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Why so little love for the Florentine?

asg612

New member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
67
Hi All,

Was just wondering why the Semi-Hollow Florentine isnt as loved as other LP models?

Besides the fact I'm a sucker for f-holes, these guitars are really beautiful. Just picked up a 97 with a nice natural finish and quilt top.

Are the differences between the Florentine and Florentine plus just the tops used? Flame and Quilt vs. no flame/quilt?

Why did Gibson stop making these beauties? Are they still available through the Custom Shop?

As a newbie (sort-of), getting back into playing and collecting - Gibson's website is pretty bad at giving information about, well, anything IMO. Can't make heads or tails what's available, what's not etc.

Insight into the Florentine is greatly apprecaited!

Best,

asg
 

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
I love the Florentine LP! But most here are traditionalists.
 

treeofpain

New member
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
969
They are very cool, but they kinda fall in between a LP and typical semi. It's kind of a niche market I guess.
 

xjustice09x

New member
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
351
I always liked florentines. I almost bought one in 2001 or 2002, but ended up getting and SG supreme instead.
 

donw35

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
695
1997 Florentine, one of my Favorite guitars but for the 57 pickups..
2a.JPG
 

asg612

New member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
67
Thanks for your comments -

I think what I like about the florentine is the fact that its a bit of a hybrid - gives a great clean tone, and overdriven is rather unique, compared with my hollowbody guitars.

Appearance wise, I just think they are beautiful. Not many guitars have captured my heart like the Florentine has.

Regarding pickups - have you swapped the '57's out? If so, what have you replaced them with? Very interested to know!

Also - anyone know if these guitars can still be ordered through the Custom Shop?

Your natural quilt is quite a looker - I have its brother at home. When I can, I'll take some pics - your quilt is more defined and nicer than mine. This place, well, Its easy to get jealous I guess :).

Thanks a bunch!

asg
 

Hammertone

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2002
Messages
407
Don't forget the "stealth" Florentines, which don't have f-holes. The ones I have seen on ebay sold for plenty of love. Mike Slub has a really nice birdseye-topped one featured in his article "Unusual Custom Shop Les Pauls and More!" featured on the LPF home page.
 
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donw35

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Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
695
I have not replaced the 57 although I want to or pot them, I realy like the sound of the burstbuckers in my R9 and want to give those a go in the florentine
 

Ad_02Std

Active member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
5,055
I'd love one. Never see them here in the U.K. though.

I remember seeing a feature in Guitarist Magazine when Clapton had his big clearout, selling a huge amount of instruments, and one pictured was a sunburst Florentine with P-90s.
 

sharq attaq

New member
Joined
Mar 14, 2004
Messages
1,636
I'm surprised that when Uncle Ted went to Les Pauls, it wasn't one of those. He's lost something without the fire breathing f-holes IMO.
 

GuitArtMan

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Joined
Jan 30, 2004
Messages
258
I had one for a while - a beautiful '96 (I believe) burst. In my case, the semi-hollow didn't save me any weight - it was within an ounce or so of my 1988 Pre-Historic R9. I also found the combination of the semi-hollow body and/or ebony board made it brighter than my Pre-Historic R9. In the end, I just liked the tone of my R9 better and so let the florentine go. I'll have to see if I still have any photos of it - she was a beaut!
 

fentonjames

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Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
253
i had the epiphone version, the les paul es for a few years. not a bad guitar. the gibson would be much better!!! i am jealous!!!
 

trapland

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Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
322
Mine is my #1. It sounds just like a standard. Even more "solid body" sounding than todays chambered guitars. No acoustic properties whatsoever.
 

asg612

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Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
67
Here are some pics of one of my Florentines. This guitar is insane! I agree with the post above - no hollowbody qualities on this one whatsoever - it is one screaming guitar.

This one is a 2000 CS I believe. My other is a 1996-97 - sounds much much different.

LPFlorentine1.jpg
LPFlorentine2.jpg
 

73171

New member
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
116
Here are some pics of one of my Florentines. This guitar is insane! I agree with the post above - no hollowbody qualities on this one whatsoever - it is one screaming guitar.

This one is a 2000 CS I believe. My other is a 1996-97 - sounds much much different.

LPFlorentine1.jpg
LPFlorentine2.jpg


WOW! I love that one!:salude
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Ya know... A florentine with Standard appointments might have been a better seller. You know. Rosewood board, small headstock, trap inlays, etc.
 
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