R8 and R9 price difference?

jon1 · 09-28-2009, 09:48 PM

I was looking on the Guitar Center and Gibson sites today, and I saw that the Gibson 1959 VOS reissue was over $2000 more expensive than the 1958 reissue. The only difference that i can see is the finishes are a little difference. Are there any differences that could justify such a high difference in price, other than that one is based off of a more famous model. I'm not looking to buy either, I was just wondering why there was such a dramatic price difference.

FennRx · 09-28-2009, 10:12 PM

flamed maple top and the 59 is the holy grail. they charge it because we pay it.

paul.barking · 09-29-2009, 12:46 AM

The necks are different.

It's also possible that the flame is more pronounced on the '59.

diceman · 09-29-2009, 12:51 AM

Current R8's and G0's are plain tops, R9's and R0's are flame tops.

R8's ON AVERAGE have thicker necks than R9's, but there is plenty of variance, even the exact opposite in some instances.

Body blanks on average for R9's are about 1/2lb less than R8's IIRC, based on some picture of a scrap of paper from the Custom Shop spec-ing out body blank weights...b

The big difference, other than the flame top, is $1Testicle.

dylanR · 09-29-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Current R8's and G0's are plain tops, R9's and R0's are flame tops.

R8's ON AVERAGE have thicker necks than R9's, but there is plenty of variance, even the exact opposite in some instances.

Body blanks on average for R9's are about 1/2lb less than R8's IIRC, based on some picture of a scrap of paper from the Custom Shop spec-ing out body blank weights...b

The big difference, other than the flame top, is $1Testicle.

My 2009 R8 has pretty much got a 59 neck profile, slimmer than my friend's 2001 R9 except at the heel, and it weighs 8.5, it was lighter than the R9 at the same store. So many variances. The original 58's had smaller frets too, but the re issues all have the same fret wire, so you can find an R8 that's practically identical to an R9 where it counts, sans purty flame of course. i did. Of course i also played other R8's with HUGE necks, much bigger than my 59ish neck, like dice said.

Tex · 10-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Mmm...I'm looking to buy my first Les Paul in a while. I know that 59s were coined as the 'holy grail', but is there any tonal quality that sets a R9 and R8 apart from each other?

River · 10-02-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Mmm...I'm looking to buy my first Les Paul in a while. I know that 59s were coined as the 'holy grail', but is there any tonal quality that sets a R9 and R8 apart from each other?

Nope.

Tex · 10-02-2009, 11:04 PM

Really? Ha! That's pretty awesome! Anyway, thanks for the info - see you around when I learn a bit more about LPs!

jon1 · 10-02-2009, 11:14 PM

I'm not quite sure a nice flame is worth $2000, but its gibson; they can do that.

ZampraZ · 10-03-2009, 04:51 AM

It's not worth $2000 but, you know. I have an R8, fantastic guitar, but I still want an R9 (only because of flame top). Basically I'm good for now but further on up the road when I have more dinero I'm going to get an R9 sooner or later to stop this never ending GAS

Tim Plains · 10-03-2009, 08:26 AM

^ Don't buy a second historic. You'll have a handful before you know it!

jon1 · 10-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Is a historic and a regular R8/9 the same guitar, or are the historics a different line?

Tim Plains · 10-03-2009, 05:17 PM

^ Gibson Les Paul 101

FennRx · 10-03-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R9.

^ Don't buy a second historic. You'll have a handful before you know it!

not necessarily, timmy. two is all i need.

Fixxxer · 10-03-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FennRx

flamed maple top and the 59 is the holy grail. they charge it because we pay it.

Slapjaw · 10-04-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R9.

^ Don't buy a second historic. You'll have a handful before you know it!

+ 100, stay away form the monster

djlogan33 · 10-04-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon1

I was looking on the Guitar Center and Gibson sites today, and I saw that the Gibson 1959 VOS reissue was over $2000 more expensive than the 1958 reissue. The only difference that i can see is the finishes are a little difference. Are there any differences that could justify such a high difference in price, other than that one is based off of a more famous model. I'm not looking to buy either, I was just wondering why there was such a dramatic price difference.

===========================================
The R8 has a much thicker neck than the R9 and that alone is why I prefer the R8. I have a 2002 near-mint Butterscotch R8 Flametop that sounds, feels, plays and looks better than any R9 I have played or seen. I only payed $2600 for my R8 last January. I would NOT trade it even for any $5000 R9.

Tim Plains · 10-04-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djlogan33

I have a 2002 near-mint Butterscotch R8 Flametop that sounds, feels, plays and looks better than any R9 I have played or seen.

That can be said for just about any R.
Regardless of the year it was built, one guy's R7 may be the best guitar of all time.
Another guy's R6 may be the best guitar of all time.
As historic owners, we're really splitting hairs on this one.

LongBeach · 10-04-2009, 11:00 AM

I have 2 plain top R0's, and their better than any of your's

River · 10-04-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongBeach

I have 2 plain top R0's, and their better than any of your's

Are not.

LongBeach · 10-04-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

Are not.

this thread is COOL

djlogan33 · 10-05-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R9.

That can be said for just about any R.
Regardless of the year it was built, one guy's R7 may be the best guitar of all time.
Another guy's R6 may be the best guitar of all time.
As historic owners, we're really splitting hairs on this one.

================================================== =
Probably they all sound basically the same, depending on the pickups.
Mine has the '57 Classics. Some of the newer reissues have different pickup and will sound different.

Where they differ is personal preferences:

I like the thicker neck on the R8, compared to the thinner R9 and real thin R0
Every flametop looks different depending on the figuring of the wood

alligatorbling · 10-07-2009, 07:55 AM

id be happy with an R6 or R7! hell, id be happy with a Jr from the custom shop!

jimmyq · 10-07-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

<snip>

The big difference, other than the flame top, is $1Testicle.

Dice, what on earth does that phrase mean?

It's a strange lingo some of you guys have over that side of the pond, for sure.

alligatorbling · 10-07-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyq

Dice, what on earth does that phrase mean?

It's a strange lingo some of you guys have over that side of the pond, for sure.

it means if you got a r9 it makes ya feel like ya got big balls...

or

If a man owns a Les Paul 1959 Reissue, he may feel that his gonads are prodigious in contrast to others.

jimmyq · 10-07-2009, 09:22 AM

Thanks!

Never heard of that one before (and neither has Google!). Every day is cultural schoolday in this place, I learn so much stuff here...

I've even picked up some new swear words, which are most useful.

Tim Plains · 10-07-2009, 11:30 AM

Jimmy, live in the UK. You're the guys who invent phrases like that.

Btw, I have three R9s and my nuts are huge!!

09-28-2009, 09:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
jon1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,303 Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	R8 and R9 price difference? I was looking on the Guitar Center and Gibson sites today, and I saw that the Gibson 1959 VOS reissue was over $2000 more expensive than the 1958 reissue. The only difference that i can see is the finishes are a little difference. Are there any differences that could justify such a high difference in price, other than that one is based off of a more famous model. I'm not looking to buy either, I was just wondering why there was such a dramatic price difference.

09-28-2009, 10:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
FennRx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 10,361 Thanks: 77 Thanked 123 Times in 30 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? flamed maple top and the 59 is the holy grail. they charge it because we pay it. __________________ Up-wing Extremist

09-29-2009, 12:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
paul.barking Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? The necks are different. It's also possible that the flame is more pronounced on the '59.

09-29-2009, 12:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 29,930 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 419 Times in 83 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Current R8's and G0's are plain tops, R9's and R0's are flame tops. R8's ON AVERAGE have thicker necks than R9's, but there is plenty of variance, even the exact opposite in some instances. Body blanks on average for R9's are about 1/2lb less than R8's IIRC, based on some picture of a scrap of paper from the Custom Shop spec-ing out body blank weights...b The big difference, other than the flame top, is $1Testicle.

10-02-2009, 10:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tex Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Mmm...I'm looking to buy my first Les Paul in a while. I know that 59s were coined as the 'holy grail', but is there any tonal quality that sets a R9 and R8 apart from each other?

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10-02-2009, 11:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tex Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Really? Ha! That's pretty awesome! Anyway, thanks for the info - see you around when I learn a bit more about LPs!

10-02-2009, 11:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
jon1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,303 Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? I'm not quite sure a nice flame is worth $2000, but its gibson; they can do that.

10-03-2009, 04:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
ZampraZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 472 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? It's not worth $2000 but, you know. I have an R8, fantastic guitar, but I still want an R9 (only because of flame top). Basically I'm good for now but further on up the road when I have more dinero I'm going to get an R9 sooner or later to stop this never ending GAS __________________ Guitar Tip: "Try playing your licks backwards, it doubles your vocabulary"

10-03-2009, 08:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tim Plains Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 9,351 Thanks: 638 Thanked 672 Times in 76 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? ^ Don't buy a second historic. You'll have a handful before you know it! __________________ Tim. Future Bartlett Retrospec winner!!

10-03-2009, 01:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
jon1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,303 Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Is a historic and a regular R8/9 the same guitar, or are the historics a different line?

10-03-2009, 05:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tim Plains Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 9,351 Thanks: 638 Thanked 672 Times in 76 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? ^ Gibson Les Paul 101 __________________ Tim. Future Bartlett Retrospec winner!!

10-04-2009, 11:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
LongBeach Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 12,021 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? I have 2 plain top R0's, and their better than any of your's

10-07-2009, 07:55 AM	#23 (permalink)
alligatorbling V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31,052 Thanks: 1,810 Thanked 2,277 Times in 641 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? id be happy with an R6 or R7! hell, id be happy with a Jr from the custom shop! __________________ https://soundcloud.com/astrobling/space-ride Visit Blings Soundcloud! visit bling at reverbnation!

10-07-2009, 09:22 AM	#26 (permalink)
jimmyq Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Good Ol' Blighty (London, to be exact) Posts: 1,769 Thanks: 54 Thanked 68 Times in 11 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Thanks! Never heard of that one before (and neither has Google!). Every day is cultural schoolday in this place, I learn so much stuff here... I've even picked up some new swear words, which are most useful.

10-07-2009, 11:30 AM	#27 (permalink)
Tim Plains Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 9,351 Thanks: 638 Thanked 672 Times in 76 Posts	Re: R8 and R9 price difference? Jimmy, live in the UK. You're the guys who invent phrases like that. Btw, I have three R9s and my nuts are huge!! __________________ Tim. Future Bartlett Retrospec winner!!

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