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1994 Les Paul Classic

Mats A

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Jan 15, 2008
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799
How is a Gibson Les Paul Classic from 1994 compared to a Standard from the 1990's? Seems to have the ABR-1 bridge. Pity it says Classic instead of Model on the headstock. I guess it should have a 1-piece Mahogany back?
 

clearmudd

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May 26, 2016
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'94 classics are more comparable to a Historics of the same time period than a Standard. So much so they replaced the word "model" with "classic" so they wouldn't be sold as a re-issue.
 

Mats A

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Jan 15, 2008
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799
I've got some pictures and the inlays doesn't seem that ugly greenish color. When did the inlays start turning green?
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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'94 classics are more comparable to a Historics of the same time period than a Standard. So much so they replaced the word "model" with "classic" so they wouldn't be sold as a re-issue.

No, that is wrong. They are similar to the early pre 93 and pre historic reissues, cosmeticly.

They are not built to Historic specs and share build specs with Standards of that time but different tuners, bridge, acrylic inlays, pickups and narrow binding and super shallow neck.
 

Keefoman

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Nov 4, 2009
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576
Classics were a great buy. At least the early ones until 2004 (?) when they switched to Nashville bridge. Not saying they're not good guitars after 2004. The snot green inlays also appeared in mid-late nineties, and some can't get past that. Then there's the dreadful ceramic humbuckers (imo). And of course the weight-relief thing... I had a 2001 Classic which was great after swapping pickups to Lollar Imperials, but didn't need it when R8 came along, in addition to needing the money. One of few guitars I would welcome back, though.
 

clearmudd

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May 26, 2016
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No, that is wrong. They are similar to the early pre 93 and pre historic reissues, cosmeticly.

They are not built to Historic specs and share build specs with Standards of that time but different tuners, bridge, acrylic inlays, pickups and narrow binding and super shallow neck.
You are absolutely correct BigAl, I meant PRE historic but failed to type it. My I phone skills really suck:salude
 
Last edited:

Zentar

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Oct 1, 2011
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There is no such thing as a "super shallow neck". Perhaps you are referring to the short tenon.
 

Mats A

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Jan 15, 2008
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799
How are the necks really on the 1994 or around that period? I remember trying some Classics long time ago and the neck felt very thin. Thinner than a Standard. Almost felt like it easily could break. Have the neck shape stayed the same or changed on these through the years?
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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There is no such thing as a "super shallow neck". Perhaps you are referring to the short tenon.

Super shallow- lacking depth. Super thin implies less width. Classics are same width as all Standards 1 11/16 ". The profile is extremely shallow. Yes they have short rocker tenon.
 

zombiwoof

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Feb 22, 2003
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3,565
Hate to disagree with a fellow "Al" but neck width would be narrow or wide, depth would be thin or thick to me.
Al (another one).

Super shallow- lacking depth. Super thin implies less width. Classics are same width as all Standards 1 11/16 ". The profile is extremely shallow. Yes they have short rocker tenon.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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Super shallow
So true everything you have said as I own a 1994 Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium plus top that I had to special order late October 1993 and had to wait until early August 1994 before I finally got it .The neck shape that you correctly spoke of ,the Swiss cheese , the short rocker tenon and the ceramic buckers that as soon as I got the instrument they were taken out and replaced with the Gibson 57 classic neck and the Gibson 57 classic + . Nice guitar and really played the heck out of it until I got my R9 IN 2014 and then I got the whole magical mystical vibe of the R9 starting with the bigger neck , the long neck tenon and the custombuckers .
 

El Gringo

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I have to add one more detail which was a pretty big detail at the time when I purchased this instrument -the price point at the time was just half for me what it was costing to get the 59 reissue which was a very big deal and at the time having purchased 2 Fender USA reissues ( 52 Tele and 57 Strat ) I got a really good deal on the classic .
 

Mats A

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Jan 15, 2008
Messages
799
I didn't buy the Classic. I can't like the greenish inlays on the fretboard and the neck is very slim/flat. I bought a '92 Standard instead. Also it was a Cherry Burst and I'm not to keen on most of these.
 

K701

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Apr 10, 2015
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I didn't buy the Classic. I can't like the greenish inlays on the fretboard and the neck is very slim/flat. I bought a '92 Standard instead. Also it was a Cherry Burst and I'm not to keen on most of these.

You bought a guitar you're not keen on?

I bought a guitar when I was pissed once. The beer told me it plays well (except the bump in the fretboard I didn't notice) but I wasn't keen on the colour. I told myself, 'it's not about the colour, it's about how it plays and sounds' When I woke up with a pounding head, that ugly coloured bastard was on a stand taunting me. I didn't grow to like it. And it cost me a fortune to sort out.

Now I accept that (for me) it's about how it plays and sounds and what colour it is. And buy all my gear sober.
 

Mats A

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Jan 15, 2008
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You bought a guitar you're not keen on?

I bought a guitar when I was pissed once. The beer told me it plays well (except the bump in the fretboard I didn't notice) but I wasn't keen on the colour. I told myself, 'it's not about the colour, it's about how it plays and sounds' When I woke up with a pounding head, that ugly coloured bastard was on a stand taunting me. I didn't grow to like it. And it cost me a fortune to sort out.

Now I accept that (for me) it's about how it plays and sounds and what colour it is. And buy all my gear sober.

The Classic i didn't buy was a Cherry Burst. Actually i was looking for a Standard but was offered this Classic. Then i found a Standard wich i bought. I really like the necks on the early 90's Standards.
 

K701

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Apr 10, 2015
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The Classic i didn't buy was a Cherry Burst. Actually i was looking for a Standard but was offered this Classic. Then i found a Standard wich i bought. I really like the necks on the early 90's Standards.

Glad you've found one with a neck you like. Enjoy. And photos :hank
 
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