LP R8 vs R9

[pickslide]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference? I see that R9's are quite a bit more expensive (I am not even talking about the Tom Murphy aged ones). I am thinking about saving up for a great LP, so I thought I would get the low down on these two great guitars.

[musicofanatic5]

I could be wrong but isn't the R8 the "plain top" (unfigured maple), while the R9 has a figured maple top. I believe that's the only difference. Seems a lot of people really like the R8, spouting statements like, "I hate that gaudy, wild, flamed, curly maple anyway", which I can't help but translate into, "I couldn't come up with the extra $1,500, so I'll try to convince myself that I don't mind the look of boring, unfigured maple." "Plain top" is an apt descriptor, as I think there is nothing "plainer" than unfigured maple. I'd rather see it covered up with black paint, but then again, I do go for a Custom.

[Radagacuca]

as said, r9 is more or less flamed while the r8 is plain. the necks on the r8 are usually thicker than on the r9. but all necks vary on those, so if you have to order online you better ask the seller of the actual neck thickness incase you don´t like baseball bat sized necks. other than that they are equal.

[AndrewSimon]

Well, I prefer "plain top" regardless of cost, I just can't remember any of my guitar heroes playing flashy quilt tops.
Some of the tops are so over done it's like.... yuk!
I guess it's a matter of taste.

I don't own a Les Paul (yet) but for me this is the most beautiful LP there is: (owned by Milesat)





:AOK

[* velcro-fly *]

Originally Posted by pickslide

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference? I see that R9's are quite a bit more expensive (I am not even talking about the Tom Murphy aged ones). I am thinking about saving up for a great LP, so I thought I would get the low down on these two great guitars.

Right here :BEER

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=247658

Killer price on this one...from when they were doing flamed R8's...

Steve E

[pickslide]

very nice velcro fly...I posted a message in that link

[wingwalker]

R8's have a plain top while R9's have a flame top, also r8's have a larger neck and smaller frets while R9's have a slightly smaller neck with larger frets. Those are the only differences I know of, FWIW, I have a recent (Pre-VOS) R8 and I live it...I went to a local dealer and played several (over a dozen) R7s R8s and R9s just looking for the best LP I could find I ended up wtih an R8 and I've never looked back. Also keep in mind that an R7 and an R8 are the same guitar just different finish...

[* velcro-fly *]

Originally Posted by wingwalker

R8's have a plain top while R9's have a flame top, also r8's have a larger neck and smaller frets while R9's have a slightly smaller neck with larger frets. Those are the only differences I know of, FWIW, I have a recent (Pre-VOS) R8 and I live it...I went to a local dealer and played several (over a dozen) R7s R8s and R9s just looking for the best LP I could find I ended up wtih an R8 and I've never looked back. Also keep in mind that an R7 and an R8 are the same guitar just different finish...

01' ( I think), 02', 03' R8's were actually flame tops that for the most part rivaled the R9's. The 02' R8 I own has a neck thats actually smaller than the current R9 profile, as does most of the other 02' R8's I've encountered. The flame top is the reason the 02' - 03' R8's are typically in the upper end of the used market in terms of $'s. Expect to pay anywhere from $2900 - 3500 for one, and if it's an 03' with a Brazillian board add another $1000 + on to that.

Steve E

[wingwalker]

Originally Posted by * velcro-fly *

01' ( I think), 02', 03' R8's were actually flame tops that for the most part rivaled the R9's. The 02' R8 I own has a neck thats actually smaller than the current R9 profile, as does most of the other 02' R8's I've encountered. The flame top is the reason the 02' - 03' R8's are typically in the upper end of the used market in terms of $'s. Expect to pay anywhere from $2900 - 3500 for one, and if it's an 03' with a Brazillian board add another $1000 + on to that.

Steve E

I should have been clear that I was talking about the more recent historics and VOS guitars...

[Brock]

doesn't R7 mean 57' reissue, R8 mean 58' reissue and R9 mean 59' reissue?

[* velcro-fly *]

Originally Posted by Brock

doesn't R7 mean 57' reissue, R8 mean 58' reissue and R9 mean 59' reissue?

Yep

Steve E

[phoenix 7]

Originally Posted by musicofanatic5

Seems a lot of people really like the R8, spouting statements like, "I hate that gaudy, wild, flamed, curly maple anyway", which I can't help but translate into, "I couldn't come up with the extra $1,500, so I'll try to convince myself that I don't mind the look of boring, unfigured maple."

This is a silly generalization. True in some cases maybe, but not all. I could have easily sprung for an R9, but the R8 I found sang to me better than the R9's. I'll take a sweet voice over sweet wood grain any day. I do like tasteful flamed maple. But I think a nice plain top looks better than a lot of the flashy flame stuff I see these days.

[Matt Gordon]

I prefer plain tops also. Nice guitar up there, I'd agree, that or a goldtop 57 would be my chioce if I were a LP player.

[fjs1962]

I've owned several R8s, a R7 and a couple of R9s. The only diference I could find between them is the top. In fact I was just over at a frinds house the other day comparing my '06 R8 to his '06 R9. His guitar is 8.6 lb, mine is 8.7. My neck is actually slightly slimmer than his. Both are washed charry and the colors are identical, he just has the flamed top where mine is plain. The frets are the same on both guitars, and they sound almost identical (mine has a little more low-mid, his is slightly brighter).

For me it's not that I can't afford a R9 (like I said I've owned a couple) but more that for what I'd pay for a R9 I bought a R8 AND a R6. Two Les Pauls are always better than one!

[J.T.]

I think the frets are different as well