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Recommendation for First Les Paul?

ajay taylor

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Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
188
Also, to the OP, Big Al is 100% correct. The Gibson Peace Model is not likely to gain anything in collector value. They are a really great deal on a nice Les Paul if You can find one. From what I have seen the supply of them, once plentiful, is drying up rapidly. And don't buy one on Amazon. They are still charging over $2500. If You look around You can find NOS Peacce Models for around $1500. That's a great price for a Standard/Traditional hybrid.
 
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ajay taylor

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Jun 20, 2015
Messages
188
For Two G's it's a beauty. That plaintop is really nice. I wonder if a piece of Flame Maple iis worth jacking the price $600?
 

Trans-Am

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Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
...got for used for a starter Les Paul....then work up from there.

You'd be surprised what can be had out there for a relatively great price. There is always somebody unloading an axe, then save the rest for another once the real bug GAS hits yah!:jim

Good Luck!

Trans......
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
...got for used for a starter Les Paul....then work up from there.

You'd be surprised what can be had out there for a relatively great price. There is always somebody unloading an axe, then save the rest for another once the real bug GAS hits yah!:jim

Good Luck!

Trans......

True. The used market is saturated and the inter webs bring it all into your home. It is a great time to buy. I cannot physically play right now but I still bought some new old guitars because the deals were to good to pass up.
 

rick c

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May 28, 2016
Messages
282
based on the motorbike in your avatar, you have to buy a black Les Paul Custom of course.
 

tokairic

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Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
66
Based on my experience, don't bother. But if you really must buy one - inspect and play everything you can and you just might find a good one. Don't buy new or you will lose a load of cash should you ever want to sell, and the warranty is worthless. There are plenty of mint used around. Same applies though, inspect and play before you pay.
The Studio is the best value, there is only added bling and kudos between those and the Customs for the vast difference in price. The Standard is probably the best for resale as its attractive and affordable used for many folks ie plenty of potential buyers.

Probably too late for this advice now though- you have probably already succumbed to the lure of a Gibson guitar - like a siren to a sailor, lured to his doom.

Let us all know what you bought.....
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Based on my experience, don't bother. But if you really must buy one - inspect and play everything you can and you just might find a good one. Don't buy new or you will lose a load of cash should you ever want to sell, and the warranty is worthless. There are plenty of mint used around. Same applies though, inspect and play before you pay.
The Studio is the best value, there is only added bling and kudos between those and the Customs for the vast difference in price. The Standard is probably the best for resale as its attractive and affordable used for many folks ie plenty of potential buyers.

Probably too late for this advice now though- you have probably already succumbed to the lure of a Gibson guitar - like a siren to a sailor, lured to his doom.

Let us all know what you bought.....

There are advantages to buying new. I would not say the warranty is useless, far from it in fact. Still I would agree that buying a less expensive/starter Les Paul on the used market is a prudent choice. The reason, in my opinion, is that there is a whole big wide world of Les Pauls and a new convert may find it all rather daunting. If only to gain experience and learn what it is a person really likes and prefers in a Les Paul. So many variables can swamp an uninformed buyer or a new guitarist.

The only way to know what you want is to experience what you have. Either positive or negative this experience will point you to the right model for your personal choice.

Buying used has a great benefit in that the price is established. I have never seen stock used Les Pauls fall behind the original sale price used. If you pay $800 for a used whatever it will be worth at least $800 on resale and most likely will have risen in price if held long enough. This has been established over the 40 years I've bought and sold guitars. So really, you are not exposing your self to a financial loss if you by a clean used Les Paul. That has been my experience, wouldn't you all agree?

Not that buying new isn't advisable. New is new and has its own benefits.
 

tokairic

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
66
There are advantages to buying new. I would not say the warranty is useless, far from it in fact. Still I would agree that buying a less expensive/starter Les Paul on the used market is a prudent choice.

Have to disagree based on my experience - I bought new and paid the price. My two Gibson Les Pauls (from the same year) developed major cracks in the lacquer on the back of the headstocks (and some the full length of the body top of one) after only seven months, despite having never left the house and being stored in their cases (i play just for pleasure).
Gibson rejected my request for warranty assistance - flat out NO! They tried to say it was my fault, that it was normal 'sinkage' and the wood grain is what I could see (definitely not), and anyway. they said, 'The finish lacquer is Not Covered by the warranty'.
Which is why I say the warranty is worthless - electrics are cheap, the neck is unlikely to fall out, so what is covered? And if the electrics fail or the neck does fall out Gibson will probably blame the owner...........

Just what is a 'starter' Les Paul. This implies that you buy a Studio and work your way up to a Custom Shop. Buy the guitar that feels good and sounds good TO YOU. Doesn't matter what it is or who made it. If you are looking at guitars as ego boosting aspirational purchases, or 'investments' you are in the wrong game, and will likely never be happy with what you have...........This is again from personal experience, I have got over this stage and now have some great guitars that make me smile every time I get them out to play, that aren't big bucks or famous names.
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
There are advantages to buying new. I would not say the warranty is useless, far from it in fact. Still I would agree that buying a less expensive/starter Les Paul on the used market is a prudent choice.

Have to disagree based on my experience - I bought new and paid the price. My two Gibson Les Pauls (from the same year) developed major cracks in the lacquer on the back of the headstocks (and some the full length of the body top of one) after only seven months, despite having never left the house and being stored in their cases (i play just for pleasure).
Gibson rejected my request for warranty assistance - flat out NO! They tried to say it was my fault, that it was normal 'sinkage' and the wood grain is what I could see (definitely not), and anyway. they said, 'The finish lacquer is Not Covered by the warranty'.
Which is why I say the warranty is worthless - electrics are cheap, the neck is unlikely to fall out, so what is covered? And if the electrics fail or the neck does fall out Gibson will probably blame the owner...........

Just what is a 'starter' Les Paul. This implies that you buy a Studio and work your way up to a Custom Shop. Buy the guitar that feels good and sounds good TO YOU. Doesn't matter what it is or who made it. If you are looking at guitars as ego boosting aspirational purchases, or 'investments' you are in the wrong game, and will likely never be happy with what you have...........This is again from personal experience, I have got over this stage and now have some great guitars that make me smile every time I get them out to play, that aren't big bucks or famous names.

Your beef is over finish checking. Not covered under warranty and caused by environmental changes. This doesn't nullify the warranty. Your neglect caused the weather checking, I've seen loads that have been on display at stores for years in some cases, no checking. It dosen't just happen.

Starter Les Pauls are first Les Pauls, simple as that. Whatever the budget, whatever the reasons. Nice how you declare the pure motives as you see it and fling around phases like "ego boosting aspirational purchases or investments". Ego boosting means ya feel good about owning a Les Paul, I get it and felt great about owning a real Gibson Les Paul. Proved to be a great investment too.

I think rather than pass judgement on someones reason for wanting one I'd rather offer my advice based on the question asked.
 

tokairic

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
66
Your beef is over finish checking. Not covered under warranty and caused by environmental changes. This doesn't nullify the warranty. Your neglect caused the weather checking, I've seen loads that have been on display at stores for years in some cases, no checking. It dosen't just happen.

Starter Les Pauls are first Les Pauls, simple as that. Whatever the budget, whatever the reasons. Nice how you declare the pure motives as you see it and fling around phases like "ego boosting aspirational purchases or investments". Ego boosting means ya feel good about owning a Les Paul, I get it and felt great about owning a real Gibson Les Paul. Proved to be a great investment too.

I think rather than pass judgement on someones reason for wanting one I'd rather offer my advice based on the question asked.


Good example of another blinkered Gibson fanatic - Gibson cannot possibly be faulted in your view- which is why they get away with the high prices and poor QC.
You obviously didn't read my description of the storage conditions of my guitars - or the fact that I have 2012 and 2013 Gibsons stored in the same place, in the same way that are still perfect. My gripe is only with the two that have cracks at well under a year old, having been stored in ideal conditions.
You didn't answer my question of 'what exactly IS covered by the warranty?'
 

Recoil Rob

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Nov 15, 2015
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Mitch88

New member
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Feb 28, 2020
Messages
9
Depending on the budget, I would recommend a Traditional. There are many different finish options, some have really nice tops, and you can even snag one at a reasonable price on the used market (obviously, play the guitar before buying, if possible). I picked up a 2013 last Summer (my first Les Paul) and it is, in my opinion, a very well made guitar. Love the Caramel Burst finish. The top is three dimensional with a consistent flame. I paid less than $2000 CAD ($1575 USD), with shipping included. I took a risk having not played it but I was fortunate as there have been no tuning issues or any problems with the guitar. Very comfortable neck profile. The fret work is good. And the stock 57's sounded great (I did throw a set of Throbak's in after a couple weeks, as I prefer them).

Full disclosure though, I did replace the pots/caps, as the stock Gibsons were not very good, in my opinion. Perhaps, "not good" is not a fair assessment, but I wanted a vintage spec wiring harness in it, anyways. I found the taper on the stock Gibson pots to be typical of newer pots and not very smooth.

I am very satisfied with this guitar. and I would recommend the Traditional to anybody looking to get their first LP.

 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
Try one of each in the model level line, I doubt you want to dive into the Custom Shop let alone the Vintage path and you have the dough. Make it a fun journey specially for the first timer. You don't have to go all out and get a new as well. There are a lot of used but well regarded models due to specs and and year they were produced with spectacular materials etc. Start from the bottom and then work yourself up. Make it a fun great experience, take your time and go with your guts and not what others think just because it works for them.:unsure:

Just to fuel the fire as we always do here for the first time buyers : 2005 Les Paul Standard Iced Tea p/g no holes.

Good Luck and post it!(y)DSC00596 (1).JPG
 
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