Traditional VS. Standard?? I Don't Get It!!!

[Latearrival]

The thing is, tomorrow I could walk in to my local shop (or any other shop), pick up a lefty Trad, play it, and think 'Jeez, this is amazing, I've got to have this one'. It's as subjective as that, don't you agree?

Quite possibly, yes!

 

[Yaff]

I think too much focus is placed on what people own when the focus should be on what they are creating.

Tone is a combination of so many factors, some you can buy, some you can learn and others you have to born with. Who cares if its a Trad, 08 Standard or R9, as long as the end result is a tone that works for you and people listening.

I personally love the tone and fee of my 08 Standard, but if I had to change it for a Trad, Studio or Custom Shop tomorrow, I am not sue anyone but I would notice the change.

Please enjoy what you have and try to keep advise constructive or funny

 

[87Standard]

Well put

The way I see it:

- The Standard is what it always has been - Gibson's view of The Best An LP Can Be For Today. Much as they did when they went from a wrap-around bridge to a tune-o-matic; P90s to Humbuckers; Baseball bat neck to a slim neck; non-locking to locking tuners/jack; etc; etc. It's the usual progress of trying to up the Standard - improve the guitar. I have zero issue with that - it's what a good company should be doing - not being complacent.

- The Historics are for the guys (myself included) that like the old, vintage style of instruments. Like 'em heavy and meaty and not too bling.

- The Traditional/Pro is for the middle ground - modern enough to have some extra features: choice of necks; weight-relief; maybe some coil-splitting, but with a nod to the classic design and without some of the newer features that not everyone wants or needs.

So, that way, everyone get's to choose the type of LP they want. No biggie. And Gibson takes home the $$$ rather than someone go to PRS because they want a slimmer neck or ESP because they want coil-splitting. Or something.

 

[zslane]

This is just a burning question I have and I searched and couldn't find any threads on the subject... But why are the hollowed out Standards $2700 and a Traditional, built solid, the way a guitar should be imo, $400 less ($500 less for GT)... Just want some reasons, besides weight, why you would purchase a modern Standard over a Traditional these days? I don't get it...

This is a pretty clear case of pre-established bias interfering with objective assessment. How can you ever be sure you are getting the best guitar for your money if you have decided and condemned, a priori, that the new Standard is built improperly (or, not "built solid, the way a guitar should be", as you put it)?

I understand when someone compares guitars and leaves with the one that sounds and feels (and even looks) the best to them, but only when the comparisons are fair, impartial, and conducted with common sense and a genuine desire to eliminate bias. But I can't really say I put much faith in the "opinions" of those whose conclusions are clearly tainted by prejudice. I'm not so sure they are opinions as much as inculcated dogma.

 

[colchar]

Pretty simple really.

First of all, Trads are not solid they are weight relieved.

Second, it takes longer to chamber (cut the sections of wood out of) the Standards than it does to drill some holes in the Trads and, because of that, the production costs are higher.

Third, the PCB boards in the new Standards will add to the cost as well.

 

[HRC]

And to save you asking, I've been gigging Les Pauls since 1973...NOBODY DID!

 

[colchar]

]

Burstbuckers - different class to the pups in the Traditional YEAH, NOT AS GOOD!

This is entirely subjective.

 

[colchar]

But most Gibson USA's have the PCB's now.

Only the LP Standards do.

 

[tothemax]

go for the standard. trads are nothing more than a classic. not that its a bad thing, just a little less les. lol

 

[colchar]

Nah. Wasn't gonna ask, but I hardly see the significance. I've met some amazing basement players over the years. Does gigging make one a more credible player?

It is fairly common around here for people to challenge opinions by asking how much experience someone has, whether they play out or are just a hobbyist, how long they have been playing LPs, etc. I think the wee Scouse was just anticipating the usual questions/challenges and answering them before they were asked. You might not have planned to ask those questions, but they are common enough around here that people have come to anticipate them.

 

[colchar]

And let's get down to the bottom line about Trads. A wonderful marketing ploy by the suits at Gibson to give that line the name 'Traditional'. You only have to read the many threads/posts on this forum to see how many people are sucked in to believing they're getting something very, very, close to the 58-60 marque. Of course they're not, but they buy in to the marketing ploy.

While some people may think that John, a lot of us see 'Traditional' as referring to the way that Standards were made for years before they made the changes found on the current ones. We do not see this as referring to the '58-'60 marque but, rather, to the features traditionally found on Standards.

 

[John Vasco]

I do believe you miss the point completely. Read col's post, #30.

But that is only my subjective view, you understand...

 

[John Vasco]

It is fairly common around here for people to challenge opinions by asking how much experience someone has, whether they play out or are just a hobbyist, how long they have been playing LPs, etc. I think the wee Scouse was just anticipating the usual questions/challenges and answering them before they were asked. You might not have planned to ask those questions, but they are common enough around here that people have come to anticipate them.

Exactly!

 

[John Vasco]

While some people may think that John, a lot of us see 'Traditional' as referring to the way that Standards were made for years before they made the changes found on the current ones. We do not see this as referring to the '58-'60 marque but, rather, to the features traditionally found on Standards.

I agree with the above, col, but as we know, marketing ploys are an integral part of selling guitars, just like any other marketable commodity. And human nature being what it is, some people are beguiled by the publicity info that is put forth. 'Fretless wonder' anyone...?

 

[L60N]

This was an interesting read. I think Tolm pretty much hit the nail on the head.

 

[colchar]

I agree with the above, col, but as we know, marketing ploys are an integral part of selling guitars, just like any other marketable commodity.

Oh I completely agree and think that, in some cases, marketing works better when selling guitars than it does for other products (just look at all of the artist models available). I was only pointing out that, while there are those who think Trads represent the classic '50s era LPs, there are an awful lot of us who don't fall for it and are well aware that Trads, while representing the usual LP features that were available for years, do not actually represent the classic eras of the LP.

 

[John Vasco]

Oh I completely agree and think that, in some cases, marketing works better when selling guitars than it does for other products (just look at all of the artist models available). I was only pointing out that, while there are those who think Trads represent the classic '50s era LPs, there are an awful lot of us who don't fall for it and are well aware that Trads, while representing the usual LP features that were available for years, do not actually represent the classic eras of the LP.

Agree once again. Same hymnsheet.

 

[strat1701]

I had this same question a week ago, and did my due diligence. I'll have to play each and then decide. Having had 2 les pauls in my tenure (90 studio that I now know was chambered and an 01 Standard), I'd be interested to know how they play/sound. TBH I'm kinda leaning towards a Traditional, but am curious at to the 'new' 'standards'. It killed me to sell my 01 cherry burst back in 06, but having gotten back into the swing of guitars again (nerve issues) I want to have that sunburst back!