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Please help: 2008 Gibson LP Standard Faded

ian_rhythm_LP

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Joined
Mar 11, 2018
Messages
6
What do you think about this 2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded? It's listed by owner for $1650. Is that a reasonable price? I just played it, and it sounds and feels great. It's in excellent condition. The only issue is that it needs to intonated. It hasn't been played much.

But then I went to a guitar store and asked them about it, and they said that the "Faded" Standards are not worth as much as normal Standards. I've had conflicting advice that it's a good deal, so I wanted to check on this forum as well.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on this. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, hence the hesitancy, but I am hunting for a good LP with a Bigsby.

It would be a player for me, I'm not a collector. This would be my first LP! Thanks in advance for your guidance.

00W0W_1f8lETqDocr_600x450.jpg 01616_4EiSLfy8PGw_600x450.jpg 00b0b_fqLV6WvYmrq_600x450.jpg 00u0u_fGa4GI5d6by_600x450.jpg 00q0q_fRlJVIC7rBZ_600x450.jpg
 

D'Mule

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Apr 5, 2003
Messages
4,621
My impression of these guitars is they play and sound great, just as good as any Standard.

But they will show wear much more quickly.

Some people value the sound of a guitar that is not encased in nitrocellulose. Some like honest play wear and value the worn in look.

On average I think they are worth less. But maybe only $100 less used. IMHO.

What are excellent condition used Standards selling for? $1,750?

I think the price is fine if you love it.
 

Scott L

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Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
880
These do have a Nitro Finish, just no grain filler used on the back. The Nitro is buffed to a satin finish sheen. The top is hand stained, as opposed to spray painted.

A quick check of Ebay sold items will show you they are averaging more than the one you are looking at, plus this has the Bigsby too.

It is priced well.
 

ian_rhythm_LP

New member
Joined
Mar 11, 2018
Messages
6
Thank you everyone. I think I am going to get it. Thanks for your encouragement.

I have heard of the Larry C. Peter Green mod. It sounds interesting but I don't think I will have the scratch to mod this for a while.

Thanks again.
 

jtees4

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
209
I had an '08 Standard Faded. I traded an original first gen Robot SG Special for it.....what a great move I made at that time. My '08 was clownburst, which I just couldn't wrap my head (or eyes) around, and I did end up selling for a profit. The '08's generally were known for being among the lightest chambered LP's I ever felt. At the time the weight was good because I was having back problems. Prior to that I bought a 4 1/2 pound Parker Fly Deluxe for that reason, loved the guitar, the thin neck gave me cramps. These days, since my back feels better and I don't play out often....I prefer a little more weight....but still relatively light guitars. It was as good playing and sounding as any Les Paul I ever owned or played, it really was great! Good luck!
 

Gas4LPs

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Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
73
I had a 2009 Les Paul Standard Faded. It was nice and had Burstbuvker Pro pups. I had the nut replaced and it would not stay in tune so I sold it. There was a special run of these in 2016. I sold a LP Studio to fund buying one. It is quite light and had worked out well. The 2016 Standard Faded has 57 classics. Note that AMS had the 2016 Standard Faded for $1999 New. I'l post pics soon.
 

Zentar

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Oct 1, 2011
Messages
830
Not to be a wet blanket, but you say it needs intonation. Why wasn't it intonated? Could there be a problem with intonation due to the Bigsby? Is it being sold because of the intonation issues?
 

Scott L

Member
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Nov 4, 2008
Messages
880
Not to be a wet blanket, but you say it needs intonation. Why wasn't it intonated? Could there be a problem with intonation due to the Bigsby? Is it being sold because of the intonation issues?

The Bigsby being behind / lower than the Bridge should have no bearing on the intonation.

A 2009 guitar that has not been played much would warrant a full setup to the new owners specs / desires.
 

Gas4LPs

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Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
73
Here is a picture of my 2009 Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded. I sold it and saw it a few years later. The finish looked pretty wasted.

DSC00349.jpg
 

Gas4LPs

Member
Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
73
Here is a picture of my 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded. I put on a coat of Virtuoso Cleaner and Polish. Notice the different finish from the 2009 model.

20160821_001705.jpg
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
If that is more than you want to spend, look for a Studio, you are unlikely to fund a Standard. You played it, you liked it, so what does it matter what anyone says? You have hands, eyes, ears, brain and a wallet. Employ them.
 

ian_rhythm_LP

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Mar 11, 2018
Messages
6
I went ahead and got the guitar! I do like it a lot. I took it to a luthier right away to inspect it. He measured the neck, intonated it, and gave it the "ok". It seems like using the Bigsby puts it out of tune more than I hoped. I'll see how it goes for a couple more weeks, then might invest in a rolling bridge.

It seems like it hasn't been played for 10 years, so I'm hoping a little TLC will go a long way.

Here it is in it's current habitat. Thanks for all your input!

29314045_10160277165350145_4524529569939587072_n.jpg
 

ian_rhythm_LP

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Mar 11, 2018
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A 2009 guitar that has not been played much would warrant a full setup to the new owners specs / desires.

That's what I figured, and what the luthier said. He did a more accurate intonation than I was able to do at home, and it helped a lot. I think there is still some string binding happening at the nut and/or bridge though. And the luthier did say that if I brought it back for a full set up, all he would do is lower the nut a little, and balance the voicing of the pick ups. I hope that a little nut work is all it needs. If not, I'll consider a rolling bridge.

Other than that, it's a 10 year old guitar that's barely been played - and needs to settle in a bit. Basically a NOS!
 

Zentar

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Oct 1, 2011
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830
The Bigsby covers up a lot of the top. That is a nice top. A rolling bridge would reveal more top.

That is interesting that your luthier says the action at the nut is too high. I'd let him have at that guitar to fix everything he sees.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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14,537
The Bigsby covers up a lot of the top. That is a nice top. A rolling bridge would reveal more top.

That is interesting that your luthier says the action at the nut is too high. I'd let him have at that guitar to fix everything he sees.

A rolling bridge won't reveal any more of top figurebut will aid tuning stability. Most of my Les Pauls sport Bigsbys and properly set up work flawlessly. I often use my Bigsby equipted P90 Goldtop on gigs for Hendrix/Trower stuff and no tuning issues at all.

I too find the high nut assessment odd and unlikely. I seriously question this.

Does this "luthier" build Les Paul type guitars? Does he build set neck guitars or have experience with Bigsbys? Like does he build Gretsch style archtops?

A "Luthier" who builds unrelated style guitars may not be the best person to go to. Rather an experienced repair tech may prove more productive.
 

ian_rhythm_LP

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Mar 11, 2018
Messages
6
A rolling bridge won't reveal any more of top figurebut will aid tuning stability. Most of my Les Pauls sport Bigsbys and properly set up work flawlessly. I often use my Bigsby equipted P90 Goldtop on gigs for Hendrix/Trower stuff and no tuning issues at all.

I too find the high nut assessment odd and unlikely. I seriously question this.

Does this "luthier" build Les Paul type guitars? Does he build set neck guitars or have experience with Bigsbys? Like does he build Gretsch style archtops?

A "Luthier" who builds unrelated style guitars may not be the best person to go to. Rather an experienced repair tech may prove more productive.

Good input, thanks! I think he specializes in Acoustic guitars and works on a lot of arch tops too. I agree I should probably bring it to someone who sees more LPs and Gretches.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Do you use rolling bridges?

On some. With abr1 bridge I worry about stressing the thin threaded posts the bridge sits on and will swap out the brass saddles for graphite saddles. I had to do this on one R9. The others seem OK including the 72 Goldtop.

I swap out the Nashville bridges for roller bridges and graphite nuts. This works great and I always recommend this combo of nut and bridge with Bigsby modded USA Gibsons. I would make the same suggestion to you.

There are generaly two sizes of spring available for Bigsby tall and short. One will work best but you need to try them to find which.
I'd like to source some with different stiffness too, but stock springs work well.

I love them, I lose nothing and gain great expressive vibrato. I miss it so much when I play a guitar without one. I find myself reaching for it and get so frustrated! THANK GAWD FOR VIBRAMATE!!!! A Vibramate/B5 is perfect for stop bar Les Pauls, imnsho.
 
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