Fold or Hold?

Aggie · 03-01-03, 01:11 PM

To those with pre -2003 R-9 or R-8, the question for the first day of March is:

More than 50% interested & aching to sell in order to get that 2003 model? .....OR.....

Wait !

Big Al · 03-01-03, 01:41 PM

If I buy a 2003 it will be in addition to my Y2K. I see no improvement in a 2003 that would make mine obsolete. I picked my Y2KR9 for tone and playability and so far I haven't been disapointed.

Chef Greg · 03-01-03, 01:44 PM

Hold!

:dude

SunburstKid · 03-01-03, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Al
If I buy a 2003 it will be in addition to my Y2K. I see no improvement in a 2003 that would make mine obsolete. I picked my Y2KR9 for tone and playability and so far I haven't been disapointed.

My thoughts exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Big Al's Y2K is the closest serial # to mine that I've heard of.

Doug H · 03-01-03, 02:10 PM

Definitely hold. I'm still in love with my (late) '01 R8.

Big Al · 03-01-03, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SunburstKid
My thoughts exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Big Al's Y2K is the closest serial # to mine that I've heard of.

What is yours? Mine is 9 503. Anyone else in that neighborhood? I wish Gibson would still use those big frets like they did on 99/00!

steelknuckle · 03-01-03, 02:25 PM

I wouldn't get rid of my '02 R9 for an '03 for any reason what-so-ever. That would be like trading a '59 for a '60 in my opinion (a terrible comparison). The only thing I like about the '03s over the '02s is that the R8 is available in a plaintop. However, I don't really want a plaintop. I think Gibson got it right with the '02 R9. In my opinion, the '02s are going to be sought after in the long run, and here is why:

1. There weren't many '02 R9s made.
2. They were expensive as hell to begin with.
3. The tops that I saw in person were absolutely out of this world gorgeous.
4. The electronics were fantastic.
5. The tone of the guitars was great.

The '03s are cool too, from what I've seen, but they are less expensive, and there will probably be more of them on the street than the '02s because of the lower price. I understand that #s 4, and 5 apply to the '03s as well. I'm not bashing the '03, I just wouldn't be in a hurry to trade an '02 for one.

howardslespaul · 03-01-03, 02:33 PM

Don't chase the Dragon......if you have a guitar that you really like....That is what it's about. In my case I had to sell a guitar that I really liked cause I needed money. Then bought a guitar that had been monkeyed with for damn near the cost of an '03 R8......I just wanted to get back to where I was........

If you don't have to do all of that.......DON'T

Enjoy the guitars you have.........cause in the end.....TONE is in your HANDS!!!:dude

tim

whippost575859 · 03-01-03, 05:25 PM

If anyone has claim not to get rid of their pre-'03 for a new one its me. I had put a NOS '01 R8 in layaway at the first of December. At first, I was angry when the new electronic updates and the Brazillian boards came out. I was angry because if I had held of a little longer, I could have had an '03 R9 for not much more than I paid for my R8. I played a new R9 and loved it, and almost decided to swap. The killer part was, I could swap my layaway and not lose any money. Afterall, I never actually owned it.

So, we're down to crunchtime. I was about to decide. Butterscotch '01 figuretop, or cherryburst '03 plaintop. I thought it over, compared a local '03 with BB 1&2 to my Dickey Betts with '57 classics (which the '01 has).

After long debate, and even trying to custom order an '03 R8 with a flametop so I wouldn't have to pay R9 prices......

I decided to keep my guitar. I knew there had to be a reason I wanted it in the first place, and so I decided that if I get an '03 it will be an R7. The butterscotch is my favorite on a flametop, and the looks of that guitar, and the sound of those '57s just kept me to my '01.

I could have traded and gained money and didn't do it. I certainly wouldn't trade and lose money.

SunburstKid · 03-01-03, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Al
What is yours? Mine is 9 503. Anyone else in that neighborhood? I wish Gibson would still use those big frets like they did on 99/00!

Mine's 9 0507. Damn man, they're closer than I remembered. Very cool.

rbuse · 03-01-03, 06:57 PM

Hold ! Don't sell what you already have until you've played a new model for a few weeks to decide if you like it better. I have bought new guitars every year to "check them out" and see what the hype is all about but I always keep going back to my1994 R8 plaintop with Duncan Antiquities. Sure, each year they get more "historically correct", but until I find one that sounds or plays better than my 94, I'll never part with it. If you've just got to have an 03, figure out a way to keep what you're playing and unload the one you aren't as happy with after a side by side comparison for a few weeks or months. It will only cost you a few months credit card interest and maybe a few hundred $ in depreciation, but that's a small price to pay. It's better than selling a guitar you love just to keep up with the hype that surrounds each new model year.

1958teaburst · 03-01-03, 07:09 PM

hold .... I will wait a few more years for some more useless accuracy... besides I and everyone with an 02 r8 own the most accurate figured topped 1958 reissue ever...

rbuse · 03-01-03, 07:56 PM

1958 Teaburst is absolutely right. As far as accuracy, the 2002 R8 figured tops can't be beat. I have a beautiful 02 teaburst sitting in the closet. I bought it to see what they were like and was absolutely blown away with the look, feel, and quality of the guitar. By far the closest thing to a real one that I've seen. I'm hoping when I drop some Antiquities in it it will sound as good as my 94.

Gannet · 03-02-03, 10:16 AM

Well, I passed up buying an '03 in order to get my '02 R9 Authentic. So I guess my answer is "hold".

Bobby Lee · 03-02-03, 10:30 AM

9 0520.

Great red, no clown.

SS901771 · 03-02-03, 10:38 AM

hold!(y2kR9)

adrenaline junkie · 03-02-03, 11:28 AM

I'm keeping my 02 R8. I Would Love to get an 03 R7 To go along with it, but I'm NOT getting rid of my R8, I LOVE This guitar. The top is Beautiful, The Electronics Can be upgraded Very Cheaply and Easily, So I don't feel I have much if anything to Gain by going to an 03. I don't have a Brazilian Fretboard, but I Really Like the fretboard it has now, In fact, from the pictures I've seen, I don't think it looks that much different, Not Different enough to Justify Getting rid of a guitar I Know has great tone anyway.

I Think Gibson is making some Killer Historics this year, but I think Mine's already pretty Killer.

BluesForDan · 03-02-03, 11:49 AM

Hold. I concur with the rbuse credit card strategy. It sucks to become a charter member of teh regret club yet again, or perhaps they should have pins, a guitar pin for each regret;)

6L6 · 03-02-03, 06:02 PM

Hold and keep looking for toneful, light & flamey '99's-'02's which are great deals these days. The brazilian boards they're using this year don't make THAT much of a difference IMO.

Unmensch · 03-03-03, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Al
What is yours? Mine is 9 503. Anyone else in that neighborhood? I wish Gibson would still use those big frets like they did on 99/00!

I had 518. It was a good one. The body sounded like a clave bell when you knocked on it.

Joe Ganzler · 03-03-03, 04:14 PM

SunburstKid · 03-03-03, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Unmensch
I had 518. It was a good one. The body sounded like a clave bell when you knocked on it.

Hey Unmensch, I remember talking to someone off-forum about 9 0518 about two years ago.freaky

Unmensch · 03-03-03, 05:45 PM

SunburstKid, maybe it was me (Dave) when I was selling it? Or Ed, the guy I sold it to? I was raising funds to buy a 335 when I sold it, but it never happened. I ended up getting a 345 instead.

Adwex · 03-03-03, 06:06 PM

I saw a new R7 with a Brazilian board. I dunno, I didn't like it. Didn't play it, just saw it in the case. The board had a few large light brown streaks. Is that common on Braz.? My '00's board is much darker, richer looking.

SunburstKid · 03-03-03, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Unmensch
SunburstKid, maybe it was me (Dave) when I was selling it? Or Ed, the guy I sold it to? I was raising funds to buy a 335 when I sold it, but it never happened. I ended up getting a 345 instead.

Hey Dave. Congrats on the 345. It was Ed that I spoke with. I remember him saying that 9 0518 was the best guitar he owned in 30 years. Quite a compliment I'd say. Thanks Dave.

SunburstKid · 03-06-03, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Lee
9 0520.

Great red, no clown.

Very cool. I almost bought 9 0521 from Wildwood, but decided on 9 0507 instead. Tough decision.

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03-01-03, 01:11 PM	#1
Aggie Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The South Posts: 1,061	Fold or Hold? To those with pre -2003 R-9 or R-8, the question for the first day of March is: More than 50% interested & aching to sell in order to get that 2003 model? .....OR..... Wait !

03-01-03, 01:41 PM	#2
Big Al In the Zone/Backstage Pass Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Lake Ontario Shoreline Posts: 6,438	If I buy a 2003 it will be in addition to my Y2K. I see no improvement in a 2003 that would make mine obsolete. I picked my Y2KR9 for tone and playability and so far I haven't been disapointed. __________________ Walk one hot coals, skid on razor blades.

03-01-03, 01:44 PM	#3
Chef Greg In the Zone/Backstage Pass Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 65 km from Tom & Jeff!! Posts: 6,234	Hold! :dude __________________ "I feel a whole lot more like I do now than I did before.".

03-01-03, 02:25 PM	#7
steelknuckle Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Moscow - as in Russia (again) Posts: 2,543	I wouldn't get rid of my '02 R9 for an '03 for any reason what-so-ever. That would be like trading a '59 for a '60 in my opinion (a terrible comparison). The only thing I like about the '03s over the '02s is that the R8 is available in a plaintop. However, I don't really want a plaintop. I think Gibson got it right with the '02 R9. In my opinion, the '02s are going to be sought after in the long run, and here is why: 1. There weren't many '02 R9s made. 2. They were expensive as hell to begin with. 3. The tops that I saw in person were absolutely out of this world gorgeous. 4. The electronics were fantastic. 5. The tone of the guitars was great. The '03s are cool too, from what I've seen, but they are less expensive, and there will probably be more of them on the street than the '02s because of the lower price. I understand that #s 4, and 5 apply to the '03s as well. I'm not bashing the '03, I just wouldn't be in a hurry to trade an '02 for one. __________________ Rockin' in the not so free world!

03-01-03, 02:10 PM	#5
Doug H Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,833	Definitely hold. I'm still in love with my (late) '01 R8.

03-01-03, 02:33 PM	#8
howardslespaul Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: "Crossroads..will you ever let him go" Posts: 1,635	Don't chase the Dragon......if you have a guitar that you really like....That is what it's about. In my case I had to sell a guitar that I really liked cause I needed money. Then bought a guitar that had been monkeyed with for damn near the cost of an '03 R8......I just wanted to get back to where I was........ If you don't have to do all of that.......DON'T Enjoy the guitars you have.........cause in the end.....TONE is in your HANDS!!!:dude tim

03-01-03, 05:25 PM	#9
whippost575859 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3,081	If anyone has claim not to get rid of their pre-'03 for a new one its me. I had put a NOS '01 R8 in layaway at the first of December. At first, I was angry when the new electronic updates and the Brazillian boards came out. I was angry because if I had held of a little longer, I could have had an '03 R9 for not much more than I paid for my R8. I played a new R9 and loved it, and almost decided to swap. The killer part was, I could swap my layaway and not lose any money. Afterall, I never actually owned it. So, we're down to crunchtime. I was about to decide. Butterscotch '01 figuretop, or cherryburst '03 plaintop. I thought it over, compared a local '03 with BB 1&2 to my Dickey Betts with '57 classics (which the '01 has). After long debate, and even trying to custom order an '03 R8 with a flametop so I wouldn't have to pay R9 prices...... I decided to keep my guitar. I knew there had to be a reason I wanted it in the first place, and so I decided that if I get an '03 it will be an R7. The butterscotch is my favorite on a flametop, and the looks of that guitar, and the sound of those '57s just kept me to my '01. I could have traded and gained money and didn't do it. I certainly wouldn't trade and lose money. Last edited by whippost575859 : 03-01-03 at 05:26 PM.

03-01-03, 06:57 PM	#11
rbuse Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,330	Hold ! Don't sell what you already have until you've played a new model for a few weeks to decide if you like it better. I have bought new guitars every year to "check them out" and see what the hype is all about but I always keep going back to my1994 R8 plaintop with Duncan Antiquities. Sure, each year they get more "historically correct", but until I find one that sounds or plays better than my 94, I'll never part with it. If you've just got to have an 03, figure out a way to keep what you're playing and unload the one you aren't as happy with after a side by side comparison for a few weeks or months. It will only cost you a few months credit card interest and maybe a few hundred $ in depreciation, but that's a small price to pay. It's better than selling a guitar you love just to keep up with the hype that surrounds each new model year.

03-01-03, 07:09 PM	#12
1958teaburst Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hot 'lanta Posts: 868	hold .... I will wait a few more years for some more useless accuracy... besides I and everyone with an 02 r8 own the most accurate figured topped 1958 reissue ever... __________________ "If you put everything I've done in my life into one day , it looks decent " George Castanza ~Duane~

03-01-03, 07:56 PM	#13
rbuse Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,330	1958 Teaburst is absolutely right. As far as accuracy, the 2002 R8 figured tops can't be beat. I have a beautiful 02 teaburst sitting in the closet. I bought it to see what they were like and was absolutely blown away with the look, feel, and quality of the guitar. By far the closest thing to a real one that I've seen. I'm hoping when I drop some Antiquities in it it will sound as good as my 94.

03-02-03, 10:16 AM	#14
Gannet Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Pete. Florida Posts: 817	Well, I passed up buying an '03 in order to get my '02 R9 Authentic. So I guess my answer is "hold".

03-02-03, 10:30 AM	#15
Bobby Lee Southern Sage Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,090	Y2K 9 0520. Great red, no clown. __________________ ... Southern, by the grace of God.

03-02-03, 10:38 AM	#16
SS901771 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 498	hold!(y2kR9)

03-02-03, 11:28 AM	#17
adrenaline junkie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Missouri Posts: 1,540	I'm keeping my 02 R8. I Would Love to get an 03 R7 To go along with it, but I'm NOT getting rid of my R8, I LOVE This guitar. The top is Beautiful, The Electronics Can be upgraded Very Cheaply and Easily, So I don't feel I have much if anything to Gain by going to an 03. I don't have a Brazilian Fretboard, but I Really Like the fretboard it has now, In fact, from the pictures I've seen, I don't think it looks that much different, Not Different enough to Justify Getting rid of a guitar I Know has great tone anyway. I Think Gibson is making some Killer Historics this year, but I think Mine's already pretty Killer.

03-02-03, 11:49 AM	#18
BluesForDan All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: in the granite state of mind Posts: 6,632	Hold. I concur with the rbuse credit card strategy. It sucks to become a charter member of teh regret club yet again, or perhaps they should have pins, a guitar pin for each regret;) __________________ Without coffee, I'd be useless.

03-02-03, 06:02 PM	#19
6L6 All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,947	Hold and keep looking for toneful, light & flamey '99's-'02's which are great deals these days. The brazilian boards they're using this year don't make THAT much of a difference IMO.

03-03-03, 04:14 PM	#21
Joe Ganzler Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 6,990	? __________________ *"Ganzler? He went THATAWAY!"* Last edited by Joe Ganzler : 10-24-03 at 03:51 PM.

03-03-03, 05:45 PM	#23
Unmensch Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,039	SunburstKid, maybe it was me (Dave) when I was selling it? Or Ed, the guy I sold it to? I was raising funds to buy a 335 when I sold it, but it never happened. I ended up getting a 345 instead.

03-03-03, 06:06 PM	#24
Adwex Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On the move. Posts: 3,495	I saw a new R7 with a Brazilian board. I dunno, I didn't like it. Didn't play it, just saw it in the case. The board had a few large light brown streaks. Is that common on Braz.? My '00's board is much darker, richer looking.