MichaelT Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 We went to Ft. Wayne, IN last Thursday for GearFest. We applied for a Gear Card and got one with $1000.00 limit. That was the beginning of the demise. I met up with with my sales rep, Stuart Niven and talked with him for a bit. It was really nice meeting him in person. Yes, Ray, I told him you said to tell him hi. After that, I proceeded to go over to the Gibson booth/tent. That was the second step of my demise. I saw the 2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic Goldtop with P90's that I've been drooling over for a year and saw the price. $1599.00 for a guitar that's usually 22 or 2300? I have $1000 on the card and that puts me at 600.00 and some tax? So I played it: Sure, it's a Demo guitar but it was clean, played beautifully, and not a scratch or ding on it. They wrote me up, got my receipt, put it up at checkout after cleaning it, getting the case and such. Then, it came back to the hotel with me Friday night: Saturday, I watched a workshop with Chris Broderick who has played with Megadeth, and Act of Defiance, shredder extraordinaire. I got the opportunity to meet with him afterwards and get a picture: Saturday, at lunch, we were sitting at a table and a man and woman asked if they might sit with us. I didn't recognize him and the name at the time but we had lunch with Craig Anderton, who in addition to other things, was an Executive Vice President at Gibson: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/author/craig_anderton/ We had no idea who he was but he was a really awesome person to talk to for a half hour or so. We talked music, guitars, Gibson, PRS, recording, touring, etc. After watching her workshop, I also got to meet Nita Strauss, who is Alice Cooper's guitarist, and got a picture and autograph and talked for a couple minutes. She was super nice: Saturday closing concert was Yngwie Malmsteen. Love him or hate him, he's still shredding just like he did in the 80's and doing it very loud: Stacks and stacks of Marshall heads and cabinets. But, only the one at the top right and bottom left was lit up and active, along with their 1906A/B cabinets and had microphones on them. The other cabinets (not 1960A or 1960B cabinets were on stage along with DSL100HR heads (not turned on and no cables to them. Sweetwater people brought them onstage so I suppose these were Sweetwater stock. So, if you get an open box Marshall from Sweetwater, it may have been on stage with Yngwie. It is what it is. And, then Sunday, we came home and here's a picture of both my Goldtops together. 2018 Classic on the left, 2017 Tribute on the right. I put new strings on the Classic, checked neck, action and intonation and went over a quick setup with new strings. Sweetwater must have changed the strings to 10's some time between the time I played it and the time it was handed to me. I changed to Ernie Ball Super Slinkies (9's) and everything is perfect. The last four Gibson Les Pauls I bought: 2017 Standard, 2017 Tribute, 2018 Traditional and 2018 Classic have been perfect. No issues with Gibson Quality Control here. All are amazing guitars so if someone says Gibson's quality and guitars suck these days, I have at least four examples that say otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Hey Michael great story along great pics to document the adventure. had to chuckle at that Malmsteem photo, before I read your caption I was sort of thinking, "he's probably just using one... poser..." LOL! Sounds like it was well worth the trip out there. Some day... maybe I'll give it a go. I'd like to meet Stuart. I've known him but only via phone or email since like 2005. Congrats on yet another gorgeous LP score. the Classic looks great long side the tribute. looks a bit tiny in your lap, the curses of being a rahter large dude I guess. not a problem I'd have... HA! (I always wanted another gold top,.... your givin me GAS buster!!!!) thanks for sharing.. Epic journey.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LP Trad Pro II Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Sounds like a bad arse time. Yeah the whole wall of Marshall Stacks has been played out. Its all a show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelT Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 Congrats on yet another gorgeous LP score. the Classic looks great long side the tribute. looks a bit tiny in your lap, the curses of being a rahter large dude I guess. not a problem I'd have... HA! (I always wanted another gold top,.... your givin me GAS buster!!!!) Wait until late this year or early next year and grab one when it's on clearance. The Tribute plays every bit as nice as the Classic, Standard and Traditional, if you're so inclined. The Classic is going to band practice with me Saturday, after I pick up some Schaller Straplocks today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Looks like you had a lot of fun. Cool pics! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Congrats dude looks awesome!! Love the LP shirt too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 The Classic is going to band practice with me Saturday, after I pick up some Schaller Straplocks today. Good call, I am a firm believer in these as a mandatory and immediate task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelT Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 The Classic is going to band practice with me Saturday, after I pick up some Schaller Straplocks today. Good call, I am a firm believer in these as a mandatory and immediate task. Yep, it would have been done well before now but I got home Sunday, unpacked, then re-packed and back out to Charlotte, NC Mon - Thur for work, back home today. Already called my local store and he has a set put back for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerad12 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Looks like a fun trip. The gold top was a nice addition too! I love my 18' Goldtop. How heavy would you say your is? Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelT Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 Looks like a fun trip. The gold top was a nice addition too! I love my 18' Goldtop. How heavy would you say your is? Congrats. I can tell you exactly how heavy it is. Heaviest guitar I own. It's right at 11 pounds. I think they put real gold in it! It's heavier than my Traditional, Tribute and Standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Congratulations on well, everything. Love those Classics, I wanted on e for a while but knowing they are heavy I simply had to pass because my neck/shoulder issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Saturday, I watched a workshop with Chris Broderick who has played with Megadeth, and Act of Defiance, shredder extraordinaire. I got the opportunity to meet with him afterwards and get a picture:.... Very cool! After watching her workshop, I also got to meet Nita Strauss, who is Alice Cooper's guitarist, and got a picture and autograph and talked for a couple minutes. She was super nice:.... OK, that's beyond very super cool! Congrats on a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Great weekend....very nice, I'm envious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Nice, Congratulations! Of all of them, everyone since I was a kid, living or dead, the one I'd most want to go out with and end up in jail with is Ingvay. Never owned a record of his, rarely ever listen to him, sometimes I watch him on the YooToob. He embodies why most of us in the 70's took up guitar and I think we not only have a lot in common but would have a lot of laughs together. What a guy. Too frickin fast though if you ask me. I did like Alcatrazz, but that was like a hundred years ago. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Congrats on the 2018 LP Classic Goldtop. Every time I see that Gold Top with the P-90s, I start drooling out of both sides of my mouth. (Sounds like a drummer joke ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerad12 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 I can tell you exactly how heavy it is. Heaviest guitar I own. It's right at 11 pounds. I think they put real gold in it! It's heavier than my Traditional, Tribute and Standard. Yep. Same here. Mine is around 10.8 or so. When I picked it up for the first time I almost had to use both hands! (There you go Big Bill I tee'd that one up for you). I don't necessarily mind the weight but they are building that model chunky for sure. I've always liked gold tops but finally owning one you really see how impressive that color option is. I've even considered on of the tributes like you have as well. Seems like most folks who have picked one up have been pleased with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megafrog Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Looks like it was a great trip. I want to go there one year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky Forrest Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Looks like you had a great trip and a great score. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Way To Go!! =D> CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDH Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 I was also there Friday and Saturday.also got a pic with Nita. She seemed super nice and not stand-offish at all. Got to meet Justin Johnson, who is amazing at his style of playing, and that shovel guitar is an absolute trip. I highly recommend to everyone to go if you get the chance....I've been there 3 years in a row and it gets better every year. Oh yeah....I scored a Lee Malia Explorer demo that, honestly, looked like it had never been played, at a huge discount. Congrats on the new LP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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