New Les Paul Special Day and maybe a PSA?

chromatuna

Apologies in advance for wordyness and no photo yet. 

So I was all set to settle on my Strat and PRS as my electric guitars but GAS for a Gibson would just not go away. I last owned one, an SG,  in 1980. Not owning a P90 guitar at the moment I started thinking about an SG in that flavour but moved on to LP Specials after a while thinking that a single cut and thicker body would give me something different again and of course they are very cool.  Someone was selling one of those lovely 2016 Japanese market ones here about a month ago that I missed due of lack of funds but I kept browsing as you do and learning a bit as I went along. Decided I wanted wrap tail for full special mojo so kept thinking about the 2016 ones. Another little thing is that the Gibson logo is inlaid rather than one of those gold transfer ones.

On Friday night last I was very surprised to see DV247 offering the 2016 ones new for £666 delivered. I was quite prepared for them not to have them in stock or for the spec to be wrong. I am most certainly not a fan of buying unseen or unplayed but they assured me I could return it to Romford if I was not happy so I couldn't see how I could lose. It arrived today and I can happily say it is faultless, lovely piece of wood, perfect finish, set up really well and plays oh so nicely. Maybe the Japanese market is more demanding? After so many Strat and PRS years it's a whole different feel but the neck is not too chunky and it feels great. Supposedly they check them over and I have to say that out of the box after 48 hours in transit I can't fault it and it seems they did. Honeymoon period obviously but I think it might become no.1. Away from amp and home at the moment which is frustrating but its sounds really sweet acoustically. 

  

They are still on the DV247 site at that price (no yellow ones) and Peach still have them on theirs with a fuller description

roberty

Sounds like the GAS gods are smiling on you this week! Congrats, the 2016s are a great spec :-)

riffpowers

Looks great, I might be tempted myself...!!!

sawyer

Very good! Few good deals on DV247 site. I wish they'd do a similar vintage spec Junior

Neil

That's a great deal. I really like Specials.

If they had been TV yellow I would have snapped one up!

HNGD. 

TwoToneGreen

Great guitar and at a nice price, so much so that I bought one too. I have no need for it, as I have an ES-330 and a korina-bodied G&L ASAT with p90s, but the temptation of the wraptail is too great. I had been vaguely considering selling a few to buy an R4 but this is much less of a commitment and I may end up having a spring clean anyway. Thanks for the heads-up - I remember when these guitars first appeared but was more disciplined then!

JD50

TwoToneGreen said:

Great guitar and at a nice price, so much so that I bought one too. I have no need for it, as I have an ES-330 and a korina-bodied G&L ASAT with p90s, but the temptation of the wraptail is too great. I had been vaguely considering selling a few to buy an R4 but this is much less of a commitment and I may end up having a spring clean anyway. Thanks for the heads-up - I remember when these guitars first appeared but was more disciplined then!

#metoo

bodhi

F-me, great price.

I bought one of these during 2017's Black Friday sale.  Lovely thing.

dindude

I had one, it’s a spot on spec and a great guitar, killer at that price. 

mixolyd

https://images.musicstore.de/images/0960/gibson-m2-melody-maker-2017-strawberry-milk_1_GIT0039756-000.jpg

Gibson M2 Melody Maker 2017 Strawberry Milk

£287 for a Gibson?  Not sure if these were always that cheap but seems like a good deal.

TwoToneGreen

I received my Special today. It is a very fine guitar all round - lightweight, slightly chunkier neck than expected and a two-piece body with a largely invisible centre seam. The pickups are more raucous than those of my korina G&L ASAT Junior, so it is a welcome change.

Unfortunately, however, three of the four knobs have suffered some damage, meaning that I will have to engage with Music Store to find some remedy. I also plan to obtain an orange switch tip for the added vintage vibe.

JD50

TwoToneGreen said:

I received my Special today. It is a very fine guitar all round - lightweight, slightly chunkier neck than expected and a two-piece body with a largely invisible centre seam. The pickups are more raucous than those of my korina G&L ASAT Junior, so it is a welcome change.

Unfortunately, however, three of the four knobs have suffered some damage, meaning that I will have to engage with Music Store to find some remedy. I also plan to obtain an orange switch tip for the added vintage vibe.

Ah bummer 're the knobs but should be a simple case of sending out some replacements....

My guitar is due Thursday.... very excited!

TwoToneGreen

It is a fantastic guitar for the money. They also appeared to change the strings before shipping, which was likely a necessary step given that the guitars were built in 2016. The new SG Special was also tempting but the PCB wiring was off-putting and they also happen to be twice the price!

chromatuna

Sorry to hear that yours arrived damaged @TwoToneGreen I hope you get everying sorted and that you are happy with it otherwise. Apologies as I accidentely LOL'd your post, a slip of the finger and it doesn't seem possible to undo it. Mine has new strings too, the inspection sheet from Gibson says it was made in October 2015 and I am still amazed that a batch has popped up new especially as they were orginally for the Japanese market. Very happy with mine, a joy to play and I just love those P90s. Acquired a Hiscox case in great nick for less than half price from eBay as I really don't think hig bags and Gibson headstocks go together. 

JD50

chromatuna said:

Sorry to hear that yours arrived damaged @TwoToneGreen I hope you get everying sorted and that you are happy with it otherwise. Apologies as I accidentely LOL'd your post, a slip of the finger and it doesn't seem possible to undo it. Mine has new strings too, the inspection sheet from Gibson says it was made in October 2015 and I am still amazed that a batch has popped up new especially as they were orginally for the Japanese market. Very happy with mine, a joy to play and I just love those P90s. Acquired a Hiscox case in great nick for less than half price from eBay as I really don't think hig bags and Gibson headstocks go together. 

I'm also on the look out for a case & thought of Hiscox as I use for them my other guitars. How does the case fit the guitar? I've been looking into Gibson Les Paul cases but from what I've read online these allow the Special to move around a little due to thinner body.

Any chance of some pics of your new guitars?

rivercider

The Les Paul Standard for 1400 quid looks like a great deal for anyone who's happy with that colour.  

chromatuna

The Hiscox is a Les Paul Case and designed for a thicker body but with something like a folded towel under the body it holds the guitar securely. I don't seem to be able to embed pictures (doh!) but this should show the set...


https://m.imgur.com/a/Xgj0kw0

BRISTOL86

rivercider said:

The Les Paul Standard for 1400 quid looks like a great deal for anyone who's happy with that colour.  

The blue mist one? I think that colour looks good, looks like a more satin finish?

JD50

chromatuna said:

The Hiscox is a Les Paul Case and designed for a thicker body but with something like a folded towel under the body it holds the guitar securely. I don't seem to be able to embed pictures (doh!) but this should show the set...


https://m.imgur.com/a/Xgj0kw0

Looks great, pleased to see its not a bright red finish & the fretboard is nice and dark... how's the intonation?

timmypix

I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you for this PSA. I'm dangerously tempted by the birdseye Les Paul Standard - they were £2,500ish new, and it would be what my stolen Epiphone birdseye LP always wanted to be. I just can't quite justify it given I already have a Les Paul and a Bernie and a PRS SC...

chromatuna

Sorry @timmypix to be fair though I was only indicating a sub £700 guitar ;-)

The intonation seems fine @JD50 although it’s probably not perfect high up. I checked at 12 on receipt and it was spot on to my ears. I think there are 9s on it but which ones I don’t know. The only thing I have felt the need to adjust is pickup heights.