'07 Classic Goldtop

[jackderoach]

Considering purchasing a slightly used 2007 Classic Goldtop, with the 60s neck and uncovered ceramic pickups.

 

Any thoughts on this guitar relative to an '08 Traditional or a 1957 VOS Goldtop?

 

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[ckledzepplin]

get the R7

[SRV-Zeppelin]

I agree; if you want a goldtop and can afford a Custom Shop, get the R7. The classics are nice, but I rather dislike the ceramic pickups, and the colouring of the inlays (I believe Tim knows what I'm talking about...) A VOS guitar will clean the floor with any of the USA models. I especially like the R7 as I'm not a big fan of P90's and much prefer the BurstBuckers. As for a 2008 Traditional... I've never played one so I'd be unable to comment, but they do look nice. I do like the idea of the absence of weight-relieving or chambering... although the VOS also has that. Play all three and go what feels right, but I would pick the VOS R7.

[pd1030]

The traditional is weight relieved, just not chambered., I like the goldtop classics, the pickups arent as bad as everyone says.

[buchananblues]

I looked at an R7 and just wasn't feeling the fit of the neck, but when I played the Traditional, the neck felt "just right".

I'd try to play them both, if you can.

Good Luck.

[Tim Plains]

The traditional is weight relieved' date=' just not chambered.[/quote']

Yup.

 

jackderoach, have you played any or all three of these guitars?

I'm not saying this in a bad way, but your three choices are all over the place, tonally.

I think you should play them each and discover first hand what the differences are.

9 times out of 10, I'm going to suggest a reissue. R6, R7, R9, whatever...but a reissue, nonetheless.

Reissues do cost more, though.

[jackderoach]

Tim, it's a good question. I've had a chance to play Traditionals and R7s at GC in Chicago. However, I'm also trolling Craigslist to see if I can get a deal on a recent LP. The challenge I've had is that since Gibson changes the specs so often, it's difficult to figure out what to expect from even a recent VOS from '06 or '07. I haven't been able to find any accurate specs for past production models. And the typical vintage guidebooks don't provide much detail about guitars from the past decade.

 

Thanks for the input, as always. I'll keep you guys apprised of my research and I'll be sure to post pictures of my final choice. I've played strats and teles my whole life and I'm finally ready to changes things up. I want to buy an LP that is "classic" -- i.e., not some one-year marketing gimmick from Gibson (that's what I worry about with the Traditionals). It's going to be a guitar that I leave to my son, so I'd like for it to age well and maybe even gain value over time.

 

-Jack