R0, R8, R9 - Do they all sound the same?

[HowieJams]

They all have Burstbucker 1 & 2 pick-ups, but.....

How similar do they sound?

I currently have a G0 and was thinking about a R8, but would it sound almost the same or does the fat neck make a huge (no pun intended) tonal difference.

I ended up buying a Gibson Custom Shop SG Standard VOS which also has the same pick-ups, but SGs and Les Pauls sound very different.

Thanks for the input,

Howard

 

[b-squared]

All LPs sound and feel a little differently, even if you put the same pickups in them.

Sure, you have the same Treble/Mix/Rhythm switch positions, but the nuances of the sound will all be different.

I try to set up my LPs with different pickup/electronics configurations so they each have a unique signature.

The wiff doesn't get it, but I don't get the having to have 100 pairs of shoes, either.

BB

 

[Tim Plains]

Nobody here hear the difference between an R7, R8, R9, R0 or G0. It's not like hearing the difference between an R9 and an Explorer or an R9 and a Strat. They're all the same guitar. Sure, neck sizes, weight, tops & finishes vary but they're really all the same guitar.

Think of it like the Les Paul Standard - you have '50s necks & '60s necks but ultimately, they're both Les Paul Standards. See what I mean?

 

[paulygates]

Some say the fatter neck on the R8 makes for better tone but I don't know myself.

 

[flameburst]

Every R9 is different, every R0 is different. Many factors involved (wood selection, weight, lacquer thickness and consistency etc). Some light ones sound great, some bad. Some heavier ones sound great, some bad.
R9 necks tend to get more of the body vibration than the R0 necks, but this will vary from guitar to guitar. If anything my R9's pale in note definition compared to my R0 - which is a tad brighter. Whatever 'lacks' in the sound (a subjective personal choice) can be compensated for by using different pickups, amp set ups and strings. It's amazing what a good set of strings can do. Of course it entirely depends on how you play and what techniques and habits (good or bad!) that you employ.

 

[HowieJams]

Nobody here hear the difference between an R7, R8, R9, R0 or G0. It's not like hearing the difference between an R9 and an Explorer or an R9 and a Strat. They're all the same guitar. Sure, neck sizes, weight, tops & finishes vary but they're really all the same guitar.

Think of it like the Les Paul Standard - you have '50s necks & '60s necks but ultimately, they're both Les Paul Standards. See what I mean?

That is why I picked the SG over the R8, I thought the G0 and R8 would be pretty close.

Some say the fatter neck on the R8 makes for better tone but I don't know myself.

I think fatter necks sustain better?

 

[guitarbob123]

can we see some pics of the sg???

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

I have noticed I prefer a Historic to be around 9-9.3 lbs and to have the slimmer R0 neck for tone.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Depends on the year. Yamanos started having BBs in 1996. 2001 and 2002 R8 Custom Authentics had BB2/3. 2002 R9s and R0s have BB1/2. (these early BBs do NOT have the white "wound by" sticker) Starting in 2003 all Historic R7-R0s have BB1/2s. But other 1993-2002 Historics have 57 Classics.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

You are just as likely to find tonal differences between two R9s of the same year as you are to find tonal differences between say a R7 and a R9 of any year.

 

[Tim Plains]

That is why I picked the SG over the R8, I thought the G0 and R8 would be pretty close.

...and they would be. Hasn't stopped me from owning a few of them.

 

[HowieJams]

can we see some pics of the sg???

As soon as I get it I will post pics or check out Music123.com under Gibson Custom Shops for the SG Standard VOS in faded cherry for $2999

I have noticed I prefer a Historic to be around 9-9.3 lbs and to have the slimmer R0 neck for tone.

My G0 is 9.4lbs, OH NO

...and they would be. Hasn't stopped me from owning a few of them.

I am sure I will end up with another.

I still think about a Les Paul Custom also.

 

[Tim Plains]

I am sure I will end up with another.

 

[stinger]

I have 5 historic Les Pauls. R7, R8, R9 R0 and a B7. They all sound different from each other. Some are brighter sounding than others. Some have more of a "honk" to them. What is unpredictable is which model should be the best sounding. You can't take, say an R8, and claim they sound better because they have a larger neck. Some R8's sound awsome and some sound average. The same applies to each model.

You can't take a particular model a make a claim that one model is generally brighter than another. These type of generalizations really don't exist.

 

[romanos27]

Though some will claim otherwise, there is nothing inherently different between an R7, R8, R9, R0 or G0 that would make one sound different from the others. But as has been pointed out, there can be subtle (and sometimes less than subtle) variation from one guitar to the next. But as R9 always says, these are the same guitars!

Based on this, since you already have a G0, I'd think about something other than the R8 - since they look the same (both plain tops). Maybe an R9 if $$$ aren't an issue, or an R7.

Let's see that SG!!!

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

There is a difference in the wood. The R9s and R0s get the better grade maple (in any given production year) and the lighter mahogany, that is not to say ALL R9s are lighter than ALL R8s, far from it:

They key words are "OR LESS".

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

That should also answer the question "Why are R9s $1500 more than R8s?"

 

[Tim Plains]

Weight code: R9 R0 - 8 or less.
How many slabs of mahogany meet this requirement?
I remember there was one post hear centuries ago where a guy said only 4 out of every 1,000 meet that requirement. Whether or not that's true is anybody's guess. Any idea?

 

[HowieJams]

I have 5 historic Les Pauls. R7, R8, R9 R0 and a B7. They all sound different from each other. Some are brighter sounding than others. Some have more of a "honk" to them. What is unpredictable is which model should be the best sounding. You can't take, say an R8, and claim they sound better because they have a larger neck. Some R8's sound awsome and some sound average. The same applies to each model.

You can't take a particular model a make a claim that one model is generally brighter than another. These type of generalizations really don't exist.

That makes sense.
No two guitars will sound the same, there will be variations and that is why they are all unique.

Though some will claim otherwise, there is nothing inherently different between an R7, R8, R9, R0 or G0 that would make one sound different from the others. But as has been pointed out, there can be subtle (and sometimes less than subtle) variation from one guitar to the next. But as R9 always says, these are the same guitars!

Based on this, since you already have a G0, I'd think about something other than the R8 - since they look the same (both plain tops). Maybe an R9 if $$$ aren't an issue, or an R7.

Let's see that SG!!!

I think I will look for a Les Paul Custom as my next guitar.
Here are the two SGs I bought Thursday.

There is a difference in the wood. The R9s and R0s get the better grade maple (in any given production year) and the lighter mahogany, that is not to say ALL R9s are lighter than ALL R8s, far from it:

They key words are "OR LESS".

My G0 says it weighs 9.4lbs, but it certainly feels lighter than that?

 

[LongBeach]

08 R0 that's 8.85 lbs
09 R0 that's 8.50 lbs
weights noted are dead-nuts

I like the R0's, both of mine are almost identical to each
other in finish and feel, but they dont sound alike.
Probably, one of the best IMO, with the exception of my 68, which
is the best sounding lp I own.