Stinger R9 vs regular brazilian 2003

[lovegun]

Hi!

New in this forum, I did some searches but never found this subject below being covered before.
Owning two R9:s (2005 CA and 2007 quilt), I'm thinking of adding a 2003 R9 to my collection. While I'm at it, should I be aiming for getting a Stinger R9 "instead"?
I'm simply looking for the best tone (and braz) for a R9 and does the Stinger series tend to be superior in that matter compared to the regular braz R9 2003?
I know of the special "wood pull", and I've read mr Carpenter's comments, but have you guys had any chance to compare them?

Hoping for some valuable replies..

 

[r9in09]

what's "wood pull" and who is mister carpenter? can you paste a link in buddy? thanks

 

[delawaregold]

Welcome to the MyLesPaul Forums!

 

[delawaregold]

Dave Carpenter was the owner of Music Machine.
He, along with Edwin Wilson, the Director of the
Gibson Custom Shop Historic Reissue Program developed a
special order line of guitars in 2003 called the
Music Machine Stinger Series.
The "Wood Pull" is referring to Mr. Wilson reportedly hand
selected the wood to be used in the Stinger Series guitars.

 

[delawaregold]

Should you buy one over the other?
That would depend on your budget, and what you
intend to do with the guitar.
My personal opinion towards this is not very popular.
There were less than 1800 Brazilian Rosewood
Les Pauls made after 1960. It should be treated with
the care and respect of a rare guitar, which this will
become in another 20 to 30 years.

 

[Mike60]

I agree the value of them will increase,though If I decide to spring for one I'd still mod the #### out of it

 

[delawaregold]

The Stinger specification are not always true to the specs
used on the Historic Reissues. A lot of liberty was taken.
This means that any particular Stinger could be somewhat
different than normal. Usually the hand selected wood, more
than compensates for the change in specs. Stingers generally
sell for a premium over Historic Reissues, but not always .
Be careful if you buy an R0, as the Guitar Center G0's didn't
have a G in the serial number in 2003, and were not Brazilian.
There were no plain top Brazilian R0 Reissues, but there were a
few plain top R0 Stingers, that will have Brazilian.
(MM1, MM2, MM3, MM5, MM10)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK, before making this kind of
investment.

 

[delawaregold]

Mike,
I do not recommend that Alex sell his, but that is the 2003
Brazoolian R0 for you.

 

[Mike60]

I have a few '03 R0 s/n's in mind,a few of which are available and two of them are the Stinger Series.

 

[r9in09]

Thank you DelawareGold

 

[lovegun]

Thank you for your replies!

My intention is getting a 2003 r9 braz as a guitar playing at home or perhaps on occasions use it in the studio - also perhaps just a little bit as an investment (but I doubt I'll ever sell it..) I'm leaning towards buying a specimen of the ordinary production series (more specimens available), but will I "give up" a great deal of tone excluding the stingers?

Besides the fact that every guitar is unique, I guess my main question is; HOW SPECIAL IS THE SPECIAL WOOD PULL?

Also, given the fact that I will probably only get one of these braz 2003:s, what weight do you prefer tonewise this year?

Sincerely

 

[delawaregold]

If my only interest was pure Les Paul tone, I would
be looking at an R7, and yes I would be choosing a
Stinger due to wood selection.
If your interest is limited to an R9, then your being
influenced by aesthetics, at least to some degree.
In that case, I think you can do equally as well with
any R9 made before May 2003. (Brazilian)
My ideal weight for an R9 is 8 lbs-6 oz. to 8 lbs.-13 oz.

 

[lovegun]

If my only interest was pure Les Paul tone, I would
be looking at an R7, and yes I would be choosing a
Stinger due to wood selection.
If your interest is limited to an R9, then your being
influenced by aesthetics, at least to some degree.
In that case, I think you can do equally as well with
any R9 made before May 2003. (Brazilian)
My ideal weight for an R9 is 8 lbs-6 oz. to 8 lbs.-13 oz.

So what you're basically saying here is that there is likely a smaller difference between R9 ordinary production/stinger than between R7:s? Or is a stinger R7 just more bang (tone) for the buck?

 

[delawaregold]

A 2003 Brazilian R9, whether a regular production, or a Stinger has an
Eastern Maple Top. Its species can vary. It may, or may not be
Hard Rock Maple (Acer saccharum). The selection process was more
for its looks.
A 2003 Brazilian R7 regular production, has an Eastern Maple Top,
and its species can vary. It may, or may not be Hard Rock Maple (Acer saccharum).
A 2003 Brazilian R7 Stinger only has a Hard Rock Maple Top (Acer saccharum),
and it was selected for its tone.

 

[lovegun]

Thank you delawaregold for all your information.

Actually I bought a 2003 R9 braz today, it was the second one I tried and I absolutely loved them both, but this one was mint so I just had to have it!!

It's the 530th R9 guitar made that year, so I guess it must have been made just a couple of weeks before the end of braz boards in may.

I don't know if it just was a coincidence, but these guitars seemed both very well made, with great harmonics and overtones, and both sounded louder and more powerfull acustic than the about 20 previously historics I've played/owned. Anyone with similar experience with 2003 braz historics?

 

[delawaregold]

Congratulations!

Now we need to see some

 

[delawaregold]

I don't know if it just was a coincidence, but these guitars seemed both very well made, with great harmonics and overtones, and both sounded louder and more powerfull acustic than the about 20 previously historics I've played/owned. Anyone with similar experience with 2003 braz historics?

I own a few Brazilians...
They tend to be very bright and powerful unplugged.
That carries over to a nice treble honk, or quack, when
amplified.

 

[lovegun]

Hi! Radio silence due to me travelling a couple of months in western Africa. Usually far away from any internet connections and my les pauls unfortunately

Just have to add some pictures. The flamed top is my braz 03 R9, compared to my 07 quilt R9 (which I absolutely love, with some great memories attached to it ).

Here's the strange thing; These two guitars weigh about the same - 8lbs 13-14oz, same neck size and acoustically (which I've always only taken into consideration sound wise) they also sound about the same, perhaps the braz has just a little more "woody" touch to it, barely noticeable though.

However, when plugged in this sound differentiation is multiplied in a way I can't explain - while both have a clean clear tone that strongly resonates especially middle/high freq, the braz guitar just sounds vintage plugged in!!

For a guy always claiming you can tell the good from the so so just by acoustically listening to them, I'm getting a bit confused here.

A common phenomenon??

 

[shannon undery]

Has anyone ever seen one of those Stinger Hummingbirds.

Holy Shit I want one.