50's neck Goldtop P90 options

[uwmcscott]

I've had GAS for a quite some time for a P90 Goldtop. What I REALLY want is a 56 reissue, but it's somewhat out of my price range. I am a cheap bastard basically, so we can just get that out of the way now.

My wants are this: A goldtop with P90's and a TOM bridge ( ala 1956 ) and a fat 50's neck. I have a 2013 Traditional and a 2011 Studio deluxe and love the fat, round 50's neck. I know that one of my choices would be to just save up until I can afford a 56RI and be done with it. And that is an option I am exploring, i frequent the classifieds here, Reverb and Evilbay/Craigslist.

BUT...here comes the cheap bastard in me:

Is there any other configuration, either modern or semi-modern, that is the same as a 56RI? I thought I had hit the jackpot the other day when I found out about the late 2014 traditional Goldtops with the bigsby, but I got a chance to play one over the weekend and it has a VERY thin 60's neck, which I don't like very much at all.

Did they make a standard in the past 10-15 years that had a similar config? Or perhaps a deluxe that I could swap out the mini-hums for P90's? I have never been able to get my hands on one to see how the neck feels.

So ...
Goldtop/P90's/TOM/Fat neck...do I simply need to keep saving my pennies?

 

[Airplane]

i don't know man but the best LP i ever had was a 2013 54. the playability and tone and overall quality... just a freakin dream. only reason i sold it was that i seriously needed the benjamins. i think if you had it for a while and broke into the fretboard, it's a totally different guitar than a gibson USA LP. it think it's worth every penny.
i know you said you want a TOM bridge, but the warparound TP surely had a big influence on the fantastic playability of that guitar.

 

[Tone deaf]

Look for a '71 (or there about) Deluxe (not routed). Chunky neck. Swap the mini humbuckers for P-90s. If you feel it necessary, swap the bridge...

 

[BuddyHollywood]

Find a 2010 Les Paul Studio 50's Tribute and have a luthier apply binding if it's important to you.

 

[uwmcscott]

Find a 2010 Les Paul Studio 50's Tribute and have a luthier apply binding if it's important to you.

Thanks. I've actually looked at those but I'd prefer a solid body and a full gloss nitro finish. ( and I already have a studio ).

 

[Dino]

There was a limited edition Traditional Pro goldtop with P90's that fits your description. I believe they were manufactured exclusively for Guitar Center around 2011.

 

[uwmcscott]

There was a limited edition Traditional Pro goldtop with P90's that fits your description. I believe they were manufactured exclusively for Guitar Center around 2011.

Thanks, I have seen those - they have the "tapped" alnico V p90's and a dark back which I'm not all that crazy about. Also weight relieved.

Gibson.com: Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Split Coil P-90's

Did i mention that i'm picky?

 

[Farquad]

If you dont want weight relief, you'll have to go reissue, or old used deluxe.

I've seen mint R6's go in the $2500 range fairly often, so you should be able to save off the new stock price of $3600.

You could look for an R5 as well since they made some with a TOM and stop tail, but the neck carve is different with a bit narrower shoulders, but just as thick as a R6.

 

[Slater529]

Thanks, I have seen those - they have the "tapped" alnico V p90's and a dark back which I'm not all that crazy about. Also weight relieved.

Gibson.com: Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Split Coil P-90's

Did i mention that i'm picky?

Then just suck it up and get an R6.

 

[uwmcscott]

Then just suck it up and get an R6.

Yes, the more I look the more this looks to be the best solution. I played a 2014 R6 over the weekend at my hometown Gibson Mecca and it felt "just right".

 

[uwmcscott]

If you dont want weight relief, you'll have to go reissue, or old used deluxe.

I've seen mint R6's go in the $2500 range fairly often, so you should be able to save off the new stock price of $3600.

You could look for an R5 as well since they made some with a TOM and stop tail, but the neck carve is different with a bit narrower shoulders, but just as thick as a R6.

I've been keeping a close eye on the classifieds here and Reverb and that does seem to be the going rate for a good r6, i've even seen a few go for under 2500 on fleabay.

If that 2014 traditional had a 50's neck ( why why why did they do that when all the other trads have it ) i would have been in business.

As others have mentioned I most likely will just need to suck it up and get what I really want.