Gibson Les Paul ‘57 R7 Specification Help Needed

I’m thinking of possibly buying a 2001 ‘57 R7 Gold Top soon and I’m having trouble finding any specific’s on the guitar other than it has a “chunky neck”.

Curious on the type of pickups, body/neck/fretboard construction and wood types, frets, finish, etc.

Any help filling in this information would be greatly appreciated.

Grid

Well I tried out the guitar today, probably would have bought the R7, but the neck was sanded down.

The sanded neck on the R7 actually felt slimmer than my Traditional.

Guess I will wait for the next “R” model to come along.

I love my '00 Murphy Aged Yamano Spec R7... there was an '00 and an '01 available and I opted for the '00 over the '01 although it was a tough call...

I'm not sure if this one is any different from other models since it was made specifically for the Japanese market, which generally prefers slimmer necks, but I find the neck quite chunky (similar to my R9s) and just perfect for my big ole paws. I didn't like the little ceramic caps that were in it, so they were the first to go, and while I liked the '57 Classic pups (the early ones were outstanding while IMHO they generally sucked after they changed the specs) they were soon replaced a few times before settling on the vintage wire Wizzes currently installed (as are also on the other 3 guitars in the photo). The Costa Rican Lifton Reissue case that came with the Japanese '00s was also a plus over the '01 and I believe the Murphy aged ones were also only available in Japan. The aging is subtle, but perfect and it is one of my favorite playahs... :salude

DUUUUHWAAAAYNE! GORGEOUS!

I purchased most of my Pauls between 2013 and 2015. In that period most of the necks were pretty year specific on the ones I tried. I.E. if you handed me mine blindfolded I could tell you what ones they were by the size of the neck. R4, huge. R6, just slightly smaller. R7 etc working their way towards the 59. I think the R7 is one of my favorites. Nice heft yet refined. By the way, my R0 (1960 model) neck is typical. An abomination...

Those are beautiful guitars guys, I believe that I’m going to hold out for a nice R7.

Thanks for responding.

Gridlock said:

Those are beautiful guitars guys, I believe that I’m going to hold out for a nice R7.

Thanks for responding.

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Well, I went in another different direction and bought a 2010 R8.

Maybe a R7 will show up again in a future guitar purchase. Still love Gold Tops.

I have a 2001 R7. Yes the neck is nice and fat like a 50's neck should be. The Pickups are 57 classics. Great bang for the buck.

J T said:

I have a 2001 R7. Yes the neck is nice and fat like a 50's neck should be. The Pickups are 57 classics. Great bang for the buck.

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My R8 had Burstbusters. I had a LP Traditional with 57’s, loved those pickups. Not sure the of the differences between the two different pickups?