The Les Paul Dilemma

[tele_player]

I went through a Les Paul phase a few years ago, trying to recapture my youth. I bought a goldtop new in 1968, played it for about 10 years.
So, I got an '01 R8, then an '00 R9, then an '03 R7. They were all really nice, and I had trouble deciding which to play. A real dilemma.

So I sold them all, and I'm back to playing a Telecaster, but I kinda wish I'd kept ONE of them.

[dartanion]

Hey Paul,

Thanks for the info. I did gather the differences in the bridge and knew about the Trap tail piece issues. I was wondering if the R2 had maybe remedied these issues and if there where changes to pups, construction methods, etc.

I think I need to check some of these out a local shops....if they have any.

[Voodoo_Man]

The necks are likely to be massive on the R2s to R8s, slightly more manageable on the R9s and then much slimmer (in general) on the R0s.

They're all way bigger than the regular Les Paul Standard necks, even if you choose the 50s profile.

The R8 seems to be the best value. Mines a piece of art shaped like a guitar. The neck is beefy, just the way I like'm. Besides, aren't the skinny necks made for the ladies? Or was it for the guys with short thumbs?
God Bless,
John

[phread]

I've got a number of Les Pauls; an original 52, a few mid-70's (some with
factory maple fingerboards), a few original SG-Les Pauls, and recently
got a 54 Reissue. First of all, the 54R is about 3-4 years old and when I
put it next to my 52, it's pretty darn close. The pickups up are a tad
warmer then the ones on the 52, but other then that, they're almost
identical (other then the 52 has the weird trapeze).

As far as P-90's vs. humbuckers, that's like chocolate vs vanilla. My
taste is that I use the humbucker guitars when I'm playing rock with a
lot of distortion and I play the P-90's when I'm playing blues and am
looking for more of that "tone thing". The P-90's all sound great but
when I compare them, they all sound a little different (as do old strats)
since they were all wound by hand in that day and age and there are
some natural variations. I love all of them, but the one I take out the
most is the 54R. Why? Because it's the easiest to replace! Other then
that, just find something you like and go for it. I will say that when I
buy an old guitar, I usually can't bring myself to sell it... Sigh...

Cheers,

Phread

[kec]

Yesterday I received my '98 Epiphone MIJ Goldtop. In mint condition. You wouldn't believe how pristine this one is - especially for it being 10 years old. It also has the Gibson "open book" headstock. This one was made between the transition from the Orville to the Epiphone Elitist brand. I've been searching long and hard for "the" Goldtop without going broke.

[skyboltone]

It's a beaut Ken. My first LP was a new 69 with a 2 stamped on the back of the headstock. Looked just about like that one.

Hope your neck holds up holding it up....

Dan

[kec]

It's a beaut Ken. My first LP was a new 69 with a 2 stamped on the back of the headstock. Looked just about like that one.

Thanks Sky

Hope your neck holds up holding it up....

No problem. I don't gig, so my neck won't be holding anything up - except my head

I used to be pretty much a Strat guy, but as I get older I'm appreciating LP's more and more.