LP Standard AA vs AAA

[01GT Eibach]

When Gibson created the Original Collection in 2019.5, the AA tops were (mostly) incredibly well flamed well past what is expected for AA for about the first 24 months or so. Then as the tops were clearly toning down a bit after that initial period, they released in August, 2023 the "Figured Top Standards" ($2999) and "Plain Top Standards" ($2799). Then in early 2024, they realized they priced too high and reduced those lines MSRPs down to $2799 and $2599, respectively, which is where they are still at now. My 2023 60s-Figured Oxblood is extremely well figured for AA, but a bit hard to regularly see due to the Oxblood finish (LOL).

 

[musicmaniac]

This is a supposedly AA.

 

[Memdroid]

These were the scales used during the Henri J era

 

[Jake69]

These were the scales used during the Henri J era

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Interesting. Thanks!

 

[Memdroid]

Slightly off topic. Interestingly the Studio Session is advertised as having AA tops. I find them not very flamey at all from the examples I have seen. According to that scale it should fall in B or B+

 

[01GT Eibach]

Slightly off topic. Interestingly the Studio Session is advertised as having AA tops. I find them not very flamey at all from the examples I have seen. According to that scale it should fall in B or B+

This is what I understood going back to 2010 which does correspond to your Studio Session observation:
A - no flame, but does have visible grain
AA - Elements of flame
AAA - Fully flamed, but not perfectly matched
AAAA - Fully flamed and well matched

 

[Jake69]

This is an interesting mapping of these different gradings. As far as I'm concerned though, the important thing is that I like the top. Not how many A:s it's got. Just as been said here earlier.

And here below is a promising message that just reached me.

 

[RetropM]

As a general rule, the AA tops previously seem to be nicer than the current AAA tops, but maybe that's just me...

Either way, I would want multiple pictures of the exact guitar from a variety of angles and in various lighting conditions if I couldn't check it out in-person.

 

[01GT Eibach]

The AA tops previously seem to be nicer than the current AAA tops, but maybe that's just me...

You say 'previously'. What years?

 

[RetropM]

You say 'previously'. What years?

I feel like the USA guitars from 2002-2019 had better tops in-general; as in better flame and better matching (symmetry).

Obviously there will be exceptions.

 

[lpfan1980]

AA 60s Standard

 

[THAWK819]

This is a 2023 GC exclusive 60's standard they called a AA "Triburst" (looks mostly the same as bourbon burst to my eyes):

 

[Jake69]

This is a 2023 GC exclusive 60's standard they called a AA "Triburst" (looks mostly the same as bourbon burst to my eyes):

View attachment 853359
View attachment 853361
View attachment 853363

Stunning!!!

 

[THAWK819]

Stunning!!!

Thanks, I saw another member post pics of the same guitar with the plastics all swapped out for black ones and I think I'm gonna go that way too... eventually; just been lazy about sourcing the parts.

 

[Jake69]

Black is nice in the right surroundings.

Here's my Yamaha SA2200 with some black plastics (original).

 

[Scozz]

Good opportunity to shamelessly show off one of my Gibson Les Paul, not a Standard though, a 2006 Studio PP with a AAA top and flame mahogany neck…

 

[Jake69]

Good opportunity to shamelessly showing off a Gibson Lp, not a good Standard but a 2006 Studio PP with a AAA top and flame mahogany neck…

Sweet!!!

 

[VII Graphics]

That's My observation as well, new flame cups vary so much in figure, both in person and online, most aren't desirable for a standard at least.
They either have the bulk of the nice figured ones sent to the cs, or their general supply isn't cutting it.

 

[DaveSG]

Always a subjective topic, but I would agree with the other posters that I believe it directionally true to say that the older AA is today's AAA for how Gibson tends to classify them. Of course, it's not an exact science, so there are plenty of exeptions.

To anyone looking, don't be afraid to consider a non 'AAA' top, because sometimes they sneak in there. Looking on Zzounds/American Musical, Sam Ash, Sweetwater, etc, can sometimes yield good results by looking at all of them.

This is my plain jane, non 'AAA' lefty from 2021-