Regarding the Silverbursts:
There's a lot of myth surrounding these guitars. Let's put some to rest, shall we?
The metallic paint is not lead-based. It does not and cannot oxidize over time as it is an aluminum automotive paint. The yellowing effect is not the paint, it is the clear-coat nitro lacquer and EVERY Gibson made with Nitro will age in this fashion. It's just that some color finishes show the yellowing more than others. A black guitar won't yellow as much because it's black and you just can't see it. But, look at the binding and you'll find it. White LP's turn yellow over time as well. Look at any Les Paul Custom from the 70's or even 80's. Most of them have yellowed over the years, not just the Silverbursts. It's just that mix silver with yellow and you get green. But the paint, itself, doesn't change. Only the Nitro.
If you were to find the most yellow/green silverburst out there and removed the clear-coat, you'd find that the silver paint is still as silver as the day it was sprayed.
The metallic flake in the paint cannot and does not alter the tone of these guitars as it contains no metals that can interfere with an electrical signal (aluminum isn't magnetic). In fact Goldtops use the same type of paint, only it's gold. When they yellow over time, you don't really notice it since the paint underneath is already a yellow/gold color.
The reason why many Silverbursts sound different is due to the pots that were used in those years. They rate as low as 280k, which is quite dark. Newer Gibsons use 500k pots. Which is much brighter.
Having said that, the years that these silverbursts were made were good ones for Gibson. Even though they are "just Norlins" They are solid, one-piece bodies (no weight relief, no chambering) with maple necks (many love that) and fairly good construction. Mine plays and sounds great. But any Les Paul Custom between the years of 79-84 should be similar in sound.
Adam Jones and the members of Tool are known for their sarcastic comments. I HIGHLY doubt Jones really puts his Marshall in a freezer to cryogenically preserve the amp's tone. His comments about the Silverburst's paint altering the tone of the guitar are complete and utter bullshit. Either he's joking around or he just doesn't know what he's talking about. I love the band, but I never really trust what they say about their gear in situations like that.
Hell, Danny Carey said in an interview that he specifically chose a type of wood for his drums because it was the LAST of its kind and some endangered bird lived in the tree. But they killed it just to make his drum set. It's obviously a joke. But many people take them seriously.
Adam's tone is from a combination of a few things:
Original Silverburst Les Paul Custom with a Duncan JB in the bridge, Marshall Super Bass / Super Lead (modded), Blueface Diezel VH4. That's really about it. Oh, and crank those mids.
Hope that helps.
