Stoopid Les Paul Question

[Shotgun]

Other than pickups and price, what is the difference between a Standard and a Classic? I'm afraid that if I ask at the LP Forum, they'll kick my ass. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Keith

[blindmuddy]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

I think the newer classics actually are made out of more peices of wood in the body. Also the classic has the thinner 60s neck (you can get the standard with that too. Also on the hs the classic except for the first ones say classic where a standard would say model. As far as I know thats it

[lhrocker]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

The classic has the hotter pickups, thinner neck profile (though the new standards have a choice now also) and the aged inlays. I haven't seen a new one, but the old ones were radioactive green. I think multiple piece bodies come on the newer classics, but the 2 I owned has a single piece body. Also, the classic has the classic on the headstock, tr cover and pickguard.

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

Yep, the other two dudes got it right. Made by the same people on the same line as the Standards, Supreme, and the rest of the USA lot.

Awesome guitars, very thin neck too!

[MarshallAbuser]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

Oh, if you find a 93 or older, they say 'les paul model' instead of 'les paul classic' on the headstock if it's a big deal, also they have the same body construction as the Std's.

[DonP]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

[ QUOTE ]
Other than pickups and price, what is the difference between a Standard and a Classic? I'm afraid that if I ask at the LP Forum, they'll kick my ass. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Keith

[/ QUOTE ]

We'll still kick your ass over here [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Everything the other people have said is correct. But if you are looking at used models, things get trickier.

Standards have been the same since 2002, and Classics pretty much the same since 1993.

Classics have gotten weaker over the years. The inlays get uglier if you look at newer ones, Gibson short-changed the bridge from the ABR-1 to the Nashville, and the 2 piece backs are a downgrade as well.

I have a 1996 Classic Premium Plus and a 2002 Std. with 60s neck. Both necks are thin and play great.

If you are looking for either new, shop around. The new ones I find for sale at GC and SA suck, and that's probably the reason they are still sitting on the racks.

[Shotgun]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

Thanks, everybody. Would never have guessed about the multi-part body/backs.

Keep thinking about trying one of these out. Dunno what "limited edition" means, but the finish doesn't seem to be in the current line up. But then again, it is a closeout.

Anyway, thanks all! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]
Keith

[DonP]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

Limited Edition simply means it's a special run.

Music123 calls up Gibson and says they want a special run of Classics that are different enough (special colors/options) so that the only way you can get one like it is to go to Mucis123 and buy one. They might also tell Gibson get cheap with the specs (multi-piece backs, cheaper finishing, don't waste so much time on the fretwork, cheaper electronics) so that the profit margin will be higher (as is the case with the GC R0's - it's a historic but is missing some of the correct historic appointments, and it's a plaintop instead of a flametop). For this axe, it looks like Music123 said skip the nice top, just put on any maple you have, and paint it red so that no-one sees. I've seen black limited editions as well - same game.

Gibson says fine, but you'll have to order in bulk like 500-1000 guitars, and your price will be (like) $750 per axe. Music123 says great, we can stick it to suckers when they first come out for $2,508, and still have room to stick it to people when we closeout for $1,499.

If you want to avoid the mutli-piece backs, you'll want to stick to 2001 (to be safe) or older. Multi-piece is not a fact of life - 2006 models still come out with 1 piece backs, it's just that there is a chance of getting one these days. Prior to 2001, they were all one-piece backs.

If your heart is set on a Classic, I highly recommend the 1990-1992 models. These WERE historics because there were no "real" historics at that time. In 1993, when "real" historics came out, Gibson "soured" the Classic to prevent forgery and make people want to shell out bigger bucks for the real thing. They did this by putting "Classic" instead of "Model" on the headstock, and stopped using thin binding in the lower cutaway. As time went on, the continued "souring" the Classic by making the inlays the ugly green/yellow everyone hates, going from the "Historically correct" ABR-1 to the Nashville bridge, and lately with the multi-piece backs.

So, if you want a Classic:
1. 1990-1992 Models - a Classic "Plus" would be the ultimate. They didn't have Premium Plus models in these years.

2. A later model Premium Plus. I have a 1996, and it's still a great axe, but I wish I knew then what I know now, and have gone with a 1990-1992 model.

3. If you can't get the above, a newer classic with a 1 piece back.

4. Have to settle for a multi-piece back, try for one that still has the ABR-1 Bridge.

For $1499, if you shop wisely on ebay, I think you could get a 1990-1992 model. I watched the "Emperor" snag one for $1,300, and flip it for over $2,000.

If you were to buy the Music123 axe for $1499, and try to flip it on ebay, you'd be lucky to get over $1000 for it (unless you are the Emperor LOL!). There are just too many Classics (and all other LP's) out there with a lot better specs that just don't sell that high (too much supply, not enough demand).

[maxboost]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

If you really want to get people at the LP forum to kick your ass, tell them your going to put a Floyd in your LP. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Hyperfuzz]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

Very interesting DonP. Thanks for the info.

[Shotgun]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

DonP:

[img]/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

[hippietim]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

DonP - excellent post - thanks!

[DonP]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

No problem guys. Learn from my mistakes [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[hippietim]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

We need a sticky area for this sort of thing. I'm not sure that the JCF Sticky Forum would be an appealing title though.

[MBreinin]

Re: Stoopid Les Paul Question

[ QUOTE ]
We need a sticky area for this sort of thing. I'm not sure that the JCF Sticky Forum would be an appealing title though.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

What about the "Reference Forum"?

Mike