Les Paul for Around $1000? $1500?

[GAD]

I had a Les Paul R9 that was magnificent. Circumstances forced me to sell it. I went and looked at an Epi Ultra (I think it was an Ultra), and was not impressed. Build quality was OK, but the entire thing felt like a toy. Chambering made it WAY too light for my tastes, and the satin neck felt like plastic, or at least something other than it should to me.

Have I ruined myself by owning an R9? Am I forever unable to enjoy a "lesser" Les Paul?

What would you recommend I check out for say $1000 to $1500 tops? Pickups are irrelevant - I'll be putting my WCR Goodwoods in it. I'd likely change out the electronics too.

I'd prefer a 'burst top. Grain isn't as important, but to me a Les Paul isn't a Les Paul unless it's a 'burst. :)

GAD

[utterhack]

oops... can't help you... i'm a plaintop/custom guy :(

[sleepingtiger]

IF you're patient, you miht get a used Stardard for around $1500. Definitely a Classic would be doable.

Tony

[Jules]

How about a studio? You can get them in fireburst and heritage cherry finishes and they are great guitars - way cheaper than a standard. Saves you a chunk of money if you are not worried about bindings.

[serviviente7]

You should be able to get a standard no problem. I got one at flebay last year for $1300.00 including shipping. You will just have to be patient and do not settle for anything less. Here is a pic of my Lester:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h309/serviviente/DSCN0621.jpg

[FFTT]

1983-1986 Les Paul Studio Standard with Shaws.

Depending on condition, should be quite doable in your price range.

[mesanatic]

At your price you'll find a Classic or Standard on ebay. If you want an unchambered AAA top, I just looked this up to sell one, the cheapest isn't really close to your price. To look like this. It's my '06. I agree LP=Burst.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa308/mesanatic/gibson%20les%20paul%20AAA/P1010784.jpg

2006 is the last unchambered LP year. The Studio guitars, as was mentioned, can be had cheap even with a flame top.

[Custom50]

used Faded Les paul Standard?

[edwarddavis]

Get a standard , I heard edwards are very good too,

[thintele]

I picked up a classic for 1K on a local sale. I was looking for a goldtop but it was like new and a good price so I jumped on it. I swapped out the pups for Manlius Landmarks which I like better than the originals but still not exactly what I was looking for. I'm considering WCRs or possibly Wolftones ...

[somecafone]

Studio is the way to go.
They go for 600-800 on Craig's List.
Yes, you'll have to wade through some nonsense and be patient.
The upside to CL over ebay is that you can see, play, and hear your potential purchase in advance.

I believe the studios come with the 50's rounded neck profile. If anyone knows differently, feel free to chime in.

[AaeCee]

My son has a LP Studio plain top in cherry burst that not only looks great, but rivals the sounds of my Historics, and it's all stock. Nice medium/fat neck, perfect weight, and we paid < $1000 new (a year or so ago).

[rockinlespaul]

Standard.

[kherman]

http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/1

TOKAI!
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/items/detail/30806.html
LS150 is Tokai's version of an R8.
It's right in your price range.

Another thought is a Bacchus Duke.
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/search/1/132/788.html

[GuitarsFromMars]

No...if you've owned an R9, you would be the guy wandering the streets of Istanbul 'til daylight. A guitar with a 'bursty' looking top, that's a manageable weight (under 10), will take you into parts of the world you would normally never be caught spending time. The worst part is your psyche may be irreparably damaged thinking these thoughts...beside that, people only buy Gibsons for the name brand, GAD. Didn't anyone tell you?

[bugman]

Once you have owned an R9, you cant go back nothine will compare and you will never be happy knowing you had the best and now just have a regular paul, you could never show yourself here on the gear page again,gibson rules and always will

[Gasp100]

No...if you've owned an R9, you would be the guy wandering the streets of Istanbul 'til daylight. A guitar with a 'bursty' looking top, that's a manageable weight (under 10), will take you into parts of the world you would normally never be caught spending time. The worst part is your psyche may be irreparably damaged thinking these thoughts...beside that, people only buy Gibsons for the name brand, GAD. Didn't anyone tell you?

Right on time...

:munch

Apparently all hope is lost and you shouldn't even attempt to replace the R9... it's impossible.

But, if you still want a nice Gibson (or really nice copy) I think you could probably find:

A standard (maybe, not sure about the tops)
A classic (I have seen a few around in that price range)
A faded standard (someone was selling one with some nice upgrades on here right around ~$1400)
"PacRim"
Edwards L-130-LTS - Nitro, relic'd, probably chambered (not sure), nice tops, perfect setup)
Tokai - older early to mid-80's (I think the "Reborn's" are ones to look for; LS80-and up). As someone mentioned the new Tokai's look nice too
Greco - pretty much the same time frame
Bacchus - looks like these might be in between the makers above and the high end ESP Navigator series
Burny - probably have to hunt and find the right one. Basically the higher the model number, the more yen it cost the year it was built, the higher the quality (I guess)

[treedroppings]

Yeah, I second the Norlin 80's era Les Paul Standard possibility. try http://starvingmusician.net/cart2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6392_6397&products_id=374951

[dk123123dk]

Tokai, Edwards, Grecco, Burny, Fernades. Check for MIJ guitars built in the late 70's or early 80's. Good luck!

dk

[kenneth]

Does this help? i know this is a goldtop:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=554842

[schwa]

I expect there will be a number of folks that disagree, but as an R9 owner (as well as R6, and R7 LPC), there IS a difference between the CS LP's and the "regular" Gibson line. I owned and played production Gibsons before the CS ones and among the ones I've played the CS ones were much nicer.

Studios, Classics and Standards are all nice, and are real LP's. But at least in my experience, the CS ones are consistently nicer.

To your issue - for the least amount of money I would be looking at the R8 and R0 guitars. They have a burst (old one's have flame), but the necks are different from the R9. If you tend towards a fatter one go with the R8, skinner - R0. They both can be had for $2200-$2800 used, and will give you a CS experience with a burst.


That said, my recently purchased MIM Strat is just as nice as my MIA Strat, so I don't think one needs to spend a bunch of money to get a nice guitar.

[chemical69]

used Faded Les paul Standard?

+1. I got mine for $1300 and I love it.

[amigo30]

Just grab an Edwards Jimmy Page and drop your pickups in and an RS Kit.

You'll be blown away with how good of a guitar it is for the price. It will be better than most guitars that say Gibson on the headstock for that price range.

Here's a random one off of ebay.

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=%5BCacheBuster%5D&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FESP-Edwards--Jimmy-Page--Style-Super-Circuit-Flamed-_W0QQitemZ270395631087QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2009052 3%3FIMSfp%3DTL090523139001r11649http://cgi.ebay.com/ESP-Edwards--Jimmy-Page--Style-Super-Circuit-Flamed-_W0QQitemZ270395631087QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2009052 3?IMSfp=TL090523139001r11649 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FESP-Edwards--Jimmy-Page--Style-Super-Circuit-Flamed-_W0QQitemZ270395631087QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2009052 3%3FIMSfp%3DTL090523139001r11649)

[Kevinleeowen]

Have you considered a Traditional? They're pretty awesome. Search for some posts on this site, and it's pretty much nothing but excellent opinions by everyone (I have one too!). Although I don't really have too many Gibsons to compare it to, general opinions seem to suggest one of the best Gibsons in years. If I recall correctly, someone on here even preferred it to one of their R6's or R7's, can't remebers which!
Let us know what you decide!

Here are a couple of the threads, but think their may have been others -

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=526198&highlight=traditional

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=531470&highlight=traditional

[BadAssBill]

You should have no problem finding a nice standard for 1500. The pickups are irrelevant because you're putting yours in. Personally...I'm becoming more and more attracted to "player" guitars that have some charachter in them.

[tim boehlert]

Check this out:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=552121

In your price range, and a killer guitar!

[roknfnrol]

I went from a Les Paul Standard Faded (with upgrades) to this R8. I do not miss the Standard Faded. The Edwards Jimmy Page could be a good solution.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/ringmod/P5160012.jpg

[zookroo1]

I haven't played one, but I've seen some nice looking Heritage guitars well under that price range. Seem like a great deal if you get them used. H150 and H157 models I think.

[gkinsingapore]

Have to agree, the Custom Shop has ruined me for other LP's for life. I have an R7 and it totally kills...the quality is superb and it doesnt have to be plugged in to sound amazing but when it is, even the non guitar players are moved!

I was really attracted to the Traditional but when I finally got to play one it didn't really do it for me compared to a CS LP. Also have been keen to play the 08 standard which I finally did 2 weeks back, felt like chipboard...so light.

I would put a caveat around that and say , including my R7, that I have never picked up a Gibson guitar that didn't take some adjusting to.

Anyway, that $1399 goldtop looks the part...if its not sold already jump on it immediately..... If i wasn't trying to scale the heights of saving for some Bogner backline, I would have bought it already....it's a steal!

[Gasp100]

GAD, did you find one? If so, what did you go for? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

[Phil M]

That is is a cool plaintop and a GREAT color. I've got an R8 exactly like that but the top is red.

I went from a Les Paul Standard Faded (with upgrades) to this R8. I do not miss the Standard Faded. The Edwards Jimmy Page could be a good solution.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/ringmod/P5160012.jpg

[bigworm04]

1983-1986 Les Paul Studio Standard with Shaws.

Depending on condition, should be quite doable in your price range.


Big+1 on that. Those are very under-rated, IMHO. Also, look at The Heritage LP's. They don't hold their value as well as gibby, so used is a good route. You might be able to get some flame in that price range too!

[GAD]

Hey all - thanks.

I came *this* close to that $1300 gold top, but didn't do it. I figured for just a little over $2k I could get a used R6. I'm not a huge gold top fan, but if I'm gonna have one, it needs to have P90s. :)

I'm still looking, but I think I might raise my limit to $2k or so, and find a nice used custom shop model.

GAD

[Jess 1971]

To be honest, I greatly prefer my Edwards Les Paul that I paid $859 for over my 50s neck Gibson LP Standard that I paid $1,400 for.

If you need to have a Gibson, then yeah, get a Gibson I guess. But if you're ok with an incredibly well-built copy, the Edwards is the best LP copy I've ever played.

[Buckeyedog]

I'd ship this one to you for $1,300, however I just picked up a used G0 for a little over $2k. You know if you really want the custom shop, just get it. Good market for getting an R8 or G0 plaintop for around $2 bills.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee68/Buckeyedog/100_1600.jpg

[wrxplayer]

I just got a early 80's Burny w/ SD JBs for under $800. Plays very nicely. I'm not a Les Paul expert (not even close) but it's clear this is a well made guitar. I'm looking forward to taking it to GC to check it out vs the real deal.

[GAD]

Those R8s are really growing on me. I never used to like the plain tops, but when it's well done it's killer.

GAD

[FFTT]

I bugged my buddy to sell me this guitar for 10 years!

He had 4 of them, but I had to have "The Black" and it was the best player
and best sounding.

Understated Elegance, Cream Body and Neck Binding, Dot Neck, Shaw PAF's

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2136/1985lespaulstudiostandard9.jpg