Tell me about the recent years' (2015 onward) 1968 LP Custom Reissues

[indravayu]

I can't find any in stores in my area, but am intrigued by the '68 Customs.

Am I correct to assume they are a blend of R7s (maple cap) and '57 Customs, with witch hat knobs?

Anything else set them apart from the pack?

 

[EscapedTexan]

+1

 

[boola1]

Gibson | 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue

<p><em>Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson's legacy through accuracy, authenticity and attention to detail.</em></p>The 1968 Les Paul Custom stood apart from its 1950s predecessors in a few significant ways...

www.gibson.com

Other than the maple cap, the differences from a 57 Custom are

14 degree headstock
68 custom humbuckers - Alnico II and lower output than Custombuckers.
The neck is thinner, somewhere between an R0 and R9.

 

[DanD]

My '68 GT has a pretty substantial neck. At .89 at the 1st with some shoulder it feels more in between a '59 (less shoulder) and a '58 (a little more depth on my '58).

If you're looking for R0 neck dimensions the '68 isn't going to be there. If R8 and R9 dimensions work for you the '68 will do the trick.

Personally I really like my '68 GT. I may get a Custom soon.

Happy hunting!

 

[indravayu]

Thanks, Dan - R8 and R9 necks are my favorite carves...though, as an SG fan, I can also get along with some slimmer necks, as long as they're not too skinny (my 2019 SG '64 RI is perfect).

My '68 GT has a pretty substantial neck. At .89 at the 1st with some shoulder it feels more in between a '59 (less shoulder) and a '58 (a little more depth on my '58).

If you're looking for R0 neck dimensions the '68 isn't going to be there. If R8 and R9 dimensions work for you the '68 will do the trick.

Personally I really like my '68 GT. I may get a Custom soon.

Happy hunting!

 

[boola1]

Thanks, Dan - R8 and R9 necks are my favorite carves...though, as an SG fan, I can also get along with some slimmer necks, as long as they're not too skinny (my 2019 SG '64 RI is perfect).

2015 onwards 68 Custom necks are nowhere near an R8 and thinner than an R9.

 

[DanD]

2015 onwards 68 Custom necks are nowhere near an R8 and thinner than an R9.

That's not my experience. My '68 is a '19 model. Some older '68s had huge necks. The newer '68s aren't as large but they are no where near R0 spec.

The 2020 '68 Custom I'm eyeing now is also .89" at the first. I've seen listed specs as low as .86" on newer '68s but those are outliers.

Gibson uses CNC then final hand sanding on their necks. Most necks are going to be rather consistent in their size.

 

[modavis99]

My 2018 ‘68 RI has more of a D carve than a C. It is also thinner than an R9, probably a 60 V2.

 

[fretout]

Can anyone compare the neck size/shape on a recent 68RI (current runs) to the older 68RIs (between 2001-2005)? There were 3 different neck sizes on the old 68RIs, and I haven’t had the fortune to play the new ones yet...

 

[boola1]

That's not my experience. My '68 is a '19 model. Some older '68s had huge necks. The newer '68s aren't as large but they are no where near R0 spec.

The 2020 '68 Custom I'm eyeing now is also .89" at the first. I've seen listed specs as low as .86" on newer '68s but those are outliers.

Gibson uses CNC then final hand sanding on their necks. Most necks are going to be rather consistent in their size.

I didn't say they were near R0? Infact I said they are betwen R9 and R0

The neck is thinner, somewhere between an R0 and R9.

I also have a 19 '68.

 

[wholelottaburst]

Anybody got the impedances of the '68 Custom Buckers?

 

[boola1]

Anybody got the impedances of the '68 Custom Buckers?

6.8k both bridge and neck on my '19 model. They are the lowest output humbuckers that I've ever used.

 

[wholelottaburst]

6.8k both bridge and neck on my '19 model. They are the lowest output humbuckers that I've ever used.

Thanks for the info.
Do you like 'em? Are they very bright?

 

[scott1970]

My 2018 '68RI measures .88 and 1.00 for what it's worth.

 

[boola1]

Thanks for the info.
Do you like 'em? Are they very bright?

Yes they are very bright and can sound thin in some situations but alnico II magnets means they don't sound harsh, they have a very sweet top end.

I do like them, they are very articulate and sweet sounding pickups, very rewarding to play. Being unpotted, they will squeal with high gain+volume so make it tricky to use as a guitar for playing metal.

 

[indeedido]

They are T-tops (68 Custombucker). I don't like them as much as the regular Custombuckers so I took mine out and put Custombuckers in. They are low output but that doesn't bother me. There is a tonality that I don't care for as much as Custombuckers. Mine are low 7k range.