Gibson R8 vs Gibson LPC

[satch4u3]

Are you asking this question just because you just want to see a discussion or are you REALLY gonna buy a guitar based on what a bunch of strangers say in an Internet forum?.

I wanted to put the question out there so that I may have points of comparison for those who have tried both as I have not yet. The Custom I have treid... and loved it. I just want to make sure that I am exploring all my options before throwing down this kind of dough. Obviously in the end it will be soley based on my decision and not someone elses. It will be the one that speaks to me regardless of what people say. I thought it was a good idea to utilize this board as you guys have a wealth of knowlege here.

My second question is you didn't even get a guitar yet and already you are making plans to swap out pick ups and electronics. Don't ya think there is something wrong there? I mean why buy a new guitar only to destroy its designed sound which you don't know yet?

Sounds like you are making changes just for the sake of making changes.

You are correct on this. I probably am putting the horse before the cart. However, my plans were to have the guitar and gig with it for a while before making any changes or upgrades. I am sure you will agree, customizing and upgrading is fun. I have been playing guitar 20 years. I'd say 18 of those years I have always just played stock and wasn't bother by all the details of what makes a guitar sound the way it does. As I am finding out, knowing all the details can be a bit of a curse as you are always wondering "hmmm I wonder what that would sound like??"

Happy New Years everyone!

 

[Joeydego]

custom

 

[Surveyor]

I have an original '73 Custom, which is my first LP. I also have an '08 R8. I love them both. Each is different in feel and sound, to an extent. Despite the difference in materials, there is, to me, a basic Les Paul sound that comes through. I like both Ebony and Rosewood, but I may not be as hard to please as others. I'm just happy to own two very nice guitars. I want to obtain a R6 to cover all the broad bases of the Les Paul.

There may be "better" sounding wiring harnesses and pickups available, but both of mine have that beautiful horn sounding sustain when plugged into a tube amp that is breaking into harmonic distortion. Sounds excellent to my ear and apparently to those of the people whom which I play music. I had EMGs (81 & 85) in the Custom for about 20 years, but re-installed the original pickups for the tone they give.

Hope this helps

 

[Backstage]

I like Customs but my vote goes for the R8.

 

[BLACK13]

My wife recently got me an R8 and now she's pissed.....I have been playing her till I have once again got blister fingers....couldnt let go.....I have tried a stock custom....it sounds heavy......R8 tonal...that's just my feel.

 

[andersplaya]

I'd go with the R8 too. Both good though. However if you're into John Sykes, nah stick with the R8!

 

[fuchsods]

I have these 2 guitars. Very different instruments. The r8 sounds better,and is a bit more versatile. The controls on the r8 are far more useful ,as to the taper and sensitivity. the custom is on or off basically. there is some variable between 1 and 3 on the pots,but after that its pretty much the same. The custom plays real nice and sustains for days. What i did to bring more detail to the sound was to lower the pickups substantially.Made a world of difference in all positions. the 490/498 pickups are ok...not great/not terrible. If i ever sold one it would be the custom. Im pretty sure im going to have new pots/caps and pickups installed in it. The r8 has a level of openness and detail that the custom does not. The custom is very focused and laser like. Both great guitars,but if i had to have one........the r8 wins.

 

[THDNUT]

When I have to decide between two killer guitars, I flip a coin.

 

[satch4u3]

For those of you who have been following this thread and are interested; I am heading out this morning to extensevly try out these guitars. I will post back later with my findings and who knows... maybe pictures.

 

[sikoniko]

I compared the two earlier last year and found the customs have a more modern sound (darker); whereas, the Historics have a classic tone. There is nothing wrong with either, it depends on what you are trying to do with it. The right tool for the right job kind of thing.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Depends is it merely a Custom shop Custom or is it a Historic reissue Custom, a R7? And it would have nickel or gold hardware, not chrome. And Historic R7 Customs do not have 490/498 pickups! If you are thinking of getting a non Historic Reissue Custom, then I would say R8 hands down.

 

[U07110743]

I like both but honestly i would go for R8 Iced Tea. I love Iced Tea and i hope i get an R8 in iced tea someday. But that's just my 2 cents

 

[roeg]

R8...for the tone....but metal does work well with a custom,because of the tighter sound of the ebony fretboard(and those HO 400 series Gibson pups don't hurt either!)...i think with your Mesa,the 400 series pups are a nice match.based on what i know,not from experience.

 

[satch4u3]

Most of you will be suprised to know that I ended up going with the Custom. It just felt so much better. The two did sound different of course. The R8 had a mellower tone. Nothing that I couldn't achive with a pickup swap and a pot/cap upgrade, if I wanted. I was supirsed by how fat the R8 neck was. It was very nice.

Seeing as she is not a historic or reissue, I will post it over on the Les Paul Thread. But or those who are interested here is a couple pics.

 

[CRobbins]

Congrats. Customs are great Les Pauls.

 

[libtech]

I really want to give one a go, do you know if it has a maple or mahogany cap?

 

[satch4u3]

Thanks guys.

I really want to give one a go, do you know if it has a maple or mahogany cap?

It's a mahogany body with a maple cap.

 

[vanceen]

I would strongly recommend going for a 68 RI if you're going to buy a Custom.

I bought an ebony Custom with gold hardware last year and returned it pretty quickly. It just didn't stand up to my other guitars.

 

[satch4u3]

I can assure you that I won't be returning this one. I have a winner here.