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Les Paul Custom 1999

Bluesman1956

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Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
48
Thinking about this guitar. It’s got a nice bright cherry wine red finish and in great shape for its age. A couple of questions is the white lined case period correct for I don’t recall seeing them with this model. And do you think a trade for a 2006 R8 would be even. He’s asking $4000 for the guitar. Doesn’t appear to be a Custom Shop and don’t know much about this time era.
 

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Triplet

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Mar 13, 2006
Messages
1,675
IMO, I think you would be much shorter on a trade. A plain-Jane 99 Custom might pull $2500 or tad more.
 

Tollywood

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Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
394
I love that color with the gold hardware. I would do an even trade. It saves you the trouble of selling yours and then hoping that this guy still has his guitar available.

I don’t know about the case, but I bet a red guitar in a white lined case looks fantastic.
 

Bluesman1956

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
48
I see the prices for both the R8s and Customs all over the place. And I’ve never seen a Custom for sale in the $2500 range.
 

Triplet

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Mar 13, 2006
Messages
1,675
I must be out of the current trends. I have always felt USA Customs were no where near Custom Shop quality of any model (I have some of both).
 

axeman565758

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
That is not a Historic/Reissue/R7Custom.
I'm not sure if the Custom Shop was making non-Historic Customs in 1999. It may still have been Gibson USA making them. I might be off with my dates. If it is in fact a Custom Shop, it would have the gold waterslide "Gibson Custom" decal on the back of the neck, behind the nut.
Either way, this would be a short-tenon, maple cap Custom. Only Historics of that period had a mahogany body and top and a long tenon. Also, I think it was 2001 (IIRC) that the R7 Customs started receiving a cherry finish was an option. This guitar would also be weight relieved. Historics are not weight relieved. Check to see if the serial is inked on or stamped. That right there, will tell you.
Lastly, the plastics, tuners and case are incorrect for a Historic.
Bottom line, $4k is an insane price for this guitar . $4k will easily get you an R7 Custom from that period....maybe even newer, depending on condition.
 

Bluesman1956

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
48
That is not a Historic/Reissue/R7Custom.
I'm not sure if the Custom Shop was making non-Historic Customs in 1999. It may still have been Gibson USA making them. I might be off with my dates. If it is in fact a Custom Shop, it would have the gold waterslide "Gibson Custom" decal on the back of the neck, behind the nut.
Either way, this would be a short-tenon, maple cap Custom. Only Historics of that period had a mahogany body and top and a long tenon. Also, I think it was 2001 (IIRC) that the R7 Customs started receiving a cherry finish was an option. This guitar would also be weight relieved. Historics are not weight relieved. Check to see if the serial is inked on or stamped. That right there, will tell you.
Lastly, the plastics, tuners and case are incorrect for a Historic.
Bottom line, $4k is an insane price for this guitar . $4k will easily get you an R7 Custom from that period....maybe even newer, depending on condition.
I didn’t say it was a R7, it’s a Les Paul Custom
 

jb_abides

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Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
I didn’t say it was a R7, it’s a Les Paul Custom

Easy tiger. He's clueing you in there are indeed 57 LP Customs that are 1957 historic reissue of a LP Custom in faded cherry red, that look like that guitar - at least superficially.

Those will be a R7-LPC and have a '7' preceding other digits in the serial number following the historic pattern; they did not have a CS decal but did have Historic case candy. They'd also have BB1/2, CTS pots, bumble bees... and single ply white binding

A 'normal' production Les Paul Custom would have a 'CS' preceding other digits and would have the CS decal. And multi-ply binding. This one does... So this is not a R7-LPC.

Also, the tuners and plastics in that pic are wrong for a reissue 57 LPC Faded Cherry but could be OK or changed for a 'normal' CS LPC. Grovers and typical historic top hats for the 57 LPCs / R7-LPCs in faded cherry. 'Normal' CS LPCs may have Grover kidneys not tulips but you can't really rely on tuners as absolutes... just indicators.

Also, bridge and posts on this one *DO NOT* look like a historic reissue R7 LPC. Totally Nashville and modern posts.

The case looks like a recent HJ-era USA case. FWIW, historic guitars from 1999 would have the black case with burgundy interior just as other Custom Shop reissues of the era. Also, a period correct USA case would be the brown with pink/fuchsia interior and the inside blanket.

So, this is inevitably some type of 'normal' LPC that's possibly been modified. I can't say I've seen a faded cherry one from 1999, but I can't rule that out (someone might be more sure one way or the other).

Can't tell more about the one in question without more information.

Don't do a straight trade with incomplete information unless you are in love with it, and can happily part with your R8.

If you are just emailing, etc. you need more information, more pics including cavity shots and other details. Remember you could always be dealing with a misinformed or ignorant seller. Year might be wrong, things may have been modified. Seller may only be repeating what they've been told if not first owner. If they don't want to provide the nitty gritty, then walk.... That's an sign you are getting had.

When in doubt: Get better pics, serial number, contact Gibson Customer Service, etc.

Good luck.
 

Bluesman1956

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
48
I couldn’t agree with you more, that’s why I always check it with this informed group. I’ll probably shy away from the Custom. I know what I have the only issue I have is with the big chunky neck a characteristic of the R8. I got spoiled with my Shur 9.5/12 radius. My hands aren’t that small but at times I’d wish I had a R9 instead. Thanks all for your input as always.
 

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