Les Paul flame tops

crunchman · January 2020

tony99 said:

r8?

R9

Depending on the light and angle, it can look more vivid than that.

That's just a phone camera. I'm sure that Peach photography would make it pop a bit.

MagicPigDetective · January 2020

I know I know, it would ideal to try first, but unfortunately I really can't spare the time to visit a store, they are hours/hundreds of miles away. Then again a lot of Fretboarders bought R8's from Peach without trying or seeing them in person! As for second hand, I'll have to use credit for this purchase and I want a brand new spangly guitar. You know that feeling when you've got your heart set on something and you just can't shake it off?

Neck, I prefer a slim neck. I tried an R8 at last years Bristol Jam, it was too thick for me.

rlw · January 2020

Those two are so subtle I really can't see the issue tbh.

Me, I like a fat neck and lary flame and the best LP I've ever had was bought online

Skipped · January 2020

I have just looked at the dealers in your neck of the woods and I can see the problem.

If I were you I would chat with Peach and tell them that you want the best playing 60's Standard currently in the shop. This is the next best option after asking forum members to go into Peach and play every guitar for you.

In theory....we all have different opinions on which guitar is best out of 10 identical guitars.

However.....if someone that I trust (trust is the key) tells me that one particular guitar rings like a bell, and is hard to put down, it is very likely that I would also have picked out that same guitar from a bunch of slim neck Les Paul Standards.

If the guitar looks OK (a picture of the guitar), and the weight is reasonable......buy that one.

Talk to Peach and trust Peach to find the best playing LPS for you and don't worry about subtle differences in appearance.

ICBM was right. This is Gibson we are talking about But this strategy is the next best option in your circumstances.

tony99 · January 2020

although there is the theory that the thinner the flame stripes, the higher the resonance frequency of that particular piece of wood's tone

and before anyone tries to poo-poo it, ask yourself this, why do you think they shout "timbre" when chopping down trees???

Modellista · January 2020

MagicPigDetective said:
Right now I'm leaning towards the more subtle Bourbon Burst 132790120.
The Iced Tea 132690142 does look striking, but perhaps too extravagant, tiger like for me.

I know flames can be over the top, but 120 is very dowdy in my opinion. Patchy and asymmetrical. I’d prefer a full plain top over that.

142 is nice, relatively subtle, although quite tiger-like so if you don’t like that, don’t buy it.

233 is the pick of the Iced Teas for me. A lot of those tops scream “R8 reject” to me. Sorry for being a top snob.

Of the Bourbons, 152 is interesting and not too over the top, I like the streaks. Not so keen on the bow tie either side of the bridge. 211’s the most attractive to me, and if you want subtle flame without obvious flaws, it’s 156.

I feel like the Cilla Black of the maple world.

Rocker · January 2020

Someone has to say it, but why drool over the pictures? Take a day and go to the shop and try them there. You may like what they have or you may not. At least if you do buy, it will be an instrument that speaks your language to you.

Edit: @ICBM said much the same thing but better above. Heed his advice.

Kittyfrisk · January 2020

tony99 said:

although there is the theory that the thinner the flame stripes, the higher the resonance frequency of that particular piece of wood's tone

and before anyone tries to poo-poo it, ask yourself this, why do you think they shout "timbre" when chopping down trees???

You owe me a mouthful of wine & the costs of cleaning my laptop screen.

MagicPigDetective · January 2020

Rocker said:

Someone has to say it, but why drool over the pictures? Take a day and go to the shop and try them there. You may like what they have or you may not. At least if you do buy, it will be an instrument that speaks your language to you.

Edit: @ICBM said much the same thing but better above. Heed his advice.

No need to say it as I agree and I am fully self aware that visiting a shop is the best course of action and knew when I wrote my OP that someone would be pointing this out, as I have seen done many many times on guitar forums. However for me to visit one of the shops that stock a few of this model would involve a 600 mile, twelve hour round journey, which for various reasons which I don’t want to bore you guys with, I won’t and can’t do. Fair enough if you can make such journeys just to buy a guitar but not it’s not for everyone. I’ve so far bought three electric guitars online and they’ve all been great. It is a gamble with risks though, I know.

And anyway, it was a good excuse to ogle and talk about nice guitars wasn’t it?

@skipped has given very sensible advice on making online purchases given the circumstances (thanks),
perhaps I’ll call Peach next week.

MagicPigDetective · February 2020

Back to the ogling, have a look at the photos on Richtone’s site:

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/gibson-les-paul-standard-and-60s-bourbon-burst/130290190/

They show a red tinge to the burst that you don’t see on Peach’s photos, Perhaps it’s the light and angle that shows this up, as mentioned by @Andy_k , it’s difficult to capture? This one looks pretty stunning to me

Fez · February 2020

You could move house - just being flippant I bet it is really nice where you live.

Rocker · February 2020

Have you thought of flying there and back? I am being serious, I flew from ROI to Manchester when I bought my Anderson. Make a weekend out of it.

pmbomb · February 2020

Goldtop FTW. Seen any in person? Don't discount a classy single colour particularly if you like the more matte feel.

guitars4you · February 2020

ICBM said:

You may thank me for this later, if not now...

That's the wrong way to choose a Les Paul.

Go to the shop, play all of them. They will vary in weight, probably neck angle, probably slightly in neck profile, and sound. Some of them will feel and sound better than others. They will also look different up close in person than in pics, as andy_k said.

It may not be very convenient to go to the shop, I know. But this is a pretty major purchase, presumably - one you'll probably keep a long time. Make sure you get the right one.

[/old fart lecture]

Hard to disagree with this thought pattern - The hands and ears test drive is a far better bet than which looks the best

tomajoha · February 2020

MagicPigDetective said:

Back to the ogling, have a look at the photos on Richtone’s site:

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/gibson-les-paul-standard-and-60s-bourbon-burst/130290190/

They show a red tinge to the burst that you don’t see on Peach’s photos, Perhaps it’s the light and angle that shows this up, as mentioned by @Andy_k , it’s difficult to capture? This one looks pretty stunning to me

Looks suspiciously like a filter to me, ask them to send you an unfiltered shop floor pic to get a better idea of its ‘everyday’ look

tony99 · February 2020

tomajoha said:

MagicPigDetective said:

Back to the ogling, have a look at the photos on Richtone’s site:

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/gibson-les-paul-standard-and-60s-bourbon-burst/130290190/

They show a red tinge to the burst that you don’t see on Peach’s photos, Perhaps it’s the light and angle that shows this up, as mentioned by @Andy_k , it’s difficult to capture? This one looks pretty stunning to me

Looks suspiciously like a filter to me, ask them to send you an unfiltered shop floor pic to get a better idea of its ‘everyday’ look

agreed, the ice teas are lovely but that looks too red

Barnezy · February 2020

Get a 2017 R8. Great buys and plain tops are cool!

MagicPigDetective · February 2020

Rocker said:

Have you thought of flying there and back? I am being serious, I flew from ROI to Manchester when I bought my Anderson. Make a weekend out of it.

I appreciate your trying to help but when I said I can’t I meant it, I can’t go swanning off on huge journeys from my family and business duties to buy guitars. Chester, Liverpool or Manchester are more realistic though there ain’t much there and less choice. Plus I hate flying.

tony99 · February 2020

MagicPigDetective said:

Rocker said:

Have you thought of flying there and back? I am being serious, I flew from ROI to Manchester when I bought my Anderson. Make a weekend out of it.

I appreciate your trying to help but when I said I can’t I meant it, I can’t go swanning off on huge journeys from my family and business duties to buy guitars. Chester, Liverpool or Manchester are more realistic though there ain’t much there and less choice. Plus I hate flying.

I'm in liverpool and there isn't much at all you're right, Dawsons here have fuck all in but Rimmers sometimes has a few nice bits to be fair

roberty · February 2020

I'm excited for you mate. Whichever you choose I'm sure you'll love it

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Les Paul flame tops

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