Current Gibson Les Pauls

[øøøøøøø]

I have a 2010 Firebird and it is tremendous. Brad, I was surprised when I pulled it out of the case how lively and acoustic it was. Did you feel anything like that?

I'm also curious about your opinion of the Steinberger tuners. I think they are good but limited.

Yeah, my first impression was that it was much livelier acoustically than I expected (they just kinda *look* stiff)

I was skeptical about the steinberger tuners and considered them a trade off I was willing to make for affordability (like you, the flat headstock and grovers was a bridge too far for me)

But I was an instant convert. The guitar balances way better than the banjo-equipped firebirds I’ve played (no neck dive!!), and the action of the tuners themselves is fantastic… a big “user experience” upgrade even if a slight visual downgrade. I was surprised at how quickly I was won over.

Sadly, they don’t come in nickel so my nickel transformation will be body-only.

The biggest drag is… there doesn’t seem to be a floor-dwelling guitar stand alive that can elegantly house a reverse Firebird.

[Larry Mal]

Yeah, my first impression was that it was much livelier acoustically than I expected (they just kinda *look* stiff)

I was skeptical about the steinberger tuners and considered them a trade off I was willing to make for affordability (like you, the flat headstock and grovers was a bridge too far for me)

The Steinbergers have one drawback, they have very limited range in case you want to downtune the strings. Probably not a big deal. But once you set the tuning, there's not much room to go with that super high ratio.

[øøøøøøø]

Fortunately I’m mostly a standard-tuning player. I really like them so far!

We’ll see how I feel after a string change

[sal paradise]

Not sure where this would go, so will pop it here.

Any thoughts/experience with the 2013 60s tribute? Eyeing up one without robot tuners for a decent price.

[jvin248]

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There are so many LP styled options out there, without the classic Gibson headstock issue, that I'd suggest that path. When buying used Gibsons, you need to watch out for both fakes (Chibsons) and hidden headstock repairs. A repaired Gibson is worth about half a non-repaired used Gibson, and if it can be hidden the sellers won't tell you. I almost got caught in that trap and ever since I avoid them altogether. Most Gibson headstocks are broken these days during shipping when you are trying to sell the guitar, desperate for rent money, and it's returned to you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdqT5ah9vKo

Get an Epiphone (they fixed the headstock design and build process so they are much more resistant to breakage than Gibson).

Epiphone 59 model
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkP4inBLnYo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llijXRlE-Kc

Harley Benton 450
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ1cS3OrxyU

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[sal paradise]

I’ve had 2 Les Pauls posted without headstock breaks. I used one at practices and gigs in a gig bag without breaking the headstock.

I mean, Steve Jones survived with Gibsons.

Maybe some guitars are more fragile than others, and some people are more unlucky.

Cost is a reason I’d suggest not buying a Gibson vs another brand that sounds/plays just as good. Not the break angle

[PixMix]

Not sure where this would go, so will pop it here.

Any thoughts/experience with the 2013 60s tribute? Eyeing up one without robot tuners for a decent price.

Robot tuners came as stock in (almost) all 2015s , so a stock 2013 Tribute would have been equipped with standard tuners. I had two LP Tributes from around that time (2012 and 2010, 2x P90 ) both were excellent guitars. I wish I had kept the '60s one, it had an extra-sweet looking honey burst top. I have a 2013 LP Standard that will stay with me forever although I don't play it as much. It's everything I can possibly expect from a two-humbucker guitar.

[sal paradise]

Not sure where this would go, so will pop it here.

Any thoughts/experience with the 2013 60s tribute? Eyeing up one without robot tuners for a decent price.

Robot tuners came as stock in (almost) all 2015s , so a stock 2013 Tribute would have been equipped with standard tuners. I had two LP Tributes from around that time (2012 and 2010, 2x P90 ) both were excellent guitars. I wish I had kept the '60s one, it had an extra-sweet looking honey burst top. I have a 2013 LP Standard that will stay with me forever although I don't play it as much. It's everything I can possibly expect from a two-humbucker guitar.

Ah, thanks for clarifying the dates. This one is the all-black like a studio. Not the prettiest of finishes compared to a burst, although great to know yours sounded good.

I have an ‘89 OBG custom, and I love it. This one is just too cheap not to consider trying it out as I’d heard good things about tributes.

[eigentone]

The headstock is a reason to be cautious but not a reason to not buy a Gibson. IME/IMO

[mekhem]

Not defending Gibson here... but...

I took a weekend trip to Memphis about 5 years ago - when the Gibson plant was still open on Beale street. I took the tour and honestly there is a huge amount of hand finishing and assembly involved in the Gibson set neck assembly process. If you ever have a chance to see it from start to finish it explains a lot about some of the "Gibson QC issues" which as far as I am concerned - aren't really issues so to speak. They are just a part of the process if you have more than 10 people in a hand assembly process.

IMHO - Not QC issues but they get called out all of the time and don't affect play ability or long term use:

• Binding Bleed

• misaligned but functional screw holes for the back plates

• reversal of the nashville bridge

• nibs

• polish compound or laquer in the truss rod cavity

• Finish rub under Bigsby's or trems

Actual QC issues which do:

• neck angle

• Misaligned bridge posts

• fret board marks/divots

• wrong pickups - pots - or wiring

That said - If you want a Les Paul - try a bunch if you can. Modern LP's seem to have 2 things in common - big necks and 10 lbs....

[Embenny]

I just picked up a recent Les Paul Classic in a trade. It's my second one - the last was also a trade about a year ago - and it's such a nice guitar. Plays amazingly well, sounds better than I thought humbucker guitars could.

I'll still probably sell it, as it's heavy despite the weight relief and I only really accepted it due to a lack of cash offers on my other guitar, but I'm really enjoying playing it while it's here.

[efiug]

I never really payed any mind to any Gibson stuff until I started working there but I playing dozens of Les Pauls every day helped me warm up to them. I'd still be really reluctant to buy anything I couldn't see in person and play though because its like playing the lottery sometimes with how different they can be in regards to their top, finish, and weight.