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Classic or Standard?


Forty6and2

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Theres a local Gibson les paul classic w/ 60s neck and a standard w/ 60s neck for sale. Not sure which one to get, if any. the classic is the honeyburst w/ ceramic burstbuckers and the standard is the flametop, looks like a tobacco burst finish, with burstbuckers. both with OHSC. classic is 1500 and standard is 1600. without playing either, which one would you lean towards?

 

Standard is an 06

Classic is an 03

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It's hard to make a rational choice without playing them.

 

Having said that I've bought two 1960 Classics and no Standards so I've obviously tended to prefer these.

 

Many folks don't rate the ceramics but with judicious use of tone circuitry I can get to a few percent of the tone from the '57 Classic PAFs in my re-issues.

 

And Honeyburst is a nice colour. If you are unlucky I'll post a snap of my HBS Classic.....

 

P.

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Very similar guitars... The only main difference is probably the pickups.. I have a Classic from 2002 and its amazing.

 

The Classics have hotter pickups than the standards.. So maybe it depends on what type of music you play.. But for me it doesnt get better than the Classic.

 

My advice on this sort of thing is always to play them. Cos thats the only real way to tell. If you cant and are ordering it online, id say the Classic still (but thats just me :)).

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Theres a local Gibson les paul classic w/ 60s neck and a standard w/ 60s neck for sale. Not sure which one to get, if any. the classic is the honeyburst w/ ceramic burstbuckers and the standard is the flametop, looks like a tobacco burst finish, with burstbuckers. both with OHSC. classic is 1500 and standard is 1600. without playing either, which one would you lean towards?

 

Standard is an 06

Classic is an 03

 

personally my leaning would be toward the standard,

 

something about the ceramics, I never found appealing.

 

but that's just one mans opinion on the matter!

 

however that said, go with the one that "feels" right, PUPs can be changed EASILY...

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Other than the pickups/finish, are the guitars pretty much exactly the same?

Yup..

 

BUT remember that EVERY guitar even more than one of the same model are all slightly different as they are all hand finished.. Which is why its always best to play them.. Ive played some Standards that were real dogs (probably just a bad setup)...

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Theres a local Gibson les paul classic w/ 60s neck and a standard w/ 60s neck for sale...

If they are both local you MUST try out both to see which YOU prefer.

 

As Rabs says each guitar has it's own characteristics and if, as sounds likely, you can try out both then you are in a very fortunate position.

 

Both types are excellent instruments. One of the two on offer will appeal to you more than the other.

 

Buy that one.

 

And post pics when you do.

 

[thumbup]

 

P.

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personally my leaning would be toward the standard,

 

something about the ceramics, I never found appealing.

 

but that's just one mans opinion on the matter!

 

however that said, go with the one that "feels" right, PUPs can be changed EASILY...

 

 

+1 I feel the same way.

My first LP was a Classic Sunburst from 2002. I never got comfortable with the pickups and when I finally had the change to play a Standard side by side with the classic I new that

I had to get the Standard and let the Classic go. I'd always had that feeling but the Standard confirmed it for me.

 

But my Standard is a Faded model from early 05. The first year.

Seems to be a great guitar and not the same as other Standards.

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Yup..

 

BUT remember that EVERY guitar even more than one of the same model are all slightly different as they are all hand finished.. Which is why its always best to play them.. Ive played some Standards that were real dogs (probably just a bad setup)...

I am a bit confused. I can only base the differences based on current models and from what I can see there are two Classics. The Custom Classic and the Classic Plus.

 

Based on the Classic Plus which is what I think you are talking about there are a lot of differences.

Standard has rosewood board and Classic is baked maple.

The Standard hss a locking Nashville TOM bridge and stoppiece while the Classic is an ABR-1. Tuners are locking 18:1 on a Standard and regular 14:1 Kluson style on the Classic. Swiss Cheese on the Classic and Modern chambered on the Standard.

 

The difference in pickups is as you have stated.

Pots and wiring is a big difference.

 

Again this is based on current models so I really don't know about the differences in the years you mentioned. As a general rule a Standard is a higher quality instrument but that does not mean that a Classic is not the perfect LP for you.

 

Bottom line is I come to the same conclusion as everyone else albeit from a different route. Try before you buy you may lie the neck shape on one over the other. The ceramic pups may fit your style better. Gotta check them out first, what I like you may hate.

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I am a bit confused. I can only base the differences based on current models and from what I can see there are two Classics. The Custom Classic and the Classic Plus.

 

Based on the Classic Plus which is what I think you are talking about there are a lot of differences.

Standard has rosewood board and Classic is baked maple.

The Standard hss a locking Nashville TOM bridge and stoppiece while the Classic is an ABR-1. Tuners are locking 18:1 on a Standard and regular 14:1 Kluson style on the Classic. Swiss Cheese on the Classic and Modern chambered on the Standard.

 

The difference in pickups is as you have stated.

Pots and wiring is a big difference.

 

Again this is based on current models so I really don't know about the differences in the years you mentioned. As a general rule a Standard is a higher quality instrument but that does not mean that a Classic is not the perfect LP for you.

 

Bottom line is I come to the same conclusion as everyone else albeit from a different route. Try before you buy you may lie the neck shape on one over the other. The ceramic pups may fit your style better. Gotta check them out first, what I like you may hate.

The OP says its an 03 Classic... I have an 02 Classic (in my avatar picture).. Which is pretty much just a Standard with a 60s neck and hotter pickups (and a plain top) :) (im not ure about the wiring)

 

Yes the Classic Plus and the Custom Classics are more different.. But they are all still Standard level models like the Traditionals...

 

And yes it does get confusing with all the different models :)

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