Traditional or not?

[ChaosChoir]

Hello forum members.

I’m new to the forum and I have some questions about a 2017 Les Paul Traditional I’m interested in buying from a friend. He bought the guitar used as is from someone and for all intents and purposes it seems like a LP Traditional (truss rod cover has Traditional on it but that could obviously have been changed). I have a few LP’s (Standard and Classic models) and the weight of this Traditional seems about right for a non chambered body.



I don’t know if the original owner swapped out the pups and electronics but this is where I find myself scratching my head. I’ve looked up some 2017 LP Traditional / Traditional T models and for that year, it seems that they came with Burstbucker pups and old school pot wiring with orange drop caps. This particular guitar has 490 / 498 pups and circuit board wiring. It’s not a AA or AAA maple cap which is what I read the 2017 models had. The serial number indicates it is indeed a 2017 model built in the Nashville factory. Even the control knobs don’t seem to have been the originals based on my research.

I’m posting some pics and I’d appreciate it if anyone can help me shed some light on exactly what I’m looking to buy. Thanks to all that respond.

Patrick

 

[Scott L]

Send an email to Gibson's Custom Service for verification.

The Bridge appears to be a Tone Pros model

The Knobs and Pointers are not original to a Traditional

The PCB control panel and pickups could have been from a number of Gibson models.

 

[ChaosChoir]

Thanks Scott. I guess I should go straight to the source and see what they have to say.
Patrick

 

[fredrogers75]

I know it may be no help at all but I have a 2018 Traditional and just checked my control cavity because I honestly couldn't remember what this setup is. Mine has the BB pickups and the orange drop caps/non-pcb wiring. The top is good I just hate the finish.

 

[Big Al]

That is a real nice looking Standard. Don't know if it is a Trad, but honestly if it feels right, I see no reason not to buy it. Changing hardware is butt simple if you want a certain vibe, but if that plays as good as it looks it would already be in my stable. Nice looking guitar.

 

[Geno Gibson Fan]

My 2017 Traditional has Burstbuckers and point to point hand wiring. And a AA flame top. Your's appears to be a different, non-traditional model.

 

[tjdjr1]

I have a 16 Trad and I like the guitar alot but I will say after playing 60's profile necks on my other guitars the 50's profile on the trad take a bit to get used to..

 

[Musicman]

Got some nice birds eye on that one!

 

[Big Al]

Not Birdseye though some of the smaller blisters appear similar. It is a Blister Maple figure also called Pock, Measle or Shell figure. Usually larger circles, but like all figure it varies quite a lot.

 

[Desmosedici]

I'm wondering why MADE IN USA is not centred, and why 2017 MODEL isn't stamped below that.

......obviously some hardware like the Bridge isn't Gibson.


Dunno.......

 

[Geno Gibson Fan]

My 2017 Traditional has Burstbuckers and point to point hand wiring. And a AA flame top. Your's appears to be a different, non-traditional model.

Same here ... BB1/BB2 hand wired in my 2017 Traditional

 

[synthetic88]

I just opened my 2013 LP Traditional to confirm, and mine doesn't have a circuit board in the cavity. Here are a few pics. I changed the knobs (originally speed knobs) and pickups (Gibson 57 + Classic to Duncan Antiquities). It's a Honeyburst, 8.67 lbs, and I love the sound after the pickup swap.