"Benchmark" Reissues

[E.M.]

Can anyone provide some information on the "Benchmark" Les Pauls distributed by certain dealers (e.g., Music Zoo, Wildwood, etc.) in 2014? How are they different from the regular R7/R8/R9/R0 reissues? And if you own one - how do they stand up with the other Gibson Custom reissues? I.E., other than their "benchmark" designation - what makes them special? Sorry if this topic has been discussed in another thread.

 

[Big Al]

I would imagine that it is pretty simple to contact either one and get that info from the source. They both advertise here and the links are at the bottom of the page.

 

[E.M.]

I would imagine that it is pretty simple to contact either one and get that info from the source. They both advertise here and the links are at the bottom of the page.

Thanks - played a few at Wildwood, ended up getting one. I love it.

Here's a photo of it (on left), alongside my Duane Allman VOS.

 

[Big Al]

I really like the color on those two. Very nice pair. I haven't bought from Wildwood but every person I know that has, has nothing but great things to say about them. :salude

 

[Humbuster]

Could not help myself and traded the Historic 335 for this at Wildwood today



Only a few minutes and I was hooked.

Easily one of the best Les Pauls I have ever played.
My final electric guitar that I will take to my grave (at least, leave for the kids).

The R4 Oxblood Benchmark

Lighter than my 335 and melts into my hands.

(Wildwood's pic). I'll take some of my own soon.
Really excited about this purchase!

 

[renderit]

Could not help myself and traded the Historic 335 for this at Wildwood today



Only a few minutes and I was hooked.

Easily one of the best Les Pauls I have ever played.
My final electric guitar that I will take to my grave (at least, leave for the kids).

The R4 Oxblood Benchmark

Lighter than my 335 and melts into my hands.

(Wildwood's pic). I'll take some of my own soon.
Really excited about this purchase!

I love those. Is it an R4 or an R5? Round or V neck?

 

[Humbuster]

R4 with round neck.
A perfect fit for my hand and somewhat thinner than my 59 Es335.

 

[Bugman58]

Nice guitars, From what i know they are just a special order they do. There the same as an R9,R8 but they choose the tops and change the specs a little.

 

[Humbuster]

R4 Benchmark (Oxblood) chillin' with housemates.

 

[renderit]

Envy!

 

[mustachio]

R4 Benchmark (Oxblood) chillin' with housemates.

is that the '68 Princeton Reissue? What don't you like about it? Just curious.

 

[TM1]

This is what your R-4 needs: http://www.abm-guitarpartsshop.com/...BM-3021/Bell-Brass/ABM-3021n-Nickel::189.html
I have one on mine and it's perfect.

 

[DanD]

I have to thank you Humbuck for saving me from myself! :##

I was looking at your Oxblood pretty closely. I was actually relieved when I saw it sold. :ha

The neck on that one was a special order. I think that's part of the "Benchmark" designation. The neck on that guitar falls right into my favored 'Goldilocks' zone. At .87-.94 it had the perfect (for me) .07 transition and the perfect 1st fret measurement. My R9s measure .86 and .87 at the first and are very comfortable.

Your guitar, @ 8.5 pounds, was also pretty light for an Oxblood. Most Oxbloods I've seen had big necks and most were at or just over 9 pounds.

Congrats! And thanks again! Last thing I needed was another LP! eace2

Yeah, I was already thinking about the same ABM bridge as TM1 posted when I was considering the purchase...

 

[Humbuster]

is that the '68 Princeton Reissue? What don't you like about it? Just curious.

72 Vibro Champ.
Original near mint condition.

 

[Humbuster]

I have to thank you Humbuck for saving me from myself! :##

I was looking at your Oxblood pretty closely. I was actually relieved when I saw it sold. :ha

The neck on that one was a special order. I think that's part of the "Benchmark" designation. The neck on that guitar falls right into my favored 'Goldilocks' zone. At .87-.94 it had the perfect (for me) .07 transition and the perfect 1st fret measurement.

One of the main reasons which made me buy it was the neck. Extremely comfortable.
THere were many many other reasons as well.