Fishman9898 Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I bought a Les Paul Standard Plus in Cherry Burst from Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Plus-Electric-Guitar-104912464-i1401460.gc). Gibson's website doesn't list a Les Paul Standard Plus. So I'm wondering what I bought... My guess is that Guitar Center calls the Les Paul Standards that have the more expensive finishes, the burst finishes, the Les Paul Standard Plus since they list the Les Paul Standard in Ebony and Gold Top as just Les Paul Standard (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Electric-Guitar-104912365-i1401748.gc). Does that seem right? Also I entered the serial number into the search at this webpage (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-Electric-Guitar-104912365-i1401748.gc) and it says that the guitar was built in Nashville in June, 2008. Does it seem strange that the guitar was not sold for 2.5 years? Does anyone think they may have sold me a used guitar but charged the new guitar price?
Mr. Natural Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 The GC near me hung a new, lefty, 2007 Gibson Les Paul Studio on the wall in 2007. I looked at it every month or so for two years. In 2009, they marked it way down for one of their sales, and I bought it. This is 2011, and the lefty black Ibanez hanging on the wall at the same GC, I think, has been there since 2007. I suspect that the same thing might happen if you order from them on-line. If you want a "newly minted" guitar, instead of NOS, you'd better specify that when you order or known how to decode the serial number if you shop "in person" at a music store. I can't help you with the "Standard Plus" part of your query.
BillyGibson Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 There's not too many people walking around with 2K -3K to spend on a guitar. So that's probably not too surprising. Sounds like you had good timing and got a great deal. Congratulations. B)
pippy Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 The 'Plus' is a reference to your guitar having had a fancier than normal slab of maple used for the ' top cap'. The maple used for the tops is graded dependent on how much figure (A.K.A. 'flame') there is on show. There are 'Plain-top' instruments with no (or almost no) figure. A grading of AA signifies a 'Plus' top. This will have a medium amount of figure. AAA signifies a 'Premium Plus' top - i.e. even more pronounced 'flame' - etc...etc... Gibson has on occasion used '5A' tops but these are not common. P.
GibSinCity Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Music 123. They're all the same company, and designate solid-colored Ebony & Goldtop models as "Standard" if chambered, or "Standard Traditional" if weight-relieved.(Swiss-cheesed with 9 holes) Flametop models are designated as "Standard Plus", or "Standard Traditional Plus". The "Plus" being the figured maple-top as opposed to probably a plain-top painted a solid Ebony or Gold color. They also offer the Traditional Pro, a model exclusive to those retailers. Theses models are plain-top non figured maple. The Goldtop version of this model has been discontinued, but still they still offer solid Ebony, Transparent Wine Red, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, & Vintage Sunburst, with Ebony priced $100 less than the others.
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Excellent info all! Looks like I finally found a forum that isn't populated by dimwits and wannabe's. There are alot of "Guitar Center Exclusives" these days, and don't forget that some of the online retailers are part of the GC family, i.e. Musicians Friend, Music 123. It's not at all surprising that a 2 year old guitar is still 'on the shelf'. And I do remember that the LP Standards of a couple/few years ago DID carry 'Plus Top' designations on some of the nicer finishes. Plain Tops go on solid colored guitars, Ebony, Goldtops, etc. The best 'Standard' maple caps are usually found on higher-end (boutique) or Custom Shop axes. Hamer uses nothing lower than a AAAA (4A) flame or quilt maple. PRS uses their own grading system, but can be roughly translated - their '10 Top' would roughly equate to a AAAA, 'Artist Grade' approx. AAAAA, and 'Private Stock' is the extremely figured stuff that USUALLY gets put aside for their most exclusive guitars. Most of their regular tops run about 8-9 on their scale, AAA+ on the 'A Scale'. An important thing to bear in mind is that there is nearly zero difference tonally between plain and highly figured maple caps. It is a strictly visual difference. The finish will have more effect on tone than the figuring of the cap.
Xinnix Posted January 27, 2011 Posted January 27, 2011 Does it seem strange that the guitar was not sold for 2.5 years? Does anyone think they may have sold me a used guitar but charged the new guitar price? I don't think its strange that it sat for awhile. Thats GC and I'd never buy a guitar off of their walls. I once had them try to sell me a 3k Breedlove acoustic but neglected to tell me that the "humidified" Guitar Room hadn't had a working humidifier for almost a year! And I live in a very dry area! Denver, CO. If it were me, I would be pissed! I'd be going back and either tell them to refund some serious money for selling you a 3yr old guitar for the price of a new one. For christ sake, not only did it sit in GC for that long, I'm sure its been played enough by customers and employees to be considered used. If they don't see it that way, then I would make them take it back and buy a used one for half the price or make them give you a "NEW" one! Ask yourself this. Would you pay top dollar for a new Gibson LP and then let it sit for 3years? I doubt it. And even if you did and decided to sell it, do you think you could get your purchase price for it? NOPE
BigKahune Posted January 27, 2011 Posted January 27, 2011 Welcome. Your questions have been answered above. I'll also add - NOS (new old stock) is not unusual and sometimes you can find a really good deal, as Mr Natural did. So, congrats on yer new LP ! . . B) How about posting a couple pics ?
Fishman9898 Posted January 27, 2011 Author Posted January 27, 2011 ...If it were me, I would be pissed! I'd be going back and either tell them to refund some serious money for selling you a 3yr old guitar for the price of a new one. For christ sake, not only did it sit in GC for that long, I'm sure its been played enough by customers and employees to be considered used. If they don't see it that way, then I would make them take it back and buy a used one for half the price or make them give you a "NEW" one!... I went to my guitar lesson yesterday and my guitar teacher who used to have his own guitar store pointed out a bunch of scratches and belt buckle marks that I hadn't noticed. He had me go back to Guitar Center and ask for a partial refund or I would return it. They did not want to give me a partial refund so I returned it. This part may be controversial, I don't know, but my guitar teacher also told me when I buy my next Les Paul to avoid the 2008 Standard because it seems like they won't be worth as much used or as a trade in since so many people that buy Les Paul's are traditionalists and didn't like the Robot Guitar hardware the 2008 Standard comes with like the locking Neutrik Jack and stuff. Has anyone else heard that?
Eracer_Team Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 Actually Fish.. I think the Robot hardware is completely different than what you found on that guitar.. Robot(s) have power locking tuners.. not the standard manual locking tuners. BTW.. have you ever read the posts here.. one of the first things that always comes up is.. what locking tuners should I put on my Paul? the neutrik jack.. well there are some that don't like them.. all that = low re-sale value.. hardly.
Fishman9898 Posted January 28, 2011 Author Posted January 28, 2011 Actually Fish.. I think the Robot hardware is completely different than what you found on that guitar.. Robot(s) have power locking tuners.. not the standard manual locking tuners. BTW.. have you ever read the posts here.. one of the first things that always comes up is.. what locking tuners should I put on my Paul? the neutrik jack.. well there are some that don't like them.. all that = low re-sale value.. hardly. Yeah, I mean I'm new to all this so you guys tell me. I'm here to listen and learn.
Dr. Gonzo Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 You did the right thing in returning that guitar. I avoid Guitar Center and it's online entities as much as possible, and NEVER buy guitars from them! Most of the guitars are not set up properly, they are constantly handled by ham-handed morons and slobs I wouldn't let within 10 feet of my guitars, and you don't develop a relationship with them like I have with dealers I work with. If there is a GC nearby, you are most likely in an area that has several old-fashioned guitar shops that would LOVE to work with you to get you in a good guitar at a good price. They will also stand behind their products and help you out with any problems. Once you establish relationships with one or more of these shops, you'll get BETTER deals and they will think of you when that special Lester you've been looking for comes into the shop. I really don't have anything personal against GC, they fill a need out there. I'd just like to see more people think of "Mike's Guitar Shop" first, rather than automatically hitting the nearest GC. Give them a chance. It's nice to have that personal greeting when you walk in, kinda like Norm on 'Cheers'. (Uh oh, now they know I'm old!)
rocketman Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 How about posting a couple pics? I'll second that! Congrats on the guitar. Here is my Premium Plus (they don't make them anymore but I think they should)...
surfpup Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 I'd just like to see more people think of "Mike's Guitar Shop" first, rather than automatically hitting the nearest GC. Give them a chance. It's nice to have that personal greeting when you walk in... While I couldn't agree more, the problem is the required inventory overhead. Unfortunately not many small shops can afford to purchase the inventory Gibson demands their dealers keep. As a result some of us have no other options in buying a new Gibson than to hit the mega-mart (GC being the dominant one). For those of us in small towns, the options are often few. If I want to touch a new Gibbie, I have to drive 40 miles to a Guitar Center or 75 miles to a Best Buy - not great options, but the only ones I have.
Xinnix Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 I went to my guitar lesson yesterday and my guitar teacher who used to have his own guitar store pointed out a bunch of scratches and belt buckle marks that I hadn't noticed. He had me go back to Guitar Center and ask for a partial refund or I would return it. They did not want to give me a partial refund so I returned it. This part may be controversial, I don't know, but my guitar teacher also told me when I buy my next Les Paul to avoid the 2008 Standard because it seems like they won't be worth as much used or as a trade in since so many people that buy Les Paul's are traditionalists and didn't like the Robot Guitar hardware the 2008 Standard comes with like the locking Neutrik Jack and stuff. Has anyone else heard that? Good News! Don't forget the used market! I'd bet dollars to donuts you can find a smoking deal on a used Gibson LP if you are willing to be patient and look around. I can't tell you how many times I've see someone selling basically a new one for half price because they played it a couple if times and then gave up. I love Gibson LP's but I've never bought a new one and I've never regretted it...... Also, the money left over can get you a sweet Marshall Amp! Good Luck.
DMichaelG Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I recently bought a Gibson LP Standard Plus from Same Day Music late December 2010; on the headstock it read, Made in USA 2009. It was inspected 03/03/2009. NOS, I suppose. My Standard Plus came with Dunlop straplocks and gold plated pots along with the Gibson stated web site specs. From what I read this was luck since it appears later day versions did not come with Dunlops or gold pots. Was this guitar, in the Gibson box, hanging around longer than the others? The box appeared unopened, all seals and labels in tact. The guitar's fit and finish was perfect. The AA wood shone through beautifully. AND it sounded wonderful. Also to echo Dr Gonzo, the Gibson site only lists this guitar as Standard, the Plus refers to the 'AA flamed' top. The2 plain tops are less expensive than the Plus versions. I suppose it is possible that Ice Tea is/was not a popular color and so remained in the back room. BTW, on the Gibson shipping labal it reads, Iced Tea Sunburst. On the Gibson web site it lists the color as Ice Tea. Also on the label the guitar is called:Les Paul Standard 2008 Professional Premium Finish. Only one minor complaint; the guitar would not get nor stay in tune. Old strings just strung out? The strings were clean, without corrosion or dirt and seemed fine. I promptly replaced the strings with DR nickel 10s and voila, no problem. This is almost like chasing the multitude of varieties of Beatles songs that are out there. Interesting but has nothing to do with playability, tone and beauty.
marvar Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Well, I guess I was just lucky when I bought my LP Trad+ last month. It had only been at GC for a week, hanging high up the wall- so it had not been played much, if any. The serial number shows it was built in Sept 2010, the inspection card was signed at the end of OCT. I'm really pleased with it, I'm getting all kinds of nice comments on the sound and the look of it.
Dr. Gonzo Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I feel for ya, surfpup. I know exactly the situation out there, and it breaks my heart. I'm in a small town too. Our local music store carries 'off brand' guitar and an occassional Epiphone or MIM Fender, usually used. The nearest GC is a hundred miles away, but I have 2 excellent dealers about the same distance away, so I go to them. They're not 'small' shops really, just well established shops that can handle the kind of ridiculous demands the builders sometimes lay on them. A hundred miles is a long way, but to me it's worth it to get the selection and service I want. I usually make 2-3 trips a year to them, and I'm always checking their web sites for cool stuff. Because I've dealt with them for years, they will hold a guitar or amp for a couple days so I can get there to check it out. The deals I get generally make up for the gas burned.
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