• 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!

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

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
...... without all the goodies like hide glue , custom buckers and no truss rod condom ?
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
No, but not being the reason of truss Rod condom/hide glue/top carve/etc…I did move a few of my pre 2013 Les Pauls for post 2013. Simply because I wasn’t super fond of the ones I moved and they were good trade value. I have a mix of pre and post 2013 Gibson and all are great.

Passed on a 2020 Les Paul Custom 1954 I ordered to maybe upgrade on my 2006. Kept the 2006, better guitar in every way.

The continual “upgrades” year by year are soooo cool! Love it!!!! But a great guitar is a great guitar specs be dammed
 

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
Gold tone -
I was just talking to a guy who collects guitars a few days ago.

during the course of the conversation he told me that he would like to acquire a vintage 54 custom .... to which I asked him if he was referring to a goldtop or an all mahogany / ebony board guitar with staple P90 ?

" a black color staple p90 with ebony "

to which I replied :

" no shit .... I want one too "
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
No, because i researched extensively,before buying my first Historic, since being the nerd that i am when it comes to guitars, i wanted important non reversible build practices, like the use of Hyde glue, and a long neck tenon, as far as the plastics go, that was not really a concern since i could buy after market if need be.

I dont think however, that the lack of these things makes for a bad guitar, though and anyone that bought a pre 2013 should feel nothing but proud though as these Custom shop les pauls are special.

Also look at the 2003 les pauls, those were pre 2013 of course, and there seems to be alot of love for them, while not being as accurate as post 2016 models
 
Last edited:

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Gibson began in 1993 with the most consequential of constructional changes and has been working in reverse of significance ever since..
No.
 
Last edited:

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
I own and enjoy vintages from 2003 through recent 2020... remember, there were Monster Tops, great light woods, great burst colors, Brazilian Rosewood... positive examples made throughout, even as AVH scrutiny drove them toward TH era.

Not to mention many dealer-specific builds, like Wildwood-spec and Stingers and other Music Machine runs from Dave Carpenter.

Many old threads to delve into, with the likes of Edwin Wilson, Rick Gembar, Tom Murphy conveying information in their quest for better bursts.

I have more southpaw Historic Reissues Bursts at my place than ever were made back in the day.... There's something to be said for that, that a company offered that to me.

A lot to love.

🍑
 
Last edited:

slater529

Active member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
195
Absolutely not! Personally, I think it's rather silly to chase specs. But that's just me.
 

thin sissy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
It's not an unwarranted question though. Imagine you're an insecure first timer buying an expensive guitar, and hear about Gibson's "vintage accurate crazy genuine speced" historic line, and you buy one. Only to hear the next year that they NOW have finally reached true accuracy. And the same thing next year, and so on. That could be dissapointing for someone who isn't comfortable in his own judgement yet.

I get why Gibson does this though, they have to survive and keep the customers coming. And with experience and age, most players will only rely on their own judgement of instruments and not the specs themselves.

I still have my 2007 R8, it was a HUGE deal for me when I was a teenager and worked for years to afford it. But these days I have two 50's LP's, and practically never play the R8, because I like the vintage guitars better. Not because of the specs, but they are just more fun. Makes me feel "sad" for the R8 in a way, and I can't bring myself to sell it since I played it so much during a very formative period :geek:

But slightly on topic: I've only played 3-4 post 2015 historics, and IMVHO they were closer to what I would describe as "vintage". I really liked them. BUT that sample size is WAY too small to have any significance.
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
For instance, my 2016 Gibson Custom SG Standard Historic, has the small pickguard, black Mirror reflector knobs, a Maestro Vibrola and “Single ring” Klusons.....
I dont care however ,because the guitar gives me what i want

Just so you know, the Single ring Klusons dont go ...they should be double ring
 

Tommy Tourbus

Active member
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
871
The point of wanting the hide glue and sleeveless truss rod would be that the guitar would hopefully sound better. But if you already have a phenomenally good sounding guitar there would be no point in 'upgrading', unless you just have to have the minor cosmetic changes.

I did sell a 2011 R9 to get a 2018 model, but that 2011 was just OK sounding, not that inspiring. And it was a good decision as the 2018 was the better sounding between the two. But, I have a 2011 Historic 335 that's amazing, that I will never let go
 
Top