Les Paul custom conundrum

[Brek]

So if my R8 sells, there are unusually, as not many come up for sale, two customs i could go after, ones a 2011 and is a grand less than the other a 2018, awaiting on the weights of them as well as also figures into the decision. the other difference is simply glue, hide V titebond,

I am now of opinion that as long as glue has certain properties it won't make a difference other than ease of removal of components. Which is unlikely to be needed.

Unless there are other any major spec change i have missed?

the 2018

and the 2011, it has a split in the lacquer around the body and at neck joint? how common is this?
Ahh, just clicked is this likely evidence of a mahogany cap not true one piece body?

 

[decoy205]

Are they both regular customs? Is one a reissue? I think all reg customs have a maple cap. You should be certain of specs before deciding.

 

[Shelkonnery]

I think from 2013 on, all '57 BB Reissues have one piece mahogany bodies. Not sure which years don't prior to that.

Are there pictures of the control cavity?
Supposedly, a round route indicates a one piece body as opposed to a square one.

 

[calieng]

I do not know if either have it - but richlite vs ebony fretboard if that matters to you.

I would think the 2018 would tend to be a little better model year vs 2011 but hard to say without playing either guitar and knowing the weights etc.

I really like the ML '68 Custom I bought last year. Budget permitting.

 

[Tim Plains]

Personally, I would go for the newer one if you can't try them first because I like the idea of the post 2013 specs.

Ask for a picture of the 2011's pots cavity. You should be able to tell if it has a separate cap or not.

No 57 reissue has ever had richlite, as far as I know.

 

[Brek]

Thanks, some useful pointers, yeah i am slightly gravitating to to the newer spec one, as it will be tied in with me selling my R8 and delivering it on the way, trying both is an option. In fact the more I think of it the lacquer crack is a non starter, I don't think it's a maple cap as it has a '57 reissue book.

 

[drugprowlingwolf]

Get the newer one IMHO. Post 13 Historics are exceptional instruments in my experience of owning several.

 

[Tim Plains]

In fact the more I think of it the lacquer crack is a non starter, I don't think it's a maple cap as it has a '57 reissue book.

What book?

My old 2010 57 Custom had a separate mahogany top. That's why you have to look at the control cavity.

 

[Brek]

What book?

My old 2010 57 Custom had a separate mahogany top. That's why you have to look at the control cavity.

the coa book, has a 7 serial number. pic is on its way ref control cavity. So will soon know either way. I take it yours does not have cracked lacquer?

 

[Tim Plains]

I take it yours does not have cracked lacquer?

I sold it maybe five years ago. No idea.

 

[jlb32]

Good Luck with which ever one you choose! Les Paul Customs are awesome!
I love the Reissue Customs but have to say I prefer the Customs that have the maple cap overall. Just my preference as I think they sound better tonally.

IMO you will love the Les Paul Custom!! They are amazing guitars!

 

[DanD]

As much, or likely more, credit should go to the removal of the truss rod condom.

One thing that stands out to me on my newer Reissues is how much the neck vibrates in hand. They can feel alive.

With my older Reissues the neck vibrations were mostly absent until it got really loud.

The hide glue also required a better neck fit. The older Rs with Titebond didn't need such a tight fit as the glue filled the voids. Hide glue is surface to surface so the neck fit has to be tighter.

Edwin Wilson spoke to this when Gibson started using hide glue.

 

[Midnight Blues]

If you're looking for all mahogany, I'd contact Gibson customer service, give them the S/Ns and see what they say. There were/are some Custom Shop Customs that have maple caps. The '11 likely has a maple cap. Not that there's anything wrong with that.


Good luck and

 

[DanD]

An '11 Custom Shop Custom will have a maple top but an '11 '57 Reissue Custom will be all hog.

Whether or not that '11 has a one piece body or separate top remains to be seen.

I'd guess it to be a separate top based on the checking at the base of the binding but it could be the binding alone is the reason for the checking.

 

[spartacus slim]

Something to consider: by 2018 did the ‘57 Les Paul Custom reissue incorporate the spec changes made for the True Historic line? I mean all the TH stuff apart from the double carved top and neck, wet sanded finish, and pronouncedly rolled fingerboard binding...

 

[DanD]

Yes

 

[Brek]

it needs to be all mahogany, I have three reissues with maple caps already.

 

[Tim Plains]

If you're looking for all mahogany, I'd contact Gibson customer service, give them the S/Ns and see what they say. There were/are some Custom Shop Customs that have maple caps. The '11 likely has a maple cap. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Where did you get this from? There is no such thing as a 57 Custom with a maple cap, including 2011.

USA style or CS serial number - maple.
68 Custom reissue - maple.
54 or 57 Custom reissue - mahogany.
That's it.

 

[Brek]

Guys I think y'all missing my question, which is, does 2011 have mahogany cap or one piece body? I know its no chance of being maple, I am interested in the lacquer crack around the body under the binding, anyways here is a cavity pic of the 2011,

 

[efstop]

Judging by the round channel, I'd say it's one piece. The channel is drilled from jack to toggle. Capped bodies are routed before the top is glued on, so the channel is square.

Not to say they couldn't hybrid it by drilling after gluing on a top, but it wouldn't be historic, wot?

Binding is a separate piece, so yes, cracking could occur there.