Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Is it worth the extra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Financially speaking, no, it isn't. The main differences are an ebony fretboard (maybe $50 more in material. Probably a lot less..), block vs. trapazoid inlays (still plastic, not pearl, maybe $10 in material), more binding ($10), gold hardware ($50). All that adds up to a BIG premium for the Custom vs. the Standard. So why would anyone buy a Custom over the Standard? In a word - Awesomeness! The Les Paul Custom is one of the most beautiful versions of one of the most beautiful guitars ever designed. Its classic "Tuxedo" look is easily one of the most recognized guitars in the world. It's not for everyone, but for some, it's the ultimate Les Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 More or less what I want to know! I know the actualy materials cost isn't there but if it's got Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sk8centilli Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 block vs. trapazoid inlays (still plastic, not pearl, maybe $10 in material) Yes they are -- Gibson may have gone to acrylic for a few years (not to my knowledge...), but the current model uses MOP and pearl. "along with a multi-bound headstock that featured a prominent five-piece split diamond patterned inlay of genuine mother of pearl" "topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with pearl block inlays" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Yeah customs definitely have their own group of supporters. It's like it's own clique inside the Les Paul range. Personally I like both standards and customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 They are nice guitars, but you are only paying for cosmetics. Even with the standard, you are already paying quite a bit for cosmetics. And that'd be fine with me if it was my thing and I had the cash. Which I don't. This thread lacks pictures.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Yes they are -- Gibson may have gone to acrylic for a few years (not to my knowledge...), but the current model uses MOP and pearl."along with a multi-bound headstock that featured a prominent five-piece split diamond patterned inlay of genuine mother of pearl""topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with pearl block inlays" Wow, I didn't know that. I thought Gibson went away from real pearl many years ago, on everything. Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 More or less what I want to know! I know the actualy materials cost isn't there but if it's got Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 I'll tell you my deal. I tried out a few standards over the last few weekends. I really want an LP Standard Desert Burst as it looks secksy. However the one I tried (and seemingly the only one around me for a while) plays like a dog, even after the technician "set it up". The various ebony and iced tea ones all played really nicely though by and large, but I'm not a fan of the "look". So my thoughts are either go for the really nice playing ebony one, order up another db one and hope for the best, or assume that the Customs will all be tip top sparkly and dapper and order it blind. Currently, I'm thinking go for the black one (I have it reserved at the moment), but then thinking I'm only going to buy one Les Paul ever, maybe I should do it right first time and get the Custom... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 They're different guitars so it really depends on what you want. For one thing, the Customs have a mahogany body with a mahogany top, different neck shape, different frets and different trim. The top does give them a different sound and the neck/frets make them feel different. I think there is another Custom they make with a flamed maple top. I'm not sure what the deal is with those. Better is subjective. I would say play both and see which you like the best. Those Historic Customs they were making were awesome. I don't know if they still make them but I played a few and really liked them. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 I'll tell you my deal. I tried out a few standards over the last few weekends. I really want an LP Standard Desert Burst as it looks secksy. However the one I tried (and seemingly the only one around me for a while) plays like a dog, even after the technician "set it up". The various ebony and iced tea ones all played really nicely though by and large, but I'm not a fan of the "look".So my thoughts are either go for the really nice playing ebony one, order up another db one and hope for the best, or assume that the Customs will all be tip top sparkly and dapper and order it blind.Currently, I'm thinking go for the black one (I have it reserved at the moment), but then thinking I'm only going to buy one Les Paul ever, maybe I should do it right first time and get the Custom... Not too start another gibson {censored} storm....personally I wouldn't...unless there is a guaranteed return policy on it if it turns out to be a dog. I honestly believe that with gibson...especially the Factory USA models...the price range is no indication of great quality. Be patient and wait out the one you really want. Be it a Custom or a Standard. In the end it will be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Aye that's the thing. The nearest shop with a custom in stock is about 140 miles away... so it'd either wait and see if anyone gets one in, or order blind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 They're different guitars so it really depends on what you want. For one thing, the Customs have a mahogany body with a mahogany top, different neck shape, different frets and different trim. The top does give them a different sound and the neck/frets make them feel different.I think there is another Custom they make with a flamed maple top. I'm not sure what the deal is with those.Better is subjective. I would say play both and see which you like the best. Those Historic Customs they were making were awesome. I don't know if they still make them but I played a few and really liked them.YMMV. Customs all have maple tops now. And have for years from what I understand. http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Les-Paul-Custom.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Not too start another gibson {censored} storm....personally I wouldn't...unless there is a guaranteed return policy on it if it turns out to be a dog. I honestly believe that with gibson...especially the Factory USA models...the price range is no indication of great quality. Be patient and wait out the one you really want. Be it a Custom or a Standard. In the end it will be worth it. I disagree but I would suggest looking for a used one, as you'll save yourself a lot of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 I disagree but I would suggest looking for a used one, as you'll save yourself a lot of money. Again, a lot of the used ones near me are dinged and that - I'm a bit precious lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Aye that's the thing. The nearest shop with a custom in stock is about 140 miles away... so it'd either wait and see if anyone gets one in, or order blind. Don't most of those online sites offer good return policies though? I know it would be a bit of a headache but in the end the piece of mind would be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 I ordered my Joe B. Studio completely blind and it was amazing. It did have a very minor finish blem (that got me an additional 10% off the price and buffed completely away in 5 minutes with some Dunlop polish and a cloth..) but otherwise, it was flawless.. Is there another Joe B. Studio that plays/sounds better? Maybe, maybe not, but the one I got plays/sounds great to me and that's all I care about. Don't let the gloom and doom people scare you about buying a Gibson. Internet horror stories get blown full of hot air. Musician's Friend, American Musical, Sweetwater, all these places offer at least a 45 day return on them. Pick what you want and give it a ride. If it works for you, awesome. If not, send it back and try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 I ordered my Joe B. Studio completely blind and it was amazing. It did have a very minor finish blem (that got me an additional 10% off the price and buffed completely away in 5 minutes with some Dunlop polish and a cloth..) but otherwise, it was flawless.. Is there another Joe B. Studio that plays/sounds better? Maybe, maybe not, but the one I got plays/sounds great to me and that's all I care about. Don't let the gloom and doom people scare you about buying a Gibson. Internet horror stories get blown full of hot air. Musician's Friend, American Musical, Sweetwater, all these places offer at least a 45 day return on them. Pick what you want and give it a ride. If it works for you, awesome. If not, send it back and try again. That maybe true....but he's already played one he thought was a dog. So it's obviously a possibility it could happen. And not just a remote one. But yeah you're right, if those places offer that kind of return time than the risk is minimal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members satannica Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 That maybe true....but he's already played one he thought was a dog. So it's obviously a possibility it could happen. And not just a remote one.But yeah you're right, if those places offer that kind of return time than the risk is minimal. Yep, the desert burst one which was actually the one I went out to buy. The Ebony one played seriously good though, just like I've been told they should play like, and is the one that I have reserved until Saturday. The UK doesn't quite boast the same type or returnability that the States does. So although the store is happy to order me in another Desertburst LP, or indeed any store, it's kinda you take what you get more or less... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Customs all have maple tops now. And have for years from what I understand. http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Les-Paul-Custom.aspx For a while they were making them with mahogany again. Maybe they were making maple ones at the same time, I'm not sure. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPB7VOEBGH?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CIS9ju3M3qwCFU1x5Qodkgggsw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Yep, the desert burst one which was actually the one I went out to buy. The Ebony one played seriously good though, just like I've been told they should play like, and is the one that I have reserved until Saturday.The UK doesn't quite boast the same type or returnability that the States does. So although the store is happy to order me in another Desertburst LP, or indeed any store, it's kinda you take what you get more or less... That kind of sucks. I would just try to be really patient. I know it's tough when you're itching to buy but don't settle. Either that or try to make a weekend trip out of Les Paul shopping somewhere that might have more selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 For a while they were making them with mahogany again. Maybe they were making maple ones at the same time, I'm not sure. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPB7VOEBGH?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CIS9ju3M3qwCFU1x5Qodkgggsw Probably. I know the all Mahogany ones are the "vintage correct" models. It's hard to keep track of what gibson does. The put so many models and reissues and this and that out.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BigTimeFun Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 There was a period where they were much heavier than the standards, not sure if that's still the case. My early '90's was in the 11-12lb range, which was unpleasant to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PrawnHeed Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 Thomann have a 30 day money back guarantee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StevePage Posted November 30, 2011 Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 How much is the custom you're looking at mate? Have you thought about Heritage guitars? Made by the same guys in the same factory as the old 50's and 60's LP's for around the same money. Apparently the quality is much higher than Gibson. Also for around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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