2016 traditional or 2020 classic?

[horax]

Hey everybody.
I’m working a trade and have an option for either a 2016 traditional or a 2020 classic.

What are the differences between the two when it comes down to it?

I will share the links also in hopes that we can ensure they are both actual Gibson’s. I have a hard time picking out fakes

Classic
Traditional

 

[hotshot]

They look real to me, but you got a hard decision to make !!

 

[ArchEtech]

Others will chime in with better specifics than me.

I believe the traditional has zero or very little weight relief so will probably heavier and maybe darker sounding.

The classics usually have more cloudy yellow inlays but that’s not always true.

Traditional have better tops from what I’ve seen, they are standards which are considered a higher tier than a classic.

The neck profile on the traditional should be more round chunky, and I think they have a 12” radius.

The traditional have more vintage 50’s sounding Burstbuckers, the classic slightly more modern Burstbuckers; however I bet the tonal differences wouldn’t show up in most blind tests if everything else on the guitars was the same.

I would probably go for the traditional because it’s a higher tier instinctively and I like the specs more but they aren’t going to be oil and water different.

 

[horax]

Is the back on the traditional normally all solid black/brown like that? I thkoght they were all mahogany red color?

And he states everything is stock, and I believe him, but the classics I see online all have zebra pickup covers.

 

[1allspub]

The vast majority 2016 Trads actually do have 9-hole weight relief... only a few “dealer exclusives” came non-WR’d.

Differences between these two guitars are mostly found in the neck profile (Classic will be skinnier) and the control cavity (Classic will have push-pull pots). Classics come with locking tuners too, IIRC. Otherwise the guitars are pretty similar.

Normally I am a big Trad fan and would advise choosing the Trad, but I have come to despise perimeter (aka “rim”) bursts on Les Pauls, so this time I gotta say go with the Classic!

 

[Mockbel]

From visual perspective, I like that Classic way more than the Traditional…

 

[pondcaster]

Classic

 

[1allspub]

Others will chime in with better specifics than me.

I believe the traditional has zero or very little weight relief so will probably heavier and maybe darker sounding.

The classics usually have more cloudy yellow inlays but that’s not always true.

Traditional have better tops from what I’ve seen, they are standards which are considered a higher tier than a classic.

The neck profile on the traditional should be more round chunky, and I think they have a 12” radius.

The traditional have more vintage 50’s sounding Burstbuckers, the classic slightly more modern Burstbuckers; however I bet the tonal differences wouldn’t show up in most blind tests if everything else on the guitars was the same.

I would probably go for the traditional because it’s a higher tier instinctively and I like the specs more but they aren’t going to be oil and water different.

The Classics haven’t had the cloudy (some call then snot green) inlays for several years.

Both the Classic and the Trad have 9-hole WR (except for a few “dealer exclusive” Trads in 2016 that were non-WR’d).

2016 Trads came with 57 Classic pickups, 2020 Classic have 60s Burstbuckers (w/ push-pull pots).

 

[Deftone]

Play em both. Does either one have a maple neck? I like maple necks. What are the weights of each?

 

[horax]

Play em both. Does either one have a maple neck? I like maple necks. What are the weights of each?

I'm hpoing to play them this evening to decide.
Dude also has a standard and a deluxe for sale. I prefer the standard but it's slightly out of my range....not sure about hte deluxe.

 

[Christosterone]

i reflexively say classic 100% of the time when given a choice but I would play them both

traditionals are often awesome…I only own one and I absolutely love it…the burst on that trad is ver cool…very very cool in fact

-chris

 

[Deftone]

Specs:

http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2016/USA/Les-Paul-Traditional.aspx

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/USAI9Q269/Honeyburst

 

[Deftone]

Needs a poll but I'm voting for the Trad.

 

[horax]

Needs a poll but I'm voting for the Trad.

good idea...poll added

 

[gball]

I own a 2016 Traditional and it is one of the best guitars I have ever played. That year for the Trads in particular has proven to be extremely well-regarded. It'll have 57/57+ pickups and a "goldilocks" neck carve: not too big and not too small. I also like those perimeter bursts - less "me too"

I also own a Classic (a '22) and its fantastic, but I'd go with the Traditional for sure.

 

[Knoby]

The classic to play
The traditional to look at

 

[Bluerocker]

Can I vote for the Deluxe?

 

[Deftone]

I like the specs on the Trad, it looks nice and the price is right.

Classic looks great though, and I prefer the clear finish on the back to the brown paint on the Trad.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

My 2016 Trad is awesome.

 

[tjdjr1]

I voted for the Classic because for me I prefer the 60s style neck. I do own both and the (2016) Traditional I own is a beautiful guitar. I had the Traditional neck re-profiled to a 60s size at Lay's in Akron. They did a great job much more comfortable for my hand.