Show some love for The Heritage Series Standard 80's

[soulbrojcs]

Found an old picture of my Heritage Series Standard 80 Les Paul from around 80 or 81, and decided to do a little research on these models in the current market. seems that they are holding their value, given what I've seen so far... anyone else have, or have had, or currently play one of these models? Besides Mike S. I mean... he has one of everything. LOL

if memory serves me, I had just come off the road with another band that had imploded, and was stuck back at my parent's house again. I had drank all my money up, my equipment was in shambles, and I was bumming at the prospect of having to play the local scene in Kentucky again. my Mother, God rest her soul, made me an offer I couldn't refuse and promised that if I took the G.E.D. test and passed, she would buy me any guitar I wanted. I had just seen this model at Ray Shipps Music Warehouse a day or two before, so I said fine, let's go now. I took the majority of the tests that first day, and the last two the second, and shorty afterwards the results came back positive, and off to the music store we went. true to her word, she bought this one for me outright. wish I still had it, but I wish I still had my Mom more. I love you Mom!!! :salude

 

[shred]

Cool pic and story... I always wanted a quilt top H 80 elite... I know a couple guys who have them and they seem like great guitars. Congrats :salude

 

[latestarter]

A good friend of mine has one and it blows my mind every time I hear it. And it plays nicely. Surprisingly not heavy. I'll try and get some shots next time I visit him.

 

[TommyTouch]

I went to Leo's in Oakland to buy one of the "Leo's" Les Pauls, however, they were sold out when I got there. They had two Heritage Series 80 Standards so I picked one and bought it for $900.00 (I believe this is in the year 1980).I was very busy the next few years and played 20 to 30 gigs a month with that guitar. After about 5 years it wound up on the list of guitars I let go that I should have kept. It was a nice Les Paul with a Quilted top, three piece neck, Grover tuners, It was heavy, but I was young and didn't give a crap about that. It sounded great through my Twin Reverb with JBL D120f speakers. I was always proud to show up with my Heritage Series because at the time it was as close to a '59 as I could get.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

I think I had one of those. It was one of Gibsons many efforts at recapturing the 'Burst. Didn't keep it long.

 

[William Mundey]

Here is my Elite. Not a very good photo. Great player. A little heavy. Super 3D top.

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[Big Al]

I had three in the early 80's. All gone now except my favorite, a Honeyburst that I passed on to my son when he was 16. That guitar still plays great, with a rock solid neck that is perfect. I refretted it with 6100's and it still has the magic despite being the wrong shape, I found it to be a great Les Paul.

 

[tonyj]

Found an old picture of my Heritage Series Standard 80 Les Paul from around 80 or 81, and decided to do a little research on these models in the current market. seems that they are holding their value

........ my Mother, God rest her soul, made me an offer I couldn't refuse and promised that if I took the G.E.D. test and passed, she would buy me any guitar I wanted. true to her word, she bought this one for me outright. wish I still had it, but I wish I still had my Mom more. I love you Mom!!! :salude

Great story soulbrojcs, wonderful sentiments and a great guitar! Miss my Mum too, another kind and wonderful lady.

OK, for general interest only - no great stories to offer here - this is my Heritage Elite. I agree with all that has been said. These are excellent guitars.... from the quilted top to the ebony board, and all pulled together by those brilliant Tim Shaw pickups. One of Norlin's big success stories, I guess. Enjoy!

 

[Dave P]

Me with my Std 80 back in 1982 or 83, I still miss that guitar!

 

[Progrocker111]

They look often wonderful with their often quilt tops. But i often wonder, how do they generally compare to current Historics tonewise? I havent had a chance to play one yet...

 

[soulbrojcs]

Awesome pics & stories!!! my friend and fellow Kentuckian Greg Martin used one of these a lot in the early days of The Heads, and the only other notable persons I know of to use one in any major way was Les himself, and Drew Abbot from Bob Seger's band. for what it's worth, here's part of Abbott's June 1981 Guitar Player Magazine interview discussing his Standard 80 "reissues". Anyone know of any others to use one of these in any major way?

 

[TommyTouch]

They look often wonderful with their often quilt tops. But i often wonder, how do they generally compare to current Historics tonewise? I havent had a chance to play one yet...

I liked the tone of my Heritage Series 80 W/ a twin reverb, however, I do prefer my early 21st century Historic LPs tone, looks and feel.

 

[soulbrojcs]

These Gibson ads gave me more thrills than the centerfolds in Playboy. ;-)

 

[tonyj]

Wow, soulbrojcs that's some amazing Guitar cheesecake ..........and thanks for sharing!

 

[rays44]

Here's my Elite.

Bought it in '91 or so. Great guitar. Currently has a set of Tims and Tone Pros bridge/tail. Sounds like a great late Norlin lester with a 3-D top. :salude

 

[wernerg]

my '80 Elite and "friends"- I am the original owner

 

[soulbrojcs]

Great pics. and congrats on having the sense to hang on to yours. wish I still had mine.

 

[Kris Ford]

I can see how that ad would cause serious Les LUST..
As a teen, I used to stare at Gibson catalogs, and fold out brochures for hours..hanging the Les Paul and SG ones up as posters in my room..even though I only had a lowly '72 SGI..dreaming of a SG Custom..:yah
Gibson's ads then were super sexy..stuff dreams were made of...they knew how to tap into that..

 

[MikeSlub]

Heritage Standard 80, two Heritage Elites, Heritage Award:

 

[guitplayer]