2016 Custom Flame top new or 2003 R8 plaintop Minty?

[Harley90]

Never thought I'd do this but an interesting trade offer came up.
2016 Les Paul Custom Flame top new or 2003 R8 plaintop Minty
...Always wanted a custom but love the R8, cant have both. No papers on the custom, I have everything on the R8.....would be a straight trade. Both cherry burst ....What would you do? I'm on the fence.

 

[rockinlespaul]

I would keep the '03, but that's just me. I like the older historics.

 

[izzwardo]

R8

 

[Caretaker]

R8....and Customs should be black or white. Even natural, but CSB is just wrong.

 

[Sct13]

R8

 

[Farquad]

That'd most likely be a short neck tenon on that custom, and maybe no ebony. (unless its a cherry 68).
I agree with the others. Keep the R8.

 

[nibus]

The R8 is most likely superior.

 

[Left Paw]

Custom is likely almost two pounds heavier. That in itself would rule it out for me.

 

[Dilver]

R8....and Customs should be black or white. Even natural, but CSB is just wrong.

I kinda agree with this logic. Never seen a CSB Custom that didn’t look... odd.

 

[jamman]

The guitar that plays the best .

IMO , my best/LP is still my 2003 R0 Stinger ... But that's not to say the newer RI's aren't really good . they are . But something about the 2003 ,is better ...
But ,,, Which 1 you're looking at is the question .... test , test ,test ... The right 1 ,will tell you, when it's in your hands .... Get past the looks of any guitar and then you can decide which is best .....
a great Playing/Sounding Fulgly guitar will beat a great looker , average player/sounding everyday ....

 

[musicmaniac]

R8

 

[Harley90]

Well its pretty much unanimous, keeping the R8, certainly a better built guitar, great feel. Although I like the taller frets on the custom.....Thanks!

 

[StubbyJ]

Don't do it unless after playing the Custom it haunts you until you do.

 

[Crotch]

8

 

[toymaker]

Custom's are a harder sell - come resale time, it seems everyone loves the R series...so there is that aspect to consider.

Bottom line, it comes down to which YOU prefer. You will get a million responses in the historic section telling you how the R8 is superior - and how the historically incorrect custom is wrong in so many ways. Of course no one replying to this has touched either guitar - so what your getting are generalizations of internet opinions, nothing fact based on needs.

Personally - if it were a deal done via the web - I'd be wary of buying a 2016 without any paperwork..is it possible stuff gets lost in time - absolutely, but 2016's with no paperwork sends up a warning in my mind. In 2003, buyers were not as careful with COA/pamphlet and case candy - fast forward 13 years and people became obsessed with that stuff quickly.

Age means nothing - I'd still rather a 60 year old LP over a new one, but I'd take a 2003 over a 1973 any day...

Just my thoughts - as long as you get what speaks to you - thats all that matters. Make the deal that makes YOU happiest. Some of the best deals I made would be viewed as "losers" if I posted a who won poll.

 

[bulletproof]

I’m inclined to go with the R8,brother. However,have you played them both? Sometimes its a real surprise which guitars speak to us. With that being said, I have a big,ole soft spot for the 8s,man. Fantastic guitars

 

[DanD]

The Richlite board on a Custom is a real low point in my book. Makes the guitar a hard sell on the used market.

I regularly see the 2010 models with ebony boards bring more $$$ than the newer Customs.

At the price of the these guitars Gibson should be using ebony.

 

[freebyrd 69]

R8

 

[scott1970]

Without playing either guitar, and basing it just on individual guitar stats, I'd go hands down with the R8. YMMV.

 

[Reflect_ion]

As toymaker already mentioned: you are aware that you posted your question in the 'Historics & Reissues' forum?