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Hey guys, can anyone tell me the major differences between these models? I'm thinking about eventually picking up one of these if I can find a good one at a reasonable price. I've read up on them a little bit, but I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between these models in terms of construction. Different finishes not withstanding, can anyone give me a quick rundown of the features of each model? I'm mostly concerned with things like neck thickness, long or short tenon, etc. I'd probably mod the hell out of it with new electronics, Tonepros bridge, locking tuners, etc, so those differences don't really concern me. Thanks.

Ryan

Ok...57 Gold Top, 59 Burst and the 68...are you talking about the 68 Custom?

The biggest differences are gonna be the ebony board on the 68 along with gold hardware, different tuners, and the the finishes. IMO if you are gonna get a Les Paul the best deal right now is a 57 Gold Top...the 57 will have a fatter neck that the 59, but the 59 is still fat...the 68 is fat as well...it's a lot like a 59 neck. Other that the necks and finishes a 57 and 59 are pretty damn close...the 68 is different but the Custom features is what makes it different.

Did that help?

BTW...all 3 guitars you named have the long tennon.


Originally Posted by rspst14Hey guys, can anyone tell me the major differences between these models? I'm thinking about eventually picking up one of these if I can find a good one at a reasonable price. I've read up on them a little bit, but I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between these models in terms of construction. Different finishes not withstanding, can anyone give me a quick rundown of the features of each model? I'm mostly concerned with things like neck thickness, long or short tenon, etc. I'd probably mod the hell out of it with new electronics, Tonepros bridge, locking tuners, etc, so those differences don't really concern me. Thanks.

Ryan

Why is the '58 not an option? Gets you a delightful burst without spending the mega bucks on an R9. As for the discontinued ‘68 Historics…it all depends on if you go in for bling.

If you are keen to modify (with locking tuners and the like) may I suggest that you grab something other than a Historic.

yeah, I'd also throw the '58 into the mix ... the newer ones have dropped a little. The '58 is similar to the '59, but with a plain top.

some think the plain tops sound better. whether or not that's true, both Mark Knopfler and Warren Haynes have said their '58 RIs are among their favorites.

I agree with TGWIF, though .. many have considered the '57 the best deal in a reissue.

Not to steal the thread, but what are the differences other than neck size in the '58, '59 and '60 bursts? Did the real '58s use plain tops and the '59s and '60s use flame maple?


Originally Posted by báratta
If you are keen to modify (with locking tuners and the like) may I suggest that you grab something other than a Historic.

There is absolutely no need for locking tuners on a Custom Shop guitar. Seriously, a well cut nut and maybe Graph Tech saddles will do you more for any tuning stability, but those tuners don't slip.


Originally Posted by Curlyyeah, I'd also throw the '58 into the mix ... the newer ones have dropped a little. The '58 is similar to the '59, but with a plain top.

some think the plain tops sound better. whether or not that's true, both Mark Knopfler and Warren Haynes have said their '58 RIs are among their favorites.

I agree with TGWIF, though .. many have considered the '57 the best deal in a reissue.

Though the 'R7s are slightly cheaper, I would argue that the R8 is the best value for money. Damn close to a real (practically unobtainable) Burst for around 2K second hand. Now to get Golden Boy to send me his spare…


Originally Posted by PFDarksideNot to steal the thread, but what are the differences other than neck size in the '58, '59 and '60 bursts? Did the real '58s use plain tops and the '59s and '60s use flame maple?

Gibson has simply opted to make the ‘59 (R9) the highly flamed model in the line-up. Though you can find figured R8s if you are willing to pay a premium…. oh, and the occasional plain top R9.


Originally Posted by bárattaThough the 'R7s are slightly cheaper, I would argue that the R8 is the best value for money.

I can't argue with that. I have a '57, but if I got another LP, I'd look for a '58, especially since they dropped the price a little. I just happened to find the '57 first, and it was just what I was looking for. as for the neck question..

52 Pauls have a V neck

53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 have a big fat C shape

the 58's are smaller that a 57, the 59's are smaller than a 58 and the 60 is smaller than a 59,

Watch that neck comparison... it varies from year to year.

I've got a 56RI Goldtop, 57RI Refin in Brockburst plaintop and 58RI flametop in Faded Tobacco.

56 is the heaviest. 58 is the lightest.

All three have fat ass necks. 58 being the fatest.

58 is the prettiest, but that 57 Refin has a sweet top on it as well.

Tonepros on all of them. (mandatory for me)

All have Topwrapped TP's.

The R7 is darn near unplayed for some reason. I should probably sell it some day, but it's kinda becoming an investment piece. I don't think there were very many of them made. So, it might go up in value at some point. It's a great guitar, but I grab the 58 every time when I want a humbucker Les Paul.

Hard to go wrong with any of them... BUT,

you can often get a great deal on a used 56 or 57 RI Goldtop. 15-1600 if you look hard.

Someone asked to see what an R7 Refin looked like. Essentially, they are two piece tops that didn't run directly down the middle. This is what is under a lot of goldtops if you take off the gold. I dig it cuz it was unusual.That's a beautiful top, but you should have done it red like Harrison's Lucy.

Man i like the look of that 57 reissue.. I'm a sucker for Gold Tops!!!!!!!!!!! What is the neck shape like on the 57? For years i always said once i get a good paying job i'd buy a new Gold Top.... i've had a good job for a few years now but still don't have the money as i just bought a new car that wiped the bank... so it's back to trying to save..... But once i'm ready i'll have a new LP! I was thinking of unloading my 76 Deluxe to raise funds for the new LP i want but i know i'd miss it too much...

WhoFan



Hey Scott... did you ever try a black Pickguard on that?


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyThat's a beautiful top, but you should have done it red like Harrison's Lucy.

The refin was done by the Gibson custom shop. The 3 dealers that commissioned that series, had the Gibson custom shop choose plain tops that they would normally use for goldtops and just finish them in a burst. It is supposed to simulate an old goldtop that was stripped and refinished.

I just picked it out of 4 that Wildwoods had.

Plain top you say...

I want to know who grades these things...

This is my quot;AAAquot; Flametop- I'm not complaining- I like the quot;hide and seekquot; flame, but I don't think it's deserving of an quot;AAAquot; grade.Bah, don’t post that image one more time…it makes me too damned gassy. Flatulence aside, got any pics of her sister?


Originally Posted by bárattaBah, don’t post that image one more time…it makes me too damned gassy. Flatulence aside, got any pics of her sister?

So... you need me to take more pictures this weekend...

So then we go into the (almost) irony of posting this guitar in this thread. In 1997 Gibson did a Historic reissue of the Sebastian/Derringer/Clapton/Harrison Lucy guitar. In effect it was a red plaintop with a Bigsby, Grovers and no LP screen on the headstock. It didn't have the off center join, and I think it had a quot;Customquot; truss rod cover too- I don't remember. I had that guitar for maybe a year, but I despised the Bigsby with a passion that still burns. I traded it in on this guitar- basically an non-Bigsby, flamey version of that guitar.