Purchasing a Gibson LP

**Giga Hertz** · 01-24-2017, 12:18 AM

So I'm really jonesing to get myself a Gibson now that I have money and can justify a one off splurge. And between all the facts there's different entry points for them and I honestly don't really know how much of a difference it will make...

- I can justify spending up to $3000 AUD on a brand new one. Should I just do that?
- Should I wait for an older model to appear on eBay/Gumtree/Facebook (Australian Craigslist) for $1000?
---- Is there any real formula for how much you should pay for one from the last 15 years (I don't think I could afford a 1950s one :P)?

There's currently a 2016 LP Studio with case in a town nearby for $2k (which RRPs for $3k). I really like the look of it. Do you think it's worth going for, or would I be just as happy with a $1k one from 2010 (providing one of those appears)?

BillSPrestonEsq · 01-24-2017, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

So I'm really jonesing to get myself a Gibson now that I have money and can justify a one off splurge. And between all the facts there's different entry points for them and I honestly don't really know how much of a difference it will make...

- I can justify spending up to $3000 AUD on a brand new one. Should I just do that?
- Should I wait for an older model to appear on eBay/Gumtree/Facebook (Australian Craigslist) for $1000?
---- Is there any real formula for how much you should pay for one from the last 15 years (I don't think I could afford a 1950s one :P)?

There's currently a 2016 LP Studio with case in a town nearby for $2k (which RRPs for $3k). I really like the look of it. Do you think it's worth going for, or would I be just as happy with a $1k one from 2010 (providing one of those appears)?

How many LPs have you played?

My favorite LP is actually a really low end one from roughly the day I was born.. And I own a 1951 Gibson ES 300. I would play quite a few and get a feel for what you like, first.

**Giga Hertz** · 01-24-2017, 06:45 AM

The closest thing I've played is my Epi LP (which is how I know I like LPs in general). Sadly the closest places that actually stock them are like 6 hours away.

BillSPrestonEsq · 01-25-2017, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

The closest thing I've played is my Epi LP (which is how I know I like LPs in general). Sadly the closest places that actually stock them are like 6 hours away.

I have owned quite a few LPs. I like older, used ones best myself. I don't like them dinged up or relliced, but I like one that is well used for some intangible reason.my 84, which is insanely heavy is the standard for an easy playing guitar. My 81 is just amazing. Both have ebony boards which is something I like for feel.

**Giga Hertz** · 01-25-2017, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I have owned quite a few LPs. I like older, used ones best myself. I don't like them dinged up or relliced, but I like one that is well used for some intangible reason.my 84, which is insanely heavy is the standard for an easy playing guitar. My 81 is just amazing. Both have ebony boards which is something I like for feel.

That's the thing: I really like the look of any given one that's in good condition. My real concern and wondering is how much the pickups have changed in 30 years and whether or not that's a good thing.

I guess when push comes to shove, I can either buy one (almost) at random and get what I get. Or wait it out several months and try any at any opportunity.

BillSPrestonEsq · 01-25-2017, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

That's the thing: I really like the look of any given one that's in good condition. My real concern and wondering is how much the pickups have changed in 30 years and whether or not that's a good thing.

I guess when push comes to shove, I can either buy one (almost) at random and get what I get. Or wait it out several months and try any at any opportunity.

I'd try the used ones that come up. Pickups are relatively cheap compared to the LP. Pickups don't factor in much for me.

thesteve · 01-25-2017, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I'd try the used ones that come up. Pickups are relatively cheap compared to the LP. Pickups don't factor in much for me.

this. A brand new set of current issue pickups is $300 USD give or take, so if you wanted to drop those in (or anything else) later on, the $2k you save now would go a long way.

BillSPrestonEsq · 01-25-2017, 02:31 PM

Also, Wolfe McLeod makes some amazing pickups that I put in my LPs. They are IMO, better than anything gibson has put out in ages, possibly ever, and are quite affordable. Buying used on ebay would go pretty well.

**Giga Hertz** · 01-25-2017, 04:59 PM

Those are some very valid points, thanks. I might keep a look out for older stuff then.

Has much else changed? Weight? Woods?

charisjapan · 01-25-2017, 08:26 PM

Hey GHz/Josh,

I have a few LPs, and I think you have been given pretty good advice to look into something used. For one thing, you don't have to deal with some of the new "features" ... some are kind of controversial. Robot tuners, Zero Nut, and wide fretboards come to mind. Some people like them, many don't, and quite a few don't know any better. I know you like tech stuff, but if that robot goes rogue, the guitar could be sitting in a shop until replacement parts show up ... sometimes quite a while.

The Studios are great, I have a 2011 Faded Pro, which is fully chambered, lightweight without neck dive, and the parts are about the same as a Standard costing 4X. I changed pickups to Seymour Duncan, but even the original 490/498 Gibson pickups sounded pretty good. There's a LOT more tonal difference with the amp and pedals than the pickups, IMO. Bear in mind that there is not really a single "PAF Tone." The 50s, 60s and even 70s and 80s pickups were all over the place tonewise, some great, some not so great. For that matter, guitars, too! Weight can be all over the place as well, some Trads can push 12 pounds ... my heaviest strat is 9 pounds even.

I know a few folks from the MyLesPaul forum that live in Australia and are serious LP experts. I can ask them for advice on how to buy a good guitar without breaking the bank. A trustworthy dealer will send you pictures and impressions, even if you can't go try out the guitar your self.

In the meantime, I would ask to try every LP you can! For such a familiar and traditional guitar, the feeling and tone differences are very, very wide.

Cheers!

**Giga Hertz** · 02-06-2017, 06:00 PM

I thought I replied to this, but obviously I didn't get there. Sorry!

Quote:

Originally Posted by charisjapan

Hey GHz/Josh,

I have a few LPs, and I think you have been given pretty good advice to look into something used. For one thing, you don't have to deal with some of the new "features" ... some are kind of controversial. Robot tuners, Zero Nut, and wide fretboards come to mind. Some people like them, many don't, and quite a few don't know any better. I know you like tech stuff, but if that robot goes rogue, the guitar could be sitting in a shop until replacement parts show up ... sometimes quite a while.

That's true. I've liked the idea, but I have a bluetooth tuner now anyway, so I don't really need that feature.

I'm willing to give anything new a go, though.

Quote:

The Studios are great, I have a 2011 Faded Pro, which is fully chambered, lightweight without neck dive, and the parts are about the same as a Standard costing 4X. I changed pickups to Seymour Duncan, but even the original 490/498 Gibson pickups sounded pretty good. There's a LOT more tonal difference with the amp and pedals than the pickups, IMO. Bear in mind that there is not really a single "PAF Tone." The 50s, 60s and even 70s and 80s pickups were all over the place tonewise, some great, some not so great. For that matter, guitars, too! Weight can be all over the place as well, some Trads can push 12 pounds ... my heaviest strat is 9 pounds even.

Those are all good points.

Quote:

I know a few folks from the MyLesPaul forum that live in Australia and are serious LP experts. I can ask them for advice on how to buy a good guitar without breaking the bank. A trustworthy dealer will send you pictures and impressions, even if you can't go try out the guitar your self.

I didn't even consider there. I might poke around and see what information I can get.

Quote:

In the meantime, I would ask to try every LP you can! For such a familiar and traditional guitar, the feeling and tone differences are very, very wide.

Definitely. Thanks.

That LP I mentioned earlier still seems to be there. Same price, and it's been listed for almost 2 months. Do you think it'd be worth seeing if he'd go as low as $1800 (which is about $1376 USD)? I'm otherwise happy to wait around, it's not an urgent expense.