Evolution of LP Standards through 90s and 2000s and how the Traditionals compare

[nitrous12]

I know this has been covered here before, but trying to search and weed out exactly what I am looking for is not easy. So hoping to get some new responses from folks that know.

I love the Traditionals. I like the non-chambered body and the feel of the neck profile. So what years of the Standards are they most like?

I believe the Standards went to the option of 50s or 60s neck sometime in early 2000s. Then in 2006 they went to the chambered body. Is that correct?
Is the 50s neck on those Standards similar to that of the Traditionals?

So through the 90s and up to 2002 or so is it one neck profile found on the Standards and if so, what is it?

I am on the market for a new LP and I am thinking I might broaden the search to inlcude Standards as long as I can be confident its close the Traditionals I am used to.

Thanks!

 

[Boleskinehouse]

They are closest to late '80s-'01 Standards. '02 was when the bigger changes happened. They all had basically the same neck profile the whole time allowing for the usual variations..

I've found that what Gibson started calling '50s necks in '02 were usually a bit thinner than the rounded '59, which is what those Standards and now the Trad. has. Again, we're talking about thousands of guitars, so all the necks are a bit different.

 

[axepilot]

I am on the market for a new LP and I am thinking I might broaden the search to inlcude Standards as long as I can be confident its close the Traditionals I am used to.

Play the guitars and let your hands, ears, and eyes do the voting.

 

[nitrous12]

Play the guitars and let your hands, ears, and eyes do the voting.

Sound advice, but no always possible when shopping around the net for deals that could save me hundreds.

 

[nitrous12]

They are closest to late '80s-'01 Standards. '02 was when the bigger changes happened. They all had basically the same neck profile the whole time allowing for the usual variations..

I've found that what Gibson started calling '50s necks in '02 were usually a bit thinner than the rounded '59, which is what those Standards and now the Trad. has. Again, we're talking about thousands of guitars, so all the necks are a bit different.

Thanks, that is exactly what I needed.

What is the general concensus on QC and consistancy through the 90s?

 

[Boleskinehouse]

Let's just say that it was much easier to find a good Les Paul in the '90s.

 

[nitrous12]

I bought an Ebony Standard brand new in '96. I want to say I sold it in probably '02 timeframe. My Custom I had at the time just played so much nicer, but looking back I think the Std just needed someone to give it some TLC and dress the frets up nice. I didn't realize the significance of that back then.
What can I say...I was young and dumb. Now I am just dumb, but at least have a little more experience and knowledge to work with.
I honestly just can't remember what the neck felt like on that guitar now. I know it sounded good and it seems like it did play better in its earlier days.

 

[tw1st40]

If you're set on a non-chambered Les Paul, don't dismiss '02 - '05 standards.
I have a '05 and it has a very comfortable neck, more so than my '07 SG which has a fatter feeling neck.
I bought it used, but from a large music store. The receipt says '59 neck but those years had either a '50s or '60s neck, so I'm not sure.
I'm going to assume if this diagram is correct and there aren't other variations from those years that my SG has a '60s neck and my LP has a '50s neck.

 

[lp_junkie]

The only real evolution was the ever increasing price, until the 08 Standard with it's PCB asymmetrical neck and Neutrik jack. The Trad is a step back towards the 80's-90's Standard with the addition of the coil taps.

 

[nitrous12]

The only real evolution was the ever increasing price, until the 08 Standard with it's PCB asymmetrical neck and Neutrik jack. The Trad is a step back towards the 80's-90's Standard with the addition of the coil taps.

No coil taps on the Traditional Plus....only on the Pro.

 

[Boleskinehouse]

None on the Trad either(Ebony and Goldtop).

 

[Boleskinehouse]

And as someone else said earlier, don't overlook '02-I'm going to say '04.. Those two years at least produced some fine guitars. '05 is when the shit started hitting the fan more frequently.