Gibson Custom Shops...R8/R9/R0?

Bridgehouse · November 2016

Ossyrocks said:

In my experience, the 2013/14 Custom Shop Les Pauls are better sounding and more consistent guitars than those from previous years. That's not to say there aren't good ones from earlier years, but they are harder to come by.

I've had a really dead sounding 2002 R7, a pretty good 2005 R8 and two really astounding 2014's.

I don't think it's so much to do with the hide glues they are now using, but I think the vintage correct truss rod plays a big part. In 2013 they stopped using the "condom" on the truss rod and the difference can be felt in your hand and the way the guitars resonate.

Also, the profile of the necks is better, they have less shoulder than the earlier years, so even if the neck is big, like on my 2014 R6, it's very comfortable to play and doesn't feel as square as my 2002 R7 did.

If you bide your time and keep looking, I reckon you could snaga 2014 R8 for around the £2k mark.

Good luck,
Rob.

The plaintops I've looked at online seem to be about £3200 new. I need to go play some - but you're right, biding time might be a good thing. TBH I'm happy to pay for the right one.