Gibson Les Paul Custom 68 Reissue

[Monolithen]

Hi, in a couple of months I hope to buy a new Les Paul Custom, at the moment the 68 reissue is my favorite, although I haven't ruled out the 57 Black Beauty VOS, but in principle I prefer the 68 because it's cheaper and because I prefer the maple top. I clarify that I haven't been able to try any of those guitars, so I'll make an online purchase, I've only tried the regular LP Custom with the 490r/498t. I have a doubt about the frets, are they very low and thick frets, uncomfortable for playing styles other than jazz or on the contrary are the current models coming with frets more similar to those of a regular LP Custom? The doubt is for both the 68 and the 57, although as I said the 68 is my most likely purchase. I would be grateful if you could help me with my doubts, as I have contacted the shops and they don't seem to be clear about it either, and looking on the internet/youtube it seems that there are people who mention that they have vintage frets that are uncomfortable for certain techniques, but there are also many people playing all kinds of styles with them and they don't mention anything about the frets, which makes me think that it's possible that the frets change depending on the year of production or maybe there are people who adapt easily to all kinds of guitars. With the guitar I want to play almost everything, I'm in love with the LP Customs, although I mainly play hard rock and different types of metal, also some blues, bands like Judas Priest, Tool, Mastodon, Dissection, Gary Moore, Ozzy, Black Label Society, Guns N' Roses... in short, a bit of everything. Please forgive me when writing for any mistakes I make, I don't master the language well and I have reviewed what I wrote with a translator. Greetings.

 

[jb_abides]

Last I researched backed by an answer from Mat -- please someone weigh-in if things are different:

Current Custom Shop Historic BB7/R7-LP Custom are "Historic Medium-Jumbo" Jescar FW45100; 68 Custom RI should be the same. [FWIW These are also on R7-Jr/R8-Jr/R9/R0/R0-SpDC Standard Historic. FW45100 has been in use for a some time as the go-to for many Reissues.] Artist, M2M, etc. other models vary, of course.

Just in case you were curious: R4/R6/R7/R8 Standard Historic are *now* spec'd as "Historic Narrow-Tall" Jescar FW50078 per Mat K. I believe this happened around *2018*...?

Also remember, PLEKing can cause variations from factory wire spec measurements.

Perhaps dealer confusion stems from shops not being clear how Gibson now differentiate early year Reissue Standards using the Narrow-Tall...? Or how this applies to Standards, not Customs...? Maybe they just don't know what a professional guitar seller should know...?

 

[Happy Tree]

I have 3 VOS with medium jumbo and 2 with historic tall narrow. To be honest, I can't tell the difference :-D They all play great.

 

[longrichard]

Just be careful about "mahoganization" that's all I can say for now

 

[Monolithen]

Thank you very much for the answers, I will continue to keep an eye out for anyone here who has tried a 68 built in recent years and of course I will continue trying to investigate as much as I can in these months until the day of purchase.

 

[jb_abides]

Not sure what more to tell you... Mine feels fine!

The neck profile is ever-so-slightly chunkier than my 54, and more countoured that my 57 which has more pronounced shoulders -- but the frets feel the same.

 

[Monolithen]

Thank you all very much. Finally someone from Thomann told me that they use “6130: Medium jumbo (.106″ x .036″)” and assures me that they are the same as those used on the regular LP Custom 490r/498t model. In 2 or 3 months I will buy the 68 and I will present it here. Regards.