Les Paul Historic

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:12 pm

What do you people think about them? Im wondering what the difference is with the 59 taht makes it so much more expensive. Ive been through the LP custom route. I dont know that the maple and ebony is my thing. At one time, yeah. The Tokai seem like a nice alternative but I will never buy another guitar I cant play first.

JD · Post by JD » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:43 pm

Basically the '59 has the "medium" profile neck and figured top. The Historics have the more vintage accurate appointments and non weight relieved (solid) Mahogany bodies. The '60 is basically the same guitar as the '59 with the exception of the slimmer profile neck. The '58 is basically the same guitar as the '59 except they now come with plain (non-figured) tops and larger neck profile.

fillmore nyc · Post by **fillmore nyc** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:10 pm

There is also the neck tenon joint. Its much longer on the historic guitars, which is how an old LP is constructed. There are a few other changes to make them more historically accurate, like the jack plate being slightly more square than the rounded edges of a non historic, and the narrower binding, that lets the edge of the maple top show in the cutaway. There is also the color... '59's are usually cherry sunburst, with the occasional darkburst, but most of the '58's are that lighter honeyburst. Its all small, detail-y stuff, but a lot of guys want it "right" down to the last screws.
I think the most historically accurate LP's are the ones made in 2003. They have all the details right, plus they have a brazilian rosewood fretboard, like an original guitar. Of the reissues, they seem to get the most attention (and money) from guys that are looking for a really accurate example of that guitar. Strange, though, cause Ive seen '58 reissues with really nice tops on them (some at least as nice as a few '59's I've seen), and they're $1,000 less than a '59 reissue, which really is the same guitar with the exception of the color, and as JD said, the neck profile on the '58 is slightly bigger than a '59.

wide slide · Post by **wide slide** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:11 pm

Last year I bouht a new 57 LP V GoldTop from a dealer. It had a nice chunky neck and great sustain but my gut feeling was for P-90 pickups.
I couldn't get used to the pups and didn't want to change them so I sold the LP for what I paid.

I find you need to be real handy setting up and adjusting a guitar. I started when my strat I bought years ago and didn't feel right . Very few guitars I pickup in larger shops are set up. I look at is if the spacing at the nut to see if its on etc.. It seems you have to pay CS price for a good setup guitar.

mrk-

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:48 pm

Its a tough decision because they are expensive but Id like to have a really nice LP standard. I have a 80 LPC and an EPI LPC. Slimer necks dont attract me more. As long as the tone is there on either guitar Ill take a fatter neck and a non-figured top.

mwm523 · Post by **mwm523** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:53 pm

I love my '58. No frills, nice fat neck.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:57 pm

How much do those bad boys weigh? The LPC weighed a ton for 2 hours a night. I dont care about that as long as it sounds good.

I hate to say it but GC Chestnut Hill used to have a ton of these guitars and if I buy one I guess tahts where itll be at. Besides Im all about the year of no interest financing. BTW- after that year, is all the interest retroactive- even if you have $1 left! I kinda suspected that was the deal.

wide slide · Post by **wide slide** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:57 pm

hey Billy,

looking back i kinda wish I had that Goldtop I sold, but It botherd me that my 90's Honeyburst STD pups sounded better to me for some reason.

I would have probably would've changed the pups if I had it still.
It felt nice!

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:10 pm

Jesus Christ Dan, the '59 makes that 3-pickup SG Custom you've been drooling over look downright cheap pricewise...........

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:10 pm

Billy Batz wrote:BTW- after that year, is all the interest retroactive- even if you have $1 left! I kinda suspected that was the deal.

You Bet and it's retroactive for the full year of interest too. I saw a sign on our local GC that they now have 14 and 18 month no interest! Another thing about the VOS series is the Aluminum tale piece and the older style bridge which have a better tone, not to mention of vintage wiring of the pots--I think they sound a little darker. GC has some very nice '60 VOS with plain tops in a dark burst that look fantastic and sound awsome, try to check one out if you get a chance.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:17 pm

Flames1950 wrote:Jesus Christ Dan, the '59 makes that 3-pickup SG Custom you've been drooling over look downright cheap pricewise...........

Lol. That SG is still a pipe dream but the drool dried up a bit knowing I still havent had a decent LP in all this time. I think I can off the other 2 LPs tho and get half the price of it.

The 59 is not on the menu tho. I just couldnt stomach that much for a newly made guitar.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:19 pm

Guitar Adjuster wrote:
Billy Batz wrote:BTW- after that year, is all the interest retroactive- even if you have $1 left! I kinda suspected that was the deal.
You Bet and it's retroactive for the full year of interest too. I saw a sign on our local GC that they now have 14 and 18 month no interest!

Damn. You just sent my impulse meter into a tailspin.

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:21 pm

Billy Batz wrote:
Guitar Adjuster wrote:
Billy Batz wrote:BTW- after that year, is all the interest retroactive- even if you have $1 left! I kinda suspected that was the deal.
You Bet and it's retroactive for the full year of interest too. I saw a sign on our local GC that they now have 14 and 18 month no interest! Another thing about the VOS series is the Aluminum tale piece and the older style bridge which have a better tone, not to mention of vintage wiring of the pots--I think they sound a little darker. GC has some very nice '60 VOS with plain tops in a dark burst that look fantastic and sound awsome, try to check one out if you get a chance.
Damn. You just sent my impulse meter into a tailspin.

Yea it happend to me with Musicians Friend, didn't quite get it paid off in a year and was zapped $399 extra the next month

Learned my lesson. Luckly GC has a pretty good layaway plan, at least here, the manager willlet you take as long as you want as long as you pay every month. I have that '60 VOS LP on layway right now!!!

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:29 pm

Shit, if your basically paying half a car payment each month you might as well physically have the thing your paying for. 18 months is plenty for me with a decent DP.

I really have to get out and play some.

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:32 pm

Billy Batz wrote:Shit, if your basically paying half a car payment each month you might as well physically have the thing your paying for. 18 months is plenty for me with a decent DP.

I was waiting till after X-Mas then I will get it out, too many other things to buy----a wife and 2 teenage daughters!