Accuracy of pickup cavity markings

[SMNT]

I recently bought a used early 2000s LP standard. Over the weekend I popped the pickups out to verify they were original (which they are) and saw the pickup cavity markings. The neck showed HC which is correct for Heritage Cherry. The bridge shows LP6+. Based on what I've read that would be a Les Paul with 60s neck and a plus top which I believe is a AAA top. The GC I bought the guitar from sold it as a regular standard with 60s neck. I had also dropped a note to Gibson with the serial number as well and they confirmed the number was used for a "Les Paul Standard model which had heritage cherry sunburst finish, nickel hardware, mahogany body with AA figured maple top and '60's slim profile mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard". Based on what Gibson had and what I've read on those markings I would have expected to just see "LP6" in the cavity. Anyone know if those markings are ever off or maybe I don't understand them. Looking at the guitar, I'd call it a AAA top but wondering if maybe they marked the body but after finishing it decided it wasn't plus worthy and sold as a regular standard.

 

[mudface]

Plus top can be a AA top.... I have Traditional from 2011 with a Plus Top...it is also a AA... it's rather flamey too.

 

[Skit]

Congrats on your new guitar. Lets see some pics.

 

[SMNT]

Congrats on your new guitar. Lets see some pics.

Thanks. Hard to get a photo that does it justice. I'm not usually into the heavily flamed guitars and HC isn't my favorite finish but the top is completely 3D on this in person so cool to look at and it plays nice so I had to take it home. Haven't bought a guitar for myself in decades and been looking for a standard for awhile.

 

[1allspub]

Grading tops is purely a subjective process. That said, I’d agree, yours looks like a AAA. Does it maintain that much flame from other angles as well? That seems to be one deciding factor in the grading process, ie, a AAA-looking top from one angle that looks plain from another can get downgraded to AA. I have a 2016 Trad in Honey Burst that is like that. It’s super flamey from oblique angles, but totally plain from straight on... and it’s a AA, but IIRC it’s also marked with a + in the cavity (will have to check next time I change strings).

Anyway, the person writing in the cavity may have just written what they thought it looked like. Or the person entering its data into Gibson’s database may have typo’d it. Regardless, it’s a beauty... I wouldn’t sweat it.

 

[musicmaniac]

Congrats!