There are a lot of purists out there that hate the changes Gibson have made to their guitars, I for one hate the more visuals changes such as the 12 fret emblem on the 2014's and also the horrendous 2015 logo. But apart from that the modifications to the standard have actually been awesome,
Firstly I own a 2013 which I believe was a great year for Lps it was the year they perfected the chambered body's and reverted back to the one piece fingerboards while still keeping the really cool features to the 2012 (I agree they are not to everyone's taste)
It also means I don't have the awful graphic design issues like with the 2014 and 2015s
Firstly what is a true les paul? because like all guitars the so called original spec doesn't suit everyone, today's players are different to those back then so things such as compound radius necks and jumbo frets are around to accommodate that. The pickup configurations on the 2013 are also an awesome edition the tones are all very usable and minic the wiring on such great historical les Paul's like Gary morre's and Peter green's.
These modification have been made by guitarist thought out history as improvements so why do people go mental at Gibson for trying new things because they in fact ain't new are and are features famous players have had on their guitars, I wouldn't call Jimmy pages les paul a true les paul when compared to one of the same year with no mods. Would you?
So are people and guitarist just stuck in there ways and not open minded to change?
I did at one point think of selling my lp because people where saying it wasn't an investment and wouldn't hold its value compared to a 2006 or 2002 lp. Is this really true? I believe the 2013 was a great lp produced inbetween 2 so called 'bad apple lp years' 2012 for the 2 piece finger board scandal (which didn't bother me) and the 2014 horrible 12th fret logo and mini-tune.
I the reason I didn't sell is because I reminded my self on the reasons I brought it the year my child was born the year I celebrated a milestone birthday the whole experience of saying up and buying a new guitar with that nitro smell.
So if you have a new lespaul and love it don't let the views of so called guitar purists make you doubt your decision. Things never change, improve or progress unless people are willing to except change
Just saying :-)
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"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Gibson never had a defined year where they stopped using laminated rosewood fingerboards. Laminated boards still appeared on 2013 models and I've seen them on 2014 models. It stopped when they used all their stock up.
I'd be very surprised if someone could tell the difference between a cherry sunburst 2013 lp standard and a 2006 cherry 'burst standard in a proper blind test unless they'd played the guitars before or looked for the coil taps etc
I, like may others take resale value into account. I'm too long in the tooth to know very few people buy a guitar for life. So I would always pay less for a lesser spec Gibson in case I have to sell on.
However, if you're buying a CS Gibson, then its very relevant. Paying top price for a spec below the usual standard is going backwards IMO.
Sticking a weird hologram, or having a child scribble over the headstock is a cosmetic faux pas. Changing specific features that have been established in guitar building for decades (one piece boards) is sheer desperation from a company that lost its wood...then tried to sell it as an improvement.
If it was that much of an improvement, why have they reverted back to one piece boards ?
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However if the prices drop low enough I will certainly be buying one
And if that don't work a size 11 to the nut sack will get rid of the problem.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)