Would a historic make you sell your standard?

[golfnut]

I recently picked up a new Standard 50's Les Paul. I feel I got a really good one. Pretty nice flame on the Tabaco burst top for a standard. Someone I know picked up the same guitar with the same finish and it isn't near as nice, no flame whatsoever and a very mismatched looking top. Mine is also fairly light at 9.2 pounds. It plays like a dream and sounds fantastic. Being a Fender only guy for 40 years and owning 2 very nice custom shop Fenders, I can't believe how easier a gibson is to play. Still need my Fenders but I've been playing the Les Paul 80% of the time at gigs since I got it.
However I'm thinking that some where in the future I may be looking to acquire an R8 (possibly an R9). Likely I'll buy new unless the market changes around me. All the used ones listed seem to be going for near the price of a new one and some are asking more than new. However I will be keeping my eyes on the used market.
However I can't see me selling the standard that I have now. On the other hand if I find an R8 that is that much better I'm not sure why I would hang on to the standard. I'd be in a position where financially I could keep both. I'll be trying to compare as I go along to see if the R8 isn't necessarily better but just very different.
So just wondering for those that have acquired a historic R7\R8\R9\R0, etc and owned a standard model and kept it. What were your reasons for keeping both?

 

[Tim Plains]

Seems like you haven't played a historic yet. Just start there, decide for yourself, and don't worry about what others think. Your comparison of the two Standards should tell you not all guitars are the same, even when they're the same model.

 

[golfnut]

Seems like you haven't played a historic yet. Just start there, decide for yourself, and don't worry about what others think. Your comparison of the two Standards should tell you not all guitars are the same, even when they're the same model.

Back in 2017 I bought a 2013 R7. Was a never sold, shop worn NOS that I got a great deal on. I had nothing to compare it to as that was the second LP that I bought (A couple years earlier I bought a traditional that I didn't like). I only kept the R7 for 30 days then returned it to Long and McQuade, where I bought it. The problem was the neck was just too much for me. I thought I like'd big necks. My favorite is the big U nocaster necks. But this R7 was bigger than that and just too much. I remember it was a light guitar at about 8 pounds and it sounded great through my 65 Fender Bassman head. Its been too long to remember, tone wise how it would compare to my current standard and I am using different amps.
I've only picked up some historics since then in store but haven't plugged any in yet. I'm thinking R8\ or R9 because the necks that I've held on those seem a perfect fit for me. That standard 50's I have now is a perfect fit.

 

[jb_abides]

I am in the opposite situation: I have Historics but no USA Standards from the new era.

I have HJ-era USA Standards with the Asymmetrical Slim Taper neck profile, Ultra-Modern Weight Relief, Push-Pull electronics, but not the High Performance package. I also have USA Classics with P-90s and and older Classic with the ceramics.

So, unless there's a super-cool exclusive run or killer top from the new era of 50s/60s USA Standards, I have no need... so it's down to GAS. But other things first.

 

[Wilko]

well, keep what you like. 9.2 is heavy for a vintage style Les Paul with bursts averaging 8.85 lbs.

I've had a bunch of Les Pauls in time and the only Gibson Les Paul I own today is a Traditional Standard. (well I did modifiy the crap out of it). weight relieved so it's at the right weight. Fatory pickups sound right to me. My last real Gibson Les Paul was a 1956 that I converted to burst with real PAFs, so I have pretty good frame of reference.

 

[MrNubs]

well don't forget this

Standards 58 - 60; Part Two "Sunbursts"

 

[jb_abides]

well don't forget this

Standards 58 - 60; Part Two "Sunbursts"

@GastonG
The Lore of The Old Wood rides again!

 

[golfnut]

well, keep what you like. 9.2 is heavy for a vintage style Les Paul with bursts averaging 8.85 lbs.

I've had a bunch of Les Pauls in time and the only Gibson Les Paul I own today is a Traditional Standard. (well I did modifiy the crap out of it). weight relieved so it's at the right weight. Fatory pickups sound right to me. My last real Gibson Les Paul was a 1956 that I converted to burst with real PAFs, so I have pretty good frame of reference.

8.85 to 9.2 isn't that much of a difference. I was just glad it isn't 10. I can live with 9.2

 

[jrgtr42]

I don't have both, but |I do have an '02 Standard, bought new. I'm still happy with it. But if I had the opportunity and OK from SWMBO to buy a Historic, I would.
I don't know if I'd give up the Standard, or my Heritage H150 (the darker burst in my avatar they both sound very different from one another, and I suspect a Historic would sound different still. In fact, if I was to start looking, I'd be thinking really hard about a '54 Custom RI, or something like that. Sure the R8 and R9 would be tried and played, and considered, if it was the right one.

 

[Dr. Green]

a 58 historic made me sell my standard - best move I ever made

 

[romo]

I own an '01 USA Standard I purchased new. For years I dreamed of an R7 Goldtop and finally got one. Played it for about a year and sold it. I am pretty sure it was a 2005 or 2006 model. It was a nice guitar. Lighter weight than my Std (8.5 vs 9.2 lbs) but honestly didn't play any better. It sounded really aggressive with a set of SD Antiquities that had been installed by a previous owner. I also had a Collings CL which was a lot better than both of my Les Paul's. So when I needed funds for a new acoustic, I figured I could slap a set of Antiquities in the USA Std and be all set so I sold the R7.

Recently I bought another R7 (2021) and it is great. The feel and playability rivals the Collings, although the finish work is not quite as impeccable. It is really light for a non-weight relieved LP (7.9 lbs) and feels great. I like the stock pickups Gibson is using in these now. I think it will stick around for a while. I won't sell my USA Std though. It's one of those guitars I have too much history with. I also feel totally comfortable changing the pickups or wiring in that guitar vs the historic which I'd rather keep stock.

 

[charliechitlins]

The only way I would keep 2 humbucker Lesters is if one was vintage and the other was a gigger.
I shoot for no redundancy in my modest collection.
I would have to turn one of those Lesters into a Tele, Gretsch or some archtop.

 

[golfnut]

The only way I would keep 2 humbucker Lesters is if one was vintage and the other was a gigger.
I shoot for no redundancy in my modest collection.
I would have to turn one of those Lesters into a Tele, Gretsch or some archtop.

That basically has been my philosophy. I have 1 custom shop 52 tele, 1 custom shop 56 strat, and the 50's standard les paul. My acoustics are 2 dreads but one is a Martin d-18 and the other is a D-28 (both authentic series) Honestly I am really satisfied with my standard 50's LP. The neck suits me perfect, the weight is more than tolerable at 9.2 pounds. Some of my gigs I do 2 hour sets but I don't have to sling it that long as I have my very light Fenders do break it up.
I may look in to eventually upgrading the electronics and pickups to a more PAF sound. But I'll likely spend a year with it and do more research in to exactly what it is I want out of it. I like a lower output, more 50's tone. Thinner sounding then the more modern tones. Sure, maybe I won't get exactly like a historic tone. But then a historic will cost me a bit more than double what the standard did. And the used market is no relief. Sellers are asking almost new prices some as much as new or a bit more. Crazy used market.
Then I may do nothing to the standard.

 

[axeman565758]

All the hype aside, owning a Historic over a USA Standard is playability (for me) first and foremost. I owned a late 70's Standard, bought a brand new natural top KM model in 1980 and a mint early 68' Goldtop in '84. I loved all of them but the weight (way over 9 lbs) or a wayyyyyy too thin neck or both, turned me off from Les Pauls. In 1985 I bought a pre-Historic "59 Reissue". That guitar was under 9 lbs and had a beefier neck than previous models.
Then I played an R8 Historic in '99 and felt that big(ger) neck. That was it. I needed to find a huge neck. I went on an 18 year/50+ Historic buy and sell binge until Gibson Custom was able to finally/correctly make me the neck spec I wanted. I now own a 2018 R7 Goldtop and a '20 60th Anniv R0.
Both have extremely fat/thick necks, that exceed 1" deep at the first fret. This is the playability I wrote of, above. The point being, if I could deal with a toothpick neck, I'd be happy with a USA Standard. I'd have a lot more money in my pocket. But I do dig the whole Historic/vintage vibe as well.

 

[jb_abides]

I now own a 2018 R7 Goldtop and a '20 60th Anniv R0.
Both have extremely fat/thick necks, that exceed 1" deep at the first fret. This is the playability I wrote of, above.

Then, safe to assume the R0 is V1 (not V2) ...?

 

[axeman565758]

Then, safe to assume the R0 is V1 (not V2) ...?


It's an R0 in name only. There isn't any R7, 8, 9, 0 out there with a 1st fret depth of 1.017" (ok, well my '18 R7 is 1.023"..same neck spec)
In Nov, 2019, had the opportunity to visit the shop, pick my top and body blank. I also was able to request a specific serial number.
This all fit perfectly. I was treating myself to a 60th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul for my 60th birthday. In 2020, we both turned 60.
How fitting was it that my serial is 0 0213.... My birthday/date is 02/13/60. Hence the reason I call this The Birthday Burst
8 lbs even, massive neck, awesome top...even a flame mahogany neck!. I couldn't be happier

 

[jb_abides]

Picking wood, parts fade and Grovers. Yum.... M2M?

 

[golfnut]

All the hype aside, owning a Historic over a USA Standard is playability (for me) first and foremost. I owned a late 70's Standard, bought a brand new natural top KM model in 1980 and a mint early 68' Goldtop in '84. I loved all of them but the weight (way over 9 lbs) or a wayyyyyy too thin neck or both, turned me off from Les Pauls. In 1985 I bought a pre-Historic "59 Reissue". That guitar was under 9 lbs and had a beefier neck than previous models.
Then I played an R8 Historic in '99 and felt that big(ger) neck. That was it. I needed to find a huge neck. I went on an 18 year/50+ Historic buy and sell binge until Gibson Custom was able to finally/correctly make me the neck spec I wanted. I now own a 2018 R7 Goldtop and a '20 60th Anniv R0.
Both have extremely fat/thick necks, that exceed 1" deep at the first fret. This is the playability I wrote of, above. The point being, if I could deal with a toothpick neck, I'd be happy with a USA Standard. I'd have a lot more money in my pocket. But I do dig the whole Historic/vintage vibe as well.

My 2013 R7 had a neck like that. It exceeded 1" at the first fret. At the time (and still) Big U Nocasters necks with lots of shoulders were my favorite. When I first laid hands on that huge R7 neck I thought that was the perfect neck for me. But by the time I had spent a month with it I knew I bit off more than I could chew. Was just too much of a good thing.
After 20 years of preferring big necks I've started to like them slightly thinner. Still like them chunky just not so much base ball bat. I still have my custom shop 52 with the large U neck (.950 at the first - 1.01" at the 12th) and will always keep it. Its my biggest neck My next biggest neck is the standard 50's Les Paul that I haven't measured yet but would guess .880 at the first to .970 at the 12th. I think maybe what makes Gibson's feel larger is also the flatter radius. I wouldn't want a neck much bigger than what the standard 50's is. Its about the same size as a couple of the R8's I've had my hands on and bigger than the R9's I've checked out.

 

[dwagar]

I think we're all here because of the sound, feel, and playability of a Les Paul. But within those, we're all probably just a bit different in what we really want.

IMO the Historics are the best they offer. But cost always comes into it.

I have 3 LPs, 2 are vintage, 1 is my '01 R9. It's the one that gets the most play time, practices, gigs. I would sell a Standard and however many other guitars it took to get a Historic, but as I said above, that's just me. Maybe for you it's not.

 

[corpse]

Several times I have bought a "newer" CS LP, expecting to keep both. Like CC, I am a) ridiculously practical (masochistic?) & 2) married to a woman that always has a better idea of where the funds need to reside. I don't sell one to have the funds to buy a second, I buy the second and see which one stays.
I have never kept the original one- and never regretted it.
That said, I do have an '18 R9 and a '69 HB converted GT. One new one vintage- not the same (that's what I have found to be very true & what i told Mrs corpse).