johnpaulgeorge Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Just bought a new toy. 2004 Gibson Les Paul Special in red with gold hardware.Came with original case with black shroud & lining. Took a fancy too it 'cos it has the little ''tummy tuck'' & is a bit lighter than my Epi Black Beauty. It was cheap as chips & I just couldn't help myself ! The thing is that I can't find much info on this model online, I know that it is a 'lower end' Gibson,made in Nashville & is no longer in production, but that's about it. If any of you guys from the US can help me out with links/info on this model, I would be very grateful. (I'm anal about things like this. If I own a guitar, I need to know everything about it !!) Also, when I can work out how to post pics, I will do](*,) Cheers fellas, Karl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Let's see, flat top mahogany body/neck, Ibelieve 490/498 combo, nice guitars. A guy at another forum I frequent has one, and loves it, says it's almost SG-ish sounding, and the weight is compareable to an SG too. Don't belive they make 'em anymore. I'm thinkin' you can look it up in Gibson's archives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansmitchell Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Flat top, slab mahogany body, set mahog neck, P-90 or 490/498 pickups. Pretty much an SG shaped like a les paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Any pictures?! That would help us. Does it have P-90's, P-100's, or humbucker's? There were several versions, of the "slab" body "Specials." Does the neck have "Dot" or mini-"block" markers? I think the one's with "Gold" hardware were Humbucker equipped... Great little guitars, though. It's been said, that Les Paul himself preferred the "slab" bodied versions, to the carved top. Not sure how true it is, but that's what I've heard/read. As I remember, the one's I've played were quite resonant, even unplugged. So, if it's mechanically/electrically sound, it should be a great guitar, tone wise. Enjoy!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I saw a relatively-recent picture of Les Paul, and it looks like the guitar he's playing is a carved top. The pickguard has a bracket on it, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I saw a relatively-recent picture of Les Paul' date=' and it looks like the guitar he's playing is a carved top. The pickguard has a bracket on it, anyway.[/quote'] Yeah, he plays whatever he wants to play...I've seen different photos of him with just about every LP at some point. It was just an article I read, regarding the different models, and how they came about...and he mentioned that he had always liked, or "even perferred at one point," the "slab" bodied one...Specials, etc. But, I'm sure he's like a lot of players, likes to switch around, a bit. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaulgeorge Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Thanks for the replies fellas. CB, its equipped with 490/498's & has the dot inlays on f/b. Whooo Hoooo !! Sussed out how to post pics at last:d/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansmitchell Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Sweet deal man! How much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaulgeorge Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Cost 360 of our Great British Pounds So, similar in price to an Epi LP Custom, but cheaper than a sheraton, casino, emperor, BB Lucille, etc. Don't really know if I've paid too much, but I'm happy with it & we in the UK get stiffed over prices for decent instruments anyway.( I mean Squiers are in the £200 bracket, for gawd's sake !!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shartom Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 It is nothing like the original Les Paul Special. I've got the book "The Les Paul Legacy 1915 -1963" in front of me. It shows the Special with P90's. The book says "Pickups and electronics were identical to that on the Goldtop versions" which made sense as we are talking 1955. I have an Epiphone version, sunburst with two humbuckers. It was my first Epi. Initial reviews said don't buy it. I bought it, set it up and is now a nice guitar. I'm not promoting the book, but it is worth getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shartom Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 The photos look exactly like my Gibson LP Studio. The pickups are the same also. It certainley doesn't look like a Special...Curious...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdgails Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 les paul special, seen this guitar in faded cherry, yellow,black.....possible change to gold hardware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 The photos look exactly like my Gibson LP Studio. The pickups are the same also. It certainley doesn't look like a Special...Curious...... The studio has a carved maple top. The special is a flat slab body. Nice looking guitar, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Nice guitar and a good price, especially with the case too. I'd have snapped it up for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaulgeorge Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thanks for the answers guys. Shartom, mine has the contour in the back (similar to a strat) & a flat top. Is this the same on the studio ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaulgeorge Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Cheers Ant, nice BB by the way. I'm thinking of putting a bigsby on mine, how's the tuning stability ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Well, it looks great! Happy New (to you) Guitar Day! Whenever it was... Enjoy!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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