It looks like Gibson decided to drop the "True Historic" moniker, and gave the 2017 and later Historic models True Historic appointments. Three readily noticeable details are: 1. Pick guard sizing. 2. Rolled-edge binding. 3. Finished fret ends. 4. Slight color difference between the pickup rings and pick guard. There is a slight nib at the base of the fret, and that's it. Back in 2014, I was fortunate enough to play an authentic 1958 LP Standard. The first thing I noticed was the weight... It was light! The next thing I noticed was the thin neck binding, and its finished fret ends. I naturally assumed the frets and binding had been reworked, but the owner insisted it was stock. I didn't believe this, but I was in no position to argue the point.
FF to 2020: I purchased a 2018 R7 Wildwood, and immediately noticed the same style of binding and finished fret ends of the authentic '58. The fact that I can now play a .9 neck, without it feeling too large is wonderfully outrageous! I've owned several pre 2016 Historic LP's, and except for my R0, all of the necks felt uncomfortably large to me. Here's the thing... None of those Historic necks spec'd out any larger than my 2019 R7. The only explanation I can come up with, is that the thicker neck binding is what made those necks feel too large. My '68 LPC Historic was the largest feeling of them all.
Per my research: All 2017 and later Historic LP's have the same rolled-edge binding and frets as the authentic '58 LP Standard. Apparently, 2016 M2M models could be ordered this way, as I have seen two so far. According to a luthier (who use to work with Michael Tobias), Gibson switched to the thicker binding to cut-down on production costs. He said that clipping the fret ends, and razor trimming the binding is faster than finishing the fret ends. He said the thicker binding can be shaved, but it is a time consuming process, and has to be done right. I asked about shaving finished LP binding, but he advised against it.
Question: Has anyone tried this? Can sand paper be used, or does it need to be done with a razor blade? I have a 2000 LP Deluxe LTD that I'd like to have that same worn-in neck feel.
FF to 2020: I purchased a 2018 R7 Wildwood, and immediately noticed the same style of binding and finished fret ends of the authentic '58. The fact that I can now play a .9 neck, without it feeling too large is wonderfully outrageous! I've owned several pre 2016 Historic LP's, and except for my R0, all of the necks felt uncomfortably large to me. Here's the thing... None of those Historic necks spec'd out any larger than my 2019 R7. The only explanation I can come up with, is that the thicker neck binding is what made those necks feel too large. My '68 LPC Historic was the largest feeling of them all.
Per my research: All 2017 and later Historic LP's have the same rolled-edge binding and frets as the authentic '58 LP Standard. Apparently, 2016 M2M models could be ordered this way, as I have seen two so far. According to a luthier (who use to work with Michael Tobias), Gibson switched to the thicker binding to cut-down on production costs. He said that clipping the fret ends, and razor trimming the binding is faster than finishing the fret ends. He said the thicker binding can be shaved, but it is a time consuming process, and has to be done right. I asked about shaving finished LP binding, but he advised against it.
Question: Has anyone tried this? Can sand paper be used, or does it need to be done with a razor blade? I have a 2000 LP Deluxe LTD that I'd like to have that same worn-in neck feel.
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