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NGD - 2008 Les Paul Standard - A few questions

ADClope

New member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
12
So this evening I was out and stopped into a local music store.

Not really looking for anything in particular, just wasting time mainly before they closed.

I saw this hanging on the wall as it caught my eye from a ways away. I'd never seen a Les Paul finished in this type of finish before.

Picked it up and thought man, this is light... I've got a 2020 50's LP Standard for reference.

Started fiddling around with it and it felt and played great. Really like the neck profile - better than my 50's Std. Really like the weight - or lack thereof. And absolutely love the color. I still don't know what it would even be called.

I noticed that the tuners had been changed over to the locking grovers. I also noticed that the neck pup was backwards lol, so I asked the guy to open up the control cavity so I could see if someone had worked on it - they had. It was fairly neat and tidy work, outside of the neck pickup being installed backwards... although the tech at the store said that it was some type of fairly common mod to flip the neck pickup around like that. He seemed pretty knowledgeable, so I don't know, maybe it was on purpose like he said. Anyone know anything about the orientation of that pickup? I didn't know anything about that orientation being desirable to some people.

I've got a set of Seymour Duncan WLH's that have been sitting in the box for about 3 years. I've got a set of the Kluson tuners that were originally installed on the guitar and I've got a LP harness kit from RS Guitar Works that I use for most of my guitars as I really like their pots and products in general.

He had it listed at $1,999. I asked him if he'd come down at all because it wasn't stock. He said he'd do $1,850. I looked it over best I could in the last 5 minutes or so that the store was open and asked if I find anything odd with it in the next couple days can I return it. He said they don't normally do returns, but that if I noticed something in the next day or so, he'd make an exception. To me, the price seemed fair, hope I didn't get screwed.

I can't really find anything wrong with it. I mean it's a 15 year old guitar, so there's some very minor scratching and surface dings (shallow), but overall it's in very good shape.

A few questions though: first off, I'm having a difficult time finding much information out about 2008 Les Paul Standards.

I think the color might be one called "Root Beer" based on what I can find, but man, it seems like that's a fairly rare color. Does anyone know anything about the color of this one? I don't know what it is, but I like it. A lot.

Also, I'm not really an expert with the Les Pauls - I've got 3 now, two standards and a Junior, but what are some common issues that I can look for to make sure it's good before my 2 day window is up? Mainly body/neck/fit/finish type issues as the electronics and tuners will be changed.

Also, is this a fully chambered body? It feels very light compared to my 50's Std. It looks like in 2008, they were fully chambering the body rather than "weight relieved?"

With a fully chambered body, if it does have one, would the Seymour Duncan WLH set work well? I mainly play blues/rock/classic rock type stuff. I think originally the guitar came Burstbucker Pro 1 and 2's. I do not know much about them, nor have I ever played them. I've got Seymour Duncan Antiquities in my 50's Std.

Anyways, as mandatory in these threads, here's some obligatory pictures.

Let me know what you guys think about some of my thoughts/questions! Thanks!

Root Beer 2.jpgRoot Beer 1.jpgRoot Beer 3.jpgRoot Beer 4.jpg
 
Last edited:

Texsunburst59

Active member
Joined
Feb 15, 2004
Messages
768
Congrats on your new Les Paul it’s very cool color.

Yeah, these guitars are chambered in a very light compared to later less pulse.

I also have a 2008 standard plus that I picked up at a store a few years ago for $762 .

Enjoy your new guitar
 
Last edited:

ch willie

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Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,118
I can't tell from the photos, but does it have a glossy finish or a matte, satin finish? In one of the photos, it looks like a satin finish, and I started wondering whether it was one of the fadeds that someone has restained. But if it's glossy, I'm totally wrong.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,047
You'll find out about the flipped pickup if you search "Peter Green mod".
It also may involve flipping a magnet in the pickup.
That would give the slightly nasally sound in the middle position that you can hear in some of Green's work.
 

ADClope

New member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
12
I can't tell from the photos, but does it have a glossy finish or a matte, satin finish? In one of the photos, it looks like a satin finish, and I started wondering whether it was one of the fadeds that someone has restained. But if it's glossy, I'm totally wrong.

It is tough to see, you're right.

The finish is gloss though.
 

ADClope

New member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
12
Why so hot on changing pickups?
No real deep reason really, I've just had them sitting for several years and have always wanted to give them a try. I played it for a bit with the burstbuckers, now want to compare to the WLH's.
 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
406
That's really nice, I think you did well! I have a 2002 which is weight relieved and honestly it's just nice to play that sometimes and appreciate the lightness of it. I have a feeling 2008 is when they introduced a bunch of new features and options to the standard including adding the PCB wiring so that may be why the previous owner modified it.
 

Crash

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Joined
Apr 7, 2023
Messages
17
Good looking top. I had an 08 Standard for a minute when they first came out.
At rehearsal I thought, man this is great. Les Paul tone with half the weight.
When I got it on stage, it was more like playing a 335.
Feedback became an issue. Would've been fine had I been playing Ted Nugent.
Hope yours serves you well.
 
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