abracadaben Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi, Im new here and Im not sure if this has been discussed yet since the trad pro II and 2013 standard just came out. So Im about to buy a les paul. though Id like to get your insight on a few things since Im not a gibson expert. to start off, I tried both and like them both. Which is why Im not sure which to get. I am looking for a les paul I can keep a few years (or even more) and just change pickups. Basically which is the best LP body So far the differences I know off are the pickups of course, the finish (std has AAA and trad pro II has A grade), the trad pro II has satin back and sides when the std has glossy. The 2013 neck is new (still asymmetrical but more comfy than 2008). the trad pro II has push push and the std has push pull. the std has a phase switch when the trad pro II has 10 db boost and split coil. I haven't tried the trad pro with the BB III. The trad pro II has a super '57. 1) does anybody have any experience with super '57? if yes what is your feedback? 2) does the finish grade of the top has any impact on sound? 3) looking further down the road (when I eventually upgrade to a custom after saving), which of both would keep its value the best? By that I mean is it hard to resell a les paul that has only grade A top? 4) It seems to mee that push/pull would be more usefull than push/push even though push/push seems cooler. the problem Id see on the long term with push/push is that it can be hard to determine if its already pushed or not since you have to push for either position. 5) which is a better feature on the long run? split coil or phase switch? 6) it seems that the LP STD 2013 is also weight relief instead of chambered can you confirm? (though its different from suiss cheese). 7) regarding 6) is the STD 2013 weight relief actually better for sound? also the traditional was another option but it seems that there aren't any push/pull switches on it. thanks for reading this through and for your feedback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Both Great guitars IMO. I went with the Standard myself after considering both. My decision was based on the fact that I did not want to buy from Guitar Center or Musicians friend. I am very happy with my decision. If you look around you may be able to still get a new 2012 Standard and save some $$$. For less than the cost of a "13 with a AA top you may get a '12 with a AAA top, or if going for a plain top they can be had cheaper on the '12 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Both Great guitars IMO. I went with the Standard myself after considering both. My decision was based on the fact that I did not want to buy from Guitar Center or Musicians friend. I am very happy with my decision. If you look around you may be able to still get a new 2012 Standard and save some $$$. For less than the cost of a "13 with a AA top you may get a '12 with a AAA top, or if going for a plain top they can be had cheaper on the '12 as well. thanks for the prompt response. I have a deal opportunity at GC though which would bring the 2013 in my budget range and kind of drive where Id buy the guitar, and if its confirmed that the 2013 is not chambered then Id probably go for 2013. Overall GC would not be my first place of choice to buy a guitar as it feels like a supermarket to me and you really have to inspect everything closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Whichever you choose I am sure you will be happy. Both great guitars IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Alright, so I could not resist and got a trad pro II. LOVE it. Playing it on a Class 5 combo. But now I keep eyeing the standard finish.... Ill see if I exchange it. see attached pick or Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 6 String Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Alright, so I could not resist and got a trad pro II. LOVE it. Playing it on a Class 5 combo. But now I keep eyeing the standard finish.... Ill see if I exchange it. see attached pick or Looks sweet, don't think I'd be able to part with it once I got it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 well I cracked again... So the STD I had tried was the 2012. The 2013 isn't out yet. Ships on the 5th. So I have to mention that I just got a 20% coupon valid for a few days only... which brings it to $2,100. I asked them to order a 2013 STD AAA for me. It should arrive on the 6th (overnight). Factory sealed. I asked to ship it to the store directly so I can unbox it there and test it there. But Ill be sure that nobody else has played on it which is cool. there were only 20 available left for GC nation wide (with AAA top). until next batch of course. I will then decide :D Ill post some pics as soon as I get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 When I looked at the specs on the 2013 standard with the AAA top it seems to be the exact same guitar as the 2012. The only difference I could see between the 2 guitars was the price. Am I missing something? Is there anything new abbout the '13 model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 I think you are right. I spent a long time trying to get some info, but seems that nobody really knows. Just looking at Gibson's specs, it looks identical and in the best case, we can only speculate... price wasnt a problem on my side. basically the 2012 AA was discounted already at GC so I could not apply my coupon on it. so the 2013 ended up being a little cheaper... and it will be factory sealed. BTW I saw your pics of your guitar. OMG this is a beautiful piece!!! Honeyburst? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 That is a pretty sweet deal to get it un-harrassed from the factory and cheaper. Make sure you post some pics when you get it. Yes, mine is Honeyburst. Pictures can do it no justice, it is spectacular. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beterpan Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I have almost the same questions. But I got one more question. Will Gibson discontinue Traditional Pro II guitars in 2013? They were really good guitars and I was planning to buy a Trad Pro II by the summer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 actually trad pro II is 2013. They just received them in November. it has push/push knobs. so you don't have to pull them. its pretty cool for fast action but sometimes confusing (is it pushed?). I had a trad pro II for a few days, loved it but switched for a standard premium plus (got a great deal). they are both great guitars but I prefer the standard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beterpan Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 actually trad pro II is 2013. They just received them in November. it has push/push knobs. so you don't have to pull them. its pretty cool for fast action but sometimes confusing (is it pushed?). I had a trad pro II for a few days, loved it but switched for a standard premium plus (got a great deal). they are both great guitars but I prefer the standard... Thank you. That's good news for me..:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 its a pretty good guitar from what I experienced. here a cool video if you didn't see it yet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beterpan Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 its a pretty good guitar from what I experienced. here a cool video if you didn't see it yet: Thanks. That's a good video. I saw it. The Les Paul Traditional Pro II sounds excellent. Except the usual awesome sound of the Les Pauls, what I especially like in this guitar the coil tapping and how it is done. It gives you a very wide range of sounds you can get from an electric guitar. Also there is the push-push coil splitting than the pull-push one. And moreover it is a good traditional Les Paul. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beterpan Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 I got two more questions. 1. Does the satin back of trad pro ii has any (bad) differences than the glossy back finish of 2013 standard (and 2012 standard)? 2. How does the 10db boost takes place? By a button, a hidden battery or how? My concerns are almost identical with the starter of this thread. As far as I understood, the LP Trad Pro II is an almost similar guitar with 2012 and 2013 standards, except the pull-pull split coil (that's excellent for me) with almost complete single coil turn (than a slight hum canceling of the Standards) and plain top of Trad Pro II vs the AA (of 2012 Std) or AAA (of 2013 Std) flame tops (that's almost nonsense for me). And moreover, the Standards (of 2012 and 2013) have phase shifters while the Trad Pro's don't (that's also not much difference for me either). I want to get a good all-rounder guitar which I can play blues rock, hard rock, classic rock and blues. To be more exact, I am living in a distant land. I haven't seen these guitars but I am planning to order one from Thomann Germany, which Gibson says they will provide in 4-6 months. In this case, I thought ordering a Traditional Pro II would be more suitable for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abracadaben Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 the 10db boost is push/push knob activated. for the back the trad pro II has a 2 piece back when my standard 2012 is a 1piece back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beterpan Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 the 10db boost is push/push knob activated. for the back the trad pro II has a 2 piece back when my standard 2012 is a 1piece back Thanks!..:) Both are excellent guitars as far as I can see. I am more confused.: I will try both and make a decision. It will be the best. I hope there will be some 2012 Standards in July 2013 when I'll be able to purchase my guitar...:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothHead Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 2013 Caramel 'Burst Trad. No I; No II; No Weight Relief; No Chambering; No Pushing; No Pulling - Just Playing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug.J Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hi Ya So we are clear this is the specs for the 2013 standard premium that I have and I can tell you it everything I expected and a hole lot more regardless of the tops Modern weight relief is a must I am no small guy and it fills so solid I had to get a really good neck strap for it as it's about 8.9lb and sound fantastic you will not be sorry the different tops like A , AA ,AAA, AAAA in my honest opinion does no change the tone,hope this helps good luck with your choice please let us know what you decide Thanks Specification Detail Body Type Les Paul Left-/Right-handed Right-handed Body Material Mahogany, Modern weight relief Top Material AAAA Flame Maple Color Tea Burst Neck Material Mahogany, Set Neck Shape Asymmetrical '60s Slim taper Scale Length 24.75" Fingerboard Material Rosewood, Compound Radius Fingerboard Inlay Trapezoid Number of Frets 22 Bridge/Tailpiece Tone Pros locking Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece Tuners Locking Grover tuners Number of Pickups 2 Neck Pickup BurstBucker Pro Humbucker Middle Pickup No middle pickup Bridge Pickup BurstBucker Pro Humbucker Controls 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-way Switch, Push-pull Coil Tap, Phase Reverse, and Bypass Case Included Hardshell case included Manufacturer Part Number LPSAATSCH1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrodave08 Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 I went through the same comparison a few months ago. I chose the pro II. First it was $600 less, the '57 pickups had a warmer sound, I fell for the multiple choices of sounds from the switching (boost didn't do anything for me), the top was more "flamed", and it wasn't weight relieved. Now with that said, when in single coil, even when selector was in the middle, it had the single coil noise. There is one pot that doesn't have a switch on it and is "normal". The other pits felt like they wereof of an import. They were staticly. I wound up changing the electronics over to the same as the traditional and don't regret a moment of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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