NGD: 2023 Gibson CS R4 LP

[tshoe71]

Yeah baby! Love the look of a '54 Goldtop! Congratulations on a great score!

I did change the stock P90s in mine today for a set of Lollar 50s wind.........a noticeable improvement. I discovered Gibson uses the same pickup in both positions, neck and bridge, which explains why it's near impossible to balance them for volume. The body routs are quite shallow and to not allow for height adjustments.......both pickups are screwed down tight and that's it......Lollars too. However, the different windings of the Lollar neck v. bridge do allow for volume balancing with the pole screws. Much better.

The Lollar neck is warm and sweet without the overpowering mids of the Gibson, while the bridge is quite Tele-like but much bolder and not shrill and piercing. All in all, a tonal step up from the stock set......better balance in volume and tone.

Thank you!

Happy to hear about your experience with the Lollars!

I'm "never say never" on swapping mine out someday, but for sure will take time to get a real feeling for what I have before making a swap, especially as this is my first P90 guitar in my setup.

 

[tshoe71]

Ok, I'd say you're pretty much set for the time being! You've got most of the bases covered with these arguably four most iconic electric guitar models ever made. Excellent taste with your color choices, too!

You still need a Korina Flying V, Jazzmaster, Explorer, Gretsch 6120 and heck, throw in a 12-String Fireglo Rickenbacker while you're at it

HAPPY NGD!

Thank you for the compliment on color choices and for adding more guitars for my future wish list!

I'd say an SG, a core PRS and a Martin are next, BUT may first make my 335 a CS model.

Ohhhh or a Fender CS Tele Thinline...decisions, decisions...

 

[Maguchi]

8.2lbs, nicely dark fretboard, smooth grain back and arriving Wednesday. Took a ridiculously long time playing/comparing the various CS LPs. Ultimately, the R4 with the P90s is what I most connected with. Considered the MLs, but on Goldtops...I'll wear it in with my playing over the years. Mick from That Pedal Show said recently "I'm looking for guitars that I hope to spend the rest of my life with". That resonated with me.

My collection is now complete...at least I tell myself that. Tele, 335, Strat and now LP. Excited and thankful to get it.

View attachment 1089847 View attachment 1089848

Gold, gold...must have GOLD!

 

[tshoe71]

Gold, gold...must have GOLD!

View attachment 1103186 View attachment 1103187

Haha! Yep, that was pretty much my thought process! Just a classic color and I was going crazy looking at which burst on R8s and R9s. And I know it may be blasphemy to say, but I preferred the P90s to the HBs. The R4 is just Rock N' Roll.

 

[JIMMY JAZZMAN]

P-90'S RULE. Nice guitar.

 

[Maguchi]

Haha! Yep, that was pretty much my thought process! Just a classic color and I was going crazy looking at which burst on R8s and R9s. And I know it may be blasphemy to say, but I preferred the P90s to the HBs. The R4 is just Rock N' Roll.

Yeah, I love both Goldtops and P90s. Classic color and classic sound!

 

[tigertail]

Glorious! I'm a huge fan of wraparound bridge LPs. I'd take that config over a TOM/Stop tailpiece config any day. Great tone and string feel.

 

[Red Baron]

I'm a huge fan of R4's, they're absolutely amazing guitars.

Something interesting to note is the finish on recent CS goldtops, it's very similar to the originals, not only in the shade of gold used, but also how the finish wears (pretty quickly). Here's a pic of my 2021 R4 after only 18 months of play. The arm wear is greening, with the typical orange peel patina that you would see on the originals.