Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs?

Texas07R8 · 07-23-2008, 11:19 PM

I was checking out all the 58-60 RI VOS Custom Shops before deciding which one I'd buy and I found some really beautiful fretboards on some of these guitars.

I think the figured fretboards look very cool, I've not really noticed it before on other guitars (guess I tend to focus on the body, neck inlays and headstocks out of habit).

I've got a pic of my 07R8 below but it just doesn't capture how good it looks in person. 90% of the neck is dark rosewood and there are some lighter reddish/brown streaks running up from the middle of the neck near the nut curving over towards the E&A strings then starts to curve back toward the middle farther up the neck and on the B&E side another light streak starts around the 6th fret and goes up the neck giving some nice grain coloring and figuring.

Just wondering, do you guys like the color streaks in the fretboard or do you prefer a solid color rosewood board? See many of them?

I'm not including ebony in this question because I actually prefer ebony necks but I still love these figured rosewood boards Gibson is using.

Does anyone know if these streaked fretboards are used in the production Les Pauls as well as the Custom Shop versions? Is Gibson using a different variety of rosewood on these streaked Custom Shop fretboards or just some that happens to have some figuring in it?

I'd love to see some pics of others so please post some of you have them.

Boleskinehouse · 07-23-2008, 11:23 PM

That one looks nice, but generally I prefer them to be very dark. Those huge skunk stripes, or the very light boards do nothing for me.

diceman · 07-23-2008, 11:34 PM

I prefer light boards, and love my dark stripe on my R8!

monroe · 07-23-2008, 11:39 PM

One of my Strats has a Pau Ferro board and the streaks took some getting used to.

delawaregold · 07-23-2008, 11:45 PM

I tend to like anything that adds character to a guitar.
Mineral streaks, and Birds Eye Maple, Blister Tops,
bold grain on the plain tops, great figuring on the
Fretboards, and the Mahogany. If it catches my eye,
or adds a talking point to the guitar, I’m there.

mmcquain · 07-23-2008, 11:47 PM

I prefer the all dark boards. A minor bit of color variation isn't bad but a "skunk stripe" isn't good IMO.

shotgunlew · 07-23-2008, 11:49 PM

big fan!

shotgunlew · 07-23-2008, 11:52 PM

thats better

shotgunlew · 07-23-2008, 11:52 PM

now it wont pop up!?!?!

diceman · 07-24-2008, 12:00 AM

Lew - that is a beautiful board!!

diceman · 07-24-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delawaregold

I tend to like anything that adds character to a guitar.
Mineral streaks, and Birds Eye Maple, Blister Tops,
bold grain on the plain tops, great figuring on the
Fretboards, and the Mahogany. If it catches my eye,
or adds a talking point to the guitar, I’m there.

I couldn't agree more. This is one of my favorite features of my R8, along with the dark stripe on the abnormally light board, and the mineral streaks in my top...

"The Red Eye:"

blueheeler · 07-24-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delawaregold

I tend to like anything that adds character to a guitar.
Mineral streaks, and Birds Eye Maple, Blister Tops,
bold grain on the plain tops, great figuring on the
Fretboards, and the Mahogany. If it catches my eye,
or adds a talking point to the guitar, I’m there.

+1 It's all about character.

***b-squared*** · 07-24-2008, 10:49 AM

That's one of the beauties of using organics in an instrument; each piece has a unique appearance and character.

I like 'em striped as well as dark and oily.

BB

05hummer · 07-24-2008, 11:12 AM

I may be in the minority, but I think skunk stripes give the guitar character..

R9. · 07-24-2008, 04:34 PM

My R8's board is pretty cool, I think.
6 frets count as a streak?

diceman · 07-24-2008, 04:35 PM

Thats a sweet board!

Hemply · 07-24-2008, 05:04 PM

You could say I like Streaked fretboards...

*Warning not a CS LP*

shotgunlew · 07-24-2008, 05:05 PM

beautiful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemply

You could say I like Streaked fretboards...

*Warning not a CS LP*

GuitarEnZo12 · 07-24-2008, 05:28 PM

Yes it adds character.

Texas07R8 · 07-24-2008, 09:12 PM

Shotgun, that's a sweet looking fretboard, even if it isn't a LP.

I think the streaked fretboards give the guitars more character and that's not a bad thing...

Now tell me guys, has anyone seen these figured fretboards on non CS Les Pauls??
Do you think these are different woods than the production models or simply some select pieces?

Tim, too funny and I have to agree that about 6 frets worth of streak counts as a stripe! LOL.

Boleskinehouse · 07-25-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim A

My R8's board is pretty cool, I think.
6 frets count as a streak?

This one looks very nice!

LongBeach · 07-25-2008, 05:35 PM

It depends on how "flashy" it is, but I think the darker mix of skunk stripes look cool. TimA's is a great example.

arcanis494 · 07-25-2008, 08:25 PM

Not a fan!

But I do have to admit the board on Shotgunlew's custom guitar is amazing!

loaded six string · 07-25-2008, 09:08 PM

I have a PRS with a stripe down the middle. Not thrilled about it. but I can live with it.

So Relax · 07-26-2008, 03:19 AM

My '07 R8 has a major streak that resulted in almost 50% off because people couldn't look past it.... despite it blowing everything else in the store away once you actually played the thing. Do I like them - not necessarily, would it stop me from buying a guitar that allows my emotions to flow out my amp... NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have the opportunity to go for a Braz board... but I can't do it. This beast is too perfect to mess with.

07-23-2008, 11:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Texas07R8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 768 Thanks: 19 Thanked 26 Times in 5 Posts	Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I was checking out all the 58-60 RI VOS Custom Shops before deciding which one I'd buy and I found some really beautiful fretboards on some of these guitars. I think the figured fretboards look very cool, I've not really noticed it before on other guitars (guess I tend to focus on the body, neck inlays and headstocks out of habit). I've got a pic of my 07R8 below but it just doesn't capture how good it looks in person. 90% of the neck is dark rosewood and there are some lighter reddish/brown streaks running up from the middle of the neck near the nut curving over towards the E&A strings then starts to curve back toward the middle farther up the neck and on the B&E side another light streak starts around the 6th fret and goes up the neck giving some nice grain coloring and figuring. Just wondering, do you guys like the color streaks in the fretboard or do you prefer a solid color rosewood board? See many of them? I'm not including ebony in this question because I actually prefer ebony necks but I still love these figured rosewood boards Gibson is using. Does anyone know if these streaked fretboards are used in the production Les Pauls as well as the Custom Shop versions? Is Gibson using a different variety of rosewood on these streaked Custom Shop fretboards or just some that happens to have some figuring in it? I'd love to see some pics of others so please post some of you have them.

07-23-2008, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,083 Thanks: 20 Thanked 22 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? That one looks nice, but generally I prefer them to be very dark. Those huge skunk stripes, or the very light boards do nothing for me. __________________ http://www.geartalk.com Join us..

07-23-2008, 11:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,449 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I prefer light boards, and love my dark stripe on my R8! __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

07-23-2008, 11:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
monroe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 532 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? One of my Strats has a Pau Ferro board and the streaks took some getting used to. __________________ Proud user of: Gibson Guitars, Fender Guitars and Amps, Fargen Amplification WCR Pickups, Jason Lollar Pickups, Weber VST Speakers

07-23-2008, 11:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
delawaregold V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: DELAWARE Posts: 583 Thanks: 20 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I tend to like anything that adds character to a guitar. Mineral streaks, and Birds Eye Maple, Blister Tops, bold grain on the plain tops, great figuring on the Fretboards, and the Mahogany. If it catches my eye, or adds a talking point to the guitar, I’m there. __________________ BRAZILIAN OWNERS WORLDWIDE Social Group *******************

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07-23-2008, 11:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
mmcquain Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tarpon Springs, FL Posts: 1,461 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I prefer the all dark boards. A minor bit of color variation isn't bad but a "skunk stripe" isn't good IMO. __________________ Rock, Blues, Christian player - mmcquain@mcquain.com http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul - http://www.myspace.com/mmcquain Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique & CS-356, Fender Stratocaster, Hamer Flying V, BreedLove AD25/SR Peavey Marshall Behringer POD Tech21 Boss MXR Dunlop Danelectro Digitech Dean Markley D'Addario

07-23-2008, 11:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
shotgunlew V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,779 Thanks: 27 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? thats better __________________ 60% of the time...it works every time.... Gun Control = Using Both Hands!! Everyone Please Pray for Sgt Jeffery Crones and the rest of the boys in iraq! Get some boys! Chris "The Gunhand" Of the MLP Pirates Crew

07-23-2008, 11:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
shotgunlew V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,779 Thanks: 27 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? now it wont pop up!?!?! __________________ 60% of the time...it works every time.... Gun Control = Using Both Hands!! Everyone Please Pray for Sgt Jeffery Crones and the rest of the boys in iraq! Get some boys! Chris "The Gunhand" Of the MLP Pirates Crew

07-24-2008, 12:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,449 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? Lew - that is a beautiful board!! __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

07-24-2008, 10:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
*b-squared* The Velvet Hammer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 6,599 Thanks: 44 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? That's one of the beauties of using organics in an instrument; each piece has a unique appearance and character. I like 'em striped as well as dark and oily. BB __________________ __________________ I use: and Jonesy's Caps, too!

07-24-2008, 11:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
05hummer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N.E. Pa. Posts: 877 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I may be in the minority, but I think skunk stripes give the guitar character..

07-24-2008, 04:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
R9. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,583 Thanks: 7 Thanked 16 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? My R8's board is pretty cool, I think. 6 frets count as a streak? __________________ I said it's a joke son! My gear

07-24-2008, 04:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,449 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? Thats a sweet board! __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

07-24-2008, 05:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
Hemply Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? You could say I like Streaked fretboards... Warning not a CS LP __________________ Vintage 1969 LPC BB Historic 1968 LPC Reissue Antique Nat G0 1960 LPC VOS Aged Honeyburst '08 PRS McCarty Korina Brazilian Fretboard Vintage Nat Vintage 1967 Gibson J-200 Custom (negotiating) '04 Lowden 35 Series RW/Sitka 1980 Yamaha FG-312 "The Epiphone" (Mandolin) -of all the terrible and profound mysteries of the human soul, if you expect any explanation at all expect the one that makes the mystery more marvelous still -

07-24-2008, 05:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
GuitarEnZo12 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 385 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? Yes it adds character. __________________ Owned 2008 Gibson Les Paul '58 Reissue (Cherry) 2007 Epiphone Les Paul Standard (Cherry) 1998 Danelectro DC-59 Reissue (Black) 2007 Martin 000-16GT Wanted 1968-1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue Marshall Vintage Modern 50W Combo

07-24-2008, 09:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
Texas07R8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 768 Thanks: 19 Thanked 26 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? Shotgun, that's a sweet looking fretboard, even if it isn't a LP. I think the streaked fretboards give the guitars more character and that's not a bad thing... Now tell me guys, has anyone seen these figured fretboards on non CS Les Pauls?? Do you think these are different woods than the production models or simply some select pieces? Tim, too funny and I have to agree that about 6 frets worth of streak counts as a stripe! LOL.

07-25-2008, 05:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
LongBeach V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Beach Ca. Posts: 2,760 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? It depends on how "flashy" it is, but I think the darker mix of skunk stripes look cool. TimA's is a great example.

07-25-2008, 08:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
arcanis494 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,744 Thanks: 16 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? Not a fan! But I do have to admit the board on Shotgunlew's custom guitar is amazing!

07-25-2008, 09:08 PM	#24 (permalink)
loaded six string V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: your moms box Posts: 1,807 Thanks: 12 Thanked 14 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? I have a PRS with a stripe down the middle. Not thrilled about it. but I can live with it.

07-26-2008, 03:19 AM	#25 (permalink)
So Relax Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Do you like streaked fretboards in the Custom Shop LPs? My '07 R8 has a major streak that resulted in almost 50% off because people couldn't look past it.... despite it blowing everything else in the store away once you actually played the thing. Do I like them - not necessarily, would it stop me from buying a guitar that allows my emotions to flow out my amp... NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the opportunity to go for a Braz board... but I can't do it. This beast is too perfect to mess with.