Played an new "Traditional" today

[Hemply]

I wasn't sure they even had any in yet but they did have just one.

A Traditional, FlameTop sunburst that had one small section of it that looked like a Plain Top!?!

I liked the weight on her not too heavy but heavier than the chambered!
Not as heavy as my Customs though.

The neck felt pretty good... thicker than the 60's neck I have on my '68 RI and G0 but not as think as the necks on the R8-R9. Closer to the neck on a Custom Classic but with a slightly different neck profile.

Overall I liked this new Les Paul Traditional; good feel to her in weight and neck, good sustain and acoustic tone. I didn't plug her in just because I didn't feel like getting into all of that... the tech told me she had 490's in her which didn't impress me, but according to the Gibson site the Traditional comes equiped with 57's. All of the sudden I wish I had plugged her in?

I think I will check out the Traditional again. But since I SWORE, SWORE, SWORE... that I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GUITAR at least until after Jan. 01. 2009 I will have to wait. It gives them a chance to get more in stock which should be happening Aug. or Sept.!

[05hummer]

Originally Posted by Hemply

I wasn't sure they even had any in yet but they did have just one.

A Traditional, FlameTop sunburst that had one small section of it that looked like a Plain Top!?!

I liked the weight on her not too heavy but heavier than the chambered!
Not as heavy as my Customs though.

The neck felt pretty good... thicker than the 60's neck I have on my '68 RI and G0 but not as think as the necks on the R8-R9. Closer to the neck on a Custom Classic but with a slightly different neck profile.

Overall I liked this new Les Paul Traditional; good feel to her in weight and neck, good sustain and acoustic tone. I didn't plug her in just because I didn't feel like getting into all of that... the tech told me she had 490's in her which didn't impress me, but according to the Gibson site the Traditional comes equiped with 57's. All of the sudden I wish I had plugged her in?

I think I will check out the Traditional again. But since I SWORE, SWORE, SWORE... that I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GUITAR at least until after Jan. 01. 2009 I will have to wait. It gives them a chance to get more in stock which should be happening Aug. or Sept.!

Must have guitars...


Must have guitars...



Must have guitars...



Must have guitars....


















This is not a subliminal message....

[Hemply]

Originally Posted by 05hummer

Must have guitars...


Must have guitars...



Must have guitars...



Must have guitars....


















This is not a subliminal message....

Nah not subliminal at all.

did you see what I wrote over on the "too many guitars" thread? Really I was looking for something to save my pennies in after smashing the piggy bank and pulled out the deed to my house!

Guess what I did?

Yep I did!

Sooooooo when I get the Home Equity Loan check in my hand which should be sometime this week I'm gonna have to be very, very, good!

Good thing they only had one Traditional and I didn't like the way it looked very much. Phew!

[jkinnison90]

Traditionals sound like really good guitars.

[oyvind]

Being a lefty it's nice to see that lefthand versions are also available

[aenemated]

i played one @ hollywood GC last weekend and was quite pleased. still want to check out the new standards before i pull the trigger on another LP, though.

[Boleskinehouse]

I can't wait to give one a go.

[Hemply]

Didn't pull the trigger yet but made some phone calls about special ordering a Traditional in a finish not currently offered... and different PUPs.

Was told it would have to go through the Custom Shop and will take at least 6 months... maybe longer?

shaddap hummer!

[Boleskinehouse]

The cost of going through the Custom Shop will be staggering, if they'll even agree to it! I'd like one in Tobacco, and they don't offer that finish...

[Hemply]

Yeah I'm diggin' a Flame top, faded tabacco bust... with Ceramics... we'll see what happens?

[Mash]

I've played the Traditional and loved it! I was very impressed. the 2008 Standard on the other hand... I don't know if it was just the guitar but I heard from a friend that it kept squealing

[Hemply]

I played a Standard a few weeks back. It was the first time I ever held a Standard in my hands, always played Customs, never even looked at a Standard!

Now I know why!

Sorry Standard lovers, but it felt and sounded like a toy guitar to me. I wanted to like it, especially after what I pay for Customs, but no dice.

You just can't go back when you're used to Customs! That was until I played a new Traditional. Realistically the Traditional is only a few hundred dollars cheaper than a Custom and after I "Customize" it, I might a well just get another Custom?

[timppa]

I haven't had a chance to play the Traditional yet, but for my next guitar I'm contemplating either that, or an R7 or R8. I have a chambered Standard with 60s neck so the reissues appeal to me for the differences in weight, neck, etc. Not sure if that's the right reason to get one though? The R7 did feel and play nice I must say, but the Traditional would be cheaper. Decisions decisions.

[diceman]

I played a Traditional as well today - had the same top thing going on, some flame and some totally plain sections! Felt nice, probably 10-11lbs, comfortable neck, very solid - didn't plug it in, but I had virtually the same experience as Hemply.

I also picked up a chambered Standard - weren't they supposed to have some new cheesy ergonomic neck? It felt like a plain ol' 60's neck to me. It was nice as well.

I noticed that they started year stamping the back of the headstock.

[Hemply]

I was on the phone with my buddy who just took over the GC in Lancater, PA and I was telling him about the Traditional. He informed me the only Traditional he has at his new location has the same top. So much for believing it was something unique?

I agree the weight felt around 9-10lbs., she was a nice solid axe!

I've been thinking of searching the net too see if I can find some othe example of the Traditional; I'll get to that tomorrow afternoon if I can keep my eyes open long enough after getting in from the office!

I like the fact that the Traditional had the "Trap" inlays, rw/fretboard, it had that Standard look about it but with close to Custom "amenities" for lack of a better description. Plus, it had the feel of the Les Pauls from my youth, my buddys '78 LPC Randy Rhodes Cream, another buddy's '81 LPC Silverburst.
I even had one buddy who had a '75 Flying V Black w/White PG.

I just have to consider if the Traditional is the way to go, or after the Customizations if I should just stick to my only choice for all these years and have a Customized Custom done for me?

[aenemated]

i played a couple recently and was very impressed. a damn fine guitar.

[Oaklanda]

Is it me, or is the new Traditional essentially the same as the old Standard? And the new Standard a completely different beast altogether (chambered body, neck, etc)?

Seems Gibson marketing may have wanted to introduce a new model by doing some kind of switcheroo.

[Hemply]

According to the Gibson site they "answered the call" of players for the old way Standards were made, i.e. no Swiss cheese holes. But, there are those who prefer the way Standards are being made now hence the birth of the Traditional!

I would tend to agree that the Traditional is actually a Standard (they way there used to be made, the RIGHT way IMO). Plus Gibson gets the added benefit of charging more for the Traditional than the Standard under these circumstances... $$$!

Kind of sleazy, sure, but without any hesitation I can comfortably say since I started playing guitar seriously in 1971 the Gibson Les Paul has always been the ultimate for guitars as I’m sure other will agree… but…. make room for PRS which IMO is just a good as any Gibson product made today!

[centerfield24]

Originally Posted by Hemply

Plus Gibson gets the added benefit of charging more for the Traditional than the Standard under these circumstances... $$$!

Actually, the Traditional is a few hundred $ less than the 08 Standard.

[Boleskinehouse]

Originally Posted by centerfield24

Actually, the Traditional is a few hundred $ less than the 08 Standard.

Yup! Here are a couple of examples...





$2,299... I have no doubt some of us could get one for lower. Probably $1,999

[Hemply]

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

Yup! Here are a couple of examples...





$2,299... I have no doubt some of us could get one for lower. Probably $1,999

That's the amount I believe the Traditional was close to $3k? $2299 sounds about right?

How much are Standards running? I was under the impression they were around $1799-$1999??

I really gotta start looking at the price tags!

[Mondoslug]

Originally Posted by Hemply

According to the Gibson site they "answered the call" of players for the old way Standards were made, i.e. no Swiss cheese holes. But, there are those who prefer the way Standards are being made now hence the birth of the Traditional!

I believe there is Swiss Cheese in the Traditional. The one I played also felt great. Very solid. I liekd it more than some the Historics I tried.

[ptgold]

Originally Posted by Hemply

That's the amount I believe the Traditional was close to $3k? $2299 sounds about right?

How much are Standards running? I was under the impression they were around $1799-$1999??

I really gotta start looking at the price tags!

The new Standards are going for $2599. They arent available until August 1st

[centerfield24]

Originally Posted by ptgold

The new Standards are going for $2599. They arent available until August 1st

Yeah. You can find 07 Standards for under 2k atm.

This info has probably been posted before, but here are a few of the differences:

08 Standard

BB Pros
Asymetrical Neck
Chambered body
Grover Tuners
Dunlop Straplocks

08 Traditional

57 Classic/Classic Plus
50s Rounded Neck
Swiss Cheese Body
Tonepros Kluson-style Tuners