• 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!

Found a NOS/Unplayed 2001 R8 with insane flamed top. What color is this?

Gibsonguy30

New member
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
6
I have a collector friend who ironically doesn’t play guitar, but has several nice Gibson’s he bought in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. This is one of them, a R8 2001 model with an insane flamed top. I can buy it for around $3700 which is not a steal, but considering this top seems like a great deal. The guitar has literally never been played and sitting in a vault for 20 years. Original strings still on it :) a little oxidation on the frets, and the board is a little dry, but I can fix both of those issues quickly. Some have suggested the color is ‘Amber’ some say ‘Butterscotch’ - what do you guys think?

7761BE44-04C3-45B8-A275-152F7F91F6BD.jpeg
 

Flogger

Active member
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
555
I'd call it Unbutst. On a USA Les Paul, that's amber.

Where are the finger bleeders?
 

Gibsonguy30

New member
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
6
I'd call it Unbutst. On a USA Les Paul, that's amber.

Where are the finger bleeders?
Have no idea - was a special order so probably didn’t come with them. I bought a LP Florentine from him as well that didn’t have strap buttons :) maybe custom shop QC was down that day. Or maybe since he doesn’t play would never even notice :)
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
Flame? Not seeing a single flame on that top other than a few wiggles. That’s entirely covered in medullary lines.
 
Last edited:

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
Is this the Custom Shop Authentic issue?

I'd also say it's Butterscotch.

Whatever it is, it's bloody gorgeous.

Hope you get it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: J T

Gibsonguy30

New member
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
6
what is on the pickup covers , vaseline ?
Good eye… yes he put a clear grease on all the metal parts to prevent corrosion 🙄 no biggie it wiped off easily with some alcohol. Like I said this guy doesn’t play and the cases hadn’t been opened in 20 years so I don’t know how efficient that method is :)
 

6L6

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 30, 2002
Messages
1,978
Case ain't original for an '01 R8. Just sayin.
 

vintage58

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
3,958
Some have suggested the color is ‘Amber’ some say ‘Butterscotch’ - what do you guys think?

In 2001, Gibson's name for the R-8 finish depicted was Butterscotch. Whenever anyone asks "What color is this guitar," you can count on a bunch of "Well, I'd call that color _________"–type replies. And I'm sure that people could get pretty creative with their word choices. But as an actual specification of a particular year and model of guitar, the only "correct" answer to the question of "What color is this guitar" — that is, the one that counts — would, in my opinion, be the finish designation that the manufacturer actually used for the given guitar at the time it was produced. In this instance, it's definitely Butterscotch. (Coincidentally, the first R-8 that I ever owned was likewise a 2001 Butterscotch model that I purchased brand-new in 2002 from Dave's Guitar Shop. (y) )
 

JPP-1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
1,336
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but that has almost no flame and is one of the least attractive tops I’ve ever laid eyes on. just a grid of crisscrossing grain lines

I’d call that a stalk of corn burst. And as someone said, Butterscotch would likely be the color.
 

Arnold M.

Active member
Joined
Mar 29, 2018
Messages
296
Good eye… yes he put a clear grease on all the metal parts to prevent corrosion 🙄 no biggie it wiped off easily with some alcohol. Like I said this guy doesn’t play and the cases hadn’t been opened in 20 years so I don’t know how efficient that method is :)
I can dig it .. makes sense
 

RJLII

Active member
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
352
I’ve heard this called butterscotch, amber, and antique natural. A quarter sawn top and tight flame is a big personal favorite of mine.
 

Joshabr1

Active member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
102
It’s funny some seem to really like the top. I’m in the other camp. Very non burst looking. I can see the attraction it would have to certain folks. Just not me. Cool guitar and I bet it sounds just fine.
 

axeman565758

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
Butterscotch was the color. Most came with the little round pickguard sticker that read "BUTTERSCOTCH"
 

Pellman73

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
1,762
Flies in the Vaseline we are..… sometimes it blows my mind. keep getting stuck here all the time
 
Top