Plain vs Flame. Less is More ?

[afireinside]

Much better in person for sure. Pictures wash the 3d out

 

[sonar1]

From some angles this one looks plain, but under some light the flame pops out at the right angle. I like that it’s understated. It can pass for either.

 

[LesPaul60sTribute]

My 2011 Les Paul 60s Tribute P90s Honeyburst - I re-finished the back and sides with tru-oil last summer.

 

[LocoTex]

I love anything lemonbursty plain top.

Standard Faded? Nice.

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

I call mine a BBQ Plain Flame (1991 LP Classic HCSB refinished and aged to Lemon burst - plus lots of other upgrades)

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That is gorgeous. What an amazing makeover, just wow

 

[Misty Mountain Hop]

That is gorgeous. What an amazing makeover, just wow

Thanks. I really love the new look!

 

[joedonner2001]

Standard Faded? Nice.

Actually one of the 2011 Traditional Fadeds.

 

[Benniator]

I tend to like plaintops on darker bursts, flametops on lighter bursts. My Standard 60's top looks like a highly-grained plaintop at some angles, but a transparent 3D flame appears as you move it in the light (which I can't photograph very well). This pic sort of shows both at once.

 

[Christosterone]

Plaintop for life

-chris

 

[cybermgk]

I own zero flame tops of any kind of guitar. Of my 3 Les Pauls, 2 GTs and a plain top Special Pro EX. I eventually came to love plain, natural grain, finding the flame just too much. I definitely see the beauty in it, just prefer the plain grain.

 

[gball]

I own zero flame tops of any kind of guitar. Of my 3 Les Pauls, 2 GTs and a plain top Special Pro EX. I eventually came to love plain, natural grain, finding the flame just too much. I definitely see the beauty in it, just prefer the plain grain.

Same here. I prefer plaintops by a pretty wide margin.

 

[Bluesman1956]

Here‘s my “58” Plain Top! Not real fancy but kicks the shit out of a lot of my Les Pauls and I have a few nice ones. You hear about magical, this is it!


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[Cory]

It’s strange, but as I’ve gotten older, my tastes in tops has completely shifted - I used to obsess over flame tops (and subsequently flipped a lot of LP’s), but now I’m really only into plain top or painted guitars (Goldtops are my personal favorite). Here’s a pic of my 3 “plain top” reissues - R7 candy apple blue, R8 iced tea, R7 goldtop darkback

 

[Cory]

Here’s a close up of my R8 - very subtle grain w/ a super dark board - unbelievable player too!

 

[mjross]

Brothers from different mothers!

 

[jodybriggs]

All about the flame! Here's my Wine Red 2008 Standard.

 

[keys88]

I think plain tops have an understated classy look.

 

[Lester]

I like the grain . . .

. . . and the supergrain . . .

What is that model and top wood? It's amazing. Did Gibson produce that?

 

[Wise Guy]

Depending on lighting that thing could be a AA flamed top. Then again, sometimes I think Gibson gets their labeling wrong.

 

[EasyAce]

What is that model and top wood? It's amazing. Did Gibson produce that?

That's a Gibson. Les Paul Classic Antique. Zebrawood top. Limited edition during their Guitar of the Week series in 2007; the zebrawood model was #19 in the series. I have it set up for slide playing.