Les Paul R8 or R9 VOS, worth the upgrade?

[Section10]

I have the amazing Traditional Pro that i'm in love with but considering something like this 1960 VOS that I play occasionally.
Its not weight relieved like mine, has 2 Burstbuckers (mine has neck 57, bridge burstbucker and single coil options thats hard to beat)
bumble bee capacitors, all parts being original specs....

Whats the average going rate for a '60 VOS? (plain top only)
Guitar center i think lowered price to $3000, the '60 was still $3699 or close to that.

But altogether is it worth a jump up from traditional pro? Or should I just do a few mods on traditional to change capacitors....etc..

[Aran]

$3K is a good price for a R9. I paid $3450 for mine. If it plays good and you like the guitar I'd say yes it is worth it. Trads are nice but the R9 is a set up.

[pete692]

First off, YES.

Secondly, is that a NEW R9? Seems kinda low. Your traditional pro will never be upgradeble to the guitar the R9 is.

[GAD]

I rarely see R9s used for less than $4k. GC still shows them for $5k+ on their website.

IMO the Historics crush the "regular" Les Pauls in just about every way, but like any guitars, some are better than others. I'd be VERY interested in a link to $3k R9s.

If it's a plain top, them maybe it was an R8? R8s sell around $2K used, and sell for $3700 or so new at GC.

[Shnook]

R9's have flametops not plaintops. I can't imagine a new R9 being $3000. If it is, there's something wrong. If it's a plaintop, it's probably a R8 and is priced about right for a new one.

[Section10]

forgive me, i wrote plain top, but also wrote r9 in title.
Check guitar centers locally they lowered the '59 VOS to $3k the '60s are still $3700.

Is that the main difference between r8 and r9? (i never learned the correct definition.

[Shnook]

Originally Posted by Section10

forgive me, i wrote plain top, but also wrote r9 in title.
Check guitar centers locally they lowered the '59 VOS to $3k the '60s are still $3700.

Is that the main difference between r8 and r9? (i never learned the correct definition.

Mainly the tops. The R9's should be a little lighter with a slightly smaller neck than the R8's. Aside from that, they are pretty much the same guitar.

[smolder]

Jumping from the regular factory LP's to an historic gets you two things... a better more careful build, and a more historically correct replica. Split the difference in half and that's what the extra is paying for. Personally, I couldn't give a rat's ass if it was histerically correct. I want it to sound great.

Recent R8's are the plaintop with a bit thicker neck I also would not pay 1-2 grand extra for flame unless it looked like Duane's. I think they are kind of tacky.

[GAD]

Historics are also not weight relieved, and tend to use better wood. I like that about them.

[Section10]

to be honest I prefer plain top, another reason I opted for Traditional Pro when that came out.

Correction from original post, the one I like is a 1960's Gibson Custom VOS.
The other one was a '58 VOS, Not sure how to tell which is r8 or r9 etc... I'm guessing these plain tops are the r8 like people suggested on here.

So basically another grand to get the Historic version....probably more if I have to sell mine to get it, but maybe i'll find a used one, this exact one has an AWESOME look to it. Dark red to black sunburst and that varnish-looking finish.
Looks very close to this.
http://www.mattsmusic.com/R8FT_700.jpg

[pir8matt]

You could always try to find a 'G0', the plaintop 1960 Historics sold through guitar center. The only difference between it and an R0 is a plainer top and the 'G' at the beginning of the serial.

Great value, usually priced used closer to $2200-2400 (I got mine for 2 grand even, so deals can definitely be had).

Very nice guitars if you like the R0 necks. All the other goodies come with em, burstbuckers, bumblebee caps (after 07, I think), case candy, COA, etc.

[Section10]

oo good call pir8matt.
I'm guessing this is either G0 or R8 that I played then.
Basically a G0 but with the aged effect? But even on sale thats a $1000 difference, so not sure if aging is worth that jump.

[lakehaus]

I had an R8 & R9. The things you can't change are the neck and the top... although there are flamed R8s and plain R9s (albeit uncommon).

If you like a bit fatter neck, and don't care for a sweet flame, then the R8 is for you and will let you keep about $1200-$1500 in your pocket.

My personal pref was the R8, but damn... the tiger stripes on the R9 were KILLER!

[Section10]

so i'm curious, the one I've been playing is a 1960 Les Paul Custom Historic VOS Plain top. Sold at Guitar Center.
Its aged, so finish and parts are non-gloss. Does that make this a G0??

Neck is slimmer than the 1958 VOS thats there for $3700. This ones on special for $3000. Of course if you're paying for a 'used' look I might as well find one used for that matter.

Who uses these "R9" type terms anyway, are we just referring to serial numbers?

[pete692]

Originally Posted by Section10

so i'm curious, the one I've been playing is a 1960 Les Paul Custom Historic VOS Plain top. Sold at Guitar Center.
Its aged, so finish and parts are non-gloss. Does that make this a G0??

Neck is slimmer than the 1958 VOS thats there for $3700. This ones on special for $3000. Of course if you're paying for a 'used' look I might as well find one used for that matter.

Who uses these "R9" type terms anyway, are we just referring to serial numbers?

VOS is cheaper, the alternative is gloss finish, which will add about 300 bucks.