a very SWEET dilemma :-)

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AlfredB

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Hi there!

I am in a REAL nice situation right now... A guy who ows me $$$, offers me one of the following 2 Les Pauls


1361112-lp11111111111.jpg


1361236-lp333333333333.jpg


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LEFT:
LP-Classic Premium PLUS: 96, AAA top, changed stopbar (has the orignal in the case) - Classic 57 PUps

RIGHT:
LP-Black-Beauty Custom: 98, also w/ Classic 57 PUps

which one would YOU take (asuming both are in the same good condition) and *WHY* would you make your choice.

Which one would be a better deal in the long run (in terms of value)

Also, do you have any further information on either of those guitars?

thx a lot for looking into this matter, I *highly* appreciate it!!!

bye
Alfred


ps: and .... yes, I am ONE lucky bastard :-)
 
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Keep in mind I'm no expert on Les Pauls, I like playing them in the stores, but would never buy one (for lack of money). However since no one else has replied yet I'll give it a shot.
I would choose the Classic Premium Plus, based on the fact that it looks WAY nicer, now i know thats not what is important but since they have the same pickups and are basically the same all the way around, that would be the deciding factor for me.
The stopbar on the classic also appears to be of higher quality, but its hard to tell.

P.S. you are one lucky bastard!
 
I thought that Black Beauty models had 3 humbuckers...that just looks like a LP Custom that's black from what I can tell. I can't see the truss rod cover to see what's written on it, but that may not tell us anything anyways.

Also, what is a Classic Premium LP? I thought that what made a classic a classic was that it had the 496R and 500T pickups (at least on mine, these pickups don't have covers on them) and the slim-taper 60's neck.

Either way, both seem like VERY nice guitars and I would be proud to play either of them. If I had to make a choice, I think that the Premium Plus looks more distinctive. However, if the other one turns out to be a Black Beauty, from what I understand, they're more collectible and more likely to increase in value as the years go on.

Chrissakes, how much money does this guy owe you to be GIVING you a high-end Gibson LP? Wow!

P.S. I wouldn't feel like this post was complete unless I mentioned this:
You are one lucky bastard.
 
Tadpui said:
I thought that Black Beauty models had 3 humbuckers...that just looks like a LP Custom that's black from what I can tell. I can't see the truss rod cover to see what's written on it, but that may not tell us anything anyways.
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Sometimes, but not always.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Tadpui said:
I thought that Black Beauty models had 3 humbuckers...that just looks like a LP Custom that's black from what I can tell. I can't see the truss rod cover to see what's written on it, but that may not tell us anything anyways.

Also, what is a Classic Premium LP? I thought that what made a classic a classic was that it had the 496R and 500T pickups (at least on mine, these pickups don't have covers on them) and the slim-taper 60's neck.

Chrissakes, how much money does this guy owe you to be GIVING you a high-end Gibson LP? Wow!

P.S. I wouldn't feel like this post was complete unless I mentioned this:
You are one lucky bastard.
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From what I know, the 57 RI-BB - just like the original - could be had in 2 OR 3 PU version... but an important reason for posting here is that I am not 100% sure if its a BB or just a regular black custom:

things that make me blieve its a BB: ebony fretboard, "classic 57" pickups, very "out of the normal" binding (see pic) - I think none of the above was standard for a custom in 98

what throws me off somewhat ... the BBs you see today have a simpler binding but its aged (yellowish) - but then again - gibson is famous for being "inconsistent" on many levels :-)

http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1361294-lp4444444444444444.jpg

A classic premium plus is a classic w/ AAA top and "better" PUs (not to be confused w/ a classic premium which have AA tops)

thx for your input!!
alfred
 
I would get the Custom IF it is NOT a "Black Beauty". I hate the BB's low frets. It was/is known as the "fretless-wonder" but is very tough to play for me. Play it for a while before you make your decision. The low frets demand you re-learn your playing style if you are used to regular Fender or Gibson high frets.

EDIT: I see it is a custom. Get it! It is a better guitar than the classic. Forget about the "flame-top". The custom is a waay better guitar........
 
Well, I don't know SQUAT about Les Pauls....I 'play' Martin acoustics (I use the term 'play' VERY loosely). But....from what I read here......YOU are ONE LUCKY BASTARD....good luck with your decision! ;-)
 
acorec said:
I would get the Custom IF it is NOT a "Black Beauty". I hate the BB's low frets. It was/is known as the "fretless-wonder" but is very tough to play for me. Play it for a while before you make your decision. The low frets demand you re-learn your playing style if you are used to regular Fender or Gibson high frets.

EDIT: I see it is a custom. Get it! It is a better guitar than the classic. Forget about the "flame-top". The custom is a waay better guitar........
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Ditto..It looks like its not a "fretless wonder"...Not completely sure but the BB has single coils..Its still a Custom none the less and a very nice guitar!
 
You know, my first LP was a circa-1988 Custom Special Edition, but I just never warmed up to it. Now I have a 1998 (I think) The Paul, which is a much cheaper guitar (no top, no binding, dot inlays, rosewood vs ebony fretboard, no active electronics, no red sparkle finish) but absolutely kills the old Custom I had.

So I think you have to play them.

Based on appearances, I don't like that Custom, the Classic has nicer fretboard inlays, and I think the headstock inlay is stupid, as is a first-fret inlay. I mean if you need a first fret marker, you really need help. I don't like the speed knobs, the gold hat knobs are much cooler. I seriously dislike the LP pickguard.

The Custom does have nicer tuners, the headstock binding, etc. But overall it says to me "Look at me, I'm a nice guitar" whereas the Classic just looks ready for some rock 'n' roll business.
 
my vote...

CUSTOM :D

the other one looks nice but i think for future value the custom is the way to go
 
both are great guitars... but i also go for the visual durability factor.

the blackie has the binding around the headstock. any chips in the binding wont show. any chips in the unbound headstock of the flame top WILL show quite blatantly.

the tuning pegs of the flame top are also longer and are more prone to being bent or broken... the blackie has shorter stubbier metal tuners that will never bend or snap off on you.

the blackie also doesnt seem to have the metal pointers underneath the volume/tone knobs. i've scratched myself on those before... sucks. its good for telling exactly what tone level you are at... but it sucks ass to scratch your hand or accidently try to grab the volume pot and jab under your fingernail with the point of one of those.

ow.

personally i would take the black one...
 
At the risk of highjacking this thread, I was wondering if anyone could clear something up for me...which Les Pauls don't come with the pick guard or is this simply an option which shows up from time to time?
 
punkin said:
At the risk of highjacking this thread, I was wondering if anyone could clear something up for me...which Les Pauls don't come with the pick guard or is this simply an option which shows up from time to time?
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i think that typically if it has a flame top, the pickguard comes with it, but not attached. i don't know that for sure though.

and my opinion for the original question is the black custom. i'm pretty sure all the features metioned as possibly being features of a bb are/were standard on all customs. the classic doesn't have the original pickups....not that that's a problem......the 57's are cooler. the classic is also an extremely ugly color.

another thing to keep in mind is that the customs are generally the heaviest of the les pauls, which may make you want to go for the classic.
 
donkeystyle said:
i think that typically if it has a flame top, the pickguard comes with it, but not attached. i don't know that for sure though.

and my opinion for the original question is the black custom. i'm pretty sure all the features metioned as possibly being features of a bb are/were standard on all customs. the classic doesn't have the original pickups....not that that's a problem......the 57's are cooler. the classic is also an extremely ugly color.

another thing to keep in mind is that the customs are generally the heaviest of the les pauls, which may make you want to go for the classic.
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the classic DOES have the original PUs ... there was a small run made in the custom shop that had the "classic 57" in them (as opposed to the alnico ones the "regulars" had - those were made in the regular shop = factory) ... but I agree, that the color is not the nicest for a AAA top ...

here's a good link - also good for general knowledge :=)
http://www.lespaulforum.com/slubarticle/ClassicPremiumPlus/classicpremium.html


still I am leaning towards the classic ... for the fact that it is the limited CS version and one particular reason:

A friend of mine (luthier) has very strong opinions about "painted guitars" ... he says that the crappiest woods always end up in the painted guitars as you cant see it there (makes a lot of sense to me) ... and the classic has a blue-transparent back where you can see that the body is mado of *one* piece of mahogany ...

any thoughts on that?

alfred

ps: thx for the very informative and knowledgable discussion
 
AlfredB said:
the classic DOES have the original PUs ... there was a small run made in the custom shop that had the "classic 57" in them (as opposed to the alnico ones the "regulars" had - those were made in the regular shop = factory) ... but I agree, that the color is not the nicest for a AAA top ...

here's a good link - also good for general knowledge :=)
http://www.lespaulforum.com/slubarticle/ClassicPremiumPlus/classicpremium.html


still I am leaning towards the classic ... for the fact that it is the limited CS version and one particular reason:

A friend of mine (luthier) has very strong opinions about "painted guitars" ... he says that the crappiest woods always end up in the painted guitars as you cant see it there (makes a lot of sense to me) ... and the classic has a blue-transparent back where you can see that the body is mado of *one* piece of mahogany ...

any thoughts on that?

alfred

ps: thx for the very informative and knowledgable discussion
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The one fatal flaw in your friend's reasoning is that he equates good looking wood to better durability and sound. Both are not true. Great "flamed" maple wood has many problems than boreing looking maple. Anyway, the only possible wood that is not "good looking" would be tha maple cap that is just a veneer. The Custom is a much nicer guitar.
 
acorec said:
The one fatal flaw in your friend's reasoning is that he equates good looking wood to better durability and sound. Both are not true. Great "flamed" maple wood has many problems than boreing looking maple. Anyway, the only possible wood that is not "good looking" would be tha maple cap that is just a veneer. The Custom is a much nicer guitar.
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acorec, i guess you got me wrong ... he was not talking about "good looking wood" - he was talking about "one piece of wood", which you can see on clear finished guitars. We're talking body here, not cap .... structure not looks!!!!

wheras (thats his theory) on painted guitars you have no idea if your body is made of one piece of wood or more ... he onces stripped down a solidly painted legit. strat and it was made of 5 pieces of wood glued together ... :eek: :eek: :eek: ... you wouldnt see a sunburst strat made of 5 pieces of wood would you??? ... but the paint can cover everything up ...

that was my concern ... on the "classic" I see what I get (transparent *body* finish), the BlackBeauty is a little bit of a "black box" :D (pun intended)

unfortunately my hearing is still not that developed yet that I could hear the difference ....

sorry if I expressed myself poorly in the beginning

thx!
alfred
 
see which guitar sustains better.

pick them up and hold a note and see how long it lasts... whichever one has the most sustain will probably sound more lively.
 
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