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Non weight relieved.

rezamatix

By rezamatix
in Gibson USA

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DuaLeaD

DuaLeaD

Posted
Posted

Hi guys and glad, I am a proud 57GT owner (it's a 2006).

I'm ready for my next LP. Maybe a Custom.

Can someone please direct me to a thread (I'm sure this has been discussed) where I can learn which guitars available are NOT weight relieved.

 

Thanks!

 

From what I understand, even the "Traditional" which I thought was supposed to be non weight-relieved is in fact weight relieved.

As far as I know, you have to get a Custom Shop Reissue which will be historically accurate...Seems silly. Correct me if I'm wrong you Les Paul gurus! I would also like to know.

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btoth76

btoth76

Posted
Posted

From what I understand, even the "Traditional" which I thought was supposed to be non weight-relieved is in fact weight relieved.

As far as I know, you have to get a Custom Shop Reissue which will be historically accurate...Seems silly. Correct me if I'm wrong you Les Paul gurus! I would also like to know.

Hello! Right. Historics are completely solid (although there are chambered special one-offs). As I read the new 2013 Traditionals will be completely solid as well now. (The information I've found on this is confusing yet - so don't take my words yet). Cheers... Bence

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CaptainNemo68

CaptainNemo68

Posted
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I am seeing conflicting info as well on different websites for the new 2013 Traditionals, which are supposed to be solid bodies. One website is listing a new solid body Traditional weighing only eight pounds ten ounces, yet the exact same model guitar with a different finish is weighing ten pounds two ounces - that's a difference of nearly two pounds. Another website says the new 2013 Traditionals are weight-relieved.

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btoth76

btoth76

Posted
Posted

I am seeing conflicting info as well on different websites for the new 2013 Traditionals, which are supposed to be solid bodies. One website is listing a new solid body Traditional weighing only eight pounds ten ounces, yet the exact same model guitar with a different finish is weighing ten pounds two ounces - that's a difference of nearly two pounds. Another website says the new 2013 Traditionals are weight-relieved.

Exactly. Gibson's site says it weight-relieved, but they also said that the Classic Customs have "'57 Classic Plus" pickups in bridge position. When the primary source of information is incorrect what should be expect from others... Cheers... Bence

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pippy

pippy

Posted
Posted

I am seeing conflicting info as well on different websites for the new 2013 Traditionals, which are supposed to be solid bodies. One website is listing a new solid body Traditional weighing only eight pounds ten ounces, yet the exact same model guitar with a different finish is weighing ten pounds two ounces - that's a difference of nearly two pounds. Another website says the new 2013 Traditionals are weight-relieved.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 24 oz difference in weights. The original '58 - '60 'bursts which had their weights detailed in "The Beauty of the 'Burst" varied by 26 oz....

 

To save others checking out where the anomalies lie here are three passages copied from Gibson's own 2013 Traditional factsheets :

 

This, from the overview page;

"As part of the 2013 Year of Les Paul celebrations, Gibson USA has revamped the popular Les Paul Traditional, giving some fresh twists.........a solid, mahogany back without weight relief......"

 

But, in the Features page;

"Crafted from a highly figured Grade-AA maple "plus top" and weight relieved Grade-A mahogany back..."

 

And in the Specifications page;

"Body Type : Traditional Weight Relief..."

 

Someone needs a rocket up their backside...erm... to make amends for serving up this confusion to the world at large....

 

P.

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btoth76

btoth76

Posted
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It's kind of stupid of them. If it's going to be solid, it would attract lot of Les Paul purists and the model would be next big hit from Gibson. If it's not, then it's cheating the public with misleading information. Someone ought to have a talk with the webmaster of Gibson's site... (really! No trolling intended!).

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pippy

pippy

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It's kind of stupid of them. If it's going to be solid, it would attract lot of Les Paul purists and the model would be next big hit from Gibson. If it's not, then it's cheating the public with misleading information. Someone ought to have a talk with the webmaster of Gibson's site... (really! No trolling intended!).

I agree completely with your main point, Bence.

 

As it happens I've just sent a message to Gibson Customer Support to try to clarify the matter.

 

I'll let you know their response when it arrives.

 

P.

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btoth76

btoth76

Posted
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I agree completely with your main point, Bence.

 

As it happens I've just sent a message to Gibson Customer Support to try to clarify the matter.

 

I'll let you know their response when it arrives.

 

P.

[thumbup] Thanks Pippy! I am very curios about the truth (not if I should buy another guitar - but a solid Trad...hm...Caramel Honey Burst...well :-k).

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Eracer_Team

Eracer_Team

Posted
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I happened to be browsing this site: http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/gibson_custom_shop/historic_wildwood_spec_les_paul.htm

 

and found they have their "own" spec of custom Gibson LP's

 

Looks interesting

 

and their own story about it

 

From the Hallowed Halls of Gibson's Custom/Historic Division, and the tone maniacs at Wildwood Guitars we are proud to present the Wildwood Spec Historic Les Pauls!

 

These incredible creations feature hand selected hardwoods, Tone Pros long studs and anchors, and Special Designed Gibson Custom Bucker pickups wound to Wildwood spec.

 

The long anchors transfer more resonance and sustain and a piano like fundamental; a bigger, throatier, and more masculine singing voice; The high end is more balanced, open and present without any of the harsher, spiky transients.

 

The Special design pickups offer unparalleled touch sensitivity and response, articulation with gorgeous bloom, compression and bounce, and are absolutely dripping with overtones and harmonics. We love these pickups!!

 

Brand: Gibson Custom Shop

Model: Historic Wildwood Spec 1959 Les Paul Gloss

Year: 1959

Finish Color: Washed Cherry

Finish Type: Gloss

Weight: 8.33 lbs

Top Wood: Carved Figured Maple

Body Wood: Solid Non-Weight Relieved Mahogany

Neck Wood: 1-Piece Mahogany Neck with Long Neck Tenon

Neck Shape: 1959 Rounded

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Fingerboard Radius: 12"

Inlays: Acrylic Trapezoid

Frets: 22

Scale Length: 24.75"

Width at Nut: 1 11/16"

Frets: 22

Headstock: Holly Veneer

Binding: Single-Ply Cream on Top and Neck

Pickups: Gibson Custom Buckers wound to Wildwood Spec, CTS Pots and Bumble Bee Capacitors

Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone; 3-way Toggleswitch with Thin Washer & Jackplate

Hardware : Nickel

Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 Bridge and Gibson Lightweight Aluminum Stoptail with Tone Pros Long Studs and Anchors

Tuners: Vintage Tulip

Case: Gibson Custom Hardshell

COA: Yes

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pippy

pippy

Posted
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I happened to be browsing this site: http://www.wildwoodg...ec_les_paul.htm.....and found they have their "own" spec of custom Gibson LP's

 

Looks interesting...and their own story about it...

I agree, ET, that their offering looks interesting - especially the p-ups.

 

But, then again, that's yet another C.S. / Historic Division LP and these have always been (with a few special exceptions) solid-bodied.

 

The intruguing bit about the 2013 Trad is that, if the 'solid' story is accurate, it will be pretty much the first USA-run LP model to feature a non-lightened back since '82-'83.

 

P.

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Dg77

Dg77

Posted
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I too ha read that the new trads are solid, non weight relieved and the new standards have the new modern aka pinwheel,weight relief. It would make sense to take this approach and differentiate them based on the weight relief, but p will always have someone who wants a trad but also,wants the weight relief. My 2011 trad has the Swiss cheese relief and I'm ok with that...it feels heavy and to me it might as well be a solid body when ou compare into a chambered LP.

 

I'm of the belief that Gibson purposely puts out confusing names and specs in an attempt to artificially create a higher demand for seemingly more rare guitars...it's a way to prevent becoming a cookie cutter guitar manufacturer and keep people buying because every guitar is unique in its own right even if they have the same model name. While its confusing to the public, I fully. Believe it's purposeful and accomplishes what they want.....that "I have to have this guitar" mentality. What fun would it be to pick a lespaul off a shelf with 10 other exact copies sitting beside it?

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btoth76

btoth76

Posted
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...

I'm of the belief that Gibson purposely puts out confusing names and specs in an attempt to artificially create a higher demand...

 

Hello!

 

I'm suspecting that too! Although I rather believe they are testing the public. They want to know the opinion of the people and will go with the specs most like...

 

If the Traditional going to be the same weight-relieved, I'd not buy it for sure, since I have the Classic Custom already, which isn't that much different. But if it's going to be solid I would seriously consider. I am not against the weight-relief of chambering, I just prefer my "collection" to be diverse.

 

Cheers... Bence

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drew365

drew365

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I agree completely with your main point, Bence.

 

As it happens I've just sent a message to Gibson Customer Support to try to clarify the matter.

 

I'll let you know their response when it arrives.

 

P.

 

Did they respond? Someone posted on MyLP.com that Gibson did respond to an email and stated that the '13 Traditional will be non-weight relieved. That used to mean solid, but with Gibson, you never know. I wonder if their spec writer used to work for the government creating spin?

Anyway, I'd be interested to see if you get the same response.

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pippy

pippy

Posted
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Did they respond?...

Not as yet.

 

I know what you mean about the possibility of 'spin'.

 

To quote a (now-deceased) former member of Her Majesty's Government they might be "..economical with the actualite.."...LOL!

 

If I ever do get a response rest assured I'll post it hereabouts.

 

P.

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pippy

pippy

Posted
Posted

Alan Clark? I read a book of his book called The Donkeys.

Spot-on.

 

He was that Rarest of Breeds; a Tory whom most Dyed-in-the-wool Labour politicians would yet be delighted to find out they just happened to be in his company for an after-dinner chinwag.

 

Raconteur without peer and a singularly unique individual.

 

P.

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pippy

pippy

Posted
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Re-enforcing the message sent to Tim, today I received a reply from GCS.

 

"Dear Philip,

Thank you for your interest in Gibson.

...the LP traditional 2013 will be a real solidbody, so no weight relief and/or chambering involved !

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Kind regards,

Stijn"

 

P.

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Pin

Pin

Posted
Posted

Re-enforcing the message sent to Tim, today I received a reply from GCS.

 

"Dear Philip,

Thank you for your interest in Gibson.

...the LP traditional 2013 will be a real solidbody, so no weight relief and/or chambering involved !

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Kind regards,

Stijn"

 

P.

 

Right, that does it. I want one!

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