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New Les Paul Custom or Used?

Rojo

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Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Am torn between buying a new Les Paul Custom for around 3700 or a used 2016 model for around 3000 (pickups not stock).

Is it worth the extra 700 for the shiny new one? What do people think as I can't decide, the 2016 with different pickups sounds good, but always like the assurance of a new one and the 2020/21 will have the unpotted pickups so similar sound...
 

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
there are lots of versions of Customs

the ones you are looking at ...... do they have a real Ebony board or the wonky richlite man made compound ? ............ is the body all mahogany or does it have a maple top ? ...... how much do the 2 different guitars weight ? ...... what color are they ? ....... is either a speical 1957 reissue ? ........ whcih of the two plays better ? ,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,, which sounds better .... how many pickups do they each have ?

your question will get better responses by a mile if you formulate a more detailed question


 

Rojo

New member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Thanks, I should have been much clearer.

Both guitars are led paul custom 58 reissues in Ice Tea Burst.
One is a 2016 with aftermarket Pups
Other is a 2020 brand new

Both guitars have Indian Rosewood fingerboard, plane maple tops and all the hardware is similar. Both play well.

The only real difference is that one is a 2016 with aftermarket PUPS (which are very good, and unpotted), however the new guitar has the updated and unpotted Custombuckers.

I can't think of anything else.

Thanks for any suggestions
 

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
well if we are talking 58 reissue les pauls historics - thats different then a "custom "
a real custom is an ebony fingerboard solid mahogany guitar

if you are talking 58 reissues then why limit yourself to those 2 - there are tons of them for sale all over the place
 

Rojo

New member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Limiting myself to those because in the UK, they are very expensive and these are both very good prices. It is also the finish and model I was after. I don't see the value in another 1000 for a 59 Reissue, they are so similar (to me).

But back to my original question, worth the extra 600 or so to get new rather than a 2016 with different pups?
 

Rojo

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May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Even with the swapped out pups? Why do you think used? I am genuinely interested in the reasoning.
 

Rojo

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May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Arghhhh you just made this difficult. The 2016 guitar is local and well looked after, just new pups...I am really torn
 

Tim Plains

Active member
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Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
Go try the one that's local and buy it if you like it. 2016s have R8 in the serial number. That bothers some people.
 

Rojo

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Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Really? Why does an R8 bother people. I am probably gonna go for the used, it is $1000 cheaper and is local so can play it and looks like a good one.

Just chatting about it has pushed me in that direction. New is great but the used one could be the way forward.

So I am still confused, nice place to be as either option is a winner :)
 

Rojo

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Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Just to update the thread, I pulled the trigger on an absolute mint 2017 R8 Les Paul. I am blown away by everything about the guitar. I thought PRS had good build quality buy those guys in the custom shop really know what they are doing, I will never sell this one. Amazing.
 

Rojo

New member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
21
Yeah I wasn't clear as pretty new here. It is obviously a Standard 58 Reissue. But I keep incorrectly referring to it as a custom as it is from the custom shop folks, is it not? Thanks anyway
 
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