• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

2 USA or 1 reissue?

Dmcguitar

New member
Joined
Dec 19, 2019
Messages
11
Not sure where to post.

For around 5k you can get a r7/r8 or a USA lp and sg

Would you rather get an SG with p90s (or humbuckers) and an LP standard… or a historic lp?
 

Tim Plains

Active member
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
Historic but not for $5,000. That much will get you a nice used R8 and an SG Standard.
 

Dmcguitar

New member
Joined
Dec 19, 2019
Messages
11
Needs? I don't need anything. I want a historic LP, i want an SG, i want some more tele's maybe a strat, and parts casters, :).

Used prices are increasing, but a 57/58 new is 5000 USA, 59/60 are 6700. Sometimes 15-20% can be saved.. so 4k - 5400 for one Nice guitar. Used, is probably around there also (maybe 500 less, but nothing crazy)

Ultimately I want a nice LP and the 70s / 80s rock tones that we associate with them. How different would an LP to SG be (both with hums) or the p90 SG. Would the extra tones available with the 2 guitars be better / more fun / (some other subjective term) than the warm fuzzy feeling of owning a fancy reissue?
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
There is no cookie cutter answer . Best advice I could tell you if you are close by to a shop with decent inventory would be to go and try out several different models that you listed and go from there . I would get the Historic R9 .
 

J T

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
It comes down to what YOU really want .
Different sound? A Les Paul will not get the sound of a Strat in-between positions. Neither will a Tele.
Feel? Neck size, fret height, balance on a strap. They are all pretty much different.
Features? waddaya want? 5way switch, single coils, push pull pots with split humbuckers, Humbukers that sound like PAF's, mini hums.
Different looks? well there's Les Paul shaped bodies, V's, Explorers, Firebirds, SG's, Strats, Teles, the last goes on.

El Gringo is right. go out and find one (or two) that has your vibe. Theres definitely something out there for you. You may surprise yourself. Find it, be happy, and have fun.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
It comes down to what YOU really want .
Different sound? A Les Paul will not get the sound of a Strat in-between positions. Neither will a Tele.
Feel? Neck size, fret height, balance on a strap. They are all pretty much different.
Features? waddaya want? 5way switch, single coils, push pull pots with split humbuckers, Humbukers that sound like PAF's, mini hums.
Different looks? well there's Les Paul shaped bodies, V's, Explorers, Firebirds, SG's, Strats, Teles, the last goes on.

El Gringo is right. go out and find one (or two) that has your vibe. Theres definitely something out there for you. You may surprise yourself. Find it, be happy, and have fun.
OP could also get a Les Paul fitted with a P90 and a humbucker ? With push pull pots and a split humbucker as you wrote . We can't really know what OP wants . I could say get a Les Paul , but then my bias shows as that's all I want .
 
  • Like
Reactions: J T

MattD1960

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
749
I tell people i am from the keith richards school of guitars, there isnt a guitar out there that will do everything, so i have been fortunate enough to be able to get a collection of different stuff. lots of guys ( i am jealous of you) have 5 historic les pauls and thats there whole thing, id prefer a few different paint brushes so i have my R0,SG 335 strat and a tele and a prs. they all do something a little different and i enjoy the different moods those guitars bring on

my suggestion in the end is buy the best guitar you can in each vain. if u can get a Custom Shop les paul and a USA SG or a Mexican tele and a custom shop PRS what ever floats ur boat just get the best playing sounding guitar you can and the price point you can afford
 

jonspace

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2020
Messages
35
Reissue.

I recently sold a very nice 2019 Gibson USA 50's Standard Goldtop with P-90s to help fund an R4 purchase and I am very happy with my decision. The Gibson USA Goldtop was fantastic and there was nothing wrong with it, but the R4 is on a whole other level.

For me, what I like about the Custom Shop Reissues over the Gibson USA is the fatter neck, lighter weight overall, richer finish, and the tons of additional sustain. I've always noticed that reissues ring out more to my ears and there is ton of noticeable vibration throughout the whole guitar that you can feel. The Gibson USA will get the job done and do it well, but the reissues have something extra that make it more enjoyable to play/own. That said, I've also played reissues that weren't that great. It varies per guitar.
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
1 Historic, all day long.
If my budget only stretched to a Gibson USA LP Std, I'd spend the money on a Japanese Tokai instead.
 

ajwain

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
80
I do believe there’s a lot of snake oil used about the Historic/Reissue Les Pauls. They have subtly different appointments and are nice to own, but CS instruments aren’t automatically better than USA production guitars. I believe you should play as many examples of both that you possibly can and judge each one on it’s merits. The reissues on average are better finished and generally lighter in weight, but that certainly doesn’t make them play or sound better - especially when amplified! I don’t think they justify the price difference, but that’s a matter of personal taste.
 

Shelkonnery

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
30
I this is your first Gibson, I'd get the two Standards - Les Paul and SG. You'll certainly get more flavors and a richer experience.
Then once you know your favorite specs, get a Reissue you actually like and not just for the sake of it. My two cents.
 

ajwain

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
80
I this is your first Gibson, I'd get the two Standards - Les Paul and SG. You'll certainly get more flavors and a richer experience.
Then once you know your favorite specs, get a Reissue you actually like and not just for the sake of it. My two cents.
This is perfect advice; I couldn’t agree more.
 

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
I was able to find a new r8 for $2,300.00 in San Diego.
Not really sure why you can't find one less than $5000
 

Any Name You Wish

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
I've never seen an R8/9/0 in Denver for less that $4500. I think we've all been torn between spending more on one guitar or getting two. I only buy one at a time and I space these purchases out many years. If I bought two different style guitars at the same time I think my head would explode figuring which to play right now. I recommend taking your time, and getting the best one you can, such as a custom shop guitar. When you need inspiration or your music is taking a different direction and you need a different sound/tone, then you'll be ready for a new guitar.
 

axeman565758

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
I tell people i am from the keith richards school of guitars, there isnt a guitar out there that will do everything, so i have been fortunate enough to be able to get a collection of different stuff. lots of guys ( i am jealous of you) have 5 historic les pauls and thats there whole thing, id prefer a few different paint brushes so i have my R0,SG 335 strat and a tele and a prs. they all do something a little different and i enjoy the different moods those guitars bring on

my suggestion in the end is buy the best guitar you can in each vain. if u can get a Custom Shop les paul and a USA SG or a Mexican tele and a custom shop PRS what ever floats ur boat just get the best playing sounding guitar you can and the price point you can afford
Exactly.....I have 2 Historic LPs, a CS-336 P90, a rosewood board CS Tele and a maple neck CS Strat.
If the OP is patient $5k will get him a good used R7/R8 and a used ( maybe even a Historic) SG
 

STC

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
104
Historic for me too, feels and sounds great.

Able to have a try of some?
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I've played great standrds (USA) and lousy historics - but not often, at least the historics.
|It depends on what you're ultimately looking for. I think historics will retain their value better than USA, but 2 guitrs over 1?
If you can find a couple of great USAs it may be worth going that way - or 2 different guitrs - asy, a LP Standard and an SG or a Junior or whatever.
BUt if you're looking for as close as the classic Burst style as you can get, Historic is the way to go.
 
Top