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anyone disappointed that their Les Paul Historic is a pre 2013 ?

Todd Louis

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Aug 7, 2002
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14,526
...... without all the goodies like hide glue , custom buckers and no truss rod condom ?
All Historics are Structurally the same from 2002/2003 through today. With the exception of hide glue for the neck, nut material trus rod condom. Nothing els has changed.
2013 was no major change in anything.
Gibson still to this day cant make a PAF worth anything. There so so at best.
Any of my older Historics i still have. Are today more accurate then a 2021šŸ¤£. Most Historic guys on here have done the same.
The one thing that is consistent with Gibson is there Marketing exaggerations lets call them...SQR
 

mjross

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May 11, 2019
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Iā€˜ve got a ā€œ12ā€ R9 that kicks some serious ass!
 

Quilttop

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Oct 16, 2011
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you mean this thang from 2004? No way....

50891837183_df4659b0e2_b.jpg
 

Sol

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Oct 26, 2001
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775
you mean this thang from 2004? No way....

50891837183_df4659b0e2_b.jpg
I mean honestly, who would want to be seen in public with this 2004 beautifully quarter sawn eastern maple topped Les Paul with stunning sunburst shading, its Madagascar rosewood fretboard, aged hardware and double white's as the icing on a cake Id dearly love to taste...

But hey, what can you do, it was made before Gibson knew the post '013 magical mystical Les Paul recipe, oh the shame ! If only we knew, think of the millions we could have spent (Gibson does).

But dont despair.. 2004 was a vintage year, as is every year.. before and since..
 

J T

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Oct 20, 2005
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10,501
I love all of mine. Disappointed? Not at all. Whats there to be disappointed about?
 

Stevedenver

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Jul 17, 2001
Messages
2,565
im happy with mine. both 02 CAs.

having changed the stock pups for tim whites, oil in paper caps and pots, i really have gotten to the point that playing is more important than fine tuning tone.

it can be, a never ending quest that , for me, doesnt really help my music that much. no im not tone deaf, just after a couple decades , its not as important to me.
 

Dr. Green

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Dec 12, 2018
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683
HELL NO, I have a couple ā€œ12ā€™sā€ that kick some serious ass! Strange frickin question.

why strange ?

Gibson they themselves touted the 2013 updates as being substantial
and look at the resale price of the 2013 vs 2012 on Ebays completed auctions -
someone cares about custombuckers - hide glue , etc.....

you can get a pre 2013 1960 reissue for 2500 on ebay ,,,,,,, if anyone see one on ebay - 2013 or later for that price let me know in a PM message - I will buy ..... I will gladly buy
 

mjross

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May 11, 2019
Messages
197
why strange ?

Gibson they themselves touted the 2013 updates as being substantial
and look at the resale price of the 2013 vs 2012 on Ebays completed auctions -
someone cares about custombuckers - hide glue , etc.....

you can get a pre 2013 1960 reissue for 2500 on ebay ,,,,,,, if anyone see one on ebay - 2013 or later for that price let me know in a PM message - I will buy ..... I will gladly buy
Prices are all over the place! You might see a good deal on any particular year at any time. I spend a good part of the day tracking prices and what you are saying most people could give less than a damn about. They are just looking for a good deal on a nice guitar. Accept for the cork sniffers most people could care less about what year the guitar is or if it has hide glue, custombuckers or any of that crap!

You may find that one elusive pre 2013 ā€œ60ā€ Reissue for 2500 but they are few and far between. Check prices on ANY ā€œ60ā€ reissue today, hold on to your ass! You are really missing out avoiding any thing before 2013. I have way too many Les Pauls of various years and Iā€™m here to tell you, they made some fine Les Pauls prior to 2013. But you go ahead and keep waiting for that deal on a 2013 or better!
 
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mjross

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May 11, 2019
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197
Aged "Beano" is still top dog in my book. It was made in 2010. Granted, my 2014 R8 is a close second.
I just purchased a 2003 triple pickup Black Beauty that is one of the best Les Pauls Iā€™ve ever played and Iā€™ve played a few in my 69 years!
 
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ADP

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Jul 16, 2015
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I just purchased a 2003 triple pickup Black Beauty that is one of the best Les Pauls Iā€™ve ever played and Iā€™ve played a few in my 69 years!
2003 was a phenomenal year, I have never played a bad one. I have Jimmy Page Custom 243 and it is also as good as any Les Paul of any year and rings out like tuning fork - I believe it was made in 2008. However, the very best Les Paul Custom I have played is a 1955 (staple/p90) with an amazing V-shape neck carve. It was undoubtedly magic.

*The very best Les Paul and guitar of all-time is a 2001 R4 Oxblood with a Pigtail Music bridge. (4 1221)
 

mjross

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May 11, 2019
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197
2003 was a phenomenal year, I have never played a bad one. I have Jimmy Page Custom 243 and it is also as good as any Les Paul of any year and rings out like tuning fork - I believe it was made in 2008. However, the very best Les Paul Custom I have played is a 1955 (staple/p90) with an amazing V-shape neck carve. It was undoubtedly magic.

*The very best Les Paul and guitar of all-time is a 2001 R4 Oxblood with a Pigtail Music bridge. (4 1221)
Yeah, there were many good years for Les Pauls prior to 2013. I donā€™t know where people get this shit. Gibson of course is going to push EVERY new year as the best year, just good marketing sense. Problem is, people believe it! Missing out on a LOT or good guitars if you only want a 2013 or better. However, thatā€™s cool, to each their own. Play what you like and donā€™t put down others for playing what they like!

peace
 
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ADP

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There are many amazing guitars from every year. But I think the idea, "post 2013 are the best", comes from the fact that 95% of Gibson R8/R9/R0 from 2014 are absolute home-run winners. Just like a 50's Les Paul, chances are better than not it is going to be amazing. That's not to say there are dead ones from any year, too.

But I remember when those 2013.5 models hit the shelves. I ordered my 2014 direct from Gibson a month later. The hype for me is real.

The bottom line is the internet sucks and most people don't know shit from shine - go play them all and find out yourself.
 

ADP

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Jul 16, 2015
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And for the record Gibson still haven't made a Les Paul exactly like they did in 1960 and probably never will.
 
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