I know most people don't like these, but

[DonP]

Todd,

This guitar is called a chambered historic. They made a number of historics chambered like this, and they add a C to the front. This was is a CR8 (Chambered Reissue of a 1958), but there are CR9's (called Cloud 9's by some), CR0, CR4, etc.

I saw the Traditional Pros when they first got delivered to Guitar Center. They were very nice, the push/pull pots to split the pickups were a nice touch, and I couldn't get a bad tone out of it. The thing that throws me off in your description is that the Traditional Pros are a decendent of the Classic, which should have a thin neck. I'm curious as to why yours had a thick neck.

The new 2008 Standards are a strange animal, very modern. Asymetrical neck profile, new locking neck tenon, chambered body, modern electronics. I haven't played many but the specs seem good. I guess I'm more of a historical buff and prefer my Les Pauls to be "old school".

The pickgaurd being left off is fairly common. My 1996 Classic Premium Plus never had a pickguard installed, and neither did my 2002 Standard. I kept the guard off of the standard for many years but finally gave in. I really like the feel when playing having the guard on, but I do like the look of the guard off.

On all of my LP's I use historic plastic (don't like the pink Gibson USA stuff) so I had to cut a pickguard from a 1956 P90 pickup guard.

Yes, everyone likes to bash Gibson on QA and other shit, but I'm up to 7 and the tone speaks for itself. Sure there are bad ones out there, but you don't buy those or you take them back if they don't gel. If this CR8 sucked I knew full well it would go back to Sam Ash. I thought I was done buying Les Pauls 6 years ago, LOL! And I thought I was done buying expensive guitars. This was my most expensive guitar to date. What the hell am I thinking???

Sorry you got a bad one, they are out there. There were two Cloud 8's and the one I took sounded way better than the one I left. I've visited that other one a handful of times but it just doesn't sound like mine.

[veniculum]

Thanks Don for the description. I stand corrected...the neck on the Traditional Pro that I had was thin...but fairly wide as well...at least by my own standards. The asymetrical neck on the Standard may be a little unconventional...but it works! Kinda like a compound radius neck works. I can't say enough about the guitar that I bought...and I'll definitely post some pics as soon as I have time...I will say though...the traditional Les Pauls are works of art as well...and I'm bummed to this day that the Trad. Pro that I had was a lemon. I really did like the guitar. I even liked the satin finished back (as opposed to the gloss finish on my LP Standard). It was definitely a cool guitar..and when I saw pics of yours, they reminded me of it.

Thanks again man...nice to get a little history lesson. I've owned a few Les Pauls..but of a lower quality...studios..and even an epiphone at one time. None stayed in my collection long. My 08 Standard will most likely stay in my collection for a long time to come...unless someone wants to offer me good money for it..in which case, I might have to eventually get a LP Custom

Here's a pic of the original Traditional Pro that I bought...and the second pic is my current LP Standard. The photos aren't the greatest quality...but you get the idea...thanks again man..

[DonP]

Yeah, that's really odd that you didn't like the Traditional Pro. The pickup selection (BurstBucker 3 bridge and a 57 Classic neck) is liked by a lot of people. I'm a little curious what you didn't like about it.

I spent a little lunch time messing with my CR8. Definitely a keeper. So different than my other LPs. So much sustain and power, the notes just leap off of the fretboard. It's amazing when the stars line up and a great axe is made.

[veniculum]

Yeah, that's really odd that you didn't like the Traditional Pro. The pickup selection (BurstBucker 3 bridge and a 57 Classic neck) is liked by a lot of people. I'm a little curious what you didn't like about it.

I spent a little lunch time messing with my CR8. Definitely a keeper. So different than my other LPs. So much sustain and power, the notes just leap off of the fretboard. It's amazing when the stars line up and a great axe is made.

You know man...it's hard to say. It just didn't fit my taste. I tend to like V-necks better than thin D necks. Not that this was a thin D neck by any stretch. But I wasn't a big fan of the satin finish on the back of the body and neck...at least not compared to the standard's gloss finish. The heavy weight was always a bit of a turn off for me...although, I just expected weight with Les Pauls...so it wasn't initially a problem. The pickups sounded good...but I had a terrible time keeping it in tune..which was probably the deal breaker for me. In two weeks I had it setup by my guy (who does all my guitars - been a guitar tech for over 30 years so I wasn't questioning his abilities whatsoever).

I don't know. When I went back to GC for the third time, I was just a bit fed up. Then I played the LP Standard 08 again, and it just felt good. Can't really explain it better than that. Not to mention...my particular guitar has an absolutely beautiful finish...lots of reds...some cherry bursts aren't as eye popping..the pictures just don't do it justice.

Maybe that clears things up a little...maybe not. I will say, I'm not a big fan of VOS guitars. I like my guitars shiny and new looking. I've never really understood the old worn in, rusty look. I like cars and motorcycles too...and I'd always prefer shiny and new looking to beat up and busted...if that makes any sense. Guess it's just a matter of taste.