Question about my 2001 Les Paul Standard

[FireBottle]

I have a 2001 cherry sunburst. (Love it.) I was told that it was built the year before they began offering the 50's and 60's neck profile options so mine is a true 'tweener. I had it weighed by a local meat market friend of mine and it came in at just under 8.5 lbs.

I have heard that certain years of the LP Stnd. are preferrable to others, for various reasons from wood selection to pick-ups to theories about 'pre-Custom Shop' build quality on the production line Standards. Frankly, I just bought this one because it was the one I could afford at the time. I have read somewhere (probably TGP) that this year is considered a good one for Gibson LP's.

I'm the second owner and have invested in some nice upgrades (RS wiring harness, all nickel TonePros hardware, The Mule pups!) so I've definitely designated it a keeper. However as it happens, I am now being sucked into considering a nice '59 Historic with a killer top. (Damn GAS.) So, I am tempted with thoughts of selling to fund this custom shop beauty. Aside from the upgrades, does the fact that it was manufactured in 2001 lend any value or rarity? (Is this just a silly, stupid phase that will pass?)

Help!

 

[Tim Plains]

No added value or rarity.

 

[Guitar Josh]

Your neck is not a "tweener." It is a '59 carve. It's also not pre-custom shop at all. Your upgrades, while nice, add very little value to the guitar. It's not more rare than anything else from around that time.

I say enjoy the guitar. You love it. The CS is an unknown. keep the one you have and keep rocking.

 

[Sun Creature]

I'd keep it, the Gibsons from 2000-2003 are hidden gems IMO.

 

[rummy]

If you love your Les Paul, regardless of the year, you should keep it and cherish it regardless of the year.

 

[iahawk36]

My 2001 Gibby LP Std is absolutely one of my favorites, even compared to the Historics I've owned. The only change I made to mine was to put in Joe B SD pups...an absolute keeper!

 

[Rich]

XXXX is the "best year" for __________ is largely just internet hype.

Excepting for those guys who will only buy Historics that were made using hide glue and without TR condoms because they are vastly superior to all Historics made previously - so they think.

There are good and not-so good guitars from every year.

2001 Gibsons don't hold any special value or rarity. But it sounds like yours is a special guitar to you.

And only you can figure out whether what it'll bring you versus what additional $$ you'll have to lay out for the R9 is worth it. And whether that R9 is really "all that" to you, period.

 

[jp1977]

They are not rare. What's nice is that at that time Gibson still made even their standard production line models with one piece bodies, and a nice 1pc rosewood fingerboard. It should have the brown case with the pink lining which I also prefer to the later.

 

[DonP]

2002 was a much better year. Plenty of upgrades over the prior generation.

 

[Guitar Josh]

2002 was a much better year. Plenty of upgrades over the prior generation.

Nah. That's just your opinion. Not commonly held either. But you are entitled to it nonetheless.

 

[FireBottle]

They are not rare. What's nice is that at that time Gibson still made even their standard production line models with one piece bodies, and a nice 1pc rosewood fingerboard. It should have the brown case with the pink lining which I also prefer to the later.

The guy I bought it from had a custom shop (TKL) and dressed it up with Gibson Historic plastic...it also has Grovers, which I assume came stock with it as there are no extra holes. Anyway, I also have the Gibson box that it was shipped to him in.

 

[clay_finley]

I've got a 2001 LP Std. that's awesome. Plays like butta, sounds great.

 

[FireBottle]

2002 was a much better year. Plenty of upgrades over the prior generation.

What sort of upgrades?

When I was taking lessons (1980) from a local high school sr. who was in a popular band, I admired his cherry sunburst with Grover tuners...dreamed of having one someday. Now I have one, love it, but I'm approaching my 50th birthday and have the custom shop/killer-flame-top itch.

 

[supersonic1414]

Nah. That's just your opinion. Not commonly held either. But you are entitled to it nonetheless.

Perfectly said.

 

[Slashtone]

Being a 2001 doesn't make your LP any more valuable.

A swiss-cheesed 8.5lber Les Paul is a great weight. My advice is to first buy whatever guitar you want, then wait a few months (for the honeymoon to wear off), and only then decide if you want to sell your 2001 Standard.

Do yourself a favor and do not sell your Standard before buying whatever else you want. It is better to spend a few extra months saving up than to regret selling off a great guitar.

 

[Reynman]

I have a 2000 Standard plaintop. Love the 59 neck, the one piece back, the weight. Just a well made piece. Has dried nicely over time. I have a tough time thinking a guitar could be much better.

If it's good, cut the nonsense and play your guitar.

 

[custom53]

Your neck is not a "tweener." It is a '59 carve. It's also not pre-custom shop at all. Your upgrades, while nice, add very little value to the guitar. It's not more rare than anything else from around that time.

I say enjoy the guitar. You love it. .

Agree.. The '59 neck is different than all other necks combined.. But that being said, they are basically handmade so there are variations to that also..

 

[smolder]

Been reading and asking about this a lot lately... it would seem that the late 90's (98/99), 2001/2, and especially 2007 were very good years. Not sure what might have happened in 2000. I also understand that 2013 was very good... but again, that tertiary from internet forums and answers from well studied friends - to my questions.

 

[FireBottle]

Agree.. The '59 neck is different than all other necks combined.. But that being said, they are basically handmade so there are variations to that also..

I haven't played a ton of LPs, but have played several different necks - designated '59 or '60 - and I find most (if not all) of the '59's way different than my '01 which is not U shaped or fat-ish feeling at all. It also seems to have a 'less narrow' width at the nut than a '60's. Anyway, it's comfortable to me. I also find the newer asymetrical necks to be good for my hands - which are pretty medium-to-smallish.