Gold Top question/help

mike h · 10-06-01, 08:31 AM

Brothers I need your help.

I am looking for a "classic" gold top. I have tried some .coms but they don't stock them.

In what price range will they be in?

Is there any place that might even carry them used?

What are some things to watch out for when buying the classic?

Any iformation will be greatly appreciated

Tune it or Die

Humbuck · 10-06-01, 11:26 AM

Get yourself to a shop and play one (or better yet 2 or 3). Don't have any shops around you? Where do you live?

KennyY · 10-06-01, 01:25 PM

I've seen some New Classic Goldtops at the $ 2000 mark. However you can get Gibson Custom shop Historic Goldtops at the same ball park range if you haggle (I've paid 2100 for my Historic) The historics are built more accurately as the original 50's Pauls, they have the big neck, holly head stock veneer, aluminum tail piece, the correct goldtop lacquer. I've passed up the Classic model to get the Custom shop Goldtop. I'm very pleased. The neck takes a while to get used to but I can nail those classic rock tones with the historic model. Unless you like the slim necks and hotter "metal" style pickups of the Classic, the better deal is the Historic.

The Classic models are part of the regular production line Gibsons. Some are great, some are not. I find Custom shop instruments generally well made.

KennyY

UncleEdgar · 10-06-01, 10:36 PM

They always pop up on ebay, here's an early 90's one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1472320880

fl_799 · 10-07-01, 08:07 AM

I agree. The R7 is not that much more than a classic if you can get one discounted to about $2200-$2400.

dragon · 10-07-01, 12:28 PM

I also agree with KennyY. If you do decide on a Historic GT then the year its made will make a difference, plenty of old posts on this. I got my 01 GT and it gets all the tones I like, still in the honeymoon stage.
dragon

mike h · 10-08-01, 09:54 AM

KENNY Y I have tried 3 R7's and really liked them. If there is one downfall for me it would be the neck. It is a little larger than I am used to, but after a few days with it I don't think there will be a problem for me.

Thanks for the info!!

Jake · 10-08-01, 11:15 AM

Mike,

I just posted this over in the Pub, but I came across a Goldtop Standard for under $1800 at www.guitar-villa.com (it's at the store, not on their website yet). Good shop with some decent folks there. Not the Classic, but still without the big ole neck you'll get on the R7's.

Jake

mike h · 10-08-01, 12:38 PM

JAKE

Thanks for your help I will check out the site now and then if it is within reason drive there and check it out.

Any ideas on what to watch out for when looking at a used paul?

mike h · 10-08-01, 12:40 PM

Can anyone help me with somethings to watch out for when buying a new or used custom shop R7?

As a big fan of LP I have never owned one but am buying one as soon as I feel that I have enough information to make an "educated buy".

Jeff · 10-08-01, 01:50 PM

Mike,

There really is only whether the guitar speaks to you and is right for you. In order to find one that is special, you may have to try a few. All the necks will vary in size to some degree. All will sound different to some degree. Some will sustain more than others. Some will sound brighter/darker. Some may seem to play themselves. You'll know when you hit the right one. And this is not only true of Historics, but of any guitar from any manufacturer. There are a few bad ones, many good ones and a few exceptional ones.

In order to try 'em, you need a selection available to you, which you may not have in your local area. You can also get the best price on them (under $2100 for a new '57 Goldtop Historic) from the better online dealers, which also offer approval periods, wherin if you don't like them, you can return them for a refund (minus shipping).

I recently got my third '57 Goldtop (R7) and this is the best Historic I've had yet, but it has taken me a while to find it. I guess I just got lucky this time - I feel this is the guitar I will probably always keep.

If you are shopping price, visit http://www.aplusguitars.com for the best prices and great service. I ordered mine from them.

Regards,

Jeff

roadrunner · 10-08-01, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike h
KENNY Y I have tried 3 R7's and really liked them. If there is one downfall for me it would be the neck. It is a little larger than I am used to, but after a few days with it I don't think there will be a problem for me.

Thanks for the info!!

IMHO: you get more tone with a big neck... somthin' to think about!

KennyY · 10-08-01, 03:36 PM

Yes, the big neck contributes to that wonderful tone and mongo sustain. Damn, I've got the Historic bug now. I'm thinking about getting a Black Beauty.

Kenny

mike h · 10-09-01, 11:42 AM

MOJO

I have tried a few and some did sound brighter than ther other two could this have been something as simple as newer strings? I did have some questions about bigger neck having more tone, I am guessing this is due to more mass (I should say denser wood) has a better tone?

I have read a few posts about some J.P. mods that he did to his sunburst standard, what are these mods and what will they affect? Is this something that has to be done by a pro?

Lastly I have been told to install a brass nut, why is brass good for some players and bad for others.

mike

fish · 10-10-01, 12:14 PM

Mike,
Check out the forum members market place as one of the board members is selling a 2001 R7 goldtop at a great price. I think you would like the historic over a classic if you had the chance to play them side by side.

Humbuck · 10-10-01, 02:50 PM

The historic is a much better guitar...but you gotta like the frets or have the dough to replace them. If you love the frets on a Classic you may be dissapointed with an R7. Then again you may like the R7's feel better. You really gotta go out and play some first hand. Or use one of the reputable dealers that give you an approval period.

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10-06-01, 08:31 AM	#1
mike h Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6	Gold Top question/help Brothers I need your help. I am looking for a "classic" gold top. I have tried some .coms but they don't stock them. In what price range will they be in? Is there any place that might even carry them used? What are some things to watch out for when buying the classic? Any iformation will be greatly appreciated Tune it or Die Last edited by mike h : 10-06-01 at 08:42 AM.

10-08-01, 09:54 AM	#7
mike h Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6	57 GOLD TOP KENNY Y I have tried 3 R7's and really liked them. If there is one downfall for me it would be the neck. It is a little larger than I am used to, but after a few days with it I don't think there will be a problem for me. Thanks for the info!!

10-08-01, 12:40 PM	#10
mike h Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6	Goldtop caution Can anyone help me with somethings to watch out for when buying a new or used custom shop R7? As a big fan of LP I have never owned one but am buying one as soon as I feel that I have enough information to make an "educated buy".

10-08-01, 01:50 PM	#11
Jeff Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,333	Mike, There really is only whether the guitar speaks to you and is right for you. In order to find one that is special, you may have to try a few. All the necks will vary in size to some degree. All will sound different to some degree. Some will sustain more than others. Some will sound brighter/darker. Some may seem to play themselves. You'll know when you hit the right one. And this is not only true of Historics, but of any guitar from any manufacturer. There are a few bad ones, many good ones and a few exceptional ones. In order to try 'em, you need a selection available to you, which you may not have in your local area. You can also get the best price on them (under $2100 for a new '57 Goldtop Historic) from the better online dealers, which also offer approval periods, wherin if you don't like them, you can return them for a refund (minus shipping). I recently got my third '57 Goldtop (R7) and this is the best Historic I've had yet, but it has taken me a while to find it. I guess I just got lucky this time - I feel this is the guitar I will probably always keep. If you are shopping price, visit http://www.aplusguitars.com for the best prices and great service. I ordered mine from them. Regards, Jeff Last edited by Jeff : 10-08-01 at 01:51 PM.

10-06-01, 11:26 AM	#2
Humbuck Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Worldwide Posts: 4,337	Get yourself to a shop and play one (or better yet 2 or 3). Don't have any shops around you? Where do you live?

10-06-01, 01:25 PM	#3
KennyY Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Wisconsin- Land of Green Bay Packers, beer and Cheese Posts: 624	I've seen some New Classic Goldtops at the $ 2000 mark. However you can get Gibson Custom shop Historic Goldtops at the same ball park range if you haggle (I've paid 2100 for my Historic) The historics are built more accurately as the original 50's Pauls, they have the big neck, holly head stock veneer, aluminum tail piece, the correct goldtop lacquer. I've passed up the Classic model to get the Custom shop Goldtop. I'm very pleased. The neck takes a while to get used to but I can nail those classic rock tones with the historic model. Unless you like the slim necks and hotter "metal" style pickups of the Classic, the better deal is the Historic. The Classic models are part of the regular production line Gibsons. Some are great, some are not. I find Custom shop instruments generally well made. KennyY

10-06-01, 10:36 PM	#4
UncleEdgar Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 42	They always pop up on ebay, here's an early 90's one: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1472320880

10-07-01, 08:07 AM	#5
fl_799 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 723	I agree. The R7 is not that much more than a classic if you can get one discounted to about $2200-$2400.

10-07-01, 12:28 PM	#6
dragon Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 569	I also agree with KennyY. If you do decide on a Historic GT then the year its made will make a difference, plenty of old posts on this. I got my 01 GT and it gets all the tones I like, still in the honeymoon stage. dragon

10-08-01, 11:15 AM	#8
Jake Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My home away from Home Posts: 434	Mike, I just posted this over in the Pub, but I came across a Goldtop Standard for under $1800 at www.guitar-villa.com (it's at the store, not on their website yet). Good shop with some decent folks there. Not the Classic, but still without the big ole neck you'll get on the R7's. Jake

10-08-01, 12:38 PM	#9
mike h Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6	JAKE Thanks for your help I will check out the site now and then if it is within reason drive there and check it out. Any ideas on what to watch out for when looking at a used paul?

10-08-01, 03:36 PM	#13
KennyY Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Wisconsin- Land of Green Bay Packers, beer and Cheese Posts: 624	Yes, the big neck contributes to that wonderful tone and mongo sustain. Damn, I've got the Historic bug now. I'm thinking about getting a Black Beauty. Kenny

10-09-01, 11:42 AM	#14
mike h Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6	MOJO I have tried a few and some did sound brighter than ther other two could this have been something as simple as newer strings? I did have some questions about bigger neck having more tone, I am guessing this is due to more mass (I should say denser wood) has a better tone? I have read a few posts about some J.P. mods that he did to his sunburst standard, what are these mods and what will they affect? Is this something that has to be done by a pro? Lastly I have been told to install a brass nut, why is brass good for some players and bad for others. mike Last edited by mike h : 10-09-01 at 11:54 AM.

10-10-01, 12:14 PM	#15
fish Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: TEXAS - the only state to live in! Posts: 298	Gold Top question/help Mike, Check out the forum members market place as one of the board members is selling a 2001 R7 goldtop at a great price. I think you would like the historic over a classic if you had the chance to play them side by side.

10-10-01, 02:50 PM	#16
Humbuck Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Worldwide Posts: 4,337	The historic is a much better guitar...but you gotta like the frets or have the dough to replace them. If you love the frets on a Classic you may be dissapointed with an R7. Then again you may like the R7's feel better. You really gotta go out and play some first hand. Or use one of the reputable dealers that give you an approval period.