Reissue vs. VOS?

[JeffJoseph]

Hi. I owned a Gibson Les Paul about 8 years ago and am ready to buy another one. I was trying out a classic gold top, the one that says 1960 on the pick guard. I also played a'57 VOS I think. What's the difference between a VOS and a reissue? And which current gold top model has the highest quality? Are the '08 's good in general?

 

thanks

[FennRx]

a VOS is a reissue. VOS refers to the dulled aged finish, nothing else. there are non-VOS reissues. if you want the best gold top, then the 1957 reissue is prolly it...or maybe a 1954 or 56 if you prefer the p90s.

[GuitarJunkie]

VOS refers to "Vintage Original Spec" and they are pretty much just that, built to the original specs of the vintage models. That means (reasonably) accurate materials and construction and, as Fenn mentioned, it also has the aged finish. They are high quality reproductions of the "real deal" and the price reflects that, but you do get what you pay for.

 

The one you played with the "1960" on the pickguard was a Les Paul Classic. It's supposed to be based on a 1960 Les Paul, but it's not really a reissue in any sense of the word. Depending on when it was made, it may have a solid back or it might be weight-relieved or chambered. It would also have high output ceramic pick-ups which is the love/hate aspect with the Classics. Most guys swap them out. You can find used Classics all the time for $1000 to $1500 depending of if they're a plain top or a flame top. These are referred to as a the Classic Plus or more recently the Classic Antique (although the Antique has a bound headstock and '57 classic pickups).

 

If you're looking for the highest quality and historical accuracy, go for the VOS. If you're just looking for a great guitar, then try a bunch out. The regular Standards and the new Traditionals are both great guitars, or you may even find a Classic that rocks your world (I own one as well as a '58 reissue).

 

As far as the reissues, if you're looking for a Goldtop specifically, then you'll be looking for a '54, '56, or '57 reissue, also referred to as R4, R6, or R7 ("R" meaning reissue, the number indicating the last digit of the year). The '54 and '56 will have P90s and the '57 will have humbuckers. If you're also interested in a wood finish, then there's the R8, R9, and R0. The R8 is usually a plain top with a fatter neck, the R9 has a flame top and big neck, and the R0 has a flame top and slimmer neck.

[Tim Plains]

And which current gold top model has the highest quality? Are the '08 's good in general?

Custom Shop guitars are like the Cadillac of Gibson.

2008s? Yeah' date=' I'd say they're pretty good...

[img']http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/Gibson_Tim/R6183.jpg[/img]

[joeydego]

57 baby, all the way!

[the_HEWC]

I've had my R6 for a couple of months now... and it's my main axe, haven't touched the others much since I got it. But if humbuckers rock your world go for a R7 instead.

[JeffJoseph]

Thanks for all the info. I am leaning towards the R7 cause I really want a goldtop and need humbuck cause my other guitar is a tele. I'm going to see what I can find used, otherwise I'll but something new. Good to hear Gibson is making quality guitars these days (I'll still play a bunch to make sure i get the best one!)

[SRV-Zeppelin]

Good luck!