Best year for LP Standards?

gregtastic · Aug 28, 2009

I also love the 2002!

papersoul · Aug 28, 2009

I find it hard to believe 2002 was better than anything made in the 80s or 90s.

Zoomer · Aug 28, 2009

papersoul said:
Does it exist?

My tech and I were talking and I know he seems to find a lot of late 80s LPs that are stellar! I wonder why?

I know my 2004 is great but I know I got a good one.

I am sure there are monsters from all years but I am more concerned with the later years...80s - to current. I say that because it seems the older modles I can't afford nor can I afford an Historic...UNLESS I save some more. Hehe..

I have 6 great standards they are 3 from 2000, 1 from 2002, 1 from 2003 and 1 from 2004 - they are all pretty consisitent. The 2003 is only 7 pounds 15 ounces so it is light as hell.

:2zone,

Zoomer

LPguitarman · Aug 28, 2009

My 2007 is awesome...

Picaso · Aug 28, 2009

57Lefty said:
Gibson re-tooled the LP std. in 2002 (actually mid 2002)
* Neck profile choice of 50"s or 60's.
* Kluson Tuners
* Nickel Hardware
* Top hat Knobs
* Burstbucker Pickups
* Std. flame tops were equal to the old AAA.

The pickups were burstbucker pro's. At least that's what's in my 2004.

Picaso · Aug 28, 2009

Zoomer said:
The 2003 is only 7 pounds 15 ounces so it is light as hell.

:2zone, Zoomer

You know, I never weighed my 2004, but it's a feather compared to my 1980 Shaw standard
which weighs under 9lbs, and is not weight relieved like the 2004. I'm going to have to weight that GT.....

Picaso

Picaso · Aug 28, 2009

papersoul said:
I find it hard to believe 2002 was better than anything made in the 80s or 90s.

In the 80's there were a lot of spotty guitars... That's why Tim Shaw came over to Gibson.
One of the problems with the 80's was the use of maple necks instead of mahogany. Some people swear by the maple, but not many. Also, they stopped getting the really good,light wood early in the 80's, so they started the "swiss cheese" weight relief.

So many players, faced with buying an LP with heavy, weight relieved wood and a maple neck, and regular issue T-Top ( I think..) pickups are turned off. But.......

The Heritage 80 was a classic. They are great guitars. They are not weight relieved, they have mahogany necks, good rosewood, and Tim Shaw pickups.

Some people like me got lucky, and got standards that for some reason were set up just like the Heritage 80's, but without the sunburst flame tops. That 80 standard is my favorite of all my LP's.

I seem to remember that early 80's Customs were very good as well.

Picaso

Jersey Doug · Aug 28, 2009

Interesting discussion. I am no expert (either as a player or collector), however, I always thought my 1988 standard was a great guitar. Everyone who played it thought it was great and even liked the Duncan pups (PAFs I had installed.) However, I have read many comments over the years that disparaged the Norlin Les Paul's. I am glad to see others like them.

Angry Steve · Aug 28, 2009

^^^^
Norlin was gone in January 1986. Jersey Doug, what you have is a Henry era guitar (what exactly is this era called?)

Rob CBDB · Aug 28, 2009

Ive owned '03-'06 standards. Fav is my '05 followed by my '06. The '03 and '04 were pretty good also but 60's necked. I went to '50s necks on the other two and havent looked back. I played a few 80s/90s standards and none of them ever really turned me on. Never tried a Norlin or a burst so I cant really comment on them. Ive played many historics because theyre supposed to be better but have never found one that actually is.

mistersnappy · Aug 28, 2009

1960. :spabout

Jersey Doug · Aug 29, 2009

Angry Steve said:
^^^^
Norlin was gone in January 1986. Jersey Doug, what you have is a Henry era guitar (what exactly is this era called?)

Good point. However, from what I have read, Henry didn't really start making significant changes until later. Perhaps '87 - '89 (give or take) is a transition period. Tony Bacon, in his book, kinda skips over that period. But what do I know? :hmm

thanks for correcting me and carry on...

A. Warren · Aug 29, 2009

all the changes listed earlier are a matter of taste whether they are better or not.

LesterP · Aug 29, 2009

A. Warren said:
all the changes listed earlier are a matter of taste whether they are better or not.

I agree up to a point.

When the Standards changed specs in 2002, they went from using Grover tuners to the more traditional Kluson type tuner.

The Grovers have far more mass. In my opinion (and many others), the Grovers have a significant impact on tone. Not better or worse, but different.

If your looking for a more traditional sound, Klusons will help you get there a little quicker then Grovers (and I actually prefer Grovers for their stability).

kalis · Aug 29, 2009

My 2 Standards are from 1992 and 1993. I LOVE 'EM. <3

papersoul · Aug 29, 2009

What years had maple necks!

Sounds like lots of good ones from 88 to current. I had a decent 1994 but hated the flatish frets and it was 10 lbs. My '04 is a little under 9 lbs.

Some people say the 2002 is great because they made changes, but some may prefer they hadn't made the changes!? I know many consider the 90s to be exceptional for all Gibsons, but then you hear about how they got their act together in 2002. Sounds like since everyone loved the 90s, they didn't have to get it together. LOL.

See what I mean....confusing. LOL

dylumph · Aug 29, 2009

Angry Steve said:
funny, I thought my '02 was just a good guitar. Didn't realize that so many others felt the same about their '02's. Guess there was something good in Nashville that year.

I vote for 2002

I have to agree. I seem to always grab mine. No matter what my mood, my 2002 std takes me there. Something is just right with that one!

mantra · Aug 29, 2009

papersoul said:
I find it hard to believe 2002 was better than anything made in the 80s or 90s.

Don't be salty because you don't have one! :lol

I knew they where making the changes for the better in 2002 so I ordered one.

rastaman · Aug 29, 2009

Every guitar is different. If you have a good one, then that one is good..... doesn't matter about the year.

Magnum · Aug 29, 2009

Jersey Doug said:
Good point. However, from what I have read, Henry didn't really start making significant changes until later. Perhaps '87 - '89 (give or take) is a transition period. Tony Bacon, in his book, kinda skips over that period. But what do I know? :hmm

thanks for correcting me and carry on...

Henry started making changes the minute he walked in the door, if not before.

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