Which thinner neck Les Paul?

[cloudnine]

I heard people talk about the R0 a lot, but which exact model does that mean? Or what is the difference between http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...are?sku=514207 and http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...tar?sku=517835 ? Why is the latter $2000 more? Which are the ones people around here are always raving about? Cheers.

[pir8matt]

R0 = Historic reissue of a 1960 LP. Its a 60's neck profile, which is gonna be thinner than the 50's models, but not quite as thin as the 'classic' non-historics.

Other models are similarly named based on the year of manufacture that it is designed after:

R9 = 1959 Historic
R8 = 1958 Historic
R7 = 1957 Historic

And so forth.

The difference in price is all about the top. Plaintops are cheaper than flamey tops. Whether thats worth more money is completely subjective. Some people love the flame. I actually prefer the plain tops, myself.

Adding to the confusion (this question always comes up eventually) are the 'G0' series historics, which are Gibson historics sold through guitar center. They carry a 'G' designation at the front of the serial. They are basically R0's with a plain top and can be obtained for a very reasonable price, usually 2000-2200 used, though some have claimed to have gotten them for that much NEW from Guitar Center.

[strings]

There is so much varation in neck size in new and original Les Pauls that you really need to play a bunch and find the one that feels right.

[Heinz W]

Matt nailed it. The top is the only difference. They are both great guitars, but I noticed the price has gone up. 6k?!? Wow, I paid 4.5 for my brand new R0 18 months ago. You can still find a better deal at some of the other internet dealers like Mark's Guitar Loft or Centre City Music. You can save more money by going used.

I prefer flame myself.

[cloudnine]

So both of the one's I linked to are R0's? Or are they called G0's? Ok, really what I'm after is, are they good? Ha ha.

[pir8matt]

Originally Posted by cloudnine

So both of the one's I linked to are R0's? Or are they called G0's? Ok, really what I'm after is, are they good? Ha ha.

I was trying to post about the G0's earlier but TGP was being flaky.

Anyway, G0's are historics made for Guitar Center. They're basically plaintop R0's that have a 'G' in the serial. Otherwise, they are totally Gibson Historics. Come with a custom shop case, COA, case candy, stamped 'R0' inside the cavity, etc. The ones you liked to were at MF, so they wouldnt be G0's (I don't think - I've lost track of who actually owns all these big box music stores now..are GC and MF one and the same now?)

They're just the less fancy R0's but are every bit as nice, I think, just not as flamey. Seems like you can get better deals on them by actually going to the stores, but that might not be true anymore with GC's new no-haggling sales standpoint. Anyone here get any killer in-store deals on G0's lately?

Myself, I just picked up a Darkburst G0 from the 'bay to go with my honeyburst. Love that guitar.

[pir8matt]

I am not gonna argue that that top ain't a beauty!

Originally Posted by Heinz W

Matt nailed it. The top is the only difference. They are both great guitars, but I noticed the price has gone up. 6k?!? Wow, I paid 4.5 for my brand new R0 18 months ago. You can still find a better deal at some of the other internet dealers like Mark's Guitar Loft or Centre City Music. You can save more money by going used.

I prefer flame myself.

[wilerty]

The GO has gone up in price to $3,699. It was $2,999 last year and on sale I saw one go for $2,499. They are a nice guitar ... but
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-C...31-i1274665.gc

[pir8matt]

Originally Posted by wilerty

The GO has gone up in price to $3,699. It was $2,999 last year and on sale I saw one go for $2,499. They are a nice guitar ... but
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-C...31-i1274665.gc

Yeah, I have to wonder how well a price increase will fly in this economy. We'll see how they sell at that price.