2013 R8 Flametop vs R9 Flametop

[LPB-7]

Besides weight, neck size, and the extra flame differences, is there any other differences? I know that Dave's Guitar has VOS 2013 R8's plaintops for the same price as the R8 lightly figured flametop. Also, The Music Zoo and Wildwood Guitars have the limited lightly figured R8's with tonepros and underwoud custom buckers (gloss, not vos) they look so close to an actually R9. Anyone have both an R8 figured as well as a R9 figured to compare? I think Gibson made an R9 plaintop a while back so I haven't seen a plaintop R9 in some time. I apologize if this thread was posted already. FYI - this is not a R8 plaintop vs R9 thread. I've some so many of those and understand it, haha.

 

[SteveC]

Timing is everything... I'm looking at both now. I'd be interested in opinions about this, too! I heard that the neck shoulders are a little smaller on the '13 R8's... making the neck more R9-like.

From what I can tell, the only difference is about $1800.

 

[polloelastico]

Timing is everything... I'm looking at both now. I'd be interested in opinions about this, too! I heard that the neck shoulders are a little smaller on the '13 R8's... making the neck more R9-like.

From what I can tell, the only difference is about $1800.

I played a '13 R8 and the big shoulders really turned me off from it. Felt more D than C to me, and I usually like big necks.

 

[LPB-7]

The new 2013 R8 are a little more comfortable than its predecessor. However, I've played 3 or 4 of new limited R8 hand-picked flametops (I do also own one) and the neck is basically along the lines of an R9. I actually had to get used to it because it was such a difference. Yeah, the price is also a difference. Dealers can pick the top and weight more so with an R9 than a R8. So there's your luxury tag of $1800

 

[bugman]

I just bought this from wildwoods. 2013 R8 Slightly figured??? 8.7lbs and neck at first fret it 9.10 So you tell me the difference between this and an R9. Only difference is mine was cheaper and looks better than some 2013 R9"s I have seen.

 

[THDNUT]

I have an '07 CR8 and (3) R9s ('06s and '07) and the necks feel like exactly the same profile on all 4. My '05 G0 is much thinner and my '06 LP special ('60 CS reissue) is noticeably thicker (like an R7). I've never measured any of them so this isn't a scientific study by any means.

If I were buying a single reissue LP today, I'd buy a "slightly figured" R8 and save a chunk of money over an R9. They're really the same guitar IMO.

 

[SteveC]

The new 2013 R8 are a little more comfortable than its predecessor. However, I've played 3 or 4 of new limited R8 hand-picked flametops (I do also own one) and the neck is basically along the lines of an R9. I actually had to get used to it because it was such a difference. Yeah, the price is also a difference. Dealers can pick the top and weight more so with an R9 than a R8. So there's your luxury tag of $1800

That's exactly what i heard about the neck.... I have someone who is going to check a couple out for me, since I can't audition them in person. A thumbs up and I probably pull the trigger!

I just bought this from wildwoods. 2013 R8 Slightly figured??? 8.7lbs and neck at first fret it 9.10 So you tell me the difference between this and an R9. Only difference is mine was cheaper and looks better than some 2013 R9"s I have seen.

I was amazed at the photo's of the "figured R8's" that I saw! Your's is spectacular... Wow! At .910/1st - that's pretty much R9 size.

 

[LPB-7]

@Bugman; is that a Bourbonburst finish? I almost grabbed that one at The Music Zoo. That top does look better than a R9!

 

[tdarian]

Joe, that looks allot better to me than many R9s I've seen. Getting a beauty like that and saving a wad of cash is also beauteous!

 

[bugman]

@Bugman; is that a Bourbonburst finish? I almost grabbed that one at The Music Zoo. That top does look better than a R9!

it is bourbon burst and I got it from wildwoods. I did not know they came with under wound custom pickups and tone pros studs and posts. I was in love with the top and weight that now i do remember troy talking about the pickups and how nice they are.

 

[LPB-7]

Yeah, the pickups & top are the key elements for those guitars, and of course a better price than the R9. Mine weighs a little over 9 pounds and I just recorded with it the other day. It sounds great. I'll try and post some samples once I mix it down.

 

[tdarian]

it is bourbon burst and I got it from wildwoods. I did not know they came with under wound custom pickups and tone pros studs and posts. I was in love with the top and weight that now i do remember troy talking about the pickups and how nice they are.

What material are the bridge posts?

 

[LPB-7]

I'm not 100% on the material. It's probably on the tonepros site. The Tonepros studs and posts go deeper into the wood to create more sustain and give it a slighter brighter tone. Here's a nice Bourbonburst here.

Gibson Custom Shop Limited Run Hand-Picked Lightly Figured '58 Les Paul Electric Guitar Bourbonburst | The Music Zoo

 

[Phil M]

I'll take the R8 every time. They're still usually under 9 lbs and are a tremendous value. I picked up these two sub-9 lb 2013 R8 "plaintops" at the House of Guitars in Rochester. I highly recommend them. They might still have some or might be getting more in so I'd check with Curt at the HOG if you're interested. I don't think these will be around much longer.

 

[mfolet]

These plaintop R8s are a great deal.Here is mine from the HOG as well.Nice collection Phil!!!

 

[Phil M]

That's sweet, Mike! That's your Iced Tea Burst, correct?

 

[LPB-7]

That Lemonburst is crazy Phil M! Here's the one that I got from the Music Zoo.

 

[LPMarshall Hack]

Love those plain tops!

 

[LPB-7]

Haha, not so plain! More like nice flame!

 

[mfolet]

That's sweet, Mike! That's your Iced Tea Burst, correct?

Yep that's it.