Would a Historic Gibson make you sell your standard?

[1 21 gigawatts]

I thought that the new 50s Standards were built to historic specs. If you have a good one, I wouldn't think that you are going to see a big improvement over what you already have. If you just have to scratch that itch, maybe go for a goldtop with P90s or the deluxe mini buckers. It would give you a different look and sound. Of course, if you want to just collect bursts to make yourself happy, go for it!

 

[Wallaby]

Oh no! You told!

dial back the guitar volume on the bridge pickup a bit and I'm chicknpickn with an almost tele vibe

 

[radiocaster]

The question is totally out of my league, but I'm baffled as to what you'd want to gain from this.

A nicer neck? Better pickups? The differences are probably undiscernible.

A nicer figure on the wood? Like maybe, but that might also vary with each particular guitar. Again, unqualified to answer as I would take a plain top over flame any day. But the Gibsons do look nicer than the Epiphones in terms of tops usually.

 

[golfnut]

If you just have to scratch that itch, maybe go for a goldtop with P90s

This is actually something that has been at the back of my mind. I love goldtops. I have no experience with P90's but I've heard them and like them. It would be something to consider as P90's is something I don't have.

 

[fenderchamp]

I bought a CS SG and I think it really is that much better, but I still haven't sold my standard.

 

[knavel]

My brother and I have some late model 50s and 60s standards. Also between us we have R4, R7, R8, R9 and R0, in some cases more than one.

Consistently our view is that today's Standards are excellent. But the Rs are always lighter and that is a key thing as 9lbs is my comfort cut off. The Rs always feel a bit more handmade.

I do like the Alnico 5s in the 60s Standard, that one of mine would be the hardest for me to part with on that basis. The one R I'm not sure about vs the standard equivalent is R4. I don't have a standard with P90s and i just like playing my new USA Epiphone Casino for the P90 thing.

 

[Electric Warrior]

I have an R8, which is my favorite guitar. I sold a 60s Standard I had at the time because I didn't play it much afterwards. There was nothing wrong with it - it was also a killer guitar. I like to try new things and let it go to fund new stuff. I could see an alternate reality where I kept it.

If you find a Historic at a price you're willing to pay and you love it, jump on it. If you still feel like keeping your Standard, great! Nothing wrong with having two guitars you love. If not, you can send it on its way without guilt and do something else with that money.

Having a Historic hasn't stopped me from trying other Gibson Les Pauls. I really like them. But the Historic has stuck around and I have put more miles on it than any other guitar I've ever owned.

 

[Geoff738]

Thé best LP I ever played was a friend’s R8. Huge, but super comfortable, neck.

Go for it!

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[NoTeleBob]

It plays like a dream and sounds fantastic.

There's the answer right there. You found "the one". Stop searching.

This is actually something that has been at the back of my mind. I love goldtops. I have no experience with P90's but I've heard them and like them. It would be something to consider as P90's is something I don't have.

P90's are a lot of fun. Buying a Goldtop with P90's would expand your tone spectrum. Keep the Std you have for a full HB guitar.

 

[Paul G.]

My R8 is an amazing instrument, worth every penny. It gives me great pleasure. That said, when I want to gig a Les Paul, I usually take out my $550 Indonesian PRS.

 

[basher]

I love my Traditional, and I love it even more since I traded out the pickups, put good log taper volume pots in, changed the wiring scheme to 50s, and ditched the speed knobs for bell knobs. Would I do all that to an R8 or R9 with a clear conscience? I really don’t know, but if I didn’t I don’t think playing it would be as satisfying for me as my Trad is.

 

[kylejf90]

In agreement on them being easy to play! I've spent the last 13 years only playing my Tele and treated myself to an Iced Tea 60s Standard this past Christmas and I'll be darned if it hasn't made my tele VERY jealous. The figuring and weight (9.2lbs) sold it and the second I plugged it in I was in love.

Would I like an R9 or R0? Yes. Do I think they're better guitars? Yes. The materials used across the board are nicer. But, my Lester fits the bill just fine for me!

This could be a case of the grass always being greener. If you're able to have both, keep both! But I wouldn't let a good thing go for an unknown quantity.

 

[Recce]

I'm getting close to you. I currently have 2 Fender custom shops (tele, strat), 1 MIM roadworn tele, the Standard 50's LP and 2 Martin Authentics. At the beginning of Next year I'll be adding a Historic Gibson Hummingbird that a friend is holding on to for me. That will bring me up to 7. If I add an R8 or R9 I can't imagine going beyond that many guitars.

I think you have too many guitars and need to sell me one of the Martin Authentics cheap.

 

[Otisblove]

I tried a bunch of Les Pauls and MY favorite ended up being a 50’s Tribute.

Do I feel angst from time to time about the lack of binding? To my shame, yes.

BUT, it plays great, sounds great, looks great and weighs a little over 8 pounds.

As to your question, if you can afford a $6000 guitar, then you can probably afford $8600 worth of guitars. You will need another guitar stand, though.

 

[CCK1]

I really want a good R9, but I don't know if I could get rid of my Custom Shop Riverside Red standard to get it. I've verified with Gibson that this is likely the only one produced in this color, with these options.

 

[Tele-friend]

That said, Gibsons newer production guitars are the best I’ve seen from them in years.

As far as I'm concerned Gibson hit a home run when they introduced the 50s and 60s Standard models a couple of years ago.

The current standards are outrageous guitars.

Thats the way I feel about the standard 50's I just bought. Its godawful easy to play. Everything so smooth

I have to agree with all of you. I have just bought a 50's Standard and it is a really great guitar. Good build quality, no issues, plays like a dream.

As for the OP, if you have a nice Standard, that you really like, definitely keep it!

 

[244300]

Would I like an R9 or R0? Yes. Do I think they're better guitars? Yes. The materials used across the board are nicer. But, my Lester fits the bill just fine for me!

A wonderfully GASless statement.

When you got a guitar you love playing…DO NOT SELL.

 

[jimmywrangles]

For me that's a no brainer.
It's a Les Paul, It plays well, keep it.

 

[Skyhook]

I can't believe how easier a gibson is to play. Still need my Fenders but I've been playing the Les Paul 80% of the time at gigs since I got it.

I know, right?!
I recently had a pro-setup done on my Studio Tribute 50's and the difference is staggering.
I've been playing that thing very much since, but yesterday I picked up the Tele and tried doing the same stuff.
The Tele said "no... I don't do that!". The difference is like running along a moving flat escalator and then coming
to the end and keep running on now non-moving ground. It's like the Les Paul carries part of the weight
while the Tele says "YOU brought it along! YOU carry it, you lazy motherpuppy(CleanWord™ subs)!".

 

[Injam]

I would trade my mod shop tele for a real 1959 Gibson Les Paul.