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Are the 2014 R9's really all that?

67blackcherry

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Messages
205
Greetings - I've got a little $$$ coming my way; my 20yo daughter wrecked my (first real performance) car, a 2007 Audi A3 S-line that I absolutely loved. I want to purchase a guitar to remind me of that great little car.
She's ok, by the way.

I've heard so much about the 2014 R9's (and R8's) that I think I'm ready to purchase one but my question is....are they really all that? I've got all my LP bases covered (R4GT, R4BB, R6GT, R7BB, R8(x2) and R0 Special) and I figure if they really are that amazing, I can easily sell my '98 R8 & '02 R8 and make up my $$$ plus some. Even that NGD thread, the OP owned an older R8 and he said the new THR8 is worlds apart which is what I've heard and the 2014 is pretty much a TH, correct? I know the R9 would be a prudent investment, so there's that also to consider.

(this may be blasphemy, here on the LPF, but I'm also considering an Ibanez Iceman PS10LTD....just because I've always loved those and KISS/Ace is the reason I picked up the guitar back in '77...I know it's a Paul Stanley model but still...)
What to do, what to do?
 

CAGinLA

Active member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
Even that NGD thread, the OP owned an older R8 and he said the new THR8 is worlds apart which is what I've heard and the 2014 is pretty much a TH, correct?

No, they have different specs.


I know the R9 would be a prudent investment, so there's that also to consider.

Guitars are TERRIBLE investments! The only people who made real money on guitars were those prescient enough and/or rich enough to jump on vintage pieces before the prices shot through the stratosphere. No modern-era, regular production Historic is going to earn money for you.
 

67blackcherry

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Messages
205
No, they have different specs.




Guitars are TERRIBLE investments! The only people who made real money on guitars were those prescient enough and/or rich enough to jump on vintage pieces before the prices shot through the stratosphere. No modern-era, regular production Historic is going to earn money for you.

I don't buy new so I don't have the depreciation and thus so could (probably) easily sell all my Historics for at least what I've paid for them - that's what I meant by a prudent investment.
 

CAGinLA

Active member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
No not all but quite a few of them would have...

In what fantasy world are regular production Historics (as specified in my original post) making money for people as investment pieces?
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,947
In what fantasy world are regular production Historics (as specified in my original post) making money for people as investment pieces?

Mine! And don't tell Mrs. Ren any different, bucko!
 

0 2339

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
166
In what fantasy world are regular production Historics (as specified in my original post) making money for people as investment pieces?

certain modern era runs are definately goin to make money... think of gibbons or green cc's. who knows how murphy painted/aged guitars; ltd brazilian rw runs; pre-"postedwinwilson" guitars will develop....

though, it's always up to what you think a good investment is ; )
 

ONEHERO

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
219
Well I was told from 3 dealers so far that Gibson has dramatically stopped production of their R8 and R9 where it's gearing towards special orders or the M2M since there was too much problems with inventory and such :pop
 

CAGinLA

Active member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
certain modern era runs are definately goin to make money... think of gibbons or green cc's. who knows how murphy painted/aged guitars; ltd brazilian rw runs; pre-"postedwinwilson" guitars will develop....

though, it's always up to what you think a good investment is ; )

Those are not regular production models, but special/limited runs.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,531
I buy guitars cause when I play them, I must have it. I do not buy on speculation. I have guitars I love and have loved for decades. I own great guitars and wouldn't sell any for an unknown. That's just me though.:laugh2:
 

Pellman73

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
1,762
Greetings - I've got a little $$$ coming my way; my 20yo daughter wrecked my (first real performance) car, a 2007 Audi A3 S-line that I absolutely loved. I want to purchase a guitar to remind me of that great little car.
She's ok, by the way.

I've heard so much about the 2014 R9's (and R8's) that I think I'm ready to purchase one but my question is....are they really all that? I've got all my LP bases covered (R4GT, R4BB, R6GT, R7BB, R8(x2) and R0 Special) and I figure if they really are that amazing, I can easily sell my '98 R8 & '02 R8 and make up my $$$ plus some. Even that NGD thread, the OP owned an older R8 and he said the new THR8 is worlds apart which is what I've heard and the 2014 is pretty much a TH, correct? I know the R9 would be a prudent investment, so there's that also to consider.

(this may be blasphemy, here on the LPF, but I'm also considering an Ibanez Iceman PS10LTD....just because I've always loved those and KISS/Ace is the reason I picked up the guitar back in '77...I know it's a Paul Stanley model but still...)
What to do, what to do?

Thats right ice. man. I am dangerous

sounds like you've got your les paul bases VERY well covered. but what about Poor Paul Stanely standing there all sad w his pursed lips wondering when he's gonna get some love?

not blasphemy w me! but I"m an infamous derailer. I would have made a terrible hall monitor.

lets talk about ibanez guitars!

just kidding... I did go through a Reb Beach phase last year and at one point I had two of the numbered Koa explorers. they are badass guitars!

I can't give you any advice on the guitar you've asked about and perhaps we could hear from people who have had your R8's and have the newer ones and are they very different?

as Al said, I'd try to play the dang thing before you buy it (as opposed to the iceman-- that's checking a very particular box for you and it would not make as big a difference how it played I"d guess)

what song would you play first on it? I'd play Detroit Rock City. pretty much the most surprised I was about any song to learn for my band that made me love the original because it is SO fun to play.

sorry. deraling again.

glad your daughter is ok and sorry about your car!
 

CAGinLA

Active member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
To get back to the OP's original question, the 2014s have a solid reputation. Obviously, there were some dogs produced, so try to play before you buy, but they were a good bang for the buck.

Also note that the 2015s (nearly all - if not all - of which have 2014 serials) and the 2016s have the same specs as the 2014s (except for maybe some tiny differences - I think perhaps some slightly different binding color? Different switch badge on the 2016s and maybe a slightly different shade to the red on the back?). They are essentially the same guitar.

The True Historics are divisive - some people don't feel the spec changes were enough to justify the large price increase, while others don't mind paying more for guitars that are a little more labor intensive to produce and have a but more historical accuracy (not perfect repros of the originals, of course).

Personally, I love the THs that I have played and owned and prefer them over regular Historics, but that is just that - a personal preference. Lots of folks prefer regular Historics and don't feel/hear the difference (I think they're crazy, but hey - we all feel/hear things differently!).

This is not a knock on Historics - I have owned a few and they are great guitars.

It's been my experience that THs are a tad brighter and airy sounding compared to Historics, which have a bit more low end growl.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,947
My R9 is actually a 2013. You may want to look at them as well. They are the same thing as a 14.


IMG_1329.jpg


IMG_1323.jpg
 

captainvideo

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
87
I went through this last summer when researching and purchasing a non True Historic Custom Shop Les Paul.
The 2014s use hide glue in 1 extra spot than the 2013s.
2015s unless you go TH you get a short tenon.
2016s go back to 2014 specs except the serial # begins with an R.

Again these are the non-True Historic Standard Custom Shop Les Pauls. What I decided was I could live with the R before the serial # and I bought a brand new never touched 2016 R8.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,655
Best damn Les Paul I have ever owned and it is my numero uno Guitar
 

J T

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,496
In what fantasy world are regular production Historics (as specified in my original post) making money for people as investment pieces?

Murphy's, 2003 Braz's, 90s Pre historics, Monster tops, just to name a few. You'd make a few bucks if you had bought them new. They weren't special runs.

But don't get the idea you'll become a millionaire flipping gear. Some people did and tried. That's what drove prices sky high on reasonably priced gear ten years ago. It's for fun. Never forget that. Don't get too serious about this stuff or go in over your head.
 

CAGinLA

Active member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
2015s unless you go TH you get a short tenon.

No, that's incorrect. 2015-built Historics (all - or most - of which have 2014 serial numbers) have the long tenon, just like all other Historics.

You are thinking of the short-lived 2015 CS series (all of which have CS before the serial number); they have (erm, had) a short, wide tenon.
 

67blackcherry

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Messages
205
These are my R8's - now I'm seriously wondering if the R9 I'm looking at will blow these away or is it going to be....meh.....
They sound & play great and stay in tune all night.
 

buckaroo

Formerly Tweedguy
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
938
Don't buy a new Historic Les Paul thinking it will hold it's value or appreciate any time soon. If you want a great player then you can "find one" in a 2014 Historic Les Paul. Guitars old and new need to be played first to see if they are a good fit for you. Spend wisely.

Buck
 
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