Sorted: Gibson Goldtop or Japanese 70/80/90's Les Paul copy

Vintage-T

Been looking to acquire a Les Paul for a while and always keep getting distracted by other things. But I'd like to see what's out there from Japan, failing that happy to spring extra on a Gibson.

I've a few requirements that would need to be met, but if you have something that ticks these boxes, let me know.

Weight...big issue for me, so anything preferable under 8.5 lbs would be ideal, 9lbs absolute maximum.
If Gibson - has to be a goldtop.
Nitro finish much preferred.
If Japanese, I'm looking for something from the 70's, 80' or early-mid 90's, player grade, but not needing a refret.
Hard case
No real preference on HB or P90's.
Burny, Tokai, Orville etc, not overly fussed...

Budget...Ideally £1500 max, or more if I can trade my Fender Strat (listed on the FB) against the cost.

I'm down in Cornwall, so more than likely will have to be couriered to me.

Cheers!

Strangefan

You will def get a brillaint greco for that price, 

HarrySeven

Strangefan said:

You will def get a brillaint greco for that price, 

I agree. There have been a few well within that range on FB groups/eBay of late - definitely worth a look.

StruanRobertson

Take a look at https://www.whitstableguitars.co.uk/, he has a really tasty selection on there.

Vintage-T

StruanRobertson said:

Take a look at https://www.whitstableguitars.co.uk/, he has a really tasty selection on there.

Some nice stuff there and great prices....just nothing that leaps out...will keep an eye on them though.

Jason

I love Greco - have you tried here http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%204%20Greco.html

Vintage-T

Jason said:

I love Greco - have you tried here http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%204%20Greco.html

yeah looked there, nothing quite what I was looking for in the weight range I have. Back issues prevent any of the heavier guitars from being considered.

Jason

Vintage-T said:

Jason said:

I love Greco - have you tried here http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%204%20Greco.html

yeah looked there, nothing quite what I was looking for in the weight range I have. Back issues prevent any of the heavier guitars from being considered.

I've bought a lot of Jap guitars, the light ones are either the bottom of the range (some kind of semi hollow build) or the £1000+ ones, that said I had a EG-450 (LP Standard) that was obviously a semi underneath as it weighed practically nothing and it sounded fantastic.

Try Martin at The Little Guitar Shop in Brum I've had a couple from him

brooom

Jason said:

Vintage-T said:

Jason said:

I love Greco - have you tried here http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%204%20Greco.html

yeah looked there, nothing quite what I was looking for in the weight range I have. Back issues prevent any of the heavier guitars from being considered.

I've bought a lot of Jap guitars, the light ones are either the bottom of the range (some kind of semi hollow build) or the £1000+ ones, that said I had a EG-450 (LP Standard) that was obviously a semi underneath as it weighed practically nothing and it sounded fantastic.

Try Martin at The Little Guitar Shop in Brum I've had a couple from him

Throughout the years I've had several greco mint collection from the 80s which are bellow 8.8lbs. Most of them were EG59-50 (EG-500), which are far from the most expensive model. And yet they have full solid mahogany construction, full hard rock maple (no veneer) and long neck tenon. EG59-45 (EG-450) and some EG59-60 (EG-600) are also fulfil this criteria. So there you go... in fact I've got two at the moment a 1984 EG59-50 which weights 8.6lbs and a 1987 EGC57-60 at 8.9lbs

Vintage-T

brooom said:

Jason said:

Vintage-T said:

Jason said:

I love Greco - have you tried here http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%204%20Greco.html

yeah looked there, nothing quite what I was looking for in the weight range I have. Back issues prevent any of the heavier guitars from being considered.

I've bought a lot of Jap guitars, the light ones are either the bottom of the range (some kind of semi hollow build) or the £1000+ ones, that said I had a EG-450 (LP Standard) that was obviously a semi underneath as it weighed practically nothing and it sounded fantastic.

Try Martin at The Little Guitar Shop in Brum I've had a couple from him

Throughout the years I've had several greco mint collection from the 80s which are bellow 8.8lbs. Most of them were EG59-50 (EG-500), which are far from the most expensive model. And yet they have full solid mahogany construction, full hard rock maple (no veneer) and long neck tenon. EG59-45 (EG-450) and some EG59-60 (EG-600) are also fulfil this criteria. So there you go...

very helpful, thanks!

McToot

There's a fab 1977 Yamaha Super Lord on Facebook UK Guitar/Amp/Gear Exchange. 

Alas the vendor is in Newcastle... 

HarrySeven

McToot said:

There's a fab 1977 Yamaha Super Lord on Facebook UK Guitar/Amp/Gear Exchange. 

Alas the vendor is in Newcastle... 

Yup. Studio Lord/Lord Players get my vote.

Aria Pro II Leopard too.

If you’re on Facebook, you may wish to consider one of these:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1051899961518463?view=permalink&id=4254275491280878

If you’re not on FB, it’s a Pearl Les Paul - I have a few - great guitars for decent money.

glt56

My Greco is still up for sale... the pics don't do it justice,it's a gem and I'll take some better ones asap!
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/179383/fs-various-mid-priced-gems-from-my-collection#latest

russianbear

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

russianbear

Anyways, not exactly a LP but take a listen!
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIvN-HwU1ms

8lbs. 

John_A

russianbear said:

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

Exactly, nothing wrong with a thin poly finish

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186898/fs-ft-pair-of-1985-greco-mint-collection-les-pauls-reduced-prices#latest

russianbear

John_A said:

russianbear said:

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

Exactly, nothing wrong with a thin poly finish

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186898/fs-ft-pair-of-1985-greco-mint-collection-les-pauls-reduced-prices#latest

your EG59-60 was 1995 not 1985. The logo...

Iamnobody

John_A said:

russianbear said:

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

Exactly, nothing wrong with a thin poly finish

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186898/fs-ft-pair-of-1985-greco-mint-collection-les-pauls-reduced-prices#latest

Nothing wrong with poly but if the OP wants nitro he’ll find it on a 90s Orville by Gibson. It should come in under £1500 as well. 

russianbear

Iamnobody said:

John_A said:

russianbear said:

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

Exactly, nothing wrong with a thin poly finish

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186898/fs-ft-pair-of-1985-greco-mint-collection-les-pauls-reduced-prices#latest

Nothing wrong with poly but if the OP wants nitro he’ll find it on a 90s Orville by Gibson. It should come in under £1500 as well. 

nnnope he won't find it just on ANY ObG but only on the reissue models. AND it is not the nitro you're thinking. It is virtually indistinguishable from poly and does not age like Gibson's NC.

russianbear

I have this 1976 Greco EG900 in true NC refinish (will relic), but it does not fit the absurd weight requirements

Iamnobody

russianbear said:

Iamnobody said:

John_A said:

russianbear said:

Funny list of preferences. "Nitro Finish" brings it down to select few names, models and years, and price tags over £1500.

Exactly, nothing wrong with a thin poly finish

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/186898/fs-ft-pair-of-1985-greco-mint-collection-les-pauls-reduced-prices#latest

Nothing wrong with poly but if the OP wants nitro he’ll find it on a 90s Orville by Gibson. It should come in under £1500 as well. 

nnnope he won't find it just on ANY ObG but only on the reissue models. AND it is not the nitro you're thinking. It is virtually indistinguishable from poly and does not age like Gibson's NC.

My apologies I thought that all the ObGs has nitro and that was one of the distinctions between them and standard Orvilles. 

Mine is a 90s 57 reissue goldtop and nitro. I’m not sure how different it is to Gibson nitro. I had a 90s SG that hadn’t aged at all - a very similar finish. 

Does any modern Gibson nitro finish naturally age like a 50/60s - probably not from what I’ve read. 

I think it’s a bit unfair to call OPs weight requirements absurd. Some people just prefer lightweight guitars and others have bad backs etc. A 9lb guitar obviously limits the options though.