Going to buy a Les Paul - need some help

[Hamburgo]

Hey guys, right now im interested in a 60s Standard that was produced 2019 under the new leadership. Im gonna drive to the store to test the guitar out beforehand in a couple of weeks.
Im wondering if the early Gibson models under the new leadership are as good as they are now?
Also what Era would be considered best? Is it a good Idea to buy brand new? They also have a 1981 Norlin Era les paul goldtop with a 1 Piece body and a 3 piece neck. This vintage guitar has basically never been played and looks brand new.
That being said, I´ve heard Norlin Era Les Pauls arent that good.
Thank you guys in advance for your help!

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Welcome to the forum !

 

[jrgtr42]

Welcome aboard.
As to the question, play them both, side by side.
|I haven't heard much about the quality of new leadership versus old, or versus now, but LPs have always been a good quality build, with some exceptions, of course - there's going to be things that get missed here and there.
As far as the Norlin era goes, there are people who really like them - there's nothing inherantly wrong with them other than the fact they aren't late 50's bursts.
However, I''d wonder why a 40 year old guitar looks basically brand new. Was it not played? Why? Was it refinished or something? But don't look over it just because it's Norlin era.

 

[Hamburgo]

The Guitar was bougth 1983 and since then has been rarely played. Basically sitting in the closet. Everything is Original on it and the only damage I´ve spotted was a small scratch lol.
That being said the Standard 60s goes for 2300€ and the vintage 81 goes for 3800€. And I really dig the Bourbon Burst, altough the Goldtop is already growing on me..

 

[gibson-r8]

Dont overthink this. Find one you like at a price you are comfortable with.

 

[El Gringo]

As far as Gibson Guitars go all eras produced outstanding instruments . Best advice would be try before you buy and listen with your ears and decide which one speaks to you best . Don't get caught up in internet tom foolery as that is just malarkey . Everyone with a keyboard thinks they know it all and that is a distortion of reality (myself included ) Listen with your ears and your hands as to which one feels best . This after all is a most personal and private choice as only you can decide which one to spend your money on .

 

[Shelkonnery]

As stated above, try both!

I think the main difference will be their necks.
The Norlin ones have 3 piece maple necks (thinner), which adds its own clarity to the overall tone.
It also features the Tim Shaw pickups, which are not as hot as the 61 Burstbuckers that come in the 60s Standard.
It's probably a bit heavier than the newer LP.

Anyways, try both and see which one speaks to you.
They are both different animals, but awesome ones!

 

[Big Al]

It's a guitar. It's a Les Paul. It's a Gibson. Depending upon your level of knowledge of this model will determine how far into the vintages and spec hair splitting you want to dive. I suspect you are not a rabid fanatic and merely want a nice Gibson Standard.

Ok, forget vintage or yom, it is more of a thing for obsessed nit pickers and specaholics. Other than 2015, in general your safe with any year. NECK!!!! The feel of the neck in your hands, the comfort and playability should be your number one, numero uno, prime factor in finding your Les Paul. The neck profiles vary considerably over the years and between models. Give them a long play. They will feel different and one will feel better, clearly.

Color, pretty wood grain, shiny glossy geegaws should all be unimportant eye candy compared to playability and neck feel. If you value looks more, take the time to find a looker with the right feel.

 

[Hamburgo]

Thanks for all the replys.
I think I will just go to the shop and try every Les Paul.
That being said they mainly have 60th Anniversary´s available.
Is the Gibson custom shop that much better?

 

[Nifty]

I just went through this process. I play for recreation. Its an activity I can do by myself I like. I'm not even an advanced player, but I know when a guitar has a wacky set up. I sold a Standard a long time ago and recently caught the bug again. So I saved a few months, prepared to buy anything from a studio to a standard. I cant remember all the neck differences either, other there was one style I found more difficult. I went by our local Guitar Center and tried almost every LP model they had in stock, one by one and played around with them. I didn't even plug them in to start, I just sat down and tried a few things I remembered how to play. I checked the finish and then for sharp edges at the frets down the neck. A couple of them, I didn't even hold for a minute and just handed the guitar back to the sales guy.

They had a few Standards, but I never found one that felt right. I really wanted to get one. Oddly enough, I narrowed the choice down to two Classics. I went back the next day and sat with each and plugged in for a while. My hearing is shot so I couldn't hear a difference. I don't even care about the push pull pots but that's something I will goof around with later. Both were heavily discounted so it didn't hurt there. I ended up with a red one (I cant remember the color name). I don't regret it. As much as I wanted a standard, I left the store with something I knew I could work with.

 

[gibson-r8]

Custom shop is excellent. But as my old mama said when I bought my R8, “you aren‘t that good”.

 

[Big Al]

As stated above, try both!

I think the main difference will be their necks.
The Norlin ones have 3 piece maple necks (thinner), which adds its own clarity to the overall tone.
It also features the Tim Shaw pickups, which are not as hot as the 61 Burstbuckers that come in the 60s Standard.
It's probably a bit heavier than the newer LP.

Anyways, try both and see which one speaks to you.
They are both different animals, but awesome ones!

80's Standards did not come with "patent applied for" reissue pups, what I called Shawbuckers. They always used "Original Humbuckers" pu490, known as Ttops and later as 490's. This was spec from 70 until mid late 80's. They could get heavy for sure!!

 

[jrgtr42]

Absolutely play them all. And determine which sounds best to your ears and feels best to your hands.
At that point, look at the financials on it. Possibe a Reissue may be best. POssibly not.

 

[C-4]

If I were spending the money you are, I would consider looking at the latest versions, as well as the ones you are already considering. The reports I am reading about, show that the latest ones are really well built versions.

 

[LyleGorch]

Buy both, I would.

 

[IBurstMyBucker]

I recently purchased my first Gibson earlier this month. It's a 60s Standard Unburst. I love it! The slim-taper neck feels great in my hand. It plays well and came from the dealer with a great setup. Super easy to play. It's the guitar in my profile pic.

Unfortunately, it's caused a problem. Today a 60s Goldtop with P90s was delivered.

 

[LyleGorch]

Ordered a Standard and a Custom last week, now i’ve got to wait. Told it would be a while. At 72 there’s not much wait left.