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03 classic or 2012 classic custom?


Forty6and2

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I played a mint 03 classic honeyburst the other day and it was really nice, I liked it a lot. I can get it for 1325 w/ deluxe gibson case. But im also looking at the 2012 classic customs. ONly thing im worried about is the brightness, and I have not played one before, I would have to order it online... I also played an 05 standard desertburst but I didnt like it too much, i think because it wasnt setup so its hard to see what it would be like. I can get the standard for 1475.

 

I also heard that the 03 classic is not as valuable as others b/c of the plaintop honeyburst, not a flame top. Still hold their value well? 1325 a good deal on one?

 

What to do???

 

03 classic that I like

2012 classic custom that I have never played before

05 standard that is not setup (dont know if it plays bad bc no setup or bc its a poor guitar)

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The classic has relatively hot pickups, 496r 500t I believe. IMO they are pretty good pickups.

The classic custom is a bit brighter as demoed in an Anderson's video, has classic 57 and 57+A2s,. 2 great pickups IMO . Baked maple neck. But all good reviews and demos. I wouldn't

worry too much about the brightness .

The std, BB pros A5 s that's the lowest I have seen the standard in price. But if you didn't like it, besides the setup. I would probably retest it, the finish is not that appealing to me, that's just me

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Both pickups in the custom classic are the same. 57's, there is no 57+. I am pretty sure of this. I have the ebony one...it is a great guitar.

 

I'm mostly concerned on the brightness of the baked maple. :/

Also, the classic and custom classic have the 60's neck, but the 03 classic seems to have a thinner neck, am i just imagining that? I've never played a classic custom, but i played the 03 classic and it seemed thinner than normal... i dont know, haha

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The Classic Custom is an awesome guitar. I have one and I love it. I love the feel of the fretboard.

I don't really get how it is a rosewood replacement because it feels more like ebony than rosewood to me.

I wouldn't worry about it being too bright. The 57's pair great with the brightness of the hard fretboard.

 

If I were you I would do everything in my power to go and try one. I am one of those people who just can't buy a guitar without touching it. Lot's of people on here have had success doing that but it's not for me. I think if you really know what you want it can work.

But I prefer to feel them.

 

My personal rule for buying guitars.

 

Acoustics - is all about how they sound, I can adjust to the feel.

Electrics - is all about how they feel, I can adjust how they sound.

 

So personally I am biased about the Classic Custom.

Not only do they look great, they feel great.

 

Good luck. Always fun to be looking at a new guitar. Enjoy the process.

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The Classic Custom is an awesome guitar. I have one and I love it. I love the feel of the fretboard.

I don't really get how it is a rosewood replacement because it feels more like ebony than rosewood to me.

I wouldn't worry about it being too bright. The 57's work great with the hard fretboard.

 

If I were you I would do everything in my power to go and try one. I am one of those people who just can't buy a guitar without touching it. Lot's of people on here have had success doing that but it's not for me. I think if you really know what you want it can work.

But I prefer to feel them.

 

My personal rule for buying guitars.

 

Acoustics - is all about how they sound, I can adjust to the feel.

Electrics - is all about how they feel, I can adjust how they sound.

 

So personally I am biased about the Classic Custom.

Not only do they look great, they feel great.

 

Good luck. Always fun to be looking at a new guitar. Enjoy the process.

 

I agree 100%, but I can't try one here because no one has them :(

So it just comes down to buying an 03 classic that I have played or a classic custom that I have not played :/

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I agree 100%, but I can't try one here because no one has them :(

So it just comes down to buying an 03 classic that I have played or a classic custom that I have not played :/

That is a really tough one actually..

 

Personally im not really a huge fan of the triple binding look and I also find it weird when the first fret has an inlay lol :)

 

So I think the Classic, is well, more classic looking.. Where as the Custom is more custom looking lol.

 

If you REALLY like the Custom looks go with that.. If you like the more basic looking guitars get the 03.. Also as mentioned the Classic have hotter pickups.. Where as the 57s on the Custom are more mellow (but both are good).

 

Good luck man. Go with your gut.

 

And let us know which way you go [thumbup]

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That is a really tough one actually..

 

Personally im not really a huge fan of the triple binding look and I also find it weird when the first fret has an inlay lol :)

 

So I think the Classic, is well, more classic looking.. Where as the Custom is more custom looking lol.

 

If you REALLY like the Custom looks go with that.. If you like the more basic looking guitars get the 03.. Also as mentioned the Classic have hotter pickups.. Where as the 57s on the Custom are more mellow (but both are good).

 

Good luck man. Go with your gut.

 

And let us know which way you go [thumbup]

 

Tell me about it! Haha

I also really like the aged/yellow inlays on the classic.

I just see classic's ranging from like 1100-1800, I dont know where this one falls. It's in nearly perfect, mint condition so I'm guessing higher on the scale? I can get it for 1325, so might not be a bad deal.

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Tell me about it! Haha

I also really like the aged/yellow inlays on the classic.

I just see classic's ranging from like 1100-1800, I dont know where this one falls. It's in nearly perfect, mint condition so I'm guessing higher on the scale? I can get it for 1325, so might not be a bad deal.

Yeah if its in good condition they usually sell for a pretty good price.. Thats the good thing about Gibsons they always hold their rough value.. And some go up depending on the model...

 

But thats why I like my Classic.. cos it looks like it could be from the 60s. I love the old school look.

DSC01316.jpg

DSC01210.jpg

 

and my one has a one piece back :)

DSC01824.jpg

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Yeah if its in good condition they usually sell for a pretty good price.. Thats the good thing about Gibsons they always hold their rough value.. And some go up depending on the model...

 

But thats why I like my Classic.. cos it looks like it could be from the 60s. I love the old school look.

DSC01316.jpg

DSC01210.jpg

 

and my one has a one piece back :)

DSC01824.jpg

 

Very nice man! Love it! I think the 03 honeyburst that I'm lookin at has a one piece back as well. I dont remember though, do you know?

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Very nice man! Love it! I think the 03 honeyburst that I'm lookin at has a one piece back as well. I dont remember though, do you know?

Cheers.. And im not sure.. I dont think certain models come with a specific amount of pieces (apart from the historic ones that can often be solid non weight relieved)... Not that it really makes a difference :) (mind you in saying that, its a darn heavy guitar).

 

The best way to tell if its something that bothers you is to look at the back stap peg on the side cos some of the backs are so well matched that you cant tell from the back.. But if you look a the side you will see a thin line.

 

This is the back of my 08 Standard.. You will see the back looks like one piece cos its matched so well

20121020_194755_zpse01f198c.jpg

 

But when you look at the side you can see the line

20121020_194836_zps921d3464.jpg

 

And this is the side of my Classic.. you see no line :)

DSC01822.jpg

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I'm mostly concerned on the brightness of the baked maple. :/

Also, the classic and custom classic have the 60's neck, but the 03 classic seems to have a thinner neck, am i just imagining that? I've never played a classic custom, but i played the 03 classic and it seemed thinner than normal... i dont know, haha

 

I've got the classic custom and love it!!! The baked maple fretboard is awesome to play on. Is the guitar brighter sounding? Maybe just a bit, but it's so very slight you would really need to listen closely to hear any difference. IMHO, it's easier to darken the tone of a guitar that may be a bit brighter than it is to clean up the tone a guitar that's darker. All I do is just turn up the drive just a touch and this baby just purrs away. If you want to play some real head banging metal then most folks would likely change out the pickups.

 

IMG_0880.jpg

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