Gibson VOS vs. Historic...what's the difference?

[67blackcherry]

Is there any difference between a Custom Shop VOS guitar and Historic model?

Thanks...

[440gtx6pak]

Historics are the entire line of Vintage Reissues, which are made by the "Custom Shop".

They usually come in two finish choices ... VOS or full gloss.

VOS is just buffed LESS than the full gloss versions, and is therefore less shiny and gives a more older look, Many VOS models have the nickel/gold plating dulled too.

[phoenix 7]

I think the VOS ones have some stuff rubbed into them to dull the finish, too. You can polish that stuff out.

[AaeCee]

^^^What they said. VOS are Historics, with VOS gunk applied.

[cherrick]

All VOS are Historic (custom shop)

Not all Historics are VOS

[Drew68]

^^^What they said. VOS are Historics, with VOS gunk applied.

Is that what the unusual smell on my 2010 R8 VOS is? It's my first new Gibson and I just figured it was some sort of "new guitar" smell. It's a woody, not entirely unpleasant odor, different from the sweeter lacquer smell and quite noticeable on my guitar and case.

The salesman also said the finish wouldn't polish up anymore than it already was but the neck has taken on a higher gloss just from my playing it over the last three weeks. I spent some time on the body with a polish rag and Gibson polish and it looks like it's going to be a lot of work to buff that out.

[Tim Plains]

Drew, that smell is probably just the case. I used Virtuoso Cleaner & Polish on my VOS guitars to remove that milky white VOS haze. It worked well and shinned the guitars nicely.

[Phil M]

I think the VOS ones have some stuff rubbed into them to dull the finish, too. You can polish that stuff out.

Yup. My two guitars are '57 and '58 reissue Les Pauls. They came with the VOS finish which I immediately buffed out (looks better to me). They get "VOS"y on their own!

[Peppy]

Is that what the unusual smell on my 2010 R8 VOS is? It's my first new Gibson and I just figured it was some sort of "new guitar" smell. It's a woody, not entirely unpleasant odor, different from the sweeter lacquer smell and quite noticeable on my guitar and case.



My new Les Paul (2010 50th Aniversary R0...non-VOS) has the same case smell as my previous Les Paul (2009 VOS R9)...it's just the new guitar smell.

[SWSNick]

We performed at this weekend and the headliner had a 60s spec VOS and I went over and thought thats what it was, I'm a tele guy myself, so this statement is a little naive. I've only owned a 70s deluxe, though I've played quite a few les pauls. I didn't plug her in but just pulling her out of the case and playing, that guitar was probably the worst les paul I've ever played

Probably sounds great, and a set-up could have saved this guitar's life, but man, for $5000. He was all sorts of impressed that he had played all the les pauls at guitar center and decided with this one.

No offense against you guys and your lovely old rock and roll machines, but this guy was a lemon, just didn't get it

cheers
N

[CS'56]

I think all Historics have solid 1 piece backs with the long neck tenon and some custom shops have short neck tenons and weight relieved.

[Aran]

We performed at this weekend and the headliner had a 60s spec VOS and I went over and thought thats what it was, I'm a tele guy myself, so this statement is a little naive. I've only owned a 70s deluxe, though I've played quite a few les pauls. I didn't plug her in but just pulling her out of the case and playing, that guitar was probably the worst les paul I've ever played

Probably sounds great, and a set-up could have saved this guitar's life, but man, for $5000. He was all sorts of impressed that he had played all the les pauls at guitar center and decided with this one.

No offense against you guys and your lovely old rock and roll machines, but this guy was a lemon, just didn't get it

cheers
N

Surprised to hear but guitars can be like that.

Here's mine and it's no lemon let me tell you. I'm a strat player myself beside owning this.

06 VOS R9
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/LWinding/Lester-Resting-in-the-sun.jpg

[timberic]

Historics are the entire line of Vintage Reissues, which are made by the "Custom Shop".

They usually come in two finish choices ... VOS or full gloss.

VOS is just buffed LESS than the full gloss versions, and is therefore less shiny and gives a more older look, Many VOS models have the nickel/gold plating dulled too.


So, if I understand correctly, the only difference between a CS VOS and non-VOS is the finish? All of the materials used are the same?

[Bluedawg]

So, if I understand correctly, the only difference between a CS VOS and non-VOS is the finish? All of the materials used are the same?


Yup, that is correct ...

the VOS started in 2006 (IIRC) ... before that the standard Historic Reissue finishes were gloss.

The fully "reliced" Gibsons were and still are referred to as Custom Authentic and there is a serious up-charge for those.

The VOS finish is just an aged looking finish with aged hardware, no purposely done checking, scratches, or dings.

:munch

[blues junkie]

So, if I understand correctly, the only difference between a CS VOS and non-VOS is the finish? All of the materials used are the same?

That is correct.

For all things Les Paul... you should check out The Les Paul Forum & Mylespaul.com

There is a wealth of knowledge over there.

[timberic]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Jaan]

Surprised to hear but guitars can be like that.

Here's mine and it's no lemon let me tell you. I'm a strat player myself beside owning this.

06 VOS R9
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/LWinding/Lester-Resting-in-the-sun.jpg


Wow, that's a beauty!!

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Actually, I think the first 'VOS' guitars were the early 68 Custom Authentic reissues, even though they were not called VOS. They had the dulled paint and semi aged hardware. They then discontinued the authentic series about the time the Historic VOS finish appeared. I think they still make a hand full of 68 (now called VOS) Customs, but in black only.

[Melodyman]

So, if I understand correctly, the only difference between a CS VOS and non-VOS is the finish? All of the materials used are the same?

VOS costs less for Gibson in labor, half ass finishing basically.

[alexanderplatz]

The Fender Custom Shop used to offer instruments in relic, closet classic and new old stock finishes. (And I wish I had gotten a NOS Nocaster when I could have.) I guess the Gibson Custom Shop equivalents are:
Fender NOS = Gibson gloss
Fender closet classic = Gibson VOS
Fender relic = Gibson authentic