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R8 vs 00’s faded standard vs New standards

Killtrox

New member
Joined
Apr 2, 2023
Messages
7
I’ve been wanting to buy my first Gibson for a while now, I’d originally had my eyes on one of the new 50s standards but I wasn’t impressed on the quality of the tops at my local store so I thought about finding a used R8, the ones I’m looking at are round 3-3.5k here in the UK. I just saw a 2009 faded standard up for sale on eBay for 1800 (the top looks amazing and it had been upgraded with Faber hardware and OX4 pickups).
If I went for a new standard it would probably be one of the dirty lemon aaa tops but they’re only a couple hundred less than a used R8. Would an R8 be worth spending nearly double the price of the 09 faded ?
I have a few niggles in the back of my head for each model.

R8 - although looks/specs wise it’s pretty much exactly what I’d want it is a lot of money if I got something cheaper that’s more money to put into other gear, also there’s nothing local so I couldn’t view/try anything so it’s a lot of money to potentially have to deal with issues like heavy fretwear etc.


09 faded - again like above can’t view/try so same potential issues

Sorry for the rambling, I have crippling indecisiveness
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
439
I’ve been wanting to buy my first Gibson for a while now, I’d originally had my eyes on one of the new 50s standards but I wasn’t impressed on the quality of the tops at my local store so I thought about finding a used R8, the ones I’m looking at are round 3-3.5k here in the UK. I just saw a 2009 faded standard up for sale on eBay for 1800 (the top looks amazing and it had been upgraded with Faber hardware and OX4 pickups).
If I went for a new standard it would probably be one of the dirty lemon aaa tops but they’re only a couple hundred less than a used R8. Would an R8 be worth spending nearly double the price of the 09 faded ?
I have a few niggles in the back of my head for each model.

R8 - although looks/specs wise it’s pretty much exactly what I’d want it is a lot of money if I got something cheaper that’s more money to put into other gear, also there’s nothing local so I couldn’t view/try anything so it’s a lot of money to potentially have to deal with issues like heavy fretwear etc.


09 faded - again like above can’t view/try so same potential issues

Sorry for the rambling, I have crippling indecisiveness
I prefer to buy used so when I sell it I lose less money or might break even. An R8 has a little something special over a Standard. The red tortoise shell side dots are my favorite feature. I’d say go for a used R8.
 

c_wester

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
2,284
Here is the answer.


You would have to try them all to now which one is the best.
The hype about the faded is purely made on this forum buy a guy starting a bussiness selling them modified.

If I were you I would take a chance on a R7 or R8.
It is not that much money people who are not interrested in cars pay way more for them.

A guitar is a passion.

Go for the R8 and try to find a bright one with sustain.
You can alsways sell it if you dont like it.
 

Killtrox

New member
Joined
Apr 2, 2023
Messages
7
R8 does seem like the right way to go, I think there’s a good chance if I went for a 50s standard or a faded, I’d still eventually GAS for an R8.

Any pictures of R8s are most definitely welcome to spur me on 😂
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
6,830
My 2005 R8 Iced Tea: this one was perfect for me, cool islands of grain, plain on the upper bout, some flaming on the lower, assymetrical look to it.
1738155523193.png

I am more of a R0, then R9, fan... yet this one remains in rotation and will stay with me.
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
439
R8 does seem like the right way to go, I think there’s a good chance if I went for a 50s standard or a faded, I’d still eventually GAS for an R8.

Any pictures of R8s are most definitely welcome to spur me on 😂
I only have this one picture of my R8. I just got it this week and I already dropped it off at the local shop to have new pickups installed. I’ll take more pictures once it has the double creams installed.
 

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Killtrox

New member
Joined
Apr 2, 2023
Messages
7
I only have this one picture of my R8. I just got it this week and I already dropped it off at the local shop to have new pickups installed. I’ll take more pictures once it has the double creams installed.
Which pickups are you putting in ?
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
439
Which pickups are you putting in ?
I have a set of aged double cream Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa Amos. They are my favorite pickups. They are unpotted Alnico 5, measurements are 8.4 bridge and 7.4 neck. They are wound by the legendary Mary Jane using the original 1950s Gibson pickup winding machine.
 

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metropolis

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
501
I'm a big fan of the Faded models from that era and think that is the best value for money (that's a very good price, normally they're over 2k - I'm UK too)

An R8 will have a much bigger neck than the faded, which came in 50s and 60s necks, but even the 50s one is more like a 59 than a 58 so do bear that in mind.
 
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