Ready to purchase my first historic r8/r9 need some guidance please

[aspDev]

So I have been reading over this forum for the past week or so. Lots of great info here, and really dig the stuff at Marks Guitar Loft. This will be my first Gibson, I have always played strats so I am hoping to get some advice from the experts.

I have been all over the Metro Detroit area playing every historic I can get my hands on. I've played at least 12 if not more, and Ill say right off that I am super picky when it comes to buying guitars. I don't think I could handle purchasing something sight unseen. Of the dozen or so that I have tried (mostly Gloss r9s) I found 1 or 2 really great guitars and the rest were rather disappointing especially the tops having a lot of dead spots in the flame. The more I am learning the more I am leaning towards purchasing a used guitar. I found a local seller on eBay that has a 2006 VOS R8 in washed cherry for $2700 OBO.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Any opinions on this guitar?

The main thing I am torn about is weather to pass on this for a newer post 2009 model? Based on my research on this forum its my understanding that many changes were implemented that year to make the guitars much more vintage accurate. One thing I experienced first hand was the lack of range in the tone knobs as they are more like an on/off switch(I would have no problem replacing with proper parts myself if someone can point me to where to find them?). I also understand they are now making the mahogany body slightly thicker while the top is equally thinner to be more vintage correct. What do you guys think?? Are these minor fussy issues that I shouldn't worry over? Or should I keep looking?

Any Metro Detroit members looking to sell?

 

[River]

IMO, those are fussy issues, for which the term "minor" does not suffice.

Hold it, heft it, play it. If it whispers sweet nothings in your ear, buy it. If it doesn't, put it back.

Holding "dead spots in the flame" against a guitar is something to which I cannot relate.

 

[r9in09]

dead spots in the flame

 

[Sct13]

Fellow Detroit er here! Well Down River for local guys!

I am thinking of selling an R8...PM me for details, nothing definite just yet.

 

[Frails]

IMO, those are fussy issues, for which the term "minor" does not suffice.

Hold it, heft it, play it. If it whispers sweet nothings in your ear, buy it. If it doesn't, put it back.

Holding "dead spots in the flame" against a guitar is something to which I cannot relate.

This is the first and probably the last thing River and I agree on. But he's right. If you played 12 R8's and R9's and only one or two talked to you, I would bet you are placing finish in very high (and IMO too high) regard. I would be willing to bet you could love her looks after you get to know her feel intimately. Unless it's hideously ugly, and isn't a stellar guitar to play, ignore the looks man. You'll thank us later.

 

[aspDev]

Hey thanks for all the responses. In response to placing finish high. I guess you could say thats true, I certainly am looking for a faded cherry or lemon burst finish. For Instance I played an absolutely outstanding R9 however it was Ice Tea Burst and I just can't get into that finish. Im not hung up on VOS or Gloss. As I was saying above I am pretty new to Gibson in general and honestly I was originally after an r8 until I started hearing all the talk about how they may soon become hard to get (new). The store that was telling me this had just received 5 supposed hand picked R9s. 4 washed cherry 3 of them gloss/1vos and the Iced Tea mentioned above. When they opened the cases of each of the washed cherries I was immediately disappointed. I played all 5 guitars and an R8 at this store. They all played nicely most needed setups due to buzzing issues etc. I guess I didn't know what to expect from Gibson only what I have seen on guitars of similar value from other manufacturers. Thats why I was quite surprised to see guitars such as the one below, which I traveled to Lansing and played. It was an outstanding guitar and an outstanding deal for a 2011 that is MINT. I could still smell the lacquer in the case And I still have not crossed it off my list.

GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD 1959 REISSUE (2011) - Elderly Instruments

Now I have to admit where the flame is missing there is lots of growth ring showing which I REALLY dig.

 

[aspDev]

.

 

[aspDev]

Fellow Detroit er here! Well Down River for local guys!

I am thinking of selling an R8...PM me for details, nothing definite just yet.

Looks like I need 50 posts to PM ...

 

[Sharky]

The store that was telling me this had just received 5 supposed hand picked R9s. 4 washed cherry 3 of them gloss/1vos and the Iced Tea mentioned above. When they opened the cases of each of the washed cherries I was immediately disappointed.

retrospective to my way of finding my personal burst the dealer should have handed you a pair of blindfolds prior to giving you the guitar.

Not meant as an attack, it's just my own experience in many things, not guitars specifically but as well. One might love the way a great menu is displayed and arranged on the plates and it will be easier to love the taste of it, at least rather more as if it would have been smashed on the plate without any love for the thing or details. Vice versa something might have a great taste but does not look too good. And also it is hard for men to make a clear decission on the taste of something if the other senses are dulled or blinded.

But i can understand you because i also wanted to have an instrument that matched my personal understanding of a good looking Les Paul as close as possible and lucky me, the only R9 this dealer had was more or less exactly the way i wanted it and so it was easy for me to like the rest of it, i suppose No, it was really good luck because other R9s i tested before looked as good as mine in either way but i did not like the rest of it that much.

It is a big decission buying such a valuable item and one should feel most comfortable in making it. In the best case the instrument will accompany you for the rest of your life and if there are certain reservations right in the beginning of your relationship to this guitar, you maybe should choose another one if possible.

But dead spots in the flame to me are not an obstacle for my decission, but beauty lies in the eye of the beholder and so i wish you good luck to choose the right one. And never forget to post some pics after bringing it home ;o)

 

[Frails]

Elderly is missing a good Burst shot of that R9. Shame, shame....let's see the flame!

 

[nicolasrivera]

So I have been reading over this forum for the past week or so. Lots of great info here, and really dig the stuff at Marks Guitar Loft. This will be my first Gibson, I have always played strats so I am hoping to get some advice from the experts.

I have been all over the Metro Detroit area playing every historic I can get my hands on. I've played at least 12 if not more, and Ill say right off that I am super picky when it comes to buying guitars. I don't think I could handle purchasing something sight unseen. Of the dozen or so that I have tried (mostly Gloss r9s) I found 1 or 2 really great guitars and the rest were rather disappointing especially the tops having a lot of dead spots in the flame. The more I am learning the more I am leaning towards purchasing a used guitar. I found a local seller on eBay that has a 2006 VOS R8 in washed cherry for $2700 OBO.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Any opinions on this guitar?

The main thing I am torn about is weather to pass on this for a newer post 2009 model? Based on my research on this forum its my understanding that many changes were implemented that year to make the guitars much more vintage accurate. One thing I experienced first hand was the lack of range in the tone knobs as they are more like an on/off switch(I would have no problem replacing with proper parts myself if someone can point me to where to find them?). I also understand they are now making the mahogany body slightly thicker while the top is equally thinner to be more vintage correct. What do you guys think?? Are these minor fussy issues that I shouldn't worry over? Or should I keep looking?

Any Metro Detroit members looking to sell?

First thing, lets get this strait. The volume and tone are useble in any les paul of any year, but they can be improved.

Second, is patienece, if you are looking to buy used on ebay you need to be patienece, for $2,700 you can get a nice flamed top, they do surface from time to time.

Having a thicker this and thinner that wont be noticible tone wise in mm, but is you want that kind of accuracy.......

 

[aspDev]

Im not necessarily looking to buy from eBay. It just so happened that I found that R8 which is located within 30 miles of my house so I wanted to check it out. Sounds like you guys feel that $2700 OBO is a bit high? I was hoping the seller might be willing to accept $2500. With that said I was quoted $3180 out the door on a brand new lemonburst VOS R8 and I REALLY like that particular guitar. At first I was put off by the color but it has really been growing on me. I certainly want to take my time in this process, thats why Im here seeking advice and like I said I have been all over the state playing any historic that I can get my hands on. I have to say I have been drooling all over the guitars Im seeing on Mark Guitar Loft website. I am seriously considering a road trip to NH, 12 hours each way but I would be willing to drive double that for the right guitar. I really want a companion that will last a lifetime.

 

[alexmania]

Biggest mistake I ever made when buying a guitar was a Taylor acoustic that had a blemish on the sound hole. The guitar had a sweetness and special tonality that was haunting and unusual. I exchanged it for the same model without the blemish, and while it was very good, it wasn't nearly as good and over time regretted putting as much emphasis on a blemish that only I could see (and that was nothing compared to the nicks I put on that guitar in the years I owned it).

It was an expensive lesson for me on my reasons for picking a guitar and after that come to Jesus moment, I would pick guitars with my eyes closed if I could!

 

[duane]

Biggest mistake I ever made when buying a guitar was a Taylor acoustic that had a blemish on the sound hole. The guitar had a sweetness and special tonality that was haunting and unusual. I exchanged it for the same model without the blemish, and while it was very good, it wasn't nearly as good and over time regretted putting as much emphasis on a blemish that only I could see (and that was nothing compared to the nicks I put on that guitar in the years I owned it).

It was an expensive lesson for me on my reasons for picking a guitar and after that come to Jesus moment, I would pick guitars with my eyes closed if I could!

Nice advice. I am looking for a Les Paul right now and can't figure out what direction I want to go. I had my hands on a really nice one the other day and let it go because it wasn't the model I wanted. Now I have since tried a few of the models I thought I wanted and can't get the sound of the old one out of my head, but that guitar has since sold. The search continues.....

 

[northernguy]

Im not necessarily looking to buy from eBay. It just so happened that I found that R8 which is located within 30 miles of my house so I wanted to check it out. Sounds like you guys feel that $2700 OBO is a bit high? I was hoping the seller might be willing to accept $2500. With that said I was quoted $3180 out the door on a brand new lemonburst VOS R8 and I REALLY like that particular guitar.

$2700 for a used R8 is a bit high; I picked up a never owned, shop worn 2006 R8 from Grand Rapids GC for $2495 last July. It had a few minor scuffs, but plays and sounds great. For a used one, I'd probably offer $2200- $2300.

 

[alexmania]

My R0 is not quite the color I wanted. Since I got the guitar, I never looked back and now can't imagine wanting a different color!

 

[Justin_Case]

JMHO - in order of priority when making evaluating a guitar.

1st - Sound: I don't care how pretty it is, if it does not make my ears happy right away, I'll never like it. I'm buying a sound producing instrument, not a piece of furniture or wall art to impress others.

2nd - Feel: Yes you want it to feel right, but if close between 2 guitars, I will opt for the better sounding one. I passed on a 57 LPJR RI in TV Yellow that felt great and was my 1st choice in color for a TV White that was not the better player of the 2, but sounded the much better. Louder, brighter, and much better sustain.

3rd - Looks: All else being equal, yes pick the nicer looking one. I've played AAAAA tops that were total tone turds. Flame is for the eyes, not your ears.


When I get my head all full of this color or that color, flame / plan top stuff, I try to remember this....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0HFT-lHutc"]Jeff Healey Band - I Got A Line On You - YouTube[/ame]

Some how I don't the color / flame mattered to Jeff....

 

[alexmania]

Well said. That man could smoke a guitar he couldn't even see!

 

[kungpow!]

You can do better than 2700 for a used R8. Just FYI.

To answer your ?'s, is vintage accuracy important for you? Decide that.

All Historics can benefit from changing pots, caps, etc. Therefore, moot point.

Find your dream guitar. It might just take some luck.

 

[Justin_Case]

$2700 ? PM me and I will hook up with a dealer that you put you in a new R8 for $2700.