Are historic models consistent in tone

[eda123]

I tried a historic in person last week and loved it. But the cherry finish showed almost no grain- just looked like a solid red.

Another one popped up which looks a lot better- excellent grain and finish - but I have only pics to go by. The dealer is remote and I'm a lefty so I don't have the ability to try before I buy too often.

So are the historics pretty consistent in tone? Id like to get the better looking one if it is likely to be consistent with the one I actually played.

[Dr.Distortion]

Pretty much... Some are brighter,some a bit darker. Usually the lighter weaght the more pop...

[Riffs]

Well, in my experience, I would say that the newer historics (I haven't played many pre-2009 historics) are pretty consistent in that almost all the ones that I've tried sounded great. However, every guitar will sound different to some extent. It's quite possible that you won't like the tone of the better looking historic as much as the tone of the one that you played.

[Thumpalumpacus]

It's been my experience that every guitar has its own set of nuances, even when equipped identically. Some, like tone, are more subjective, or more easily addressed. Others, like playability, can be very different, depending on the treatment it has received over its life.

[Jon W]

^^^

I've played Pearl Gates and Rossington's that were dogs and faded ones that were amazing.
That said my 05 R7 is one of the best I've ever played (and I'm not even that fond of GTs). Played another 05 that was average. I've played real 58 and 59s that were great and some that were terrible. Kind of rules out ebay for me...


Just play a lot of them until one grabs you. If you're a player, and you get one that is average but with a great top, it will eat at you until you get rid of it... That said, there are many with great tops that are awesome players as well.

[Droog]

A Les Paul has a Les Paul sound. But there are subtle variations as said above.

[Titi1506]

I have 5 R9 and I have to say that they all sound pretty different!
OK it may be subtle and you maybe won't hear it until you can play them side by side.

Some of them are more woody and warm and others are more lively and bright (but not harsh).

I've also played Historics that were really dead, not resonant at all (most of the time the heavier ones). There are also pretty aggressive ones.

I wouldn't say that there are very bad ones but it can depend on your style and what you want to play.

[Dr. Brown]

I'd differ from most and say no. The one you played has a good chance of being utterly different from the more pretty one you've seen.

[GitFiddle]

Are women consistent in tone ?

[neuronic]

Of course they're not - they're made from wood...

Women are made from some unknown chaotic material, btw.

[journeyman73]

my short answer would be - no.

they are part of the same tonal family, i guess, when compared to something like a tele or a strat or something.

but there can be A LOT of variability across historics...some can be boomy, some muddy, some have a high-end that is piercing, some are dull in the top end, some are loud acoustically and really chime when plugged in, others are sort of dead unplugged and are creamier when plugged in...i mean, they can be all over the place - but i dont think anyone would confuse an historic for any other guitar than an LP. they all sound like LP's to me...but they are very different to each other

[RAG7890]

Originally Posted by Dr. Brown

I'd differ from most and say no. The one you played has a good chance of being utterly different from the more pretty one you've seen.

+ 1, agree.

I have had heaps..............the good, the bad & the ugly.

[ReverendJWblues]

Some have more balls than others, of no 2 guitars are going to actually sound the same no matter what.

[jonas335]

I would say there is a lot of variation in any group of guitars, but I have two R8s (04 and 07) that are virtually identical in sound and feel - it's amazing. I really don't need two but...R8s are so cool....

[cousingrandpa]

I have a 07 R9 & a 08 R8. Feel wise they are practically identical, the necks are identical in measured girth (huge) & feel. Acoustically the R8 has a slightly warmer sound & the R9 is slightly brighter, both resonate very strongly & are pretty loud for being solid bodies. Unplugged the R9 actually sounds just like a real 56 LP I played for a while last spring.