randew Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 I've been wanting to get a LP for some time now. Either a Traditional, or a Std, or a 58 Reissue. I can get a used R8 for about $ 3,000, or a new Trad for $ 2,600 tax in. Used Trad or Std for about $ 2,000 I think. They all seem good, but I do find the PU's less "harsh" on the Trad. Having said that, I have little LP experience so finding the right tone may take some work. Also, is a AAA Std top a product of the Custom Shop or just the USA shop but with a nicer top? I currently have a US Strat and a Guild Starfire 4. Thanks.
Tim Plains Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 Standards are all USA guitars unless there's a Custom Shop logo on the back of the headstock. Your prices are crazy. I can buy a brand new R8 and have it delivered to Canada for less than the used price you mentioned. Use guitars that actually sell on eBay as a pricing guide. Google "Gibson Les Paul 101" if you don't know the differences between guitars.
Tom99SS Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 I can buy a brand new R8 and have it delivered to Canada for less than the used price you mentioned. Tim so true. I could not believe the deal I got on a new R8. Randew check around and negotiate on price. You maybe surprised on how cost-effective a new R8.
glennc Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 buy the R8 and forgetaboutit Howdy, Not to change the subject, but where does one look for an R8 for less than $3000. Around here they are new for $3500. Very interested in good directions. Thanks. glennc
pippy Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum. ... They all seem good, but I do find the PU's less "harsh" on the Trad. Having said that, I have little LP experience so finding the right tone may take some work. Also, is a AAA Std top a product of the Custom Shop or just the USA shop but with a nicer top? FWIW here are my observations on the issue; First off it's important to try some out to find which neck profile (if any) you prefer. Typically the R8 has a fatter neck than most other LP's. Also bear in mind that LP necks can vary from one instrument to the next. This is because the final shaping of every Les Paul neck is done by hand. Secondly, as with the necks, Les Pauls can vary in tone (between different examples of the same model) more than, say, Strats do. It's very good advice, If possible, to play as many instruments as you can before choosing 'the one'. Third....and to quote FennRx! buy the R8 and forgetaboutit Whilst there are a great many excellent Traditionals and Standards out there it's also generally true, in my experience, that a higher percentage of the re-issues do seem to be a bit more 'special' somehow (compared to the regular instruments). Once you get used to a really good re-issue it can be an interesting experience playing something from the USA line. I know this sounds like pure cork-sniffing snobbery but there it is....lol! Finally AAA is just a grading code for the amount of figure (flame) on any given lump of maple. Les Pauls are available with different styles of tops regardless of whether they come from the regular USA production line or the Custom Shop. AA tops are usually medium-figure; AAA are usually highly-figured. R8's are usually 'plain-top' : i.e. non-figured. There have been some highly flamed R8's made in some years but these are the exceptions to the rule. Also some 'plain-top' instruments can have the most beautiful flowing grain (as opposed to figure) yet still be called a 'plain-top'. Some of the most beautiful LP's are 'plain'. I wish you good luck hunting! Keep us posted, too. P.
Franzi Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 I also think that a nice Les Paul with a Plain Top has a lot of flair!
randew Posted January 12, 2011 Author Posted January 12, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum. FWIW here are my observations on the issue; First off it's important to try some out to find which neck profile (if any) you prefer. Typically the R8 has a fatter neck than most other LP's. Also bear in mind that LP necks can vary from one instrument to the next. This is because the final shaping of every Les Paul neck is done by hand. Secondly, as with the necks, Les Pauls can vary in tone (between different examples of the same model) more than, say, Strats do. It's very good advice, If possible, to play as many instruments as you can before choosing 'the one'. Third....and to quote FennRx! Whilst there are a great many excellent Traditionals and Standards out there it's also generally true, in my experience, that a higher percentage of the re-issues do seem to be a bit more 'special' somehow (compared to the regular instruments). Once you get used to a really good re-issue it can be an interesting experience playing something from the USA line. I know this sounds like pure cork-sniffing snobbery but there it is....lol! Finally AAA is just a grading code for the amount of figure (flame) on any given lump of maple. Les Pauls are available with different styles of tops regardless of whether they come from the regular USA production line or the Custom Shop. AA tops are usually medium-figure; AAA are usually highly-figured. R8's are usually 'plain-top' : i.e. non-figured. There have been some highly flamed R8's made in some years but these are the exceptions to the rule. Also some 'plain-top' instruments can have the most beautiful flowing grain (as opposed to figure) yet still be called a 'plain-top'. Some of the most beautiful LP's are 'plain'. I wish you good luck hunting! Keep us posted, too. P.
randew Posted January 12, 2011 Author Posted January 12, 2011 Thanks for the replys so far guys. It's good to hear opinions from LP owners/players.
Gator Slim Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Replys? I mean replies. Always see people say they can get brand new R8s cheap. Never seen anyone prove it. Used ones can be had for less than the price of a new standard, but I'd love to know where people get NEW inexpensive R8s. My favorite guitar on the planet, but I've not seen a new one less than 3k. I'd go for the R8, but really...you should play a ton and pick the one that works for you.
Sixty3 Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 I just played a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's neck at Guitar center and it was great. I actually liked it better than my 50's Tribute. It looks just like a Standard without the binding. For 1300. 00 its a bargain. http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Studio-60s.aspx
FennRx Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Always see people say they can get brand new R8s cheap. Never seen anyone prove it. Used ones can be had for less than the price of a new standard, but I'd love to know where people get NEW inexpensive R8s. My favorite guitar on the planet, but I've not seen a new one less than 3k. I'd go for the R8, but really...you should play a ton and pick the one that works for you. Somewhat surprisingly, I bought mine brand new at Sam Ash in 2008 for about $2600 plus tax ($3600 sticker). 20% off coupons and cash in hand help greatly. Most guys buy from dealers like Circle City, though Saul is no longer a Gibson dealer (Thanks Henry ). Guys like Saul sell much closer to dealer cost than Big Box stores.
Tim Plains Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Gator, you do realize that Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing policy? Authorized dealers cannot give you lower prices in writing without the risk of getting a slap on the wrist. I've seen their penalties carried out it first hand and let's just say Gibson can and will stick it to any dealer where it hurts - $$. Buying an expensive guitar is no different than buying a car. Are you going to walk into a dealership and pay the sticker price? Of course, not. You're going to make an offer and walk out if they don't accept it.
Gator Slim Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Gator, you do realize that Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing policy? Authorized dealers cannot give you lower prices in writing without the risk of getting a slap on the wrist. I've seen their penalties carried out it first hand and let's just say Gibson can and will stick it to any dealer where it hurts - $$. Buying an expensive guitar is no different than buying a car. Are you going to walk into a dealership and pay the sticker price? Of course, not. You're going to make an offer and walk out if they don't accept it. Yep, I get that. I've never paid full sticker either. I've had little success getting prices on an R8 below 3k. None of the dealers I've worked with would budge that low. Not for a new one. I've ended up getting them to finance for free, or include some free gear. USA guitars are another story.
pippy Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 Pippy....you cork sniffer!... LOL! I know, I know. But I make sure it's only Brazillian cork I sniff, of course... P.
freak show Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 IMO you should have a look at an R8, but a LP Custom is also a good choice. And ebony fretboard is very nice!
T Bone Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 If all options you mention are viable to you, I'd go with the R8. Certainly a higher end guitar, though of course some examples of both Custom and production models will be more "special" than others, at least feeling so in your own hands. Howdy, Not to change the subject, but where does one look for an R8 for less than $3000. Around here they are new for $3500. Very interested in good directions. Thanks. glennc Guessing this would be better completed via PM. I know when I'm ready to go for one, I'll be either asking recommendations via PM or simply PMing Members like R9 to ask for a suggestion. Always a fan of saving money! Gator, you do realize that Gibson has a minimum advertised pricing policy? Authorized dealers cannot give you lower prices in writing without the risk of getting a slap on the wrist. I've seen their penalties carried out it first hand and let's just say Gibson can and will stick it to any dealer where it hurts - $$. Buying an expensive guitar is no different than buying a car. Are you going to walk into a dealership and pay the sticker price? Of course, not. You're going to make an offer and walk out if they don't accept it. I've seen this before in the watch world and caution everyone here (especially on the Official Gibson Forum!). No Manufacturer likes to see their products "deep discounted". Yet many of us will only buy if we can accomplish just that. So in the end, it is a win even for the Manuf. if it goes on to a limited extent (most will pay a higher price without too much grumbling). But the less we discuss the subject in open Forum, the better (Forum discussion is a BIG part of what killed the good deals I describe in the next paragraph). But here's the deal. When a Dealer offers too large a discount, too publicly and too often (especially when it's bandied about on the web), other Dealers get angry about it as they feel they are being cost sales and $. They complain to the Manuf. Enough noise about a particular Dealer will cause the Manuf. to pull the franchise from the Authorized Dealer. Or at least, they will take measures to restrict the discount being offered (yeah, I know it sounds illegal, but in the real world, that is how it happens). I've seen it happen, even to North America's largest Seller of a particular watch brand. Used to be able to buy a particular Swiss brand at 40% off. Now the best that Dealer will offer is 22%. Priced me out of the market for that brand, which sucks.
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