Basically, my grail guitar is an Arctic White Gibson Les Paul Custom.
I've been wanting one for the best part of 17 years (even since I've started playing) and now my wife has allowed me to get one for my 30th. But only if it can be done via finance as we can't afford to simple credit card it or pay outright.
Now I know a lot of purists have negative things to say in regards to the Richlite, but what are the new LP customs like? Are they really built badly? I'm umming and arring about buying new as I feel a little weird financing a second hand guitar (odd I know, but it's worth mentioning).
I'd like some genuine feedback from anyone who owns/has played them please. Obviously I'll be going to try and play a couple before making a purchase. But this forum always seems to give good information nearly all the time, so I figured I'd post in here!
Thank you.
Comments
I'm not keen on Richlite, personally. I had a Martin guitar with a Richlite board and didn't like the feel. YMMV, though.
If you can find one, you can avoid the Richlite issue by buying a '74 reissue:
http://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/electric-guitars/gibson-custom-1974-les-paul-custom-reissue-vos.htm
I'd love a '74 RI but the price step is a big one.
I see they say "You'll be pleased to see the weight of this one, it ain't no boat ancher! A lot of 70's Custom can creep up to 12lbs in weight, this one is featherlight in comparison." And then the pictures don't show the weight!
(I realise it's academic as the guitar's been sold)
@Brize is totally correct about having to try them out. The natural resonance of different pieces of wood will be... different. Plus some are better assembled than others etc. So that can all add up to huge variations in tone, sustain etc etc. To my ear and fingers, the variation across 'identical' Gibson models can be massive.
One other thing to bear in mind... If you particularly like the tone of old 50s Customs (versus old 50s Standards)... part of the general variation in tone is down to the fact that the Custom's body is mahogany (whereas Standards have a maple cap over a mahogany back). Today's ordinary CS Customs have maple caps. To get an all mahogany body, you'd have to get something like a 57 Reissue Custom (but I'm not sure you get many white ones... unless there's a small special run).
Although, are you sure you shouldn't really be getting a black one...?!
The other alternative material of Baked Maple is not ideal, but at least that's proper wood.
If it plays well and sounds great it shouldn't matter what wood is used. The focus should always be about the playing and the sound, not this cork sniffing shite about fretboard material
if anything though, I could understand that. As it sounds far more durable that wood? if you get what I mean?
The baked maple board after being applied with several coats of oil darkens down to an almost Ebony colour and feels really nice to play, I don't think a average "bedroom" player can honestly hear or really feel any difference to rosewood.
It comes with the classic 57 and 57+ humbuckers, which are just amazing humbuckers. It's pretty heavy at almost 10lbs and bar there not being binding on the back of the body, it looks just perfect in my eyes. I honestly think the Classic Custom is really worth going for if you can't stretch to paying well over £2000 for a normal Custom.
Taylor I understand pretty much control the supply of it - but are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously.
It can only be a cost issue with Gibson...
If you wait, they turn up every so often. I think Strung Out Guitars have one just like it in at the moment.