Talk me out of buying a Gibson 1960 Reissue Les Paul

[Pushead]

I've come across (what I deem to be) a good deal on a used Gibson 1960 Reissue Les Paul. I can't play it before I buy it, and I have no experience with this model.

My concerns: I know the necks on these things are bigger than regular Gibson LP necks. I've had a 50's neck Les Paul USA, which felt too big for me. The necks on my late 70s LPs and my 88 Custom feel really good to me. I've played a 58 Reissue, and the neck was pretty big. According to what I've heard, the necks on the 59 and 60 are smaller, but I'm not sure how it will feel to me.

This guitar costs almost double what I've paid for another guitar. If I decide I like the guitar, I'll have to sell a couple of ones I already have. I know of one that I'd sell for sure (I won't go into that here, I don't want to mention it until I know for sure I'm selling anything), but I guess I'd have to offer a few other pieces and see what sells to re-coup the cash.

The RI has Classic 57 pickups, which I've played before. While I like the sound, they don't really handle the style of music I usually play. I'm not sure I want to go modding this guitar much, but I don't want to spend that much money on a guitar I wouldn't play as much.

I guess realistically what I want is a nice, flametop Les Paul Standard (in cherry burst), but the search for a top that I like, at a price that I'd feel better about, is tough. I had one, but it weighed almost 12 pounds, the neck was a bit big, and the guitar never clicked with me.

:(

Cliff's Notes
Talk me out of spending a ridiculous amount of money on something that quite possibly won't be what I want.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k71/Pushead_cic/Random/r0.jpg

[Jan Folkson]

The R0 (1960 Historic RI) has a thin neck, much thinner than a 58 or 59RI.

[TheHog107]

It kinda sounds like you've already talked yourself out of it. If your gonna spend that much money, make sure your not gonna have any regrets. Have you tried it out yet? All Les Pauls have different feeling, I went though a bunch before I bought mine. I now have 3. Some you fall in love with, others feel like someone else's shoes.

[Jahn]

Is there any store near you where you can try a similar guitar? I'd definitely try it out if you haven't felt the neck yet, which usually is a dealbreaker for me.

[electronpirate]

I'll differ.

Buy it. I love those LP's, and hate thin necks. Flame looks good.

At worse, you can flip it to someone else (me) if you don't like it. You're out shipping.

[fenderball]

what is it that u want about it? you can find a cherryburst w/a thinner neck and pop in classic '57's pretty easily, i think...
what is the reason it has to be this guitar? (nothin wrong with it, they're awesome...but with your trepidation, maybe you should identify the reason)

[whitehall]

If you don't want to spend the coin on the R0 you could hunt for a Std. with a good top and 60's neck. Do a pup change if needed or look for a Classic+ with a nice top. Either will give you the necK profile you want , then it's just a matter of the pups. I had a 2002 Std+ with a very flamey top.

[GAD]

I thought the R0s had thinner necks than the R8/R9s on average?

Here's a MyLesPaul.com thread on the subject: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/historics-reissues/5443-r8-r9-r0-neck-profile-comparison.html

Was this one ordered with a fat neck or something?

[guitarlifestyle]

I played an R0 at the local Gibson retail store, and I didn't like it at all. They had an R8 to compare it to, and the R8 was by far the better guitar. But truth be told, my favorite guitar in the store was a Les Paul Standard with a 50s neck. It played better than the R8 and the R0 and seemed to have the same build quality.