• From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Topic: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

Hi fellas,
I recently posted a topic of "Standard vs Traditional LP" and recieved tons of valuable advice and info that I really appreciated. I was ready to pull the trigger but listened to some of the advice and decided to hold out for my dream LP. Well I sold my Marshall Bluesbreaker last night and now have the funds ($3K) to purchase my dream guitar - the 1957 VOS RI Goldtop LP. I searched out one locally for sale and found a MINT 3 month old '57 RI and he will take $3K for it. During my search, I also found a MINT '56 RI with P90's that still has the hang tags on it for $2900. Other than the P90's, is there any other difference to these guitars? Both have the 'antiqued' gold top that I love....just curious as to differences in tone and what some of you would do. Ahhh what a nice problem to have.....

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

kevman13 wrote:

Hi fellas,
I recently posted a topic of "Standard vs Traditional LP" and recieved tons of valuable advice and info that I really appreciated. I was ready to pull the trigger but listened to some of the advice and decided to hold out for my dream LP. Well I sold my Marshall Bluesbreaker last night and now have the funds ($3K) to purchase my dream guitar - the 1957 VOS RI Goldtop LP. I searched out one locally for sale and found a MINT 3 month old '57 RI and he will take $3K for it. During my search, I also found a MINT '56 RI with P90's that still has the hang tags on it for $2900. Other than the P90's, is there any other difference to these guitars? Both have the 'antiqued' gold top that I love....just curious as to differences in tone and what some of you would do. Ahhh what a nice problem to have.....

You might want to also post on the Les Paul forum, some very knowledgeable people there about this type of subject.
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/historics-reissues

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
More pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/114580443759038003888/
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  • From: Norway
  • Registered: 2009-06-03
  • Posts: 108

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

I sold a '57 for the JBLP and alle the '57 RI's I tried before buying had slightly slimmer necks than the '56RI's I also tried. Only very slight differences though. The RI's necks all differ some. I have a '58 RI that is as slim as the JBLP's '59 profile neck. They are still fat necks, but "a lot" slimmer than the '57.

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

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

$3000 is a bit steep for the price of a used R7.  You can often find them for around $2200.  I'd wait out to find a great deal unless that particular one is absolute magic.  I just don't want to see you get hosed.  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.
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

I have reached the promised land! I am now the proud owner of a drop dead gorgeous '57 RI Goldtop. When I picked it up it was like God himself hugged me and told me I was his favourite. The playability and tone out of this guitar is amazing! How is it SO much better than the Standards and Traditionals I was trying? Yeah I paid $3K. I don't regret it. There are no Guitar Centers, or Sam Ash's around here (Canada) so there is slim pickin's for used Custom Shops. Anyway guys thanks for the responses and advice as usual...now it's 7:30 am Sat - maybe I can plug into the Class 5 without waking the kids...

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

Its still cheaper then brand new and your smile when you play your first power chord on it in that Class 5 was worth every penny I'm sure.  I've played a 58' before the VOS custom Shops came out and I've played a 56' reissue last summer or the summer before that I can't remember...  Never played a 57'.  I loved the 58' and never wanted a guitar so bad in my life at the time it was primo.  I tried that 56' though and it just had tones I can't really put into words.  It wasn't your typical LP sound that everybody got and that was what I liked about it was that it was different.  I think I would have still picked the guitar with the humbuckers but P-90's are so cool.  You might wanna do yourself a favor and pickup a cheapo Epiphone goldtop 56' reissue with p-90's as I think thats the best deal they got going on Epiphones.  Like I said its just different.

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

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

Congrats Kev, I know you've been really jonesing for that Les Paul!  Welcome to the club!  cool

'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: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

great thread, gread advice too. Maybe in a few months there'll be another Kev with a 57 RI (i.,e., me!), once I've saved up my pennies

You never know what's going to happen.....
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  • From: Norway
  • Registered: 2009-06-03
  • Posts: 108

Re: '56 VOS Goldtop RI vs '57 VOS Goldtop RI?

Congrats! Goldtops are true jewels - enjoy!