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Since I'll probably never be able to spend $2200 on a new LP standard, I've decided to shop around for a used one. I know Gibson's quality has gradually dropped over the past couple of years, so I was wondering which is a good year to buy a used LP? What years should I avoid?

I'd shoot for 94-2003. I'd shy away from 1970-90. You're probability of running into quot;dogsquot; from that time period is much greater. (there were some good guitars made during that time period) Don't be swayed by quot;vintage Les Paul.quot; quot;Oldquot; LPs have wide headstocks, 3 piece tops, thick finishes, 'sandwich' bodies, volutes behind the nut, maple necks, weigh 10 pounds... quot;Vintagequot; LPs don't. There's a difference between quot;vintagequot; and quot;old.quot;

By the way... play before you buy. Let what you like determine if you're going to buy it- not what year it was made.

I would also include late 80's and early 90s guitars in that (meaning I would't dismiss them outright). I had some excellent late 80's Gibbos...my best Les Paul EVAR was a 1992 model, and I had some other really good Gibsons from that time period too...Exploprers, a couple Customs...an SG..A flying V....

The quot;worstquot; Gibsons I've had were from that 1970-1985 or so period. Didn't have any late 90s models, and all of my recent Gibsons have been 2004/2005s.

1990 - 1994 are the best, I have a 1970 Lp and is bad ass, I don't understand why people dog the 70's Lps, and I can't stand people doging all of them. There are awesome ones out there and there are crappy ones. Just try them out, you can't judge them by a year.

If you're talking about production Les Pauls I have a 93 Studio, a 2002 Gary Moore Signature and a 2004 Standard and all of them are Great guitars with no issues at all. There are good guitars and turds in every era so you just have to decide what you like and what you want and choose that way.

I bought the Studio in a local guitar shop but the other 2 I bought from online dealers without playing them. Both of the dealers were listed at the Les Paul forum and were very friendly, answered all my questions up front and provided a return period if I didn't like it.

Those dealers sometimes have used Les Pauls so I would go that route first. But just so you know, most of the dealers at the LPF sell a new Standard for around $1800 plus shipping so you don't have to pay MF or GC prices. They are very helpful and will give you all the info upfront including weight, fit and finish and will even give you a tone report or play it ovet the phone if you want. If you don't find a good used one through a dealer, also take a look around this board. There's a lot of good people here and a few of them might be selling Les Paul's

That being said, I do think the recent standards are very nice. The QC is pretty consistent, about as consistent as it has ever been with the production models. Plus they offer flamed tops, two different neck sizes to choose from and burstbuckers which are a very good all around pickup. The key is- if you can't play it, buy from someone that you trust or that will answer questions and provide a return policy.

BTW..what IS your price range?

JeffH has a great R7 for sale in the classifieds here. My Black Standard is for sale. You can cop new Black Standards, Faded standards, and Classics for 1800 or so.

A good studio is helluava guitar. I personally don't like the lack of binding, but tone-wise, if ya get a good one, they are as good as any standard.

Ya i also would say the 1994-2002 range for used LP's are great years.... I have an old 76 Les Paul and it is not much of an LP.... It also needed tonnes of work on it over the years. Those mid 70's-mid 80's LP's i have not liked as much as other years.... That being said i enjoy LP Deluxes from the early 70's.... The ones with Mahogany necks. Other then that i like the 90's and 2000's years much better then any other years i could afford.

I know guys that buy lp's from 75-early 80's with the maple necks and the pancake bodies and sell them for profit to buy better new Les Pauls... They flip them. Some vintage stores are selling these crazy Pancake era LP's for as much as a new Lp would go for. Someone must be willing to pay for them as the prices keep going up!

WhoFan


Originally Posted by WhoFan

Someone must be willing to pay for them as the prices keep going up!

People who don't know the difference between quot;vintagequot; and quot;old.quot;


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyPeople who don't know the difference between quot;vintagequot; and quot;old.quot;

True


Originally Posted by WhoFanYa i also would say the 1994-2002 range for used LP's are great years.... I have an old 76 Les Paul and it is not much of an LP.... It also needed tonnes of work on it over the years. Those mid 70's-mid 80's LP's i have not liked as much as other years.... That being said i enjoy LP Deluxes from the early 70's.... The ones with Mahogany necks. Other then that i like the 90's and 2000's years much better then any other years i could afford.

I know guys that buy lp's from 75-early 80's with the maple necks and the pancake bodies and sell them for profit to buy better new Les Pauls... They flip them. Some vintage stores are selling these crazy Pancake era LP's for as much as a new Lp would go for. Someone must be willing to pay for them as the prices keep going up!

WhoFan

What does the term quot;pancake bodyquot; mean? Just flatter?


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyBy the way... play before you buy. Let what you like determine if you're going to buy it- not what year it was made.

That's really it. You might cut yourself off from a great 70's LP (there really were some made) if you limit by dates. Your ears and fingers never lie -- if there's an LP out there that speaks to you, they'll hear it, and it won't matter what year it was made.

But even if you do limit by date, it's still not hard to find a great one.


Originally Posted by RiffGuyWhat does the term quot;pancake bodyquot; mean? Just flatter?

It means that the mahogany part of the body was made from two or more pieces of mahogany stacked on top of each other like pancakes (you would see the seams on the side of the guitar if the finish is translucent), as opposed to a single piece of mahogany (no seams), or two or more pieces side by side (you would see a seam parallel to the neck and down the middle on the back of the guitar on a 2-piece, 2 seams parallel to the neck on a 3-piece).


Originally Posted by RiffGuyWhat does the term quot;pancake bodyquot; mean? Just flatter?

Here's a really crappy pic that's a good illustration of a quot;pancake body.quot;

Originally Posted by ZhangliqunIt means that the mahogany part of the body was made from two or more pieces of mahogany stacked on top of each other like pancakes (you would see the seams on the side of the guitar if the finish is translucent), as opposed to a single piece of mahogany (no seams), or two or more pieces side by side (you would see a seam parallel to the neck and down the middle on the back of the guitar on a 2-piece, 2 seams parallel to the neck on a 3-piece).

Ohhh, I see. Thanks.


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyBy the way... play before you buy. Let what you like determine if you're going to buy it- not what year it was made.That's my advice too. One of the nicest Les Pauls I've ever owned was a '77! That's not supposed to be a great year for Gibsons, but that particular guitar was excellant. I think some of the worst are those from the early to mid 70's. Same thing with Fenders from that era. But if you find one that plays and sounds great who cares what year it was made? I think after about 1980 Gibson started getting good again. Lew


Originally Posted by JeffBBTW..what IS your price range?

JeffH has a great R7 for sale in the classifieds here. My Black Standard is for sale. You can cop new Black Standards, Faded standards, and Classics for 1800 or so.

A good studio is helluava guitar. I personally don't like the lack of binding, but tone-wise, if ya get a good one, they are as good as any standard.

I'm looking to spend no more than $1500. But I know I want a flame top on it with all the standard stuff like binding ( no studios, or customs ) etc...

Thanks for all the replies guys... keep 'em comin'...

Much of the research I've done tends to indicate that some of the best Les Pauls in recent times werre made from the early 90's thru 02'-03'. However, like everyone has said, each year and quot;eraquot; has great Les Pauls and crappy ones.

I have a 98' 57' RI Goldtop that is just awsome....it just sold on eBay. I also have an 03' Standard that I bought from a forum bro, and it's awsome as well. The advice of playing before you buy is very sound, and I suggest that as well. I'm however a bit more of a risktaker by nature. I wouldn't be afraid to purchase one from eBay if it met my price range and looks criteria. The worst that can happen is that you don't care for it, and have to sell it. You should certainly be able to sell it for at least what you paid for it...you might be out shipping, but that's a nominal expense. You're not going to lose hundreds of dollars.

Just my $.02. If you can't try out due to location, just take a chance. I've had good luck this way.

my 96 Std kills. It sounds great, is relatively light, and has some subtle figuring on the top which IMHO, looks cooler than all out flame.

One little note on 70's Les Pauls with the Pancake bodies.... Gibson say that part of the Pancake design has mahogany but also Poplar wood as well....