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Hi Guys
I've hankered after a Les Paul for some time. In 2017 I attempted to buy one. Trouble was I own a Gordon Smith 20th Anniversary Graduate modded with Seymour Duncan JB bridge and Jazz neck pickups. It trounced every Gibson USA Les Paul Traditional /Standard and the only Custom Shop model available to me at the time (was this a dud?). It was so much more responsive and alive in your hands. I therefore gave up at that stage.
2018 24/36 month Interest Free Credit deals tempted me back again. I tried the 2108 LP Trad. Nice guitar, ok, but again a little dead. Incidentally, noting the amount of anti Gibson comments around at the moment, this guitar was beautifully made and finished. I then tried a 2017 Custom Shop 1959 VOS Standard with Custom Buckers. This guitar was so much more alive. This guitar weighed about 9lbs (similar to the LP Trad). I then went onto a 2018 58 Standard VOS Lemon Fade. This guitar weighed 8lbs. This was like a wild animal in my hands. Playing an open E, A or G chord transitioned into glorious, resonant, never ending sustain with spine tingling overtones. On a more confusing note this guitar also had Custom Buckers but they had so much more bite. I've reserved this guitar and have a month to make my final decision.
For those similarly interested in buying a Les Paul, there is definitely a lot of variation out there. I would be interested in others experiences. I didn't try a lot of 2018 Gibson LP Traditionals this time, perhaps due to my experiences last time, but 3 guitars in, I think I've found something special. Ok it's not a '59 but I quite like the look of the plainer top and the neck isn't that much different from the '59 I played in my view. It sounds, however, better than any other guitar I've ever played. Should I go back and slog through a load more 2018 Gibson USA models in an attempt to save some money? Although I only tried one against the Custom Shop guitars, I can't help feeling that the long tenon and hide glue construction, light mahogany and Custom Buckers make a significant difference.
I can afford the 58 Custom at a stretch. What should I do?
I've hankered after a Les Paul for some time. In 2017 I attempted to buy one. Trouble was I own a Gordon Smith 20th Anniversary Graduate modded with Seymour Duncan JB bridge and Jazz neck pickups. It trounced every Gibson USA Les Paul Traditional /Standard and the only Custom Shop model available to me at the time (was this a dud?). It was so much more responsive and alive in your hands. I therefore gave up at that stage.
2018 24/36 month Interest Free Credit deals tempted me back again. I tried the 2108 LP Trad. Nice guitar, ok, but again a little dead. Incidentally, noting the amount of anti Gibson comments around at the moment, this guitar was beautifully made and finished. I then tried a 2017 Custom Shop 1959 VOS Standard with Custom Buckers. This guitar was so much more alive. This guitar weighed about 9lbs (similar to the LP Trad). I then went onto a 2018 58 Standard VOS Lemon Fade. This guitar weighed 8lbs. This was like a wild animal in my hands. Playing an open E, A or G chord transitioned into glorious, resonant, never ending sustain with spine tingling overtones. On a more confusing note this guitar also had Custom Buckers but they had so much more bite. I've reserved this guitar and have a month to make my final decision.
For those similarly interested in buying a Les Paul, there is definitely a lot of variation out there. I would be interested in others experiences. I didn't try a lot of 2018 Gibson LP Traditionals this time, perhaps due to my experiences last time, but 3 guitars in, I think I've found something special. Ok it's not a '59 but I quite like the look of the plainer top and the neck isn't that much different from the '59 I played in my view. It sounds, however, better than any other guitar I've ever played. Should I go back and slog through a load more 2018 Gibson USA models in an attempt to save some money? Although I only tried one against the Custom Shop guitars, I can't help feeling that the long tenon and hide glue construction, light mahogany and Custom Buckers make a significant difference.
I can afford the 58 Custom at a stretch. What should I do?