this I am going to see the guitar on Saturday before sealing the deal, but doing some research now hence I am here. I have been a PRS guy thus far and so far Gibson Les Paul have not impressed me as much, not even in photos, until this one. My question is what should I expect from a Custom Shop Les Paul over a regular Les Paul? What aspects of the guitar that you guys would think is where the extra money going to? Obviously my main frame of refernce is not from a cheaper Les Paul, but from PRS...which is immaculate to the tinnest detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hello. Gibson`s model arrangement often very confusing. Class 5 Les Pauls are based on regular run guitars (weight-relieved body), but have features of a Historic (ABR-1 bridge). So they are crossovers between an average Gibson USA Les Paul, and a 1959 Reissue. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Lin Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hello. Gibson`s model arrangement often very confusing. Class 5 Les Pauls are based on regular run guitars (weight-relieved body), but have features of a Historic (ABR-1 bridge). So they are crossovers between an average Gibson USA Les Paul, and a 1959 Reissue. Cheers... Bence Would you say the Class 5 is a new/modern Historic R9? What am R9 would have looked like in 1959. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Would you say the Class 5 is a new/modern Historic R9? What am R9 would have looked like in 1959. Hello! No, by no means. An R9 looking like a brand-new guitar would be the "R9 Gloss", opposed to "R9 V.O.S.". V.O.S. - Vintage Original Specification means that the finish of the guitar's body and the hardware is slightly reliced. Reissues have one-piece, solid bodies, they are never weight-relieved (however, sometimes chambered like the "CR9"). This guitar has the body of the modern Les Paul, with the 9-hole relief, but the hardware is from a Reissue. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Lin Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hello! No, by no means. An R9 looking like a brand-new guitar would be the "R9 Gloss", opposed to "R9 V.O.S.". V.O.S. - Vintage Original Specification means that the finish of the guitar's body and the hardware is slightly reliced. Reissues have one-piece, solid bodies, they are never weight-relieved (however, sometimes chambered like the "CR9"). This guitar has the body of the modern Les Paul, with the 9-hole relief, but the hardware is from a Reissue. Cheers... Bence Ah yes, I forgot the weight relief part. Okay, I guess apart from that, since it has the same reissue hardware, it has the long tenon (like how they build it in the old days). This is as close as Gibson make or made to a 1959 in a modern finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Ah yes, I forgot the weight relief part. Okay, I guess apart from that, since it has the same reissue hardware, it has the long tenon (like how they build it in the old days). This is as close as Gibson make or made to a 1959 in a modern finish? Hehe. Your question is tricky, again. The thing is, Gibson likes to confuse enthusiasts... The best description would be: "a contemporary Les Paul retrofitted with vintage hardware". Many of us are replacing the bridge, the tailpiece, the pickup surrounds, etc. with vintage spec units. Basically, the Class 5 is about that. Can't confirm the long-tenon, though. Reissues are different from the contemporary models from the very beginning: the solid body, with the original contour of the top, the headstock shape, etc. Hope it helps... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 It's an extremely expensive Les Paul with an uber flame-y top and a nice paint job that you can't get on a runnathemill Les Paul. It either sounds and feels great or it doesn't, just like the rest of them. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Lin Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hehe. Your question is tricky, again. The thing is, Gibson likes to confuse enthusiasts... The best description would be: "a contemporary Les Paul retrofitted with vintage hardware". Many of us are replacing the bridge, the tailpiece, the pickup surrounds, etc. with vintage spec units. Basically, the Class 5 is about that. Can't confirm the long-tenon, though. Reissues are different from the contemporary models from the very beginning: the solid body, with the original contour of the top, the headstock shape, etc. Hope it helps... Bence I see, so in short, new wood, reissue parts. Thanks a lot ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I see, so in short, new wood, reissue parts. Thanks a lot ! Yes. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pesh Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Gorgeous Lester, there. Is this not a part of the standard-lineup, then? (sorry if I've missed the answer to this this). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack M Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I've got a 2010 Class 5 Les Paul. It's got a great neck and came with Grover tuners and burst bucker 2 (neck) and 3 (bridge) pick-ups. With the weight relief it's lighter than my R9 but has a little more roar. I think you'll enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Hello! Official info here: http://www.gibson.com/files/downloads/custom/catalog2001.pdf Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewolff Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I have a 2001 Les Paul Class 5 and the guitar is fantastic. I believe they call it a Class 5 because instead of a Gibson AAA top it is a AAAAA top, and it is truly beautiful. To me the 5A top has the depth and beauty of a PRS 10 top. I also like the weight as compared to my 1980 Les Paul Custom (3 pick up black beauty). The Custom so much heavier! My Class 5 plays and sounds great also. You will be very happy with this guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Hory clap! that is a beauty of a les paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall Paul Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I'd keep the LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 .which is immaculate to the tinnest detail. Why would you sell the immaculate conception? Can't be too darn immaculate, its on the chopping block. LOL!!! Not even a 10-top, you'd get shunned at the PRS door for that![only joking] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewolff Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hehe. Your question is tricky, again. The thing is, Gibson likes to confuse enthusiasts... The best description would be: "a contemporary Les Paul retrofitted with vintage hardware". Many of us are replacing the bridge, the tailpiece, the pickup surrounds, etc. with vintage spec units. Basically, the Class 5 is about that. Can't confirm the long-tenon, though. Reissues are different from the contemporary models from the very beginning: the solid body, with the original contour of the top, the headstock shape, etc. Hope it helps... Bence [The Class 5 does have a long-tenon] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I'd keep the PRS... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 [The Class 5 does have a long-tenon] I didn't know that, pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I'd keep the PRS... How so, you haven't played either one, have you? How could you make a comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 How so, you haven't played either one, have you? How could you make a comparison? You are right, I have not played the guitars mentioned, none of us except for the OP has actually played them. Are you saying nobody except the OP buyer can compare? However, I am sure many here, including myself have a number of LP's and PRS's that could be similar. But your are right, it's really up to OP and we are just offering our preference or opinions; perhaps to help the OP's affirmation. I think that's what this thread is for. In general, PRS have better hands on workmanship... But it's up to the OP to decide..it's his $. They are both excellent tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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