Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

The les paul classics of old...


Craig10119

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone. I've just got a quick question about the early les paul classics.

 

I've read comments on the forums stating that early les paul classics were more expensive than a standard. I also heard that they were better until "they had all their cool features taken away".

 

 

Can anyone give me a quick description of the early les paul classic? What was so good about them?

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Early Classics (90-93) had nice white inlays as opposed to the snot green or toe nail yellow ones of today. They also have 'MODEL' on the headstock were as now they have 'CLASSIC'. They have the correct shaped binding in the cutaway revealing the maple cap. They are not weight relieved. An early Classic with a AAA+ top looks just like an R9, I had a '91 Classic in honeyburst that looked just like an R8, the quality was excellent, it also weighed 13 lbs! Some say the tone woods used were of a better quality than today.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the early Classics were almost the same as an expensive Custom shop reissue without the price tag which is why they were so admired. But then Gibson stuck in the gross ceramic pickups and "uglified" the guitars by taking away all the nice aesthetic features. (most likely to boos sales for the Standard.) If you can find an early 90s Classic for a good price, buy it. They'll probably be collectible within a couple of years...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All I have to say is good luck.

 

The Classic Antique does come in a "Vintage sunburst" that looks very similar to Tobacco and has headstock binding and uncovered 57s... overall a pretty nice guitar for about the same price as a Standard.

 

http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/divisions/gibson%20usa/products/lespaul/lespaulclassicantique/

 

They are discontinued now but I'm sure you could track one down. If you have your heart set on an early 90s classic and you can't find one it might be a good alternative.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

See how anal I am about this?

 

I wouldn't call it anal so much as specific. That's great if you've got your heart set on a specific guitar. I decided I wanted a Les Paul standard and refused to settle for anything less. Finish wasn't as important to me, however; I would have preferred a honey burst or HCS but I just fell in love with the ebony when I saw it. =D>

 

Best of luck,

SRV

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was the same for me when I got my first Les paul standard.

 

I didn't care what colour it was. I just fell in love with the HCS.

 

I also have a goldtop now and decided to try and get a standard in my favourite finish. Tobacco burst. (now apparently known as darkburst)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i have a 2007 but for me its my favorite guitar :-({|= not because i have it because i could have picked another one but i dont know a lot about guitars but this is the one that i liked the most.. but thanks for letting me know that they had AAA tops.. ok that is a flametop right? sorry for the stupid q btw

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was the same for me when I got my first Les paul standard.

 

I didn't care what colour it was. I just fell in love with the HCS.

 

I also have a goldtop now and decided to try and get a standard in my favourite finish. Tobacco burst. (now apparently known as darkburst)

 

+1

 

I want an R9 extremely badly due in part to how much I love the faded cherry finish... the other main reason being they aren't chambered or weight-relieved. And they're custom shop- which makes them even better.

 

Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I played an R9 before.

 

It was amazing, but not a guitar I could use for gigs.

 

The 60's neck is about right for my small-ish hands. My band is a hard rock/metal band, so I need the slim neck for solo's. My goldtop (which was 3rd hand when I bought it... And it's only an 06. I bought it from a mate and he bought it secondhand in 07)apparantly has the 60's neck, but I'm not convinced. Feels more like 50's to me.

 

After I get my tobacco burst, I'm going to buy an R0 (60'... right?).

 

I may buy an R9 after that, but I think that'll just be for when I'm playing at home and in a gary moore kinda mood.

 

My band are going to double as a functions band so we can work part time and therefore, spend extra time in the studio and concentrate on our own material. So I think i would use the R0 for that... Having said that, I'm eyeing up a black les paul custom too...

 

Why did gibson have to make their guitars so beautiful?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...