Anxiety Serum
Well-known member
Looking at a few 2000-2005 Les Paul guitars and wondering if these were considered a good or bad year group for Gibson quality.
Findthetone1
Well-known member
They are generally considered good years but like any Gibson there can be dogs. I had a 2001 Standard that was a really good guitar but a 2004 Custom that was less than stellar . Best to play first if you can.
G
Geo
Well-known member
I love my 02 Classic Standard. Great years as far as I am concerned.
japetus
Moderator
Every year of every Gibson ever had amazing guitars. To find them...that is the true hunt!
RaceU4her
Well-known member
Weren’t the faded standards supposedly the good ones in those years?
japetus
Moderator
The early mid 90's Studios with ebony boards were great
Anxiety Serum
Well-known member
I know. There are some interesting options out there that I unfortunately don't have that luxury. Too far of a drive and as is purchases. Always a gamble.
Findthetone1
Well-known member
I get it. I‘ve been there as well. Fortunately, Gibsons are a pretty easy flip as long as your asking prices are reasonable.
T
turtlefingers
Active member
There is no such a thing as a good year. You need to play it to know what you are looking for.
I have two Joe Perry Aged Les Paul 05 serial number from each other and both sound different.
The one I like it more has the same sound as my 2008 R9.
A friend of mine had a Standard one which sounded as my R9.
So, you need to play them.
I have two Joe Perry Aged Les Paul 05 serial number from each other and both sound different.
The one I like it more has the same sound as my 2008 R9.
A friend of mine had a Standard one which sounded as my R9.
So, you need to play them.
T
tpruitt
Well-known member
I’m not sure if they are the same but I have a few 2008’s that have a little taller frets than todays les Paul’s. The custom is the best Paul I’ve ever played. The classic plays almost as nice but the craftsmanship is about a 8.5/10. Still nice for an assembly line guitar. For me the taller frets are important.
Anxiety Serum
Well-known member
I mean my 2018 Standard is great (modern weight relief), but my Custom (solid Body) is so much better. But' I'd be happy with my Standard if that's all I ever had.
Not looking to top my Custom shop, but I'm looking to get a deep dropped tuned guitar (C# standard) that I can set up with some 56s. I really want a Norlins era, but debating if I should spend half as much and get a USA shop. Seen some 20 year olds that are nice and aged naturally (not that factory aging). And they are like 30-40% of the Norlins ones and a hundreds if not a grand or so cheaper than a new USA.
$5K for a Norlins
$2.5-3K for a new USA
$1.5K to 2K for some 20 year old USAs.
Not looking to top my Custom shop, but I'm looking to get a deep dropped tuned guitar (C# standard) that I can set up with some 56s. I really want a Norlins era, but debating if I should spend half as much and get a USA shop. Seen some 20 year olds that are nice and aged naturally (not that factory aging). And they are like 30-40% of the Norlins ones and a hundreds if not a grand or so cheaper than a new USA.
$5K for a Norlins
$2.5-3K for a new USA
$1.5K to 2K for some 20 year old USAs.
Anxiety Serum
Well-known member
Got a line on one where the seller noted a crack in the finish on the neck. Said he doesn't think it was a repair but not 100%
" If the neck was cracked, it must have been superficial, because I see no evidence in the neck pickup rout. Plus, the cracked area is super tight. There’s some evidence of cracking on the adjacent binding, but since I have no idea what happened, I can’t make a 100% accurate statement either way."
Anyone got any thoughts?
" If the neck was cracked, it must have been superficial, because I see no evidence in the neck pickup rout. Plus, the cracked area is super tight. There’s some evidence of cracking on the adjacent binding, but since I have no idea what happened, I can’t make a 100% accurate statement either way."
Anyone got any thoughts?
glpg80
Well-known member
Stay away. You have no idea what the truss rod health is or whether it will accept the string gauge you’re looking for. With as many good LP’s out there a non-repaired neck is not what I’d settle for.
With that said, here’s some Norlin GAS. 1985 Les Paul custom with jumbo SS frets and EMGs
Anxiety Serum
Well-known member
romanianreaper
Well-known member
I didn't notice a significant change in Gibson quality until sometime between 2012ish and 2017? I have been a pretty big Gibson fan since the early 90s and during that time every Gibson I picked up had some issue. I got so frustrated I almost swore against buying another Gibson ever and was going to throw my Gibson shirt in the garbage. They seemed to be making them for rich people.
Whenever the management changed, I immediately noticed a huge difference in the quality and it was at every level from Studio to Standard. I have a 2019 Standard and it is an awesome guitar and sounds and plays great. Just picked up a 2022 Studio and have a 2013 Classic that I got used.
Whenever the management changed, I immediately noticed a huge difference in the quality and it was at every level from Studio to Standard. I have a 2019 Standard and it is an awesome guitar and sounds and plays great. Just picked up a 2022 Studio and have a 2013 Classic that I got used.