I’ve always had relatively cheap guitars ( many of which have been great!) and I’m not the worlds best player by a long shot, but in the next few months I hope to be in position where I want to spend a decent ( for me anyway ) chunk of change on a guitar that I intend to be a lifer.
Of all the guitars I’ve owned and played I always come back to a Les Paul ( I currently have a Vintage V100 and an LTD EC256) and it’s a Les Paul that I will be buying.
And ,for better or worse, and as illogical as it may be given some of the horror stories I’ve heard, I want it to be a Gibson. I know there a other brands etc (and do enjoy my LTD) but I think I’ll regret it if don’t have the right name on that headstock.
The only thing is ( at least going by eBay/ Reverb prices) I’m wondering if my budget ( hopefully £1500 at a maximum) will even be enough?
Standards seem to go for £17/1800 on there which seems crazy when new ones are only a few hundred more.
Or is there anywhere better to look?
As I said this’ll not be for a few months at least, but it’s a big spend for me and something that I want to get right.
Any advice or input is really appreciated!
Comments
http://aws2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Signature-T.aspx
Models that are between 2010 and 2020, then you might need to look at the finer detail of the spec/features as the guitar might have the same model name, but be a different guitar, if it is say 2012 or 2013 etc - Gibson changed such details on an annual basis
For a while the Traditional was more like a Standard and the Standard was some 'modern' based LP
I don't think you'll find an LP Standard pre 2005/6 for under £1500 but after this date then they are available
LP standards vary quite a bit year
50's have a larger rounder neck (standard on the trad models)
60's slim taper (also standard on a classic)
The standards from I think 2007-2011 had a asymmetrical neck which didn't work for me at all but you may like it.
If you're adamant on getting a standard though, £1500 is a good budget but you may have to keep your eye out because they don't come up for that price often
i went down the " only a gibson will do" rabbit hole and owned several , Classic , standards and studios and ended up selling them all when i got my Tokai ( i think its the ULS128)
it blew them all out of the water. Yes its not got Gibson on the headstock but its an amazing guitar
https://www.fretsguitarcentre.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p3059_Tokai_LS128F_Love_Rock__-_Heritage_Dark_Cherry.html
Facebook and this forum are the best places to look for deals in my experience. You should be able to find a used standard closer to £1200-£1300 and traditional models slightly cheaper. If you would rather the comfort of buying from a dealer, the larger ones tend to pick up Les Paul's as trade-ins quite often so keep an eye out on their websites.
The good thing is if you buy it second hand at a decent price and after a couple of months decide you don't like it, you can sell it at little-to-no loss and try the next one, cycling through guitars like this is probably the best way to find a 'lifer'. From my experience the 2 things you may find yourself not liking on certain Gibson Les Paul's is the weight and the neck profile, but there are plenty around that should have the combination that suits you.
LTD EC1000's are a steal second hand and I really like mine, but it may not scratch that Gibson itch
Second hand Japanese Tokais are a steal! I have an SG, and as much as I love it and all that. I'd sooner spend my money on a Tokai.
Maybe it's the neck shape, radius and 24.75" scale length, not specifically the LP, you're after? Or maybe check out the p90s LP, which for some reason is one of their cheaper models (I prefer p90s to humbuckers, so to me that's a win-win).