Searching for my forever Les Paul: lightweight, long tenon, one-piece body, flame top, chunky neck?

Hey folks, time to pull the trigger on my “forever” Les Paul. I envy you guys with guitars you’ve kept for 30–40 years.
I only care about the wood - electronics can be swapped. Looking for something light, long tenon, one-piece solid body, flame top, and a fairly chunky neck.

Looks like Gibson is been doing things right lately. Any recommendations from the current lineup? I noticed the Standards don’t have long tenon.

Thanks!

I would get one that plays and sounds the best and I like the looks of.

You'll need to look at historic reissues

Just don't forget that you may find 100 guitars that meet your criteria and "the one" may still end up being a short-tenoned, plaintopped, seamed-bodied player grade guitar. The specs don't determine how it plays or sounds, you just have to pick up as many as possible and find the one you connect with, which often is not the one you think.

replica, greatest of builders on this site

Hmmm ... looks like someone wants an R9. Your biggest question now is just ... new or used.

Don't get hung up on the neck tenon. I own both long and short tenon LP's. I would be happy with either one being a one and only guitar.

gball said:

Just don't forget that you may find 100 guitars that meet your criteria and "the one" may still end up being a short-tenoned, plaintopped, seamed-bodied player grade guitar. The specs don't determine how it plays or sounds, you just have to pick up as many as possible and find the one you connect with, which often is not the one you think.

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Truer guitar words were never spoken.

OP, if you’re really set on the specific specs you listed (which is fine, there’s nothing wrong with getting exactly what you want), you’re not going to find it in the current Gibson USA lineup. If you want an actual Gibson then only the way to get those specs is to buy from the Custom Shop (eg, a RI or M2M). Or as someone else mentioned above, commission a replica build from a reputable builder.

I asked ChatGPT to search a Les Paul with those criterias.

The answer:

No current Gibson Les Paul line match all your specs simultaneously. Your closest matches:

• 1957 Les Paul Custom VOS (one-piece body, chunky neck),
• 1959 Reissue (long tenon),
• Supreme / Standard Lite (lightweight + flame top).

For the full combo, a Custom Shop build or spec consultation is your best path to play.

Long tenon doesn't make a bit of difference, and I say that as a builder.

I've encountered short tenon guitars that sustained all day and long tenon guitars that DON'T.

Don't let that be the factor that makes the decision.

You can get used R8s with flame tops for great prices. They fit all your criteria

Older early R8's around 2004 have the fat neck, long tenon, and one piece solid (no weight relief) body. They even have Madagascar rosewood fretboards. They even have bigger frets than todays R8's.

Yep I'd be looking at various R8's, keeping an eye on the weight. And a used R8 can be had for less than a brand new R8 (because brand new means taxes for most of us) in the current market.

For what it's worth, I've sold 3 lifer les pauls - two this year.

Here's my 2014 R8,.. some do have spectacular tops.

I don't recommend taking someone else's recommendation, and then mail-ordering the guitar.
That's just an invitation to heartache.

Try everything, in every music store, pawn shop, and swap meet within driving distance.

Try them all.
One of them will sing to you.

Search for 1958 or 1959 reissue/historic/custom shop Les Pauls.

I would go R8. Mine are chunky monkies.

“forever” Les Paul

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Yeah, after selling my 3rd or 4th "forever" LP, I abandoned that quest. I just love the ones I'm with.

Ironially enough i have discovered that my ideal LP,the one I play the most,is an Epi SG 61,made in japan by Fugigen 20 years ago.

hecube said:

I asked ChatGPT to search a Les Paul with those criterias.

The answer:

No current Gibson Les Paul line match all your specs simultaneously. Your closest matches:

• 1957 Les Paul Custom VOS (one-piece body, chunky neck),
• 1959 Reissue (long tenon),
• Supreme / Standard Lite (lightweight + flame top).

For the full combo, a Custom Shop build or spec consultation is your best path to play.

Click to expand...

ChatGPT gets stuff wrong as often as it gets it right… just sayin’….

hecube said:

I asked ChatGPT to search a Les Paul with those criterias.

The answer:

No current Gibson Les Paul line match all your specs simultaneously. Your closest matches:

• 1957 Les Paul Custom VOS (one-piece body, chunky neck),
• 1959 Reissue (long tenon),
• Supreme / Standard Lite (lightweight + flame top).

For the full combo, a Custom Shop build or spec consultation is your best path to play.

Click to expand...

R7 = long tenon