Coming here for ideas! Please help me choose a guitar.

[Chumpy36]

Hi Folks!

I am looking for a new LP. I'm not a gibson purist (see below) but it would be cool to have a Gibson branded guitar, I just need it to fit my needs. I currently have two LP's. One is a 2013 LP Traditional that I bought new in 2013. I've never completely gotten on with this guitar. The neck is CHUNKY. And it's very heavy. Neither are a deal breaker. It sounds good and it looks amazing in Chicago Blue. It's been a workhorse. The other LP is a 2004 Edwards e-lp-98LTS. In almost every way this guitar is superior to the Trad. A little lighter, I enjoy the pickups a bit more and I love the finish. It plays and sounds great. I currently have a bigsby mounted on it with a vibramate and it works fairly well but needs some help with tuning.

So here are my options (or maybe you can think of others?) My goal is to have one Bigsby equipped LP and one without.

1. Sell the Trad and try to find an LP (Japanese or Gibson) that has a factory mounted Bigsby
2. Sell the Trad and try to find an LP (Japanese or Gibson) without a Bigsby and keep the bigsby on the Edwards and work on the tuning issues with a new bridge or string butler or whatever (I haven't done much to address the problem as of yet)

Any thoughts? The idea of the vibramate and the Bigsby not being hardmounted bothers me for some reason I'd rather have it factory or hardmounted so I think I'm leaning towards option one but I want to hear what people think. Also, any specific models you know of would be very helpful.

I enjoy the Honeyburst finishes mostly but open to most anything including new Gibson stuff (all the models to me now seem pretty confusing tho).

Thanks for any help in this regard!

Here are pics of the guitars I have.

https://imgur.com/a/hiXvYtb

J

 

[jb_abides]

If you are talking NEW, only Custom Shop level Les Pauls come with a Bigsby that's factory.

Japan: I know Burny/Fernandes made them, but not sure of current production run.

IMO the VibraMate is a plus, so maybe move it to the Edwards and shop for the best unadulterated Gibson you can find, assuming your budget is USA not Custom Shop.

Jjust try a bunch of the current 50s (Rounded C) and 60s (Slim Taper), see which neck profile you prefer, then play as many examples of that to find the best one for you.

 

[guitaroholic]

Honeybursts are my favorite too...

 

[MrNubs]

some of your statements above, sort of contradict themselves

but i'm not going to pick them apart, instead

my best advice for YOU - watch this old video - $$$$ vs. $$$$$$

stay around the low to sub 8lb weight

and keep the bigsby you have

 

[bursty]

@Chumpy36

you have a PM ........

 

[Chumpy36]

If you are talking NEW, only Custom Shop level Les Pauls come with a Bigsby that's factory.

Japan: I know Burny/Fernandes made them, but not sure of current production run.

IMO the VibraMate is a plus, so maybe move it to the Edwards and shop for the best unadulterated Gibson you can find, assuming your budget is USA not Custom Shop.

Jjust try a bunch of the current 50s (Rounded C) and 60s (Slim Taper), see which neck profile you prefer, then play as many examples of that to find the best one for you.

Thank you!

 

[Chumpy36]

some of your statements above, sort of contradict themselves

but i'm not going to pick them apart, instead

my best advice for YOU - watch this old video - $$$$ vs. $$$$$$

stay around the low to sub 8lb weight

and keep the bigsby you have

I'm sure I'm contradicting myself.. It's a thing.

So what's your thesis? That big money doesn't matter that much?

Thanks for the reply!

 

[MrNubs]

I'm sure I'm contradicting myself.. It's a thing.

So what's your thesis? why you should buy a PRS 594 That big money doesn't matter that much? that's correct

Thanks for the reply! you're welcome

 

[MarcB]

Trust your instincts.. Take time to asses each option out there.. you’ll know the guitar when it presents itself.. just don’t be hasty in your decision.

Use the force..

Bonjour.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

If the neck is too fat shave it down. I do it, and it is easy. Start with 120 sand paper (8" length draped over the neck) and finish with 800. Finding someone that can put the finish on the back to match the original finish is the hard part.

 

[YoSkip]

I have recently had a few Tokai's come through my possession. Most recently a Love Rock HLS160 in a Violin Finish that was from 2010 I believe and the other was a Love Rock LS132 Gold Top w/ P90s.

Can't say enough good things about those if you don't mind a "non Gibson." I'm gassing for a Gibson Les Paul Custom though - so if you're like me, they may not end your search

 

[Chumpy36]

I have recently had a few Tokai's come through my possession. Most recently a Love Rock HLS160 in a Violin Finish that was from 2010 I believe and the other was a Love Rock LS132 Gold Top w/ P90s.

Can't say enough good things about those if you don't mind a "non Gibson." I'm gassing for a Gibson Les Paul Custom though - so if you're like me, they may not end your search


I'm more about function than form and love the Japanese stuff. Many I've played are as good or better than the Gibson I have.

 

[YoSkip]

The Japanese stuff is phenomenal.

I picked up that HLS160VF or $550 on Reverb and it was on par with the last Gibson Custom Shop LP I had.

 

[bursty]

The Japanese stuff is phenomenal.

I picked up that HLS160VF or $550 on Reverb and it was on par with the last Gibson Custom Shop LP I had.

Got my first MIJ 47 years ago (yep, I'm old, LOL) an Ibanez Flying V, copy of a 1967 Gibson V, and I never looked back.
I was playing a Gibson SG at that time but after I got the Ibanez Flying V the Gibson SG went bye bye.
I've been riding the MIJ train for nearly five decades and the bang for the buck or what I call the 'quality to price point ratio' is impossible to beat.

 

[YoSkip]

Got my first MIJ 47 years ago (yep, I'm old, LOL) an Ibanez Flying V, copy of a 1967 Gibson V, and I never looked back.
I was playing a Gibson SG at that time but after I got the Ibanez Flying V the Gibson SG went bye bye.
I've been riding the MIJ train for nearly five decades and the bang for the buck or what I call the 'quality to price point ratio' is impossible to beat.

I agree with you. I've been gassing hard for a Gibson Les Paul Custom with gold hardware and I keep coming back to checking out the MIJ options too... they're just so good!

 

[bursty]

I agree with you. I've been gassing hard for a Gibson Les Paul Custom with gold hardware and I keep coming back to checking out the MIJ options too... they're just so good!

Which one of these should I have kept? Both with FEB ........

 

[YoSkip]

Which one of these should I have kept? Both with FEB ........

View attachment 24539


View attachment 24540

That black with gold hardware is just an iconic LP custom combo. That's exactly what I want, just will probably go 2 pickup vs 3

Sick guitars!

 

[bursty]

That black with gold hardware is just an iconic LP custom combo. That's exactly what I want, just will probably go 2 pickup vs 3

Sick guitars!

both examples were 100% original when I acquired them and also when I offered and sold them.
The Greco (double white bobbins/original without pup covers) is a lower end take on an Ace Frehley custom but there was nothing 'lower end' about it.
Even tho' it came without pickup covers and even tho' it came with the lower end pickups it sounded amazing, particularly the middle pickup.
The sonic response of the middle pickup was so much more amazing than the middle pickup on the black guitar.
I assume it was because of the way they were (factory) wired ....... but the 3 gold covers on the black one sure looks the part

A buyer on the Texas Gulf coast purchased the Greco custom and four other guitars; he has very good taste in quality MIJs

 

[YoSkip]

both examples were 100% original when I acquired them and also when I offered and sold them.
The Greco (double white bobbins/original without pup covers) is a lower end take on an Ace Frehley custom but there was nothing 'lower end' about it.
Even tho' it came without pickup covers and even tho' it came with the lower end pickups it sounded amazing, particularly the middle pickup.
The sonic response of the middle pickup was so much more amazing than the middle pickup on the black guitar.
I assume it was because of the way they were (factory) wired ....... but the 3 gold covers on the black one sure looks the part

A buyer on the Texas Gulf coast purchased the Greco custom and four other guitars; he has very good taste in quality MIJs

If you have a feed set up on Reverb for Tokai, Greco, Burny, History, etc - you'll see some VERY good deals pop in from time to time.

They punch so far out of their weight class. Anyone who hasn't dipped their toe in to the MIJ market is doing themselves a disservice. Not just the '78-'90 either. The new MIJ Tokai's are fantastic too.

 

[bursty]

If you have a feed set up on Reverb for Tokai, Greco, Burny, History, etc - you'll see some VERY good deals pop in from time to time.

They punch so far out of their weight class. Anyone who hasn't dipped their toe in to the MIJ market is doing themselves a disservice. Not just the '78-'90 either. The new MIJ Tokai's are fantastic too.

back in the day I used to buy and sell via newspaper classified ads; yes, newspapers were real and not some conspiracy of history.

I also purchased guitars at pawn shops.
In 1979, on a whim, I bought a 3 color sunburst 1966 Fender Electric XII for $300.
That same model is now going for $6K to $9K depending on condition.
There was a time when I swore I would never purchase a guitar sight unseen, nor not played by me before I purchased but then came the internet.
Before that happened I used to frequent the GSWGS in Dallas for several years. I saw many original 1958, 1959 and 1960 burst change hands for $1K to $5K depending on condition. What I have seen in the guitar market over the period of a few decades is actually pretty insane.

Some of the upper/top end Tokai LS examples from the late 70s to mid 80s era are now going for insane money; insane.
Who would have thought but as history had already taught some of us I had an idea the upper end/top tier MIJ examples would one day go into orbit.

Many folks don't care about 'bang for the buck' or 'quality per price point ratio' or guitars that "punch so far out of their weight class" because let's face it; many folks aren't happy unless it's made in America and that's fine by me. No problem with that in my book. Many folks are just into collecting, buying and selling vintage USA made stuff and I get all that. Again, no problem. To each their own.

I'm not made outta money and I can appreciate a product, whatever that may be, that can perform at a level that can compete with items that cost much more.

After the internet destroyed the old concept of buying & selling in person I was selling on eVilbay for about 15 years.
After eVilbay got so greedy that their fees became about 14% I finally switched to selling on Reverb. Since I've been on Reverb their seller fees went from about 5% and they're up to 8.25% now.
I still sell on Reverb because there are no real options out there with the level of exposure that one can obtain on Reverb.
Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
When will Reverb get up to 14% seller fees?