[TC5A]

Originally Posted by Harpozep

In know what you mean TC. I wanted an R8 Black Beauty as well. I fell for the VOS stuff one day when I convinced the guitar jock at a shop to pull one down for me to try. I've not looked back since. WOW! These modern VOS guitars are great!!
I could not believe I was playing a Gibson. The guitar played itself. It was an R* BB, and I was hooked.
So I'm getting ready to get one of those VOS wonders and I had a weird guitar day. I bid on a VOS R4 BB LP Custom on ebay and win I NEVER win, and did not intend to.....Same day a customer at my local shop sells back his R9, guess who they call?..........
So two in one day, I guess I have the VOS bug!

The R4 has a number of little inconsistencies, like yours. But man, what a sound and player I also had a real 1968 Black Custom that was not perfect either. I swear it is the black finish that brings this out.

A few years back I could bear no longer touching my wonderful fortieth anniversary Black Beauty LP Custom with P100s. Why? Because every time I picked it up , I found a new scratch or slight ding that I had somehow made I loved the sound and guitar but rationalized that I should not own it because I could not keep it in decent shape, though I tried.
Some times you can be your own worst enemy, so I regretfully sold it and regret it still. I regret selling the '68 even more, but that's another story...

So I love the idea of the VOS pre-aged a bit and not too shiny. Makes me play the beasties instead of running a museum.

The R9 is my favorite and since the acquisition, my fever for an R8 BB has abated,for now.......
I love the picture of yours. The whole lefty thing is cool. Keep it, enjoy it, PLAY IT and smile

I do think the black , while a color of Beauty ( Pun intended ) really brings out any flaws on these guitars. It's like a black car. They are horrible to keep clean and show up every imperfection. White cars are less maintenance on the outside.

I can also agree that for certain people, the acquisition and showing of a fine instrument is a hobby and pleasure unto itself. A lot of such folks trade stories and pictures on internet sites like the 13'th fret. Nice folks. Rich folks too, judging by some of their stables filled with 5 - 50 grand acoustic gutars!

As a seller of collectibles, I can understand this mentality, but damn, guitars are meant to be played, so I love to erase the barriers that prevent me from enjoying the playing. The VOS pre-aged concept does this for me. I can't see that kind of thing catching on in tha acoustic world though.

Harpo, sounds like you're on a roll. You make some good points. Les Pauls are things of beauty and are iconic instruments. This one I bought to replace my old black Custom that I stupidly sold years ago. Back then I was a lot less fussy about details like that and I didn't really baby it so it got worn and used without much worry. (i also paid a lot less for it when I bought it. $1000.00 new in 1990).

Now, when a guitar is brand new, I think I'm like a lot of people and baby it. Till I cause the first ding or two in it. Then I stop worrying as much and just play it. But I do like to age it myself and start brand new and mint.

I certainly understand the collector's impulse. I would be a collector if I could afford it. I could see myself owning something like 5 Les Pauls right off the bat... There are people out there who have a SERIOUS fetish about guitars. I admit I share that fetish... I see it from posts in this and the other Les Paul forum. Real passionate (obsessed!) about the Les Paul. That's why we're here on these forums isn't it?