leovan83 Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Hey guys... If I wanted to buy a brand new Gibson Les Paul, in production today, that is NOT a reissue of any kind and that it says STANDARD on the truss rod cover... which will be the truest of 'em all? Oh, and in what finish? See, I'm asking this weird question because I know there's the Traditional, and I don't want that, it says "traditional" on it. Now, on the "Standards" there's the plus and the regular. The regulars come either in Ebony or Goldtop, and the plus comes in trans finishes. I would assume the most "faithful" option to a LP Standard would be the Goldtop Standard? What do you say?
Tim Plains Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Huh? You're basing a purchase on a piece of plastic? Just take off a Traditional truss rod cover and put one on that says Standard. Most faithful to what?
charlie brown Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 If it were ME...I'd probably get the Traditional, and change the TRC to "Standard!" OR...more likely, knowing me...put the "Historic" blank ('59) TRC on it, instead. As to the "Gold Top?" They were THE Les Paul's, up to 1958! After that, you had the "Bursts"...figured tops, or plain top. So, I guess it would depend on what era, you like the best, as to which is closest to "correct?" If you're really picky, the VOS or CS versions, of all, are the most correct, to their specific eras. Hope that helps, some? CB
strat-o-steve Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 The Traditional is closer to a "standard" than the new standards....I bought a Traditional Plus. That's about as close to "standard" as it gets without getting a reissue :)
GibSinCity Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Huh? You're basing a purchase on a piece of plastic? Just take off a Traditional truss rod cover and put one on that says Standard. Most faithful to what?
Malchik Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Don't even lie, just put on a blank truss-rod cover.
pippy Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Hey guys... If I wanted to buy a brand new Gibson Les Paul, in production today, that is NOT a reissue of any kind and that it says STANDARD on the truss rod cover... which will be the truest of 'em all? Oh, and in what finish? See, I'm asking this weird question because I know there's the Traditional, and I don't want that, it says "traditional" on it. Now, on the "Standards" there's the plus and the regular. The regulars come either in Ebony or Goldtop, and the plus comes in trans finishes. I would assume the most "faithful" option to a LP Standard would be the Goldtop Standard? What do you say? You do know the 'Standard' Les Paul didn't have the 'Standard' script on the TRC until the mid- 1970s - some 23 years after the model made it's first appearance? The 'truest' to the original Les Paul 'Standard' would be the Les Paul Tribute 1952 (you'd still have to swap the TRC, of course). It's from the Gibson USA plant. Here's the link; http://www2.gibson.c...ibute-1952.aspx The Les Paul 'Standard' changed in specification over the first eight years of production with significant modifications appearing pretty much on a yearly basis. All of these variations are available as re-issues and these are almost identical to their original counterparts. They are, without doubt, the 'truest' to the specifications of their respective 'Standard'. If, as you say, you don't fancy a re-issue then your closest choice would be a Traditional. If you really want 'Standard' on the TRC then it's easily swapped but I must admit I'm completely baffled as to why you would want to do so unless the mid-'70s has a peculiar importance for you... As far as finish goes; 1952 - 1957 were Gold-Top. The Sunburst finish became available in mid-1958. P.
btoth76 Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Hello! I think most people when they hear "Gibson Les Paul" would think of a '58-'60 sunburst LP as seen in hands of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, or Mike Bloomfield. If we can assume that's the real thing, the truest replica of it would be a 'burst TRADITIONAL! Of course that's only true if we are not counting with Historic Reissues - which are definitely the most honest reproductions of a vintage LP. Cheers... Bence
JellyWheat Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Grandma JellyWheat used to call this kind of thing "A fart in a tea kettle"... meaning a lot of noise, hot air and stink that doesn't amount to anything in the end. My $0.02 J/W
btoth76 Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Hello! Grandma JellyWheat was right, but You got to fart into the kettle once to know how it's gonna end up! :) Cheers... Bence
leovan83 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Posted December 2, 2011 Guys, what I meant was... If I wanted to get todays current LP Standard, which one will be closest to an original LP Standard... The Standard or the Plus? And, what finish would you choose if you were trying to achieve owning a LP Standard, besides being "new" and different from the previous Standard but still a Standard...
btoth76 Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Well, today's Standards have chambered body, the Traditionals have the "swiss-cheese" weight-relief. Since the original 50's LPs had solid body, the Traditional is closer to it. Not to mention neck-shape. The Traditional's is closer to the "original", while the current Standard has a new assymetrical design. The Traditional has what is called "'57 Classic" pickup, which are the closest to the original "PAFs", while the current Standard has Burstbuckers (which are great pickups too!). No pickguard on Standard! So that's why I would choose the Traditional - keeping Your aspects in my mind. I wouldn't take neither the Standard, nor the Standard Plus. The color would be Honey or the more authentic Heritage Cherry. Cheers... Bence
pippy Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Guys, what I meant was... If I wanted to get todays current LP Standard, which one will be closest to an original LP Standard... The Standard or the Plus? And, what finish would you choose if you were trying to achieve owning a LP Standard, besides being "new" and different from the previous Standard but still a Standard... None of what you say makes much sense. Have you a clear idea of why you want a Standard in the first place? You say you want a guitar which is "...closest to an original LP Standard". Neither of the two Standard guitars currently in production is close to the specifications of the original '52-'60 instruments; therefore it doesn't matter which you buy. Neither is correct. As has been said (over and over again) the Traditional is the closest - 'Truest' as you put it - to the original instruments. Finish? What does it matter what finish we prefer? What do YOU prefer? For seven and a half years all Standards were G-Ts. Then, for 2 1/2 years, they were all Cherry Sunburst. From approx 1975 they were mostly Tobacco Sunburst. Afterwards they came in pretty much any colour you like. Take your pick. They were all Standards. What, exactly, do you want from a Les Paul 'Standard'? Is the most important thing to you the word 'Standard' on the TRC? :blink: Let us know exactly what you want from 'your' guitar and then we can help you; otherwise we'll just keep going round in circles. P.
stein Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Guys, what I meant was... If I wanted to get todays current LP Standard, which one will be closest to an original LP Standard... The Standard or the Plus? And, what finish would you choose if you were trying to achieve owning a LP Standard, besides being "new" and different from the previous Standard but still a Standard... The "plus" actually refers to the flame of the maple top. Non-plus models would mean a plain maple top, and for plus models, you get flame of at least AA. Personally, I think a flame-top more represents the iconic Les Paul. I feel it is even the Les Paul guitar itself that made flame-tops such a popular and expected finish. To me, they kinda go together.
damian Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Guys, what I meant was... If I wanted to get todays current LP Standard, which one will be closest to an original LP Standard... The Standard or the Plus? And, what finish would you choose if you were trying to achieve owning a LP Standard, besides being "new" and different from the previous Standard but still a Standard... The most non historic or Custom Shop Les Paul "Standard" for you would be this; A Les Paul Traditional Plus........Perhaps in the "Ice Tea" colour....................... If you are in the USA, and know how to shop well, a brand new one can be had for around $2000.00..............OR less.........NEW........ Or, buy a pre 2005 LP Standard, which should not be chambered..............
damian Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Good morning, damian! Regards, J/W What's shaking oh Great One ????? [thumbup] ...................
JellyWheat Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 What's shaking oh Great One ????? [thumbup] ................... Nuthin much... just wandering to and fro about the Earth, as usual! I think I'm FINALLY getting to accept the crappy "worn" finish on my LP Studio with P-90s. TTYL J/W
pippy Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Personally, I think a flame-top more represents the iconic Les Paul. I feel it is even the Les Paul guitar itself that made flame-tops such a popular and expected finish. To me, they kinda go together. I agree that when someone mentions 'Les Paul Standard' I immediately think of something like this absolute gem of a guitar (I must admit this stopped me in my tracks when a friend posted it over on another forum); What is quite ironic is that if we considering the 9,557 (roughly speaking) Les Pauls made between '52 and the redesign in '60 the G-T's outnumber 'bursts by roughly 6 : 1; and of those 1,600 or so 'bursts, according to Yas Iwanade's 'BotB', those with plainer tops outnumbered the prominently figured ones by about 5 : 1. meaning only about 320 original Sunburst LPs - that's around 3% of all those made, have flame tops. And, going for the "Pedantic, Pain-In-The-Arse-of-the-Day" award, I'd just like to mention that those '52 - '58 Gold-tops were never called Standards by Gibson. The name 'Standard' first appeared on promotional material in 1960. P.
leovan83 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Posted December 2, 2011 Okay, let me explain myself again, I think I've confused people a bit more. Les Paul Standards have changed over the decades, over the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, there's always been a "Standard", each one different from the other representing what Gibson as a company decided to modify and call it the LP Standard. Kinda like when they used to call the SG the Standard... remember? So my question is, if I wanted to buy a 2000's Les Paul Standard, meaning, Gibson's rendition of the Standard according to what they think TODAY, I see two options: Les Paul Standard Les Paul Standard Plus The difference being the flame tops and trans finishes on the plus. SO, if I wanted to get "today's" Les Paul Standard, but still keep a bit of "tradition", meaning, something that looks closer to an older "original" LP from the 50's or 60's, should I get the Plus or the Regular Standard? Basically, I'm saying... should I get the Goldtop or a trans finish with no pickguard?
JellyWheat Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Yes +1 Oi, Vay, Moishe! [lol] YellyVeet :lol:
charlie brown Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Well, I think what "we're" saying, beyond what's already been suggested, is that YOU need to go out, play as many as you can, and decide for yourself, which one, of the two you've mentioned, YOU like/love, the most! "Gold Tops" reflect the first era, of Les Pauls. The "Bursts" with plain or figured tops, reflect the latter (original) era (1958-60). So, again... depending on which era you like most, get the more appropriate color, for that. CB
JellyWheat Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Gold tops have a more sparkly tone. Agreed I find the sound to be more opaque and metallic than S/B Y/V
damian Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Gold tops have a more sparkly tone. O.K. then..........I now strongly suggest a Goldtop with a trans finish......Send it to Fender to be "reliced", then put a "Standard" truss rod cover on it............. :unsure: ......
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