What should I get

[Snap26]

Hey guys,

I just had a question about what les paul to purchase. My buddy is clearing some gear. Heres what my choice is.
2008 Les Paul Standard limited edition silverburst - 1500$
Les paul classic antique- high gloss cherry red- 1600$
1997 Gibson Les Paul classic in desert burst -1350$
ebony les paul classic - 1600$

Im not really enthusiastic about paying over 1500, but I can if needed. Id really appreciate your help as I am new to gibson products. I have been playing for 9 yrs and want to open upgrade my collection of ibanezes and schecters. Thanks alot, your adive will be greatly appreciated

[Sweeper5]

I would go for the '95 cherryburst standard, but that's just me. Especially if it has some flame on top. LOL! If not that one, then personally I'd go for the honeyburst classic.

[acstorfer]

Personally, I would get the 95 std cherryburst. I'm not saying you're getting ripped off, but I wouldn't say you're getting "buddy" prices. However, if you know the guy and know be maintains his guitar well and if he's the original owner and he'll send the guitars to Gibson in the future if there is a problem (waranties are not transferable) then it's worth it. He's giving you fair pricing, again I am NOT saying he's ripping you off. Just saying if none of those guitars are jumping out to you, it's worth it to keep looking, it's not like you're getting the bargain of your life.

[acstorfer]

Originally Posted by Sweeper5

I would go for the '95 cherryburst standard, but that's just me. Especially if it has some flame on top. LOL! If not that one, then personally I'd go for the honeyburst classic.

Ha! You just beat me to the submit.

[TheImmaterial]

I'd try and play them all and pick the one you like best. If you can't then there are a couple of factors that might help narrow it down a bit.

• The two standards will have larger/fatter necks than the classics and classic-antiques.
• The standards and classic-antiques will have lower output pickups more suited to vintage blues and classic rock whereas the classics will have higher output, ceramic pickups which give a more modern/metalish sound.
• The 2008 Standard and the classic-antique will be chambered (hollow) whereas the rest will be weight-relieved (basically swiss-cheesed with holes)
• Finish, colour, wear, etc. you'll have to decide for yourself. The prices on the classics are at the upper end of what they'd normally sell for $1300-1500 seems to be the ballpark for classics (usually ebony ones sell for less than finishes that let you see the grain).

Going just on paper I'd go for the 90s standard (provided its not too clownburst) and then the classic antique.

Hope that helps!

[Snap26]

Thanks very much guys, I've been doing my research and talking to some ppl and I was told that the burst bucker pros on the 08 standard are uber good and the 489 490s are muddy and aweful. In terms of finishes, I'm personally a fan of the silver burst becuse im 16 and into modern stuff, but the cherry burst is awesome aswell. Does the weight relief/chambering make a huge difference or is it something I could dismiss
Thanks

[acstorfer]

If you like the sound, then dismiss it. Unless you go for something much more expensive or a Norlin era (which personally I love), you're gonna get a chambered or weight relieved LP. Oh, I am including the transition between pancake and weight relieving as considerably more expensive as well.

[Deej]

Silverbursts are definitely in some demand, due to their limited edition nature (and that's the one I'd pick - I've always leaned towards the less common finishes, rather than the standard bursts).

Burstbucker Pro's are probably the best / most sought after pups, however, I don't think you'd find the 490/498 combo muddy or something you'd dislike. I don't - clean, crisp and loud, and my newest guitar with them is actually quite bright, almost too bright. I play modern rock, and both my studios use those pups and they sound great through high gain Marshalls. Just don't have the pups raised too high, that's when they get a bit muddy.

Weight relief for you is likely less an issue, liking modern styles. High gain amps tend to compensate (or rather de-emphasize the difference - don't know if de-emphasize is the right word, but it would be opposite of compensate). You would hear the difference between a chambered and a completely solid guitar (I do between the BFG and the Custom)... knowing you like the modern stuff, I'd say go as heavy as possible, you'll like the sound better. So, in this order: Solid, SwissCheeze/Weight Relieved, Chambered.

Deej

[Snap26]

Ok cool, but I really would like this guitar to be an investment, so it will be able to accomodate differents music when my tastes change. another one of my family friends has been playing Gibsons for over 20 yrs and his advice to me was to go with the classic because it's solid, but switch out the 490 / 498 for 57 classics.

[acstorfer]

Don't limit yourself to Gibson pups. Do some research, check out what's available.

[bufbills]

I personally love the 490/498 combo. Id play them before you start yanking them out.

[dazzypig]

Classic antique in red would be my first choice if there's a little flame to it (or maybe even not if it's a nice top).
Second choice would be the silverburst!

[Hector Arcadius]

Hm, it's a very personal thing. I would jump on that '08 Silverburst Standard, because I love that color. But each guitar has an individual feel / tone, which has to do with all individual elements: quality of wood, construction method, neck profile, pickups. Since it's your buddy that sells them, go and play them for as long as you possibly can. There are many things that a spec sheet cannot tell you.

[TheImmaterial]

Some more pups configurations you've got to choose between:

The classics will have 496 and 500t (super, super hot ceramics, very modern sound)
The classic-antique will have 57 and 57+ (vintage, classic rock, lower output alnico magnets)

[Snap26]

He just changed the price on the 97 honey burst to 1350 which is much more appealing also I made an error on it's color, it's more of a desert burst ish. But from what you guys have said, I shouldn't discredit the 490 498 pups. Just wondering were the burst buckers fit in in terms of sound. Also, what's the biggest difference between the standard and the classic.

[TheImmaterial]

Originally Posted by Snap26

He just changed the price on the 97 honey burst to 1350 which is much more appealing also I made an error on it's color, it's more of a desert burst ish. But from what you guys have said, I shouldn't discredit the 490 498 pups. Just wondering were the burst buckers fit in in terms of sound. Also, what's the biggest difference between the standard and the classic.

Standard-classic differences

Classic has slimmer neck, standard has slightly fatter
It'll have greenish/yellowish inlays (some people hate them others like them) whereas standard will have white ones.
Super hot modern pickups (good for distortion not so much vintage sounds). Standard will have more vintage sounding pickups.
Classic pickups are uncovered (i.e. you can see the black bobbins as opposed to the metal covers that come on the standard)
Classic has a little gold '1960' on the pickguard
Classic will say classic on truss rod cover

If he's dropped the price e (maybe find out why he did?) you could use the $150 or so you'd now be saving to buy and pay someone to swap the pickups for any gibson pickup if it turned out you didnt like them.

[TheImmaterial]

Here's my 2005 Honeyburst Classic (you can see the greenish inlay colour)

[Snap26]

Alright, cool thanks very much! So realistically other then the pups and the swisscheese holes/chambering, there isn't much difference?

[Snap26]

The 95 standard is off the table

[geddyleefan]

Get that black LP Classic ! Those are awesome ! Ive always wanted to own a black LP Classic or Standard myself. Maybe loaded with Manlius pickups...hmmm

[Snap26]

New devellpoment! 05 standard wine red - 1600$

[geddyleefan]

Originally Posted by Snap26

New devellpoment! 05 standard wine red - 1600$

What kinda neck is it ? Slim 60s or Rounded 50s ? I really prefer the slim 60s but will dabble on a rounded 50s neck as well and i do fine on both guitar neck styles regardless of which.

[Snap26]

Added: 2005 standard in lightburst/iced tea/ i dont really know cuz all those finishes look identical to me :P with seymour duncans- 1550. Is this a good deal?

[nauc]

for $1500, id get one of these, whatever color you like

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com...H71142.product



and this...

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com...481014.product

[Snap26]

its a 60s neck w/burstbuckers
for geddyleefan

[Snap26]

Thanks for the suggestion, but to be honest, im totally captivated my the aethetics and history on the standard/classic so thats what i really want to go with

[Snap26]

1350$ classic is gone