What's in a name(plate)

[twiddlebug]

You know, when I first got the fever and knew I needed a Les Paul, it was a 90's Ebony Standard that sucked me in. I wasn't able to buy that guitar, but I knew I needed a Standard, and I knew it needed to be Ebony.

But then, I tried the 2008 Standard, and the 2008 Traditional, and found out I liked the Traditional better.

So I got my Ebony Traditional.

But on the truss rod cover (not surprisingly), it said Traditional, not Standard!

I thought: Everyone knows what a Standard is, but who the hell (among the laymen) knows what a Traditional is? Will I have to tell the story every damned time someone talks to me about the guitar? (Answer to that question seems to be yes so far.)

I considered: Should put on a "Standard" plate and store the "Traditional" bell in plastic?

Months later, I see what a great reputation the Traditional has earned. And I have fallen all kinds of levels deeper in love with my own.

The verdict for me is:

Traditional she was born, Traditional she shall remain!

(Say my name baby!)

 

[djwilbanks]

heh, I'd just put a blank one on it.

At least people say, "cool a Les Paul!" to you. I've actually been asked if my BFG was fake. >_<

 

[zplapplap]

I'm glad you love your guitar. It's a great feeling to like it more AFTER the newness has worn off. The laity, from my experience, will simply notice 1) a Gibson and, possibly 2) that it is a Les Paul. They won't know of the variations within the model, not will they care.

As for those of us who play guitar. Almost everyone will know of the Standard, traditional, Classic, Studio, etc. If I were in your situation, I would leave the name plate alone and, if anything, replace the nut. Or, if the nameplate had to go, I'd replace it with a blank as suggested.

 

[InnerRage]

To me the whole "Traditional" nomenclature is a crock. In reality. all it is , is a pre-2006 Standard. If I bought one (I'm torn between an ice tea Trad. & a Custom I'm looking at) I would just put on a blank TRC. Why call a guitar by a new name when it's really just an old Standard?? There, that's my 2 cents...

 

[Z.K.]

heh, I'd just put a blank one on it.

Same here...

 

[twiddlebug]

Yeah, I don't think the name "Traditional" is very sexy... but it is what it is... I'm likely to leave it... but I certainly respect the views of those who prefer the blank plate. Makes the gold "Les Paul Model" decal and Gibson Logo look a little nicer, with less busy surroundings.

To zplapplap: Thanks-- A little pencil lead seemed to solve my nut issues for now... but who knows... maybe someday I'll take it to someone for some super-sweet setting up, including a new nut. For now, I've got the neck and stuff adjusted to my liking, and nothing about the guitar seems to be getting in my way.

 

[diceman]

I'm with Inner Rage - and if it concerns you, I'd just go blank as well.

 

[The_Sentry]

I'd also go blank. In fact, I'd also be sorely tempted just to sand that Gibson logo right off.....

(I'm just kidding about that, BTW.... )

 

[LongBeach]

I agree, go with a blank trc, that will throw everybody off anyway.
Why rename a model, who knows, who cares. But I do hear great
things about them.

 

[Axeman16]

blank.

 

[twiddlebug]

In fact, I'd also be sorely tempted just to sand that Gibson logo right off.....

Ha ha ha! Thanks for the advice!

 

[axslinger]

I'm glad you love your guitar. It's a great feeling to like it more AFTER the newness has worn off. The laity, from my experience, will simply notice 1) a Gibson and, possibly 2) that it is a Les Paul. They won't know of the variations within the model, not will they care.

As for those of us who play guitar. Almost everyone will know of the Standard, traditional, Classic, Studio, etc. If I were in your situation, I would leave the name plate alone and, if anything, replace the nut. Or, if the nameplate had to go, I'd replace it with a blank as suggested.

Honestly, I'm an idiot when it comes to "Classic, Traditional, etc." What I do know is the original "Burst" was the only model, so the "Standard" wasn't necessary. I'm assuming a Traditional is a non-weight relieved, non-chambered "Standard", is that correct?