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Old 02-04-2008, 05:41 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Vintage Mahogany

Great review on this, I just stumbled upon this.


Gibson Delivers Vintage In A Nice Package
Nov 21 '06



Pros
Superb looks, great rock and blues sound

Cons
Softer tones harder to get with thin strings

The Bottom Line
An excellent guitar for those who want a Les Paul in this price range.


Full Review
Ah...another all mohogany Les Paul again, the Vintage Mohogany finish model.

I'm finding that I have to be careful when encountering another Gibson Les Paul model that's 100% mohogany. But in this case, we don't have a model that plays in a certain sound range. It's one where the wood and construction offsets the characteristics of the pickups to create a different guitar. One that could be considered to be part of the regular Les Paul line (at least the lower end).

The "Les Paul" as I define it, in modern terms, has a mohogany body and set neck, with a carved maple cap. In addition, there's the obvious and famous single cutaway profile.

From there, the rules tend to go out the window. Different pickups can radically alter the sound, although the basic Les Paul delivers that famous fat tone (however colored by the electronics) and a sharp attack due to the arched maple cap.

So in the case of the older Les Paul Specials, which were similar in shape and profile, the sound was clearly Gibson but the mohogany construction tended to darken the sound and move it into SG territory.

In this case, though, Gibson has created a another carved archtop mohogany model, with the same profile of the early 90's Specials, but with new Alnico V Burstbucker Pro
pickups.

The originals had 490 series PUPs, which might have dissolved into the mohogany a bit too much and given you a muddy sound. Also, Burstbuckers are popular right now, and it's a good marketing move.

It's very close in shape to a regular Les Paul, and only somewhat lighter. The interesting thing is that the guitar is also "capped" but by mohogany. From what I can see, it doesn't affect the sound, so it probably just makes creating an arched top easier and keeps costs down.

The original Burstbuckers were based on Alnico 2 magnets designed to create the "unequal wound" sound of the original PAF's. That created a very warm, full sound that could still bite.

When the Pro version type came out with Alnico V's, the pickup became a pure rock animal with a real edgy attack, with an explosive bottom and midrange. Add these to a guitar with the mass of a Studio, with the darker tone of mohogany, and what you get is a real surprise.

You get a Les Paul that really cuts and growls, and has a wide variety of rock and blues tones. The tendency for Burstbucker Pro's to get a bit "wirey" sounding is muted and the midrange attack is emphasized. Also, the "SG" tendency is gone, with a an attack similar to the Les Paul double cut (the high end one).

It doesn't quite sound like a top end Paul, but it doesn't sound like a Studio or Special either. Sort of in a grey zone where you can tell it's a Gibson, but not a maple cap type. Also, you can get a pure bell like chime like the double cut, but for a couple of hundred dollars less.

In terms of looks (let's face it, cosmetics count), it's a real winner. The natural mohogany finish is absolutely gorgeous. Like unfinished antique furniture. The Kluson tuners are a nice touch, and the hardware is beautifully chromed.

Like all Studios, there's no binding or extra finishing, but in this case, it would spoil the effect. It's a very nice looking Les Paul. In fact, it would take a person familiar with the line to realize you are playing a Studio and not a variation of the Standard or something.

How you end up liking this guitar will depend on how much you like the Burstbuckers. These are wound unevenly (and thus sound less smooth) on purpose, which can make the sound a bit too edgy for some tastes. Others will love the sound of early PAF guitars and find that this guitar will bring them much joy.

Because of that, this is definitely a guitar that needs to be tried out before buying. It definitely breaks the mold of the classic all mohogany Gibson, and it may not be for all tastes. Also, these pickups work best on .10 gauge strings and up.

My trusty 1990 Gibson Studio had better watch out. After getting this new Studio, my affections are becoming a bit more fickle.
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Old 02-07-2008, 12:38 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I love mine!

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Old 02-07-2008, 12:46 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I almost bought one after just stopping in at a Guitar Center. The had a local radio special for $699 on them. I like them in the brown not the cherry, but they really sound 100% Les Paul and are put together well.
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Old 02-07-2008, 03:33 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I play one about once or twice a week and what you get versus the price they arent bad. I can imagine someday one will work its way into my small collection.

Pretty cool that they come with a Gibson hard case.
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Old 02-07-2008, 01:06 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

hope the 699 price special comes back someday... that was GC i think... i heard now that they actually went up to 899 (and sure enough, that's what gc is showing them at online...)

Burstbucker Pros and a Gibson hard shell case is not at all for 699... even 799... 899 is getting a bit steep though...


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Old 02-07-2008, 01:22 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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Originally Posted by tennisplayer View Post
I love mine!

NICE!!!
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Old 02-07-2008, 05:21 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

i bought the one with the cherry finish (@ GC for $799) and have really enjoyed it. it's also my first electric guitar. anyone know how you go about cleaning the the top and back of the guitar. i think it has a satin finish. is the occasional dusting the only thing you can do or can you apply a wax of sorts?

it has a really nice look to it and i plan on posting pics when i get a digital camera. i am running mine through a '65 twin reverb reissue.
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Old 02-07-2008, 06:43 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I would just use some minwax semi-gloss floor wax from homedepot. I've finished a few guitars with that and it holds up great. Now I know people have tried other things with faded, like car wax I think - carbonaire wax or whatever that stuff is.
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:06 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I absolutley love mine I bought for $749. I have noticed that the price has gone up to $899. I like the fact that it has increased in value. It is a tremendous guitar for the money. A regular studio goes for $1199, I could see it going up another hundred or 2. It's worth of penny and more.
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:12 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I went into GC today to check them out............not bad
All were pretty light, sounded decent, and had great feeling neck profiles.

But...........every one had the fret ends sticking out, and had that korean epi feel. (as far as quality of setup)

However as a Luthier, they have my endorsement. Lots of bang for the buck.

No need to worry about keeping it pristine, nor the resale value.

So get one, do fret work, install a bone nut, upgrade pickups and play the crap out of it.

Oh, almost forgot ( personal plug ) buy one of my bridges for it also

The ULTIMATE LP bridge
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:16 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Mine is one of the first made. Not chambered. It weight 10.5 pounds! I switched out the black hardware for creme and dumped the BBPros for Classic 57 and 57plus. Love it.
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:19 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFR View Post
I went into GC today to check them out............not bad
All were pretty light, sounded decent, and had great feeling neck profiles.

But...........every one had the fret ends sticking out, and had that korean epi feel. (as far as quality of setup)

However as a Luthier, they have my endorsement. Lots of bang for the buck.

No need to worry about keeping it pristine, nor the resale value.

So get one, do fret work, install a bone nut, upgrade pickups and play the crap out of it.

Oh, almost forgot ( personal plug ) buy one of my bridges for it also

The ULTIMATE LP bridge
I don't know if I would want to change the pickups, they are Burstbuckers which I really like. If my bridge goes bad, I will take a good look at your brand.
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:22 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFR View Post
I went into GC today to check them out............not bad
All were pretty light, sounded decent, and had great feeling neck profiles.

But...........every one had the fret ends sticking out, and had that korean epi feel. (as far as quality of setup)

However as a Luthier, they have my endorsement. Lots of bang for the buck.

No need to worry about keeping it pristine, nor the resale value.

So get one, do fret work, install a bone nut, upgrade pickups and play the crap out of it.

Oh, almost forgot ( personal plug ) buy one of my bridges for it also

The ULTIMATE LP bridge
They don't do a good set up at the factory. I have a friend that is a tech so I had him lower the action, and set the intonation. A couple strings were a little bit off
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:23 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Quote:
Originally Posted by tennisplayer View Post
Mine is one of the first made. Not chambered. It weight 10.5 pounds! I switched out the black hardware for creme and dumped the BBPros for Classic 57 and 57plus. Love it.
Mine is chambered it is pretty light about 8.5 pounds.
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Old 02-07-2008, 07:43 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Overall, I think this guitar is a players dream! A true, no worry LP.

They remind me of an 59 LP junior I owned. All the finish was taken off, it was routed for HBs, nothing was original except the wood, and it was just a workhorse.

It is cheap, even at the new price, and over time you can Mod the Hell out of it!!

Personally I think the brown is much better than the red.

OMG, I cannot believe I am being a salesman for Gibson!


OK, I take it all back! it's crap, give all your money to me and have me build you stuff!


seriously, I recommend them
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Old 02-07-2008, 08:25 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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I love mine!

Iwas wondering what those would look like with cream plastic, very cool!
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Old 02-07-2008, 11:51 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I found the BBPros to bright, ice picky. The Classics are more smooth to me.
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Old 02-07-2008, 11:59 PM   #18 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

While mine could probably use some fret work, I could not be happier with it. The sound is fantastic and the worn brown Mahogany wood is appealing to my eyes. (which is all that matters really)
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Old 02-08-2008, 01:10 AM   #19 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Ewwwwww, not a fan of those. They feel cheap and the majority of the ones I played sounded really muddy. I did play one that was speaking to me once though, it was a brown one. It sounded bad ass! But still, not much on the finish...
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Old 02-08-2008, 06:05 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Quote:
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I found the BBPros to bright, ice picky. The Classics are more smooth to me.
To each their own. Whatever sounds best to your ears is whats best for you.
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Old 02-08-2008, 06:06 PM   #21 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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While mine could probably use some fret work, I could not be happier with it. The sound is fantastic and the worn brown Mahogany wood is appealing to my eyes. (which is all that matters really)
Mine is cherry red. On mine the frets are fine. It's a fantastic guitar.
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Old 02-08-2008, 08:16 PM   #22 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

Here's mine!
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Old 02-09-2008, 02:25 AM   #23 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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Here's mine!

Nice amP.
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Old 02-09-2008, 05:02 PM   #24 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I've seriously considered one of these. I would need to do some clean up on the neck though...I don't like the rough finish on a neck but some steel wool would fix 'er up. I think the cream plastic looks way better too.
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Old 02-10-2008, 11:10 AM   #25 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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I've seriously considered one of these. I would need to do some clean up on the neck though...I don't like the rough finish on a neck but some steel wool would fix 'er up. I think the cream plastic looks way better too.
The good thing with getting this guitar, it sounds fantastic and the price is great, if you were to change anything on it, it would still not be that bad in total price.
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Old 02-10-2008, 03:27 PM   #26 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I picked up a cherry version and I have been pretty pleased with it. But ... I didn't buy it expecting it was going to equal the higher end models. I don't have to worry about getting it dinged or anything like that. These are made to be played hard. I like the BB Pro's and really it's ok as is for what I need. Not sure about frets and finish on others, but this one was pretty good. No fret wires to trim off as some have had to do. Good bang for buck and a decent hard case to boot! I think I paid about $749 for mine. Gibsonblues ...
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Old 02-11-2008, 11:05 PM   #27 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany


I Love mine! It's my #1.
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Old 02-12-2008, 11:30 AM   #28 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

I have one and love it.

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Old 02-12-2008, 06:14 PM   #29 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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I have one and love it.

Nice, I like it.
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Old 02-12-2008, 06:21 PM   #30 (permalink)
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Re: Vintage Mahogany

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Nice, I like it.
She is a beauty, I have one just like her.
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