Great to see the debate about the Gibson Les Paul Heritage 80. I am speaking from my 31 years experience of owning & playing these wonderful guitars.
Firstly, they are an important part of Gibson history with all the mojo to match, everyone of them that I've owned & played has been very similar, tone & playability wise, they are outstanding guitars.
I will never part with mine now I've pretty much played every other electric guitar out there.
I have recently come to the conclusion that why have a copy when you can have the real thing, after all Gibson never claimed they were a reissue or a copy , they were only based on a 59 Les Paul, incorporating all the best bits & adding enhancing features.
Yes Tim Shaw was called in to recreate a 59 humbucker & what an excellent job he did, buts that about as far as it all went copy wise.
Finally, I consider them to be a must for any Les Paul fan, they are already collectable & worth every penny.
Hope I haven't offended anyone but I can only speak from my experience.
Comments
Since 1980 prices have risen and they have generally sold well - I do question prices now in excess of 4k, but if selling then who am I to argue - Ignoring the current trend of R8's at £2499, the Std 80's biggest competitor is a used R8/R9, certainly to a player - To certain collectors they will have more appeal than a new regular LP Std, but personally when I see them at 3K and 4K I'd rather own/play a good R8/R9
We are forgetting they are now nearly 40 years old, so in the eyes of certain members this puts them firmly in the vintage category
I think the Shaw p/ups were a vast improvement on what we had at the time - They are collectable to some - Yet many more makers are now in the market place, be it Monty, OX4 etc and IMO they are a vast improvement
At the time they were produced, they were the best new LP you could buy. By modern standards they’re closer to a Norlin Les Paul Standard than a vintage guitar.
Not for me any longer but I hope my comments have been useful.