New USA Standard 60s vs 2006 Custom Shop R0/G0

6Speeds&Strings · Jan 20, 2021

I’m looking for my first “real” Les Paul, and have played both the new Standards and various custom shop models. I’d love a new top-tier R9, but that’s far out of my price range. I’m aiming at a $2500 budget, and my local shop has had a 2006 “G0” 1960 reissue on the wall for a while now, listed a couple hundred above that. It plays well and sounds good, but then, so do the latest USA Standards.

I really am looking for more info on the G0 and other custom shop reissues from that era. I have searched on this forum and found a few tidbits, but I’m trying to understand if there is really much of a difference, considering 2006 was before some major changes at the custom shop (custom buckers, hide glue, etc). It’s a plain top, so even the USA models have nicer tops. Is it worth a few hundred dollar premium over a 2020 USA Standard?

InTheEvening · Jan 24, 2021

Bumping as I’m wondering the same thing. I found a 2017 G0 for $3500 used which seems overpriced. But I love the standard 60’s in the Triburst and can get it new for $2500.

I played both in the store and can say the G0 are nice, I was told they’re same as R0 just with plainer tops, not sure if it’s true and I know it varies by year. I personally liked the standard 60’s just as much as the G0, but custom buckers sounded better to me than the 61R/T. But tough choice.

6Speeds&Strings · Jan 26, 2021

InTheEvening said:
Bumping as I’m wondering the same thing. I found a 2017 G0 for $3500 used which seems overpriced. But I love the standard 60’s in the Triburst and can get it new for $2500.

I played both in the store and can say the G0 are nice, I was told they’re same as R0 just with plainer tops, not sure if it’s true and I know it varies by year. I personally liked the standard 60’s just as much as the G0, but custom buckers sounded better to me than the 61R/T. But tough choice.

Right, at least a 2017 G0 should have custom buckers but that’s a higher price point still. It’s tricky to compare when this G0 is at one shop and new Standards at another, with different amps and distance between, so I’m hoping someone can chime in on any advantages the G0 may have. Did they have bumblebees back in ‘06?

Flogger · Jan 28, 2021

Guitar Center model, pretty much a plaintop R0, which gave them a price advantage. Specs should be identical to a 2006 R0. Which will be found in the sticky above this thread.

Big Al · Jan 28, 2021

The CS G0 is a full on 1960 Historic Reissue with a high grade Rock Maple top without figure. Build quality of these guitars put them in a class far above USA production models. Production models are excellent guitars on their own and give major bang for the buck value, but on average, the CS Reissues are better in direct comparison. Stripes are only important if you're buying a top. Define your needs.

I take it that you can play and check one against the other, right? Should be easy to pick the one you like best. The one YOU like best, for whatever YOUR preference is.

6Speeds&Strings · Jan 29, 2021

Big Al said:
The CS G0 is a full on 1960 Historic Reissue with a high grade Rock Maple top without figure. Build quality of these guitars put them in a class far above USA production models. Production models are excellent guitars on their own and give major bang for the buck value, but on average, the CS Reissues are better in direct comparison. Stripes are only important if you're buying a top. Define your needs.

I take it that you can play and check one against the other, right? Should be easy to pick the one you like best. The one YOU like best, for whatever YOUR preference is.

Right, and you can definitely tell the G0 was made more by-hand and with higher quality. I just think it’s interesting how 15 years on, with the new management, the USA models seem to be catching up to an older, lower-tier CS spec.

You’re right that it’s ultimately personal preference, and I’ve played both and dug both. It’s tricky to directly compare when you’re not running them back to back, same room, same amp etc, so I was looking for some other metrics to compare since my CS Les Paul experience is pretty limited.

Maybe the specific G0 I’m looking at just isn’t all that special, or maybe I need to go play a bunch more examples to come back and find that it is. I’ll update if I have any epiphanies.

Bruce R · Jan 29, 2021

I have been told on this Pub that the 2014 R0 "Gloss" I bought last spring was actually one of a special run made for Guitar Center. I have the COA and it states it as a '60 Reissue, with no mention of GC. I can't find anything in the Gibson Custom archives or any other mention of this Gloss RO. Can anyone provide more information on this?

RocknRollShakeUp · Jan 29, 2021

6Speeds&Strings said:
Right, at least a 2017 G0 should have custom buckers but that’s a higher price point still. It’s tricky to compare when this G0 is at one shop and new Standards at another, with different amps and distance between, so I’m hoping someone can chime in on any advantages the G0 may have. Did they have bumblebees back in ‘06?

I used to have a 2006 G0. It did have Burstbuckers.

It definitely did NOT have bumblebees. It had the ceramic disc caps. I am also pretty sure that it had 350k pots, and modern wiring.

I remember I wanted to get one of those 50s wiring RS guitar works wiring kits for it, but never did.

I eventually got into Wildwood spec Historics and sold my G0.

I think the 2007 or 2008 G0’s started getting the full on Historic 50’s wiring harnesses if I recall correctly.

6Speeds&Strings · Jan 30, 2021

RocknRollShakeUp said:
I used to have a 2006 G0. It did have Burstbuckers.

It definitely did NOT have bumblebees. It had the ceramic disc caps. I am also pretty sure that it had 350k pots, and modern wiring.

I remember I wanted to get one of those 50s wiring RS guitar works wiring kits for it, but never did.

I eventually got into Wildwood spec Historics and sold my G0.

I think the 2007 or 2008 G0’s started getting the full on Historic 50’s wiring harnesses if I recall correctly.

Good to know, thanks for the info!

frank4001 · Apr 28, 2021

I have an '06 G0. Great guitar. Really light weight. Has disk caps. I can check the pots for you. They are kind of on/off but they do have enough taper for me. The guitar just rings. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Les Paulette · Apr 28, 2021

6Speeds&Strings said:
I’m looking for my first “real” Les Paul, and have played both the new Standards and various custom shop models. I’d love a new top-tier R9, but that’s far out of my price range. I’m aiming at a $2500 budget, and my local shop has had a 2006 “G0” 1960 reissue on the wall for a while now, listed a couple hundred above that. It plays well and sounds good, but then, so do the latest USA Standards.

I really am looking for more info on the G0 and other custom shop reissues from that era. I have searched on this forum and found a few tidbits, but I’m trying to understand if there is really much of a difference, considering 2006 was before some major changes at the custom shop (custom buckers, hide glue, etc). It’s a plain top, so even the USA models have nicer tops. Is it worth a few hundred dollar premium over a 2020 USA Standard?

I got the Les Paul Standard 60's..in Dark Burst..I like zero interest financing..lol..

mjross · May 1, 2021

Les Paulette said:
I got the Les Paul Standard 60's..in Dark Burst..I like zero interest financing..lol..

Congrats, very nice! That case will help build your muscles. However, they are a great case, just a little heavy. That case with my 50’s Gold Top, you know you’ve got something there!

New USA Standard 60s vs 2006 Custom Shop R0/G0

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