Jules
New member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2021
- Messages
- 12
Sorry for the huge post, I just have a lot of thoughts, and am curious and looking for some clarity here.
So, Im looking into 1986 standard as my first les paul. Its actually for sale by a friend, but I want to do my own homework. It's been hard to find info on this specific year, as I feel like the 80s customs, notably the early ones, kind of eclipse info about mid 80s standards. In addition, when I have been able to find info on 80s standards it seems as though articles usually breeze of 86, focusing more on the lio's, strings and things, KMs, and the late 80s guitars, and the early 90s birth of reissues (if Im understanding the time line right). When I have actually found listings of 86s that aren't customs, they tend to be two piece tops with beautifully decent flame, that isn't the crazy tiger striped maple (not my thing, though I do love some mellow to medium wavey flame and burls/grain circles and the like). I have found a listing on reverb of a three piece top, with a slightly cracked headstock wing, but the description isn't overly divulging. Also, most of the prices have seemed to have fluctuated since a lot of posts on these guitars, I've read people saying they'd never spend X amount of money for a Norlan (I've read 86s aren't technically Norlan, though they probably are, in the sense that they are probably assembled with stock that was possibly cut etc from 85 etc.) However, I see them for sale on Guitar Point, CME, Reverb, Ebay, etc for pretty high, though I do know realize, that just because they are listed for such, doesn't necessarily mean they are worth it. So alas I am a new member here, and looking for wisdom from those who aren't new to the les paul game, as am I.
-So according to the serial if Im not mistaken, its a true 86--(8xxx6502) May 2nd. 11.4lbs
-I read somewhere on the forum that someone had a theory that mid April 1986 (or another month) that Gibson possibly ran our of stickers for the Shaws. My friend assures me they are real Shaws, though I haven't actually seen the bottoms or anything for the ink # as well as the other metal stamped serial (nor do I know how to confirm them if I did see the bottoms of the pups)
-The guitar is Heritage Cherry which is, well, quite cherry red, not a deal breaker but not a my favourite, Its a pretty nice paint job, not near as bad as some, but maybe seems weirdly brighter red, and or cheaper than other red bursts from other decades perhaps. but like I said not a deal breaker, I might grow to love it! I play a green burst flamed maple 1997 PRS ce22, because as an 18 year old who knew nothing about electric guitars, it sounded the best to me, despite being...a bitter sweet combo of amazing craftsmanship, and kinda of an ugly strat/Ibaneze/lp all at the same time. So I think I could handle a cherry Lp (I just love the shape of an lp with a small headstock)
-My friend (not knowing I am interested in his guitar, but asking if I new anyone looking) seemed to really believe that its a great guitar, and something special, (he's a drummer I toured with last winter, and has an 80s black custom, and a 70s recording series, so as much as he likes the guitar, he said he doesn't need three, and could use the money being in the middle of restaurant start up) So I felt like he was being honest when he told me how much he admired the guitar and pickups etc and didn't want to list it online because he'd rather see it go to someone in our community so he could maybe see it being enjoyed from time to time. However he got a killer deal on it knowing a pawn shop owner and is looking to make a grand off it, I figured I'd offer him 500 more than what he paid for it instead of the full 1000. If he agrees, It would hopefully be a good deal for both of us, but I don't know values on LPs enough. I'd be offering him $3000 CAD for it, and it comes with a brown and pink hard case that I think is original? before they started with the chainsaw cases? Is that a decent price now days, or would I be better off just getting something newer? It has a real rosewood fretboard. I happen to know Gibson's CEO's mom, and thought about asking her if her son could cut me a deal somehow, but, I don't want to be that guy? So, 3000 for an 86 standard?
-I KNOW BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS, and would be stoked to have a lp but it'd be stretch for me to swing it, so obviously I'd want it to be a good one. He told me the headstock angle is apparently good (Im assuming not too steep?).
-The Gibson logo has closed "b" and "o" and a dot over the i. Which is weird because some people reported them being open with no dot for this year? Or is there a difference between the 80s reissues and the 80s standards? by the looks of the bridge I think my friend's is a Nashville guitar.
-Im curious about the neck angle as I think I'd prefer the strings to be not crazy high off the body ( however pretending Im playing a giant electric-violin-guitar-beast could be maybe be cool? aka not the end of the world)
-Im curious if 86 had the wide or thin cutaway binding (I'll have to see it in person and hear it anyway, but if someone knows off the top of their head that'd be awesome)
-Was there ever a year/(s) where the body was strangely shaped? pointier cutaway, or something bizarre? Were original bursts deep carved or more shallow, and how would that compare to an 86?
-Again something I'd have to check in person, but if anyone knows it'd be helpful,--is 86 in the "fretless dream" territory or did they get bigger frets at this point? I'd prefer bigger frets.
-Also, 300k pots? would I need to get 500k to open'r up?
Anyway, I know there are not "good years" and "bad years" and duds can be light or heavy, but just as an overall educated guess, is it something worth jumping on? I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to post them on here!
If you've been patient enough to make it through my scattered rambles thank you! And if you have any advice in choosing a Les Paul it'd be most appreciated!
Jules
So, Im looking into 1986 standard as my first les paul. Its actually for sale by a friend, but I want to do my own homework. It's been hard to find info on this specific year, as I feel like the 80s customs, notably the early ones, kind of eclipse info about mid 80s standards. In addition, when I have been able to find info on 80s standards it seems as though articles usually breeze of 86, focusing more on the lio's, strings and things, KMs, and the late 80s guitars, and the early 90s birth of reissues (if Im understanding the time line right). When I have actually found listings of 86s that aren't customs, they tend to be two piece tops with beautifully decent flame, that isn't the crazy tiger striped maple (not my thing, though I do love some mellow to medium wavey flame and burls/grain circles and the like). I have found a listing on reverb of a three piece top, with a slightly cracked headstock wing, but the description isn't overly divulging. Also, most of the prices have seemed to have fluctuated since a lot of posts on these guitars, I've read people saying they'd never spend X amount of money for a Norlan (I've read 86s aren't technically Norlan, though they probably are, in the sense that they are probably assembled with stock that was possibly cut etc from 85 etc.) However, I see them for sale on Guitar Point, CME, Reverb, Ebay, etc for pretty high, though I do know realize, that just because they are listed for such, doesn't necessarily mean they are worth it. So alas I am a new member here, and looking for wisdom from those who aren't new to the les paul game, as am I.
-So according to the serial if Im not mistaken, its a true 86--(8xxx6502) May 2nd. 11.4lbs
-I read somewhere on the forum that someone had a theory that mid April 1986 (or another month) that Gibson possibly ran our of stickers for the Shaws. My friend assures me they are real Shaws, though I haven't actually seen the bottoms or anything for the ink # as well as the other metal stamped serial (nor do I know how to confirm them if I did see the bottoms of the pups)
-The guitar is Heritage Cherry which is, well, quite cherry red, not a deal breaker but not a my favourite, Its a pretty nice paint job, not near as bad as some, but maybe seems weirdly brighter red, and or cheaper than other red bursts from other decades perhaps. but like I said not a deal breaker, I might grow to love it! I play a green burst flamed maple 1997 PRS ce22, because as an 18 year old who knew nothing about electric guitars, it sounded the best to me, despite being...a bitter sweet combo of amazing craftsmanship, and kinda of an ugly strat/Ibaneze/lp all at the same time. So I think I could handle a cherry Lp (I just love the shape of an lp with a small headstock)
-My friend (not knowing I am interested in his guitar, but asking if I new anyone looking) seemed to really believe that its a great guitar, and something special, (he's a drummer I toured with last winter, and has an 80s black custom, and a 70s recording series, so as much as he likes the guitar, he said he doesn't need three, and could use the money being in the middle of restaurant start up) So I felt like he was being honest when he told me how much he admired the guitar and pickups etc and didn't want to list it online because he'd rather see it go to someone in our community so he could maybe see it being enjoyed from time to time. However he got a killer deal on it knowing a pawn shop owner and is looking to make a grand off it, I figured I'd offer him 500 more than what he paid for it instead of the full 1000. If he agrees, It would hopefully be a good deal for both of us, but I don't know values on LPs enough. I'd be offering him $3000 CAD for it, and it comes with a brown and pink hard case that I think is original? before they started with the chainsaw cases? Is that a decent price now days, or would I be better off just getting something newer? It has a real rosewood fretboard. I happen to know Gibson's CEO's mom, and thought about asking her if her son could cut me a deal somehow, but, I don't want to be that guy? So, 3000 for an 86 standard?
-I KNOW BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS, and would be stoked to have a lp but it'd be stretch for me to swing it, so obviously I'd want it to be a good one. He told me the headstock angle is apparently good (Im assuming not too steep?).
-The Gibson logo has closed "b" and "o" and a dot over the i. Which is weird because some people reported them being open with no dot for this year? Or is there a difference between the 80s reissues and the 80s standards? by the looks of the bridge I think my friend's is a Nashville guitar.
-Im curious about the neck angle as I think I'd prefer the strings to be not crazy high off the body ( however pretending Im playing a giant electric-violin-guitar-beast could be maybe be cool? aka not the end of the world)
-Im curious if 86 had the wide or thin cutaway binding (I'll have to see it in person and hear it anyway, but if someone knows off the top of their head that'd be awesome)
-Was there ever a year/(s) where the body was strangely shaped? pointier cutaway, or something bizarre? Were original bursts deep carved or more shallow, and how would that compare to an 86?
-Again something I'd have to check in person, but if anyone knows it'd be helpful,--is 86 in the "fretless dream" territory or did they get bigger frets at this point? I'd prefer bigger frets.
-Also, 300k pots? would I need to get 500k to open'r up?
Anyway, I know there are not "good years" and "bad years" and duds can be light or heavy, but just as an overall educated guess, is it something worth jumping on? I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to post them on here!
If you've been patient enough to make it through my scattered rambles thank you! And if you have any advice in choosing a Les Paul it'd be most appreciated!
Jules