Re 'V' meaning

[New Teaboy]

I'm new to this so would appreciate an authorative opinion. I've just bought a R9 and asked whether it was V1;2;3 or 4. But I thought this letter referred only to 1960 re issues. Help anyone?

 

[Gino753]

The “V” refers to the 2020 R0 1960 Burst reissue. The V1 i believe is basically an early 1960 burst, so 1960 attributes, like the mirror reflector volume and tone knobs, but more of a 1959 profile neck, then v2 and so on gets a little thinner.

I thought that the V1 might of even had some more asthetic 1959 attributes like maby Amber top hat knobs instead of the reflector knobs, but still double ring Klusons, but i am not sure.I think its mainly the neck profiles though

 

[New Teaboy]

Thanks for establishing that for me

 

[Tim Plains]

V = version and it only refers to R0s.

V1 is the R9 neck.
V2 is the typical R0 neck.
V3 is slimmer.
Never heard of a V4.

 

[Gino753]

V = version and it only refers to R0s.

V1 is the R9 neck.
V2 is the typical R0 neck.
V3 is slimmer.
Never heard of a V4.

Wow, thanks for replying, thats interesting, so the V3 , R0 gives you an even thinner neck than a typical R0? So would this resemble an player modded example? Or is this something that Gibson did in the production of the 1960 Les paul?

My 2018 R0 neck is only a touch smaller than my 2019 R9.My 2016 Custom Shop Historic SG is the same size as my R0, as well, barely noticeable

 

[guitarbob123]

Wow, thanks for replying, thats interesting, so the V3 , R0 gives you an even thinner neck than a typical R0? So would this resemble an player modded example? Or is this something that Gibson did in the production of the 1960 Les paul?

My 2018 R0 neck is only a touch smaller than my 2019 R9.My 2016 Custom Shop Historic SG is the same size as my R0, as well, barely noticeable

1960 Les Paul Standard changed spec throughout the year (without being named as different variants, they were all still just the 'Les Paul Standard').

They started with the same spec as the 1959 Standard, many of them probably receiving 1960 serial numbers but having had the body manufactured in late 1959.
As the year went on, neck profiles changed, gradually getting slimmer and the finishes started to change towards the 'tomato soup' burst that most associate with the final 1960 spec.
You also see the gold reflector knobs start to enter use and the double ring Kluson tuners.

The V1 reflects the 59 spec guitars from early in the year, the V2 represents the transition models with slightly slimmer necks and then the V3 reproduces the late 1960 spec Standards with the much thinner neck and all the hardware and finish changes.
There is no V4.

Now whether Gibson Custom Shop can be consistent in their current manufacturing is another question, so I'd imagine you'll find some V1s with slimmer necks than some of the V2s.

The above applies to the 1960 Re-Issue/R0, as far as I'm aware there is no V1, 2 or 3 variants of the R9, R8 etc.

 

[New Teaboy]

Fascinating. Thanks.

 

[Gino753]

I remember Joe Bonamassa mentioning,that the 1960 Burst also has a Shorter Tenon? Thats interesting,

 

[New Teaboy]

seems largely about the neck though.... and a new trick with the paint

 

[guitarbob123]

I remember Joe Bonamassa mentioning,that the 1960 Burst also has a Shorter Tenon? Thats interesting,

Maybe the originals but the reissues have the same tenon across the range