pgfitzgerald
New member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2018
- Messages
- 8
Hey ya'll! I just joined up after lurking for a while. My intro post is here if you care to read through it.
I've been reading through the forum for about a week and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
I'm pretty sure a '90s or '00s Classic is going to fit me best, but the new Traditionals look very nice.
I've been hitting the local shops, playing new and used, and spending more time than I care to admit on Reverb, eBay, etc.
Here are some of my thoughts:
Stuff I could potentially change later:
I like the recent Traditionals and the older Classics. I'm leaning heavily toward the older Classics. The AA flame maple tops on the Traditionals are a bit of a turn off for me. I really prefer the plain and simple aesthetics of the Classics.
It's been hard to verify specs and finishes and such since Gibson changes their mind so often.
Questions:
I'd prefer to stick to $1,800 or lower used, but would pay a few hundred more for a nice one.
I'd be willing to lay down around $2,200 plus tax for a new one, assuming I can negotiate a 20% discount.
I've got more money than sense, but I also have a wife I'd like to keep. I think $2,500 is probably my max.
Thanks y'all!
-- Paul
I've been reading through the forum for about a week and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
I'm pretty sure a '90s or '00s Classic is going to fit me best, but the new Traditionals look very nice.
I've been hitting the local shops, playing new and used, and spending more time than I care to admit on Reverb, eBay, etc.
Here are some of my thoughts:
- I prefer the slim taper neck profile, but I'd probably be fine with the rounded neck profile.
- I prefer a plain maple top. I'm into "nothing fancy."
- I almost decided on Ebony, but I'm really digging Honey Burst on a plain top.
- If I have a choice, I'd prefer a brown back.
- One-piece or two-piece back doesn't bother me either way.
- Non-weight relieved body would be okay.
- I don't mind traditional 9-hole weight relief.
- I don't really want a chambered body.
- I prefer vintage-style keystone tuners with press-in bushings. No kidney-shaped Grover tuners.
- Must have cream neck and body binding.
- The green inlays on the older Classics don't really bother me.
- Given the choice, I'd go with standard pearl inlays.
Stuff I could potentially change later:
- Must have nickel hardware. No chrome or gold.
- No push-pull pots or other "modern" nonsense. Just two volume, two tone, toggle, and jack.
- I prefer amber or gold top hat knobs. I was never a fan of speed knobs.
- I prefer having a cream switch washer, cream pickguard, and cream jack plate cover.
- I'm not a fan of ceramic pickups.
- I've been playing Seymour Duncan JB/59s for a while and would prefer more midrange.
- Perhaps Burstbuckers or Classic 57s. Maybe Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates or Seth Lovers.
- I think the orange drop caps sound like a great addition to the Traditionals.
- I'd also be interested in giving the bumblebees a shot.
I like the recent Traditionals and the older Classics. I'm leaning heavily toward the older Classics. The AA flame maple tops on the Traditionals are a bit of a turn off for me. I really prefer the plain and simple aesthetics of the Classics.
It's been hard to verify specs and finishes and such since Gibson changes their mind so often.
Questions:
- I don't think I can replace kidney-shaped Govers with vintage-style keystones without leaving visible screw holes can I?
- I'm trying to figure out the brown and cherry backs. Is there any rhyme or reason to this? Like Honey Burst has a brown back where Light Burst has a cherry back, or is it just up to what Gibson feels like doing that particular day?
- Aside from pulling the neck pickup, are there any foolproof ways to differentiate between Honey Burst, Iced Tea Burst, Light Burst, and Vintage Sunburst?
- My research thus far seems to indicate Iced Tea Burst wasn't even an option on the older Classics, but bunches of folks are stating their Classic has that finish. Based on the datasheet from '03, the Classic was available in Honey Burst, Light Burst, and Vintage Sunburst (among other finishes).
- Honey Burst, Vintage Sunburst, and Light Burst all appear to be somewhat similar with Vintage Sunburst being darker than Honey Burst and Light Burst being more red than Honey Burst.
- Please share pics from the '90s and '00s Classics!
- Datasheet Link
- When was the Classic discontinued? Some time around '08?
- When was it reintroduced? Some time around '14?
I'd prefer to stick to $1,800 or lower used, but would pay a few hundred more for a nice one.
I'd be willing to lay down around $2,200 plus tax for a new one, assuming I can negotiate a 20% discount.
I've got more money than sense, but I also have a wife I'd like to keep. I think $2,500 is probably my max.
Thanks y'all!
-- Paul