Okay. I think I get Custom Shop Gibsons now.
After trading my Jag for an R6 Goldtop with the splendid
@badlydrawnbanjo I have learned. It's a 2004, and it's absolutely stonking. It is, without exception the best 'newish' Les Paul I have played. I've had 3 Standards over the years and eventually flipped them as they weren't getting played. The R6 is in a totally different class. In fact, it's down the corridor, over the playground, over the sports field and round the back of the sheds for a sneaky B&H different...
Now. I have this little worm developing in my mind. If the R6 is this good - how good would an R8/R9/R0 be compared to a standard?
Am I going to end up blowing a wad on one and not regret it?
Comments
I've never had a bad experience with Gibson CS guitars. A mate at work ended up with a right dog. So they do exist.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
The Custom Bucker pickups used from 2013 onwards are a big improvement on the Burstbuckers, in my opinion. The 'True Historics' are ridiculously over-priced considering the de minimis nature of the upgrade, and they still haven't got the pickup covers right!
The biggest frustration for me with the Historic range is the neck profiles, which, regardless of depth, often seem to have far more shoulder than the original guitars did. This has improved over time, though.
Just need to find a good one that someone isn't offloading because it's a dog
My wallet has started to give me that look when I get it out.
Anyone want to try and persuade me that it would be a really really bad idea? (just for balance like, you know..)
It does succumb to the silly stripey tiger shizzle though....
(formerly miserneil)
That would look much better with a plain top tho Just sayin'
richardhomer said: Thanks Rich, it's a killer guitar AND belonged to my guitar playing hero Mick Ralphs before me so it's one of those 'bury me with it' guitars :-)
(formerly miserneil)
Agree - I would expect any seller of such to be pitching around the 2.2k through 2.6k mark depending on condition and private sale vs shop / eBay pricing.
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.