• Registered: 2009-03-15
  • Posts: 10

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Big E wrote:

I played a lot of high end Les Pauls, PRS & G&L's this weekend at a great guitar shop in Tuscon AZ called Rainbow guitars. My favoret Les Pauls where the Classics and I did get to play a Les Paul Traditional Pro which is the guitar I loved and want to buy. Sadly I think its a Guitar Center/Musicans Friends exculisive and the cost of almost 2K is to rich for me. So I am thinking of getting a Used classic with the 60's neck and adding the Humbucker spliting, which I really loved.

Also played a PRS I really liked but it didn't have quite the soul of the Gibson. I also played a couple of really great G&L's I haven't played a bad one of there guitars, its a shame there not more popular. After the Les Paul purchase I will be looking for a nice G&L maybe in a year or so.

I just got a G&L  telecaster. Its not actually a tele, but looks identical  Fitted with Kinman blues specials , and Eric Clapton tone blender . It took a while to get used to ( triangular neck) , but it is a real tone monster.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Out of personal preference, I'd buy a G&L before I'd ever buy a Fender, MusicMan, or other S shaped guitar. I simply have not played one that was unfavourable. They are all super awesome guitars. I just never played one that I could not put down for more than 15 minutes. I'm sure one's out there.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-03-07
  • Posts: 74

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

If it was my money I'd take the refund and buy a used Historic series Les Paul.

Even the used Historics I've seen are over $3K.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

I'd avoid a trade in if you can.  Classic's aren't bringing much on Ebay right now but I know you'll get more that way then trading it at a store.  I'd say you'd be lucky to get $1000 for a trade.  Ebay you might get around $1200 to $1500 right now.  It doesn't sound like much but still every bite counts!  $500 is like a really nice pedal or something you'd be missing out on.  Try to sell it yourself first and if you fail to sale then trade it.  I'm not trying to come off all fatherly or nothing its just I've been there and traded a lot.  They will screw you big time so they can turn a profit.  BTW I don't blame you for wanting the R8 they are some bad guitars!  Gibson I believe is putting out better guitars custom shop wise then they ever have on a large scale market.  You know you won't be disappointed.

ZampraZ wrote:

I agree! Sounded so much better while playing the R8. It was so nice, they played much better and sounded a lot better. On top of that they looked so nice and vintage. The difference between the two were even more clear when playing unplugged. The cherry was brighter with a more striking sound. The Iced tea sounded more tinny unplugged with less articulation and sustain.

The difference between the two was more than I would have expected. I think I'll buy the cherry one as soon as I've sold my paul (it's possible to give them the guitar + cash though, haven't asked how much they will value my guitar at). The Cherry was easily the best paul I've tried...

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Yeah what they offered was way to little as expected. I even got a better offer (but still to low) after putting the ad up for 1 hour. I'll be able to sell it for a fair price, in Sweden I don't think people care as much about model...

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

So I need some help figuring out what Paul to get. I have played a bunch, My budget is around $1500 I could add a little more but I want to stay around that. So I haven't played any R serious or customs since most are out of my price range. What I have played and like are the Classics I love the 60's slim necks and the 57 pups, but I haven't found a used one that wasn't beat to hell and back out here is AZ. I have also played the Tradational Pro the guitar center only guitar - I really like it, Grover Tuners, Split coils tabacco burst finish great all around guitar $1900 before tax! Ouch! But I know someone one who can get me a deal on a 08 Les Paul Traditional Plus for about $1700 out the door great looking guitar but I can't play it and it doesn't have the split pups or grovers, but I could add them later. My last opition is I will be traveling next month to Chicago where they have a million more guitar shops and maybe I can find a nice used LP there. Any thoughts on the Classic vs The Traditional Pro Vs The Plus?

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Big E wrote:

So I need some help figuring out what Paul to get. I have played a bunch, My budget is around $1500 I could add a little more but I want to stay around that. So I haven't played any R serious or customs since most are out of my price range. What I have played and like are the Classics I love the 60's slim necks and the 57 pups, but I haven't found a used one that wasn't beat to hell and back out here is AZ. I have also played the Tradational Pro the guitar center only guitar - I really like it, Grover Tuners, Split coils tabacco burst finish great all around guitar $1900 before tax! Ouch! But I know someone one who can get me a deal on a 08 Les Paul Traditional Plus for about $1700 out the door great looking guitar but I can't play it and it doesn't have the split pups or grovers, but I could add them later. My last opition is I will be traveling next month to Chicago where they have a million more guitar shops and maybe I can find a nice used LP there. Any thoughts on the Classic vs The Traditional Pro Vs The Plus?

Well the Classics are chambered, traditionals are only weight relieved. I own a classic and I prefer the traditional over that one. I don't know about the traditional pro. But the traditional is the best USA line Gibson I've tried...

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

I didn't know the Classic was chambered. Do the Classics and Traditionals have the same Pups?

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

I don't think they were always chambered or weight relieved.  I forget the year but Gibson only recently started chambering and weight relieving guitars.  I see a lot of 80's and '90s Les Pauls and they are beat to hell but are A) cheaper and B) usually made of better wood.  I want to say 2000 or 2002 is when Gibson went full scale with the chambering of the studios, classics, standards, etc.  Tell you the truth I'd probably get a Standard SG for 1/2 the price and it's solid wood.  There isn't a world of difference tonewise and are much easier on the back!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

No SG's this time around strickly a Les Paul, I won't be buying another les paul for years to come so this one has got to be the best I can buy, and a upgrade over my studio.

29 Reply by ZampraZ (edited by ZampraZ 2009-05-20 08:55:52)

  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

As previously said, I'm uncertain of the updates on the traditional pro but IMHO the traditional is the best USA line you can get.

HOWEVER, you could buy a used 1958 plain top (R8) for around the same price as a new traditional...


It's like, if you buy a Gibson USA, you know there is always the CS line which will be better. But don't get me wrong, traditional is a great great guitar, the USA line is great. We all make it sound like you need a custom shop to have a good guitar, but you don't (unless you want the best money can buy tongue)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

ZampraZ is 100% correct.  There is no "need" for a custom shop offering.  I certainly did not want to pay as much as I ended up paying for a Les Paul.  I could have bought a FANTASTIC sounding used Les Paul Classic for $1200 vs the $2700 I payed for my Les Paul.  They also had a used PRS CE-22 for $1200 there, I mean I could have bought 2 GREAT guitars for what I paid for my one guitar.  But that being said, I have found that when you get the best you can afford you end up saving money in the long run.  I can't tell you how many guys trade, sell, and lose money on their way to the top of the tone heap before they finally break down and buy their dream axe.  You only live once and to quote a local guitar business that just sadly went out of business, "Life's too short to play a lousy guitar".  There is nothing wrong with a Traditional.  Some people live their whole lives never owning a guitar that nice. sad

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Stratpaulguy,

You are 100% right on your thinking that is why I am getting rid of my studio for a much better guitar. I know I would be happy with anything better than my studio at least for the next few years hell I was only going to keep the studio for a year and I have had it for 6.

To be honest I haven't played an R8 mostly because I can't find any used ones here. The used market for guitar in Arizona is really bad. I have driven all over the state trying to find some nice used Les pauls been to a bunch of great stores but no Used les pauls. I don't really want to go the ebay route I would like to play the guitar first. So I will keep searching but more and more the Traditional is calling me.

By the way your strat doctor Z clip is great! So are your other clips. After I buy the Paul I hope to retube my 68 bassman and run it with my Jub.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Will probably buy a new 'paul

Big E wrote:

Stratpaulguy,

You are 100% right on your thinking that is why I am getting rid of my studio for a much better guitar. I know I would be happy with anything better than my studio at least for the next few years hell I was only going to keep the studio for a year and I have had it for 6.

To be honest I haven't played an R8 mostly because I can't find any used ones here. The used market for guitar in Arizona is really bad. I have driven all over the state trying to find some nice used Les pauls been to a bunch of great stores but no Used les pauls. I don't really want to go the ebay route I would like to play the guitar first. So I will keep searching but more and more the Traditional is calling me.

By the way your strat doctor Z clip is great! So are your other clips. After I buy the Paul I hope to retube my 68 bassman and run it with my Jub.

Thanks Big E!  Yeah man I don't know where all of the nicer used stuff is going to.  You would think in this economy there would be a LOT of nice deals to be had.  I agree, you should not buy a Les Paul online before playing it's just too much money and risky.  They are just too inconsistent.  The Traditionals are very nice guitars and will get you where you want to be.  To tell you the truth, I went with a CS guitar because I didn't want my brain to think that I could sound any better with another guitar.  I knew if I got that beat up old Classic with the yellow inlays and uneven grained maple top I would tell myself that I would sound much better on a Standard or CS.  A good Les Paul is a good Les Paul.  I have played some Epiphone cheapies that SPANKED some really expensive Gibsons.  Just play as many guitars as you can get your hands on and find the best one for your style/tastes.  Good luck and enjoy the hunt!

        -Justin

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.