Gibson LP custom

robdynamite

Basically I've been hankering to buy one since I first started playing many moons ago, but for the average person they're expensive bloody guitars and I've had my LP studio for a good few years now and I think the time's right (almost financially too) but what model year is a good year to buy? As I've read so many differencing opinions, I might as well get them fired my way.I'm also a little stuck for which colour to go for as I like too many different ones

ICBM

Black.

Any year except the newest ones with the Richlite fingerboard.

(I am not actually against the use of Richlite by the way, I just think it's not appropriate and will harm the potential resale value on a premium model guitar like this.)

chrisj1602

Black.

I have a black one now. Though I have had white and wine red too.

There are some very good deals on used customs, there is no need at all to pay £3000 for a new one.

I have a 2007 custom shop custom, which has a maple cap, 498t/490r pickups, 50s neck - but nowhere near as thick as the historic models. The historics are all mahogany, burstbucker or 57 classic pickups. With the historics you also get 3 pickup and bigsby models.

[Deleted User]

There was a really nice black Historic in the classifieds going for a good price a few days ago.

kelvinburn

Black with tarnished gold hardwear and ebony fretboard.  I want one so badly it hurts

xSkarloey

ICBM said:

Black.

Any year except the newest ones with the Richlite fingerboard.

(I am not actually against the use of Richlite by the way, I just think it's not appropriate and will harm the potential resale value on a premium model guitar like this.)

Just thinking in terms of what you can assume will be made to 'classic' specs, I've seen a few early 80s models going for that a seem reasonable prices, the ones where almost all the advertisers draw attention the fact they've got Tim Shaw pickups. 

What's the general opinion on the Customs from that period? 

richardhomer

Skarloey;273307" said:

Just thinking in terms of what you can assume will be made to 'classic' specs, I've seen a few early 80s models going for that a seem reasonable prices, the ones where almost all the advertisers draw attention the fact they've got Tim Shaw pickups. 

What's the general opinion on the Customs from that period? 

The early '80s was a good time for Gibson.

They introduced the Heritage Standard and Elite Les Pauls - which were an early attempt at reissuing a late 50s spec (not particularly accurate - they had three-piece laminated necks and the 'wrong' pointy cutaway) - they were good instruments. The 'Dot Reissue' 335s from this era are also very desirable.

By this point some undesirable features (like pancake bodies and maple necks) had been dropped and build quality was generally high - particularly on Customs as the were the 'top of the line'.

Weight is the biggest issue (IIRC weight-relieving hadn't started). I have played some that are amazingly heavy - though some were fine.

A nice one from this era is a very fine guitar.

randomhandclaps

Choice of LPC colour is quite simple - black or wine red for the classy win.

Iamnobody

randomhandclaps;273352" said:

Choice of LPC colour is quite simple - black or wine red for the classy win.

I think you spelt white incorrectly there?!

For some reason it says wine red on my screen...

PVO_Dave

When I first started playing, an Alpine White LP Custom was my dream guitar, mainly down to James Dean Bradfield, finally bought my one in 2008, so it has an ebony fretboard. 

If you do end up getting a modernish one, make sure you give it a thorough looking over, Gibson QC issues don't exclude custom shop models

impmann

White.

Two reasons:

Steve Jones
Steve Jones

fretfinder

richardhomer said: Weight is the biggest issue (IIRC weight-relieving hadn't started). I have played some that are amazingly heavy.

         ^^^ this.  

JookyChap

Or put more accurately..

impmann said:

Black.

Two reasons:

Steve Jones
Steve Jones

DeeTee

PVO_Dave;273380" said:

When I first started playing, an Alpine White LP Custom was my dream guitar, mainly down to James Dean Bradfield, finally bought my one in 2008, so it has an ebony fretboard. 

If you do end up getting a modernish one, make sure you give it a thorough looking over, Gibson QC issues don't exclude custom shop models

White, for this reason. You can then turn everything up and play Motorcycle Emptiness badly. Actually, that might just be me.

PVO_Dave

DeeTee said:

PVO_Dave;273380" said:

When I first started playing, an Alpine White LP Custom was my dream guitar, mainly down to James Dean Bradfield, finally bought my one in 2008, so it has an ebony fretboard. 

If you do end up getting a modernish one, make sure you give it a thorough looking over, Gibson QC issues don't exclude custom shop models

White, for this reason. You can then turn everything up and play Motorcycle Emptiness badly. Actually, that might just be me.

I like to go one better and play everything badly with it

marantz1300

I had a white 1990 Custom( thanks Rod),heavy but well built and great tone.
A VOS 57 ,superb build quality and a lovely fat 50's neck ,all hog,I loved it.
I have a mid 69 now.One piece body,its lighter and sounds great.Anyone know how much a 1969 Custom is worth?
E Bay prices seem ridiculously high.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/marantz1300/Gibson/100_1196.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/marantz1300/Gibson/gibson vos 57 les paul custom/SDC10766.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/marantz1300/Gibson/SDC11396_zpsc68781b8.jpg

Neil

That lovely old creamy white.   >:D<

impmann

I think I read that James Dean Bradfield bought his white LP Custom because of Steve Jones... even more reason to buy a white one.
Although in an interview Jonesy said his fave guitar was a black Les Paul Custom...

Skipped

I would probably go with something from the Historic era.
If you don't have to contend with feelings of "nostalgia" for a 70s guitar (or any other period)  - that may be a good thing.

Lew

Black is the only option. The white will look like jizz in a few years. Extra points for open black pickups.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/John_Sykes_1984.jpg

richardhomer

Lew;273736" said:

Black is the only option. The white will look like jizz in a few years. Points subtracted for uncovered pickups.

Fixed that for you.