R9 and R8 quality comparison?

[ptgold]

Hello everyone,
new to the forum here. I just wanted to know what the essential difference is between the R8 and the R9 that would justify such a difference in price.

I ask because im about to start shopping for an R8 very soon.

Thanks

 

[Darkburst]

There's no major difference other than the figured top. Some R8's weigh a little more and have bigger necks, but not all.

 

[b-squared]

I've always thought it's in the name...the "1959 Les Paul" moniker costs more $$ to print I guess.

I've seen some gorgeous R8s here, and I have an R9 myself. You can't go wrong with either one, IMHO. If it talks to you, it's a keeper.

BB

 

[6pack595]

They are both top shelf guitars. You can't go wrong either way. I'm not sure if it's more of a status thing to own an R9 over an R8, but my R9 really did play better than 20+ other Les Paul’s (R8,9,and 0's included) I played before buying mine. If the R8 I tried out played better, I would own it instead.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

The Historics started as R6s R7s R9 and R0s. They made the R8 because it was cheaper to finish than a Goldtop. Rather than make a R9 Plaintop (at first) they decided to call plaintop bursts R8s. Things evolved and changed many times from there, for marketing to work, you have to change things up a bit now and then. R8 became availible as figured tops in 96, in 99 and 00 they did not make R8s (but they made plaintop R9s) and then 01 and 02 brought a LOAD of figured top R8s.

 

[Mike60]

as a rule,I've found the R8's to be better made than the R9's.

 

[Darkburst]

as a rule,I've found the R8's to be better made than the R9's.

Historics are all over the place. When I sold my two 2003 Brazilian board R9's, my plan was to replace them with two R8's and a TV yellow special. I went to several shops in the NYC area and played a lot of R8's. None of them made the cut for me. They either had cosmetic issues, weighed too much or didn't have the right feel. I ended up with two R9's again and some extra cash. Of course I've played some sweet R8's since then, but you never know which particular guitar is going to do it for you.