LP Dilemma

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LP Dilemma; what to go for?
Topic Started: Aug 15 2007, 02:56 PM (376 Views)
+ johnbrigade	Aug 15 2007, 02:56 PM Post #1
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	Hello I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio in wine red. I've just sold one of my basses as well (and wondering if I will regret it!) and have thought about trading or selling my Studio and combining the funds to buy a better LP. There is something aesthetically very pleasing about an LP standard in a nice dark burst (honeyburst, iced tea or tobacco i think) but is the better maple cap, burstbuckers and speed knobs actually worth the extra outlay? I have seen a really really really nice one but the asking price is 1200 of her majesty's english pounds and not only would i have to find a bit of extra cash on top of what i could have, but i do sort of baulk slightly at spending that sort of dollar. Thoughts?
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


Bullet	Aug 15 2007, 03:29 PM Post #2
Admin Posts: 1,912 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	Well, I have a les paul studio, and to be honet.... it's great! But with Gibson, it's really the luck of the draw if you get a good one or not. If you really don't like your studio, then go try out some standards and see what you like!



+ johnbrigade	Aug 15 2007, 03:56 PM Post #3
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	it's not that i don't like it, it's that there are some truly fantastic looking standards out there and they all come in colours that the studios are available in that's the dilemma!
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


+ Rob S	Aug 15 2007, 04:33 PM Post #4
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	Can I play Devil's Advocate here (Muwahahahahahahaha) ???? I have several Chums who have owned some SERIOUSLY Outragious LP Standards. Come to that.... I have had a few myself BUT....... I suppose 80% of them have nothing but the highest respect for their Studios, which tend to be their "Grab and Go" guitars. Here's a thought for you John....Well something to Ponder Upon in the Wee Small Hours..... I have a very good Mate who has a 1992 Standard that he has cussed up hill and down dale ever since he has had it, but there's a very strong Emotional Reason why he keeps it OK? Recently he decided that he was selling 75% of his Guitars and was doing a serious Investment in a Stunning 1999 R9 Standard that has been causing a Hell of a Stir within the Guitar World in the South. He has just followed my advice....(FOOL that he is) and has fitted Bare Knuckles Mules to it and an RS Guitarworks Wiring Loom. This has transformed his Cheap ish 1992 Standard into a Real MONSTER of a Les Paul. The R9 LOOKS Incredible and Sounds Gorgeous........But I know which I prefer. Here's the Sums. 1992 Standard cost him £850 in 1994. BK Mules cost him £120 ish RS Gear cost about £80 The R9...... coff coff cost him £4000
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


+ johnbrigade	Aug 15 2007, 05:24 PM Post #5
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	I wouldn't dream of spending £4k on a guitar, mainly because somethiing of that value would be too much of a risk to take out to a venue and iguitars shouldn't be kept at home. But, this: \/ purely from comparing them physically appeals to me so much more than mine: \/ I think that's what does it for me, call me suiperficial or whatever, but a nice figured top in a dark burst just looks fantastic - is there that much difference between two LP standards that one wouldn't buy one without playing it? At the minute it seems to be a buyer''s market, and I guess if I was to land one for less than a grand, I would be doing well and it would hold its value - but what about £1000+ examples?
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


Bullet	Aug 15 2007, 05:47 PM Post #6
Admin Posts: 1,912 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	I would buy that studio off you right now, that is really nice in my opinion. Can never have too many Gibson's If you really wanna get a Standard, some of my money will help you



+ Rob S	Aug 15 2007, 05:52 PM Post #7
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	Whoops!!! Foisted By My Own Petard!!! OK....Well that was my R08 with after market Bare Knuckles Mules. Has to be said, a VERY, Very Nice Guitar. Looked tremendous and sounded astonishing (after Re Pickupping). BUT....... If you have a look just after that one, uou'll see a 2006 Standard that I bought from Ebay for the Princely Sum of....£750. It's th one in my Avatar by the way. Well that one had BK Peter Green Pickups fitted and it was incredible too....for a fraction of what the R8 cost me. Don't get me wrong.... I too adore a really Beautiful Top, but I also adore some of the "Plain Janes" that are out there. The Iced Tea Finish has always seemed a Good Compromise to me......Cross between a Darkburst and a Lemon Drop.
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


+ johnbrigade	Aug 15 2007, 09:17 PM Post #8
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	this one? That's absolutely gorgeous, that's pretty much the sort of finish I'd look for. What's with the backwards pickup at the neck - is it two bridge pickups? Currenty, I think I can only really justify the ownership of one LP - if I could afford it, I'd keep the studio and look for a nice Standard, but it's' not going to happen for a while, particularly as I'm after a 70s RI Jazz Bass to fulfil the GAS attacks at the moment, so I think I'd look for a nice top. I've seen a couple, but it's pretty much funds dependent.
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


+ Rob S	Aug 15 2007, 09:35 PM Post #9
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	If you see a picture of the Ex Peter Green/Gary Moore 59 Standard you'll see that the Neck Pickup is mounted Backwards? This all came about after the Humbucker died and a friend of Peter's rewound and rebuilt the Pickup. Trouble was.....he didn't actually know what he was doing and rewound the Pup with the wrong Gauge Wire and then compounded the issue by refitting the Magnet the wrong way up.....SO.... The Peter Green out of phase sound was born.....totally by mistake. It's a very Haunting Sound and many people really liked it. OK.....One more for consideration for you John.IF the Name on the headstock doesn't matter TOO much....I would seriously consider either of the following Brands. Greco. Edwards. And Burny. BUT....You do want to get an Older One. They are about and are becoming the Next BIG Thing with LP Players. The Late 70's and EARLY 80's ones have the infamous Greco "Dry-Z" Pickups. These are as good as a PAF and are becoming really sought after. Prices seem to be varying, but I just missed a 1978 LP Custom 3 Pickup for £400!!!!!!!! The Edwards Jimmy Page Relics are getting RAVE reviews as well..... http://cgi.ebay.com/Edwards-ESP-JP-Relic-L...1QQcmdZViewItem Food for thought???
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


+ johnbrigade	Aug 16 2007, 06:11 AM Post #10
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	so the Peter Green pickups are from BK, or you had them made? I have thought about a Japanese copy, particularly a pre lawsuit one if I can get my hands on one. I'd looked at Greco, Burny, Orville, Jap Epiphone, Edwards, etc and thay all looked to be good guitars - but I kept coming back to, "I'm I'm going to get one, I might as well get a Gibson....". I think there's also a case that I'd want something I would be able to sell in a rush if I found myslef in a tight spot - if that makes sense, although a Japanese pre lawsuit copy would probably sell just as easily
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


+ Rob S	Aug 16 2007, 06:36 AM Post #11
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	Yes indeed John. I was in conversation with a Mate whom owns a Store and I posed him the question... "Which would YOU rather Buy In Secondhand?" Resounding Pre Law Suit Japanese "Replica" any day and they sell FAR more quickly!! This gives you and idea of "some" of what's on offer http://www.japanguitars.co.uk These are the Supa Rare Models hence their prices, but I am watching Ebay like a Hawk at the moment and I am amazed at what's available at really realistic prices. I have played a Greco £600 LP that sounded everybit as good as a Mate's real 59. I have now played a few Edwards and I would have one in a Heartbeat!! I guarantee that my next Gibsonesque urchase will originate from the Land of The Rising Yen!!! (sic) The Peter Green Set is a standard Production Set at BKP these days, but Tim waits until he has a few orders for them and then does the Run altogether. Price is approx £190 inc P&P
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


+ johnbrigade	Aug 16 2007, 07:37 AM Post #12
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	HOW MUCH!!!!!! I'd no idea they had got to those values - although is it a case that that website's prices are quite high because he's sort of cornered a niche market or is that the value for a "vintage" one?? There's some really really nice guitars there - I think like you, Rob, I will probably look to get something similar for my next Gibsonesque purchase, but I'll probably get me a Gibson first!!
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


+ Rob S	Aug 16 2007, 07:53 AM Post #13
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	Morning John Mark Fletcher (Japan Guitars) made all the right moves at the right time. He is in the fortunate position where he has 3 or 4 Japanese Buyers scouring the Markets for GOOD Quality pieces....Hell he even has the Japanese Collectors going to HIM to commission his finding THEM Top Grade Examples! I have dealt with him on various occasions and can only say that he is The Perfect Gentleman and honourable too! I can well appreciate your feelings regarding "Gibson" per se and I too have a very special affection for them. But these Early Japanese Guitars are absolutely STUNNING and value for money.....well they can only appreciate. Obviously the same is said for Gibson, but I haven't seen anything major happening on the market to make me think that they have the same Growth Potential as these Japanes jobs have. That Said....... Let's get one thing straight here. I have been around Guitars for far too many years and yes.... I have owned some really special ones....as well as a few real Dogs...... I have just reached that time in my life where suddenly the Name no longer matters at all..... It's all down to the Playability, Construction, Quality of Woods used etc. For instance.....HAVE you SEEN what a Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboarded Les Paul Changes Hands for these days???? In a perverse sort of way I actually get more of a Buzz out of suddenly producing a Guitar that everyone "thinks" is the "Real Thing" and then confounding them when they realise that what they are seeing and hearing is in fact a Japanese Replica. Yes that possibly makes me rather odd I suspect.....But when one gets the "Know It Alls" turning up at Gigs or Jam Nights and having Fits when they "think" they have just seen and heard a Genuine 58 or 59 in action.... well it makes me smile I'll admit!
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


+ johnbrigade	Aug 16 2007, 08:38 AM Post #14
Retired Posts: 199 Group: Retired Member #1,088 Joined: August 15, 2007	Morning Rob! I've been around guitars for as long as I can remember (my dad has always played and we've always had guitars in the house) and I've probably been aware of them for 24 of the last 27 years and more important to me since I started playing one 13/14 years ago. My dad has always spoken very highly of the Japanese replicas and I think at times he's kicked himself for not buying a couple when they were new. The examples at japanguitars look like they're real top quality pieces and whilst you and I, other users of this forum and informed guitar players know the quality of MIJ replicas, there are others at a guess who want a Gibson, because it says "Gibson" on the headstock and therefore must be the real thing. Personally, I've always wanted a Gibson - but a MIJ Replica is definitely high on my shopping list (along with all the other stuff i want!!) and finally..... any ideas what finish this is? it looks a bit darker in the pic than heritage cherry sunburst
	Playing the right notes in the wrong order since 1994 ______________________________________________ My band


+ Rob S	Aug 16 2007, 08:43 AM Post #15
Retired Posts: 918 Group: Retired Member #770 Joined: July 6, 2007	OH THE TEMPTATION................"Well it's Brown innit!!!!" Sorry John Difficult because it's not the Best Pic I have ever seen, but it "could be" either a Desert Burst or....it's a light Iced Tea. I lean more towards a Burst.....but I may well be wrong on this one. :rolleyes:
	"Drunk" is feeling sophisticated even though you can't say it!


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