Just ordered a Les Paul Custom! (Quality?) UPDATE: got one!!

[GuitarjonSDS]

UPDATE: I got the guitar last week! Here's my review with some tones and my overall thoughts on this guitar:

Hey everyone,

New member here! I have owned a bunch of Les Pauls in the past. Unfortunately I sold them all eventually but I can't deny my love for Gibson. I currently have a 2015 Les Paul Classic. It's a bit of an odd guitar but it sounds SO GOOD! I used to own a 2007 or 2008 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty. That guitar was amazing. I've really regretted selling that guitar, 9 years ago or so...

So, I sold my PRS SC-58 in order to pay for my new custom. I can't deny that Les Paul Customs are REALLY expensive these days. I think when I bought my old one in 2008 it was like 2200 Euros, now the price has doubled! If it's a good guitar it will be worth it though. I loved my old one because it had such a rich and deep sustain and the neck played like a dream, frets were perfect etc. So I just ordered one from Thomann...

In terms of QC what can I expect from a brand new (2021 I assume) Les Paul Custom? Most people seem really positive of the Custom Shop quality throughout the years but others say that there are still QC issues. What do you guys think? Does anyone have experience with recent Les Paul Customs? Anything to look for etc?

Thanks!

 

[DutchRay]

Did you order a historic Custom or a regular Custom? Historics have a year attached, so a '54, '57 and '68 and are all mahogany with ABR-1 bridge. The regular Customs are built a bit different, with a maple top and Nashville bridge.
I recently got an brand new '59 ES-335TDN and it is a fabulous guitar, by far the best new Gibson I have ever had!

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

Did you order a historic Custom or a regular Custom? Historics have a year attached, so a '54, '57 and '68 and are all mahogany with ABR-1 bridge. The regular Customs are built a bit different, with a maple top and Nashville bridge.
I recently got an brand new '59 ES-335TDN and it is a fabulous guitar, by far the best new Gibson I have ever had!

Just a regular Custom. That's the model I've always loved so much!

 

[Tim Plains]

Specs can change over the years but but quality is more of a per guitar basis. Ordering any Gibson in any year is a gamble.

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

Specs can change over the years but but quality is more of a per guitar basis. Ordering any Gibson in any year is a gamble.

Even custom shop Gibsons? For that kind of money I would expect 99.9% of all those guitars to be at least very good... I know it might not be the case, but still. I thought the whole idea behind the custom shop is that they pay great attention to all the details.

 

[DutchRay]

Even custom shop Gibsons? For that kind of money I would expect 99.9% of all those guitars to be at least very good... I know it might not be the case, but still. I thought the whole idea behind the custom shop is that they pay great attention to all the details.

I worked for a major Gibson dealer from 2010 till 2019 and I've owned plenty of new(ish) Gibsons but my 2021 ES-335TDN is the best I've yet come across. It actually feels just like my mint condition 1957 ES-225T. Gibson has upped their game since the new owners took over!

 

[deadgrateful]

Did you order a historic Custom or a regular Custom? Historics have a year attached, so a '54, '57 and '68 and are all mahogany with ABR-1 bridge. The regular Customs are built a bit different, with a maple top and Nashville bridge.
I recently got an brand new '59 ES-335TDN and it is a fabulous guitar, by far the best new Gibson I have ever had!

The ‘68 reissues are also maple topped. The main difference between the regular customs and the reissues is the 9 hole weight relief and Nashville bridge. Now that the Customs are made at Gibson Custom they also get the long neck tenon. That and the lower grade of mahogany used. IMO I’d always pony up the little bit extra and get a ‘68 reissue.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

It's a little late now to inquire, Im pretty sure you will like your new LPC .

Im almost positive you will look hard enough to find a perceived flaw .

When I get a new CS most of my inspection is done with my hands & ears .

 

[Kutt]

I may be able to help. I too purchased a new LP Custom this past September, in ebony. Not a '68, not a '57, etc... Just the current "modern" Custom with the 498T/490R set. It was back ordered for 7 months.

First thing is I have been one of those players over the last 10 years or so that's been very critical of Gibson. I have a number of Gibson USA models that had to be sent back and swapped due to QC problems (all during the Henry J. era). I also got one of the first 2006 "maraca" Les Paul Studios where they screwed up the chambering process and trapped debris inside. I could go on and on with more details but won't. After all that I can truly say that my 2021 Custom is flawless.

It arrived at the dealer (brick n' mortar, I didn't order online) and I finally got to crack the case open. I examined every inch of it- nut work, fret work, neck alignment, finish work, binding, string alignment, playability, ... everything I could think of for about 15 minutes. Not one flaw. I am particularly critical of nut work but have zero complaints in this instance.

If my experience means anything then I think you'll be fine.

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

It's coming today and I'm officially nervous!

 

[Joe M]

During the past year I purchased 5 Custom Shop Gibson RI's: 2 57 LP Specials, 56 LP Goldtop, 63 SG, 59 330. Every one is as perfect as you can get in fit, finish and playability. I can't find a flaw anywhere, and I've looked. I have little doubt that you won't be extremely happy with your purchase.....

 

[DutchRay]

It's coming today and I'm officially nervous!

If you ordered from Thomann, I would be as well. I've done 3 orders with them in '21 and all went wrong, but I did find out they have great customer service and was fully refunded for the mistakes they made.
But more important, is it there yet? And is it what you expected? Any pictures for us?

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

Just got it a few hours ago! Put some new strings on it (Elixir 10's in Eb) and lowered the action. I will come back later with a more detailed review but it's flawless! I can't find any flaw on this thing. It plays great and sounds great too! I'm a happy camper basically!

 

[Kutt]

Just got it a few hours ago! Put some new strings on it (Elixir 10's in Eb) and lowered the action. I will come back later with a more detailed review but it's flawless! I can't find any flaw on this thing. It plays great and sounds great too! I'm a happy camper basically!

Love it. White? Ebony?

 

[Pat Boyack]

Gibson is making great guitars right now.

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

I posted some pics of the guitar on my IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYoa3ZYMJDV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

So, this guitar is amazing! When it came out of the box the action was a little high and the factory strings were a little dead sounding so I put some Elixir 10s on and lowered the action and BOOM, much nicer sounding already! It plays like a dream with a low action. The sustain is killer and deep. The guitar itself is pretty heavy but I really like that honestly. I haven't found any cosmetic issues whatsoever. So I am a happy camper! Any questions?

 

[DutchRay]

Any questions?

How does it smell?

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

How does it smell?

Pretty nice actually!

 

[Red Rogue]

Congrats!
Now you need a fine black suit!

What do you mean with "pretty heavy"? How much?

 

[GuitarjonSDS]

UPDATE: I thought I'd make a review and demo so you guys can hear and see it in action. I also share my thoughts on the quality etc: