NGD: 1996 Gibson Les Paul 57 Reissue

[Jmg11986]

Pulled the trigger on a trade. My tele and LP for this beauty. I will say it sounds completely different than my old les paul which was a 2012 classic custom. Very punchy and spanky, like a single coil in some ways. Sounds awesome! Had my choice between this and a 2010 r8 in bourbon burst. This was hands down a better built guitar and sounded better. I like that it isn't pledked. Take a look

 

[1radicalron]

Congrad's that is an Awesome Guitar = An 18 year old stunner!
I have a 97 40th Ann R7 Goldtop. Love those early Historic's

 

[Franktone]

That's a real beauty of a Les Paul. It just looks so awesome with that kinda wide fret board with a nice color on the fret board.
Totally awesome guitar.

 

[e???]

Man that set-up looks fun... congrats! Bet it's holy with that matchless

 

[crifasta]

Congrats! I have a 97 but much more worn than yours. Enjoy!!!

 

[Jmg11986]

Those of you who have some of these early r7s, how thick is the neck? When compared to the 2010 r8, this neck was thinner and easier to handle. Is that normal? I really like the feel of it actually.

In general, what are the differences between early r7s and newer r7s? The guy I got it from mentioned it was from the "good wood" era. What is that?

 

[guitarded_1]

It's funny that you bring up the single coil thing. I have a 2006 R7 and a 2014 R8. Both sound fantastic, but the R7 sounds like it has some strat sprinkled in. Even unplugged, the top end is sparkly, snappy and unlike any LP I have ever played. I love it. Congrats.

 

[1radicalron]

Those of you who have some of these early r7s, how thick is the neck? When compared to the 2010 r8, this neck was thinner and easier to handle. Is that normal? I really like the feel of it actually.

In general, what are the differences between early r7s and newer r7s? The guy I got it from mentioned it was from the "good wood" era. What is that?

I have both a 93 (First Year of Historic's) and a 97. Both necks are the same size, and both are rounder, and slightly smaller size than newer R7's have nowadays. More closer to R9 style neck. - A good friend has a 2001 R7 Goldtop, and that neck is friggin HUGE! So there was a some changes in size somewhere along the line.

Goodwood Era refers to late 90's early 2k - before the end of Honduran Mahogany, Import Bans on Brazilian Rosewood, Etc...The last days of rare woods.

 

[shallbe]

Cool! I love the 90's Historics. The mahogany was the old stuff and really good. The neck carves were right and the tops had a deep dish.

I have a 96, 97 and 98, all bought new and not going anywhere.

 

[Jmg11986]

I have both a 93 (First Year of Historic's) and a 97. Both necks are the same size, and both are rounder, and slightly smaller size than newer R7's have nowadays. More closer to R9 style neck. - A good friend has a 2001 R7 Goldtop, and that neck is friggin HUGE! So there was a some changes in size somewhere along the line.

Goodwood Era refers to late 90's early 2k - before the end of Honduran Mahogany, Import Bans on Brazilian Rosewood, Etc...The last days of rare woods.

Gotcha.....is 1996 considered good wood then? The board is rosewood but the grain looks different and nicer than any other rosewood I've ever owned. Think it is Brazilian?

 

[1radicalron]

Could be, Brazilian was used much more often in the 90's era. Posting a close up Pic might give you a more definitive answer.
Also those early 57 RI PAF Pups are pretty sweet. Designed by Tom Holmes, the early versions sounded really great!

 

[Jmg11986]

Here ya go. The grain just looks different to me. Almost like bamboo

 

[Jmg11986]

What do you guys think? Plain rosewood?

 

[moosewayne]

A truly understated, subtle beauty!
CONGRATS!!!

I love plain top bursts.
Far too often r8, 9 and 0s are so over the top with flame an quilt they don't even look like instruments, to me.
I'd take an r7 gold top any day of the week.
OP, your Les Paul is simply gorgeous!

 

[Sean French]

Happy Gold Top day to you.

 

[0018g]

A gold top Les Paul-just something RIGHT about that, isn't there? Congrats on a fine looking guitar.

 

[E Baxter Put]

Doesn't seem to have that reddish tint that brazilian usually has. Seems like light brown.

I have a 96 R7 and the neck is a bit thinner than later versions. It's chunky, but doesn't feel too big. I changed my wiring to 50s wiring and I like it much better.

 

[Jmg11986]

Here is a shot of the wiring and pickups. Wiring looks different than new ones. They look right to you guys?

 

[Greentone]

Yep, that looks correct.

 

[Jmg11986]

Resurrecting this thread. Still have this guy and still love it. The more I play it, the more twangy j feel like it sounds. Reminiscent of a tele. What kind of pups were in these LP reissues back then?