Talk me in or out of a 2014 LP Standard Plus!

[nagha]

I have a 2012 LP Std which is essentially the same as 2013/14 (except a pancake rosewood fretboard). I also recently bought a used LP Std 2003 - it's AMAZING. I don't know what it is about the 2003 but it's just a better guitar. It doesn't have the fancy stuff that the 2012 has... it feels lighter even though it's the same weight. More importantly, I play better on it. That's the strangest part. Same song but when I play it on this LP, I am a better player.

Why am I telling you this? The 2003-7 is apparently what the traditional is based on. If you want another guitar, I think that the trad is a better purchase - especially the 2013 model without the ugly 120th logo.

 

[Veeing Fly]

Go used, my friend.

 

[Farquad]

I have a 2014 standard, but not a plus, so i'm basing this from that.
Its a nice guitar, as far as fit and finish goes (and now it doesnt have the e tune).
It sounds and plays great, but its not my main go to LP.
Im definitely one who wants the guitar to be pretty so I'[ll be motivated to pick it up, so I get the wanting a nice top.
The fingerboard is fine. I would say it was probably a bit on the dry side when I got it. Perhaps the rosewood of late if over dehydrated. Its an easy fix.
If the guitar moves you and inspires you to play, then go for it. If it doesnt thrill you and feels much like the ones you will say to cover it then no reason to get it.

 

[RRfireblade]

I'm not seeing the logic behind this at all.

You've been looking for something like this for years, something that will really knock your socks off....

And your going to sell two guitars and jump through whatever hopes financially.... for a guitar you've never played ? Your basing this whole endeavor, years of searching, buy and sell transactions on multiple guitars, on a picture of a pretty top?

I'm not sure what advice I can offer here, I could never pick my #1 from a picture, it's like a massive roll the dice and hope to get lucky after putting in quite a bit if effort and the strong possibility of a lot of loss.

Best of luck, I hope it works out.

 

[Pwrmac7600]

I have a 2012 LP Std which is essentially the same as 2013/14 (except a pancake rosewood fretboard). I also recently bought a used LP Std 2003 - it's AMAZING. I don't know what it is about the 2003 but it's just a better guitar. It doesn't have the fancy stuff that the 2012 has... it feels lighter even though it's the same weight. More importantly, I play better on it. That's the strangest part. Same song but when I play it on this LP, I am a better player.

Why am I telling you this? The 2003-7 is apparently what the traditional is based on. If you want another guitar, I think that the trad is a better purchase - especially the 2013 model without the ugly 120th logo.

The traditional only comes with a 50's neck though and he wants a 60's.

 

[skysc]

Haha rough fret ends were to be expected on the 2014 standard since they remove the nibs ... people were saying: who cares about the nibs .. its just as good !!!.. blah blah blah... well i agree that the nibs doesnt matter as long as the fret jobs is well done . But since gibson cut-cost and save money by doing this .. theres no way they gonna spend more time doing a nice fretjob .

ive seen Horrible sharp fret ends on studio , 60's tirbute etc.. .. Gibson is really going down the drain IMO .

i like both my standard 2001 and 2012 .. but i wouldnt touch a 2014 .. and the price is crazy high .

get a 2012-2013 or even better .. a 2000-2007 .

IN a few years .. Gibson gonna be just like GM : " buy our crap .. its american made " and people will

get a 2012-2013 and pay 1700-1800 max for it .

no way a standard is worth 3200 $


buy use .

about the traditional .. well i like 60's neck and the only trad with a 60's neck is the traditional pro ... and the back/side is satin .. and i hate satin . so im basically screw.

 

[bossaddict]

I'll try and talk you out of it by suggesting (as others have) a used R8. You can find them with really great tops. For not much more, you can get a brand new R8 or a used R9 or R0.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

It literally only takes 15 minutes and a file to fix rough fret ends. Nibs/no nibs wouldn't factor into my decision. Being overpriced is another story.

 

[KS 5150]

I think a lot of people forget that logic goes out the window when you think you've found "the one". I've been there and understand. I don't think there's anything huge to dissuade you from a '14 Standard. A lot of people don't like the Anniversary inlay (personally it doesn't bother me). I feel that the cool brown/pink-lined case is a good trade for the inlay. The lack of nibs would bother me a bit, as all of my Les Pauls have had them, but if I liked the guitar enough, I would adjust. I say listen to your heart and if you're awake at night dreaming of this guitar and can't get it out of your head, that's probably a sign....hope this helps & good luck!!

 

[mgg]

I guess I am in the minority in all of this but I will share my thoughts. A quick background for credibility. I am a guitar instructor at a local music shop. I have played guitar for over thirty years. I own a 1983 Gibson 335 custom shop, American Strat, MIM tele, epiphone les paul custom pro and recently purchased a 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard plus. I feel very fortunate to own this guitar. It has perfect book matched flame maple top in honeyburst and is absolutely stunning to look at. I love to play, blues, jazz, swing and rock and this guitar does it all. It is without question the finest guitar I own and the nicest guitar I have ever played. My friends who I jam with who have seen and heard the guitar are absolutely blown away. I play it through a Fender Blues Jr. NOS or a Fender HOt Rod deluxe. The fit and finsh of this guitar could not be better. Yes it was expensive but I got a GREAT deal at the end of the year and I have seen the same style and year guitar on Ebay for much more than I purchased mine for. I did have it professionally set up and it made a huge difference. BUT!! The biggest difference was swapping out the 9 gauge strings for 10's.I was kinda shocked that this guitar came with .9's from the factory. The switch to .10s is absolutely unbelievable. Intonation is perfect, tone is awesome. Now the guitar sounds and plays as good as it looks. As to the comparison of to older Les Pauls AL I can tell you is that it is a personal preference. I have played many and I would not trade my 2013 Standard Plus for any that I have been around. Now that this guitar has the right strings and setup it is everything I had dreamed about in a Les Paul. So my suggestion to you is go play some , find the ONE that flips you switch and don't worry about what others think. It is your purchase, your money and your taste in guitars. I can honestly say my 2013 Standard plus is the finest guitar I have ever played , heard and owned. I sure there are some that would disagree but form Joe Bonamassa to Robin Ford this guitar is absolutely fantastic. I hope if you do purchase a new Les Paul you experience turns out as good as mine. It took me awhile to get mine where I wanted it and I actually had to return the first guitar I purchase as there was a nut problem but all was taken care of and patience prevailed. I absolutely could not be happier and this IS my dream guitar and I own some nice ones.

 

[Cjsinla]

I guess I am in the minority in all of this but I will share my thoughts. A quick background for credibility. I am a guitar instructor at a local music shop. I have played guitar for over thirty years. I own a 1983 Gibson 335 custom shop, American Strat, MIM tele, epiphone les paul custom pro and recently purchased a 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard plus. I feel very fortunate to own this guitar. It has perfect book matched flame maple top in honeyburst and is absolutely stunning to look at. I love to play, blues, jazz, swing and rock and this guitar does it all. It is without question the finest guitar I own and the nicest guitar I have ever played. My friends who I jam with who have seen and heard the guitar are absolutely blown away. I play it through a Fender Blues Jr. NOS or a Fender HOt Rod deluxe. The fit and finsh of this guitar could not be better. Yes it was expensive but I got a GREAT deal at the end of the year and I have seen the same style and year guitar on Ebay for much more than I purchased mine for. I did have it professionally set up and it made a huge difference. BUT!! The biggest difference was swapping out the 9 gauge strings for 10's.I was kinda shocked that this guitar came with .9's from the factory. The switch to .10s is absolutely unbelievable. Intonation is perfect, tone is awesome. Now the guitar sounds and plays as good as it looks. As to the comparison of to older Les Pauls AL I can tell you is that it is a personal preference. I have played many and I would not trade my 2013 Standard Plus for any that I have been around. Now that this guitar has the right strings and setup it is everything I had dreamed about in a Les Paul. So my suggestion to you is go play some , find the ONE that flips you switch and don't worry about what others think. It is your purchase, your money and your taste in guitars. I can honestly say my 2013 Standard plus is the finest guitar I have ever played , heard and owned. I sure there are some that would disagree but form Joe Bonamassa to Robin Ford this guitar is absolutely fantastic. I hope if you do purchase a new Les Paul you experience turns out as good as mine. It took me awhile to get mine where I wanted it and I actually had to return the first guitar I purchase as there was a nut problem but all was taken care of and patience prevailed. I absolutely could not be happier and this IS my dream guitar and I own some nice ones.

You made one of our points, yours is a 2013. He could get one like yours for much cheaper than what he's looking at now.

 

[stang90gt]

I don't know about the 2014 models, but i have a 2013 and i absolutely love it, plays incredibly and can get almost any sound out of it i want. Best of all it Looks Amazing too.

 

[mgg]

You made one of our points, yours is a 2013. He could get one like yours for much cheaper than what he's looking at now.

You are absolutely correct. After reading what I posted your comment is valid. I guess I was viewing this as don't buy a new Les Paul Standard as they are not the quality guitars the older ones are. For some there is a value in being the original owner of brand new guitar which I understand and with that usually come a price premium. I just wanted to make sure that he new just how happy I am with the current generation. However you make a great point that you could pick up a 2013 version and probably save a grand.

 

[SteveC]

no interest in a plaintop R8? Custom shop guitars are outstanding.

This!!!

It's not even close. And, the plain tops are anything but plain.

 

[skysc]

i still kick myself in the groin for cancelling my 2013 Les paul standard desert burst when they blowout at 1299$ from guitar center . should have make the ride to u.s to pick it up .


get a 2013 .. its cheaper , has nibs , no 120th inlays .

 

[jtees4]

No nibs=no buy for me. I just bought an '07 for that specific reason along with a few others.

 

[KissGuitar]

First, thanks to everyone that replied, I appreciate it.

I knew that I'd be opening myself up to getting ragged on for thinking of getting a new 2014 and not being sure if I wanted to do it, but I get where everyone is coming from... perhaps some don't get where I was coming from, and I'm good with that! People have different guitars and collections for different personal reasons, some that make sense and some that don't. I know I have a friend with a collection that makes me say WTF every time I see it... just a hodgepodge selection, but it what works FOR HIM so it's all good.

With talking with the salesman, he offered me a better price on the guitar as most stores are having big sales this weekend and offering deep discounts. So the $3260 is now in the mid-$2k's, a much better price to swallow IMO. I honestly don't think they could do any better price wise that what he offered, especially given that this has an absolute stand-out top on it. If I ever have to sell it, I'm sure I'd take a loss.. but that's the way it is with anything new, and I don't look at new guitars as investments anyways.. I buy to personally enjoy it.

So I'm going for it and not looking back. I've been playing more now than I have in years, and treating myself to a new guitar will be my reward and help freshen things up. A nice Heritage Cherry Standard is what I've wanted for a long time, so why not. Life's too short not to go for the things that excite you when you can, and God knows there's not a lot of things that can do it like a NGD.

And of course my decision to keep it will depend on how it plays, no doubt. Once it lands in my hands it will go straight to my Luthier for a proper setup, and if he can't get it the way I like it, it will go back. I've had to return one NIB Gibson before that my Luthier couldn't get setup correctly, so you never know (but I don't expect that).

 

[mgg]

Sounds like you are getting a great price for a new guitar that you really want. Congratulations, I hope you enjoy your guitar as much as I am enjoying mine. Once mine was setup properly it has been absolutely fantastic. As I mentioned earlier I was a bit surprised these guitars come with .9s , the switch to .10s has made mine that much better. Good luck with your new purchase.

 

[Pwrmac7600]

I don't think it was as much ragging on you about buying a 2014 as it was trying to save ya some cash, at least speaking for myself. In the end, do what makes you happy man, we all have our opinions, but what matters in the end is what you want. So I say good for you, for using all of this to help you make your decision! Once you get it post some pics. and Rock that mother out!!!