Les Paul Dilemna

[Shawn]

I am in the process of buying a Les paul, and I just dont know which route to go. I currently have at home(a tester from my local shop) a Standard "raw power". Cool guitar, but I am not that in love with the raw finish. I dig the high output and the slim neck of the Classic, but am I going too cheap, and will I want to upgrade(Custom? Goldtop?) not too far down the road? I have decided to buy pre-owned, because I have a local great guy that takes care of me, and besides, why should I take the depreciation, as little as it may be?


Ugghhh...Ya know, for many years, I purchased VERY high dollar watches for my collection, and would make a nearly instantaneous decision on those. But in my year and a half or so of playing and collecting guitars, I have stressed over each decision a ton. I would assume it is because I dont have the depth of product knowledge I had with timepieces, and dont want to get screwed, or it could be I am just a weenie.....


Which Les Paul do you own and why?


Shawn

[Shawn]

Les Paul Dilemna

I am in the process of buying a Les paul, and I just dont know which route to go. I currently have at home(a tester from my local shop) a Standard "raw power". Cool guitar, but I am not that in love with the raw finish. I dig the high output and the slim neck of the Classic, but am I going too cheap, and will I want to upgrade(Custom? Goldtop?) not too far down the road? I have decided to buy pre-owned, because I have a local great guy that takes care of me, and besides, why should I take the depreciation, as little as it may be?


Ugghhh...Ya know, for many years, I purchased VERY high dollar watches for my collection, and would make a nearly instantaneous decision on those. But in my year and a half or so of playing and collecting guitars, I have stressed over each decision a ton. I would assume it is because I dont have the depth of product knowledge I had with timepieces, and dont want to get screwed, or it could be I am just a weenie.....


Which Les Paul do you own and why?


Shawn

[Accept2]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I have an Ace Frehley Custom, and a Studio. I like the Studio alot. Its from 1991, so it has the ebony board with the big inlay. It think the early 90's Studios are some of the best guitars for the money as they usually go for about $500US - $600US on Ebay, which is a real steal.......

[Accept2]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I have an Ace Frehley Custom, and a Studio. I like the Studio alot. Its from 1991, so it has the ebony board with the big inlay. It think the early 90's Studios are some of the best guitars for the money as they usually go for about $500US - $600US on Ebay, which is a real steal.......

[data187]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

i would stay away from the gimmicky raw power, smart wood, etc type of les pauls.

i think the studio series is a great lp bargain, i've also seen some 1960 classic models go for $1300, which is pretty solid.

i think i saw a 3 pickup les paul for $1399 at victor's house of music's catalog.

if you want the les paul sound for less money, try a hamer or a heritage.

i've seen some heritage les pauls go for $800 on ebay.

[data187]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

i would stay away from the gimmicky raw power, smart wood, etc type of les pauls.

i think the studio series is a great lp bargain, i've also seen some 1960 classic models go for $1300, which is pretty solid.

i think i saw a 3 pickup les paul for $1399 at victor's house of music's catalog.

if you want the les paul sound for less money, try a hamer or a heritage.

i've seen some heritage les pauls go for $800 on ebay.

[jgcable]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

A buddy of mine just got a 2003 57 Reissue Artist Historic. It has a honey flame top with the 57 classic humbuckers. He also has an 82 Rhoads Les Paul Custom and a 93 Black standard. He feels 57 Artist Historic is the nicest playing/sounding and looking Les Paul he has ever owned.

[jgcable]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

A buddy of mine just got a 2003 57 Reissue Artist Historic. It has a honey flame top with the 57 classic humbuckers. He also has an 82 Rhoads Les Paul Custom and a 93 Black standard. He feels 57 Artist Historic is the nicest playing/sounding and looking Les Paul he has ever owned.

[Budman68]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I have to agree with both the boys here and say, if money is an object, then go for the studio. Like Accept2 said, the early ninties are the best made and are indeed basicaly a Les Paul standard without binding.

Good luck,

Dave->

[Budman68]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I have to agree with both the boys here and say, if money is an object, then go for the studio. Like Accept2 said, the early ninties are the best made and are indeed basicaly a Les Paul standard without binding.

Good luck,

Dave->

[Shawn]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I had not really considered Studios, as I do like binding. Money is not particularly an issue, but I dont just throw money on something because the company I am buying from says it is their best. I have a local guy here, that I can have my choice of 9 Mint Classics, at $1050. I really dig the high output 500T. I also think the 60's neck is comfy, so I think that is where I am going to go.

Although, I do like the custom........

[Shawn]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I had not really considered Studios, as I do like binding. Money is not particularly an issue, but I dont just throw money on something because the company I am buying from says it is their best. I have a local guy here, that I can have my choice of 9 Mint Classics, at $1050. I really dig the high output 500T. I also think the 60's neck is comfy, so I think that is where I am going to go.

Although, I do like the custom........

[Budman68]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

Oh definitely then. Go for it!

Dave->

[Budman68]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

Oh definitely then. Go for it!

Dave->

[circle of the tyrants]

Re: Les Paul Dilemna

I've got a '59 Reissue, a '60 Classic and a '57 goldtop Reissue. The Classic is the lightest of them all and the slim-taper neck is very comfortable. I like them all, but the '57 Reissue has kind of a sticky neck. It's not exactly the fastest playing Paul I've ever owned.
I just sold this one, and if you ask me, I let it go pretty cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=38086&rd=1