One way you can determine whether the body is chambered or not is to drive a nail through the top in several spots, if you have to pound the sucker all the way in, then it's solid, unless you have weak wrists, if the nail goes in easy after a few hits, then it's chambered.
I own a 2013 in cherry burst. I bought it on a whim because it was marked down to $1,900 from around $3,400-$3,600. The story was that it was one of the last 2013 LPs in the store's inventory. The staff had unboxed it a few days ago, and marked it down for a quick sell as the 2014 models had arrived. If it hadn't been for my eagle eyes I would have missed it because the guitar was hung way up in no no man's land along top row over the register area. I couldn't find a smugde, fingerprint or pick mark on it. It was mint, which is unusual for Guitar Center if ya know what I mean? I rarely play it. Th reason I've kept it is becase it has a one piece body, a killer top and the neck angle must be perfect, as it plays like butter. No buzzes even with the action set at a hair under 4/64ths (6th string) and the first string is set at a tad under 3/64ths. I wasan't aware they have a long neck tendon. That's a great spec to have. Heck I may pull out the board and burstbuckers and stick a vintage harness and boutique PAFs, Or Gibson's Custon Buckers in it.
As far as the “locking” bridge and tailpiece creating more tone…the string tension holds them down so strongly, having a set screw makes no difference 👍
Plus for string changes it’s better to remove the tailpiece, feed all the new strings in, and then carefully put it on the guitar. Saves from any accidental scratches around the tailpiece, and makes changes a little faster.
Agreed. I have tonepros locking bridges in quite a lot of my guitars, along with locking tuners, it just makes string changes and setups blazing fast. And the locking bridge would give you less of a headache when cleaning the guitar and flipping it around. Love them.
Personally I'd not want anyone scribbling all over the face of my beautiful multi-thousand dollar axe, but hey that's just me. That's a very handsome and good sounding guitar you got there.
Maybe it's just me but thg his guitar looks sort of what I'd expect a new greenie not aged at any level would sort of look like. I've had guitars in the past that made rattling noises sometimes when picking it up or laying it in its case. Wasn't a Gibson but I opened up the guitar to find wood splinters loose in the cavity of the guitars. As a measure since I dont have locking tuners I always wrap the strings on the tune post in a downward direction. Then I overrun and tune it a few times. This generally will stretch the string to a degree but I find playing some and retuning usually gets it where I need it to be. In some applications with quick connect wring if you have the right tool you can release the ends of the wire from the connector making it possible to put in the new wires. Some equipment have permanent connectors that have to be pulled back through if the channel are open enough to do so. Then feed the new line in. It's also a good idea to have either a fish tool or tie a string to the wire secure with some heavy strength tape to pull the wiring through. I met a few famous people who have developed very unique signatures having some relevant imagery so as to be hard to fake.
Before finishing watching this video, I have got something to mention on the subject of autographed guitars. This year (2023), we have lost both Jeff Beck and Tina Turner. The first example I ever heard of Jeff as a guitar player was when he pinched played for Mark Knopfler as Dire Straits' members were accompanying Miss Turner on the title cut from *Private Dancer* and one of the deep album tracks, "Steel Claw". Miss Turner subsequently carved her autograph into the pink Super Strat that Jeff played during the session. That particular piece must have some form of both aesthetic, historic and monetary value. However, I hope whoever has it today doesn't let it go. That particular guitar would only be well served if a permanent exhibit at a place such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art were assembled commemorating the equipment used in the making of historic rock and pop recordings like "Private Dancer". That matters more than just putting it on The Auction Block.
I'll tell you what that brings to mind for me, @Braedon Morrissey . In 1995, when I began learning to play, I was at the original Sam Ash in New York with my initial guitar teacher as he helped me pick my student classical model. In a glass case in the acoustic guitar section, I saw a dead ringer for the hollow body played by Bill Haley on "Rock Around the Clock". I would love to have had a shot at playing that, but the clumsy part of me that is so prone to dropping things is very thankful that I couldn't touch it.
Wow...this was a great video! I learned alot about my guitar. I have a trans amber burst in a premium AAAA Plus Top. Nice to see a video about something you have.
I really feel you should've addressed the #1 signature scam: getting a bunch of pickguards signed and slapping them on super cheap guitars. Ebay is full of sellers that do this.
I've had a guitar with a Tone Pros bridge and tail piece. Not sure it makes a difference? Play unplugged with the set screws loose and again with the set screws tightened. Plug the guitar in, play with the set screws tight and then loose. My experience was that having the set screws tight did increase sustain and resonance. But its easy enough to hear if you find a difference
2016 was a "OK" year also. Same electronics with push/pull, locking Groovers and so on my Heritage Cherry with AAA-top (no pickguard installed from factory). But my case is a Canadian black/white.
I have a 2013, I like the PCB in there, makes changing pickups really easy! Mine is the el cheapo LPJ, I've had it for 8 years... Shoulda bought a tribute when the were $700! 😂😂
Thanks for the vid! This one is is back when they made all the pole piece screws face the same way! Cool to see Your playing has come a long way good sir, love to see it!
I have a 2013 4A Koa top that has really great figuring, it has everything that you mentioned in this review spec wise, but they definitely advertised it as modern weight relieved. So mine is of a similar weight to this one. I’d bet this one has weight relief.
Hey Austin, I see this all the time, these sellers put down excellent condition all the time but It is a really nice guitar and I'd LOVE to own it. Great show, take care.
Thanks Austin, another great video with historical references of Gibson changing LP builds over the years. I also heard during this time Custom Shops didn't have long neck tenon in its design. Gibson must have been doing some soul searching during this period.
I think I've found my mostly perfect Les Paul Standard spec. The 2013 does it for me. Long neck tenon, asymmetrical neck, which is thin, for a Les Paul. I come from Jacksons which are a tad thinner, but this will do the job really well. Also, the compound fingerboard radius. push-pulls, Tonepros Locking hardware and Grover Locking tuners. Modern electronics with the push-pulls that I dig. Totally want one. The only negatives that I see are the weight relieving/chambering and lack of high quality caps. Bumblebee or orange drop upgrade would make it pretty much put it up there. Also, if I were to get a custom build, it'll be extremely similar to this, add in mother of pearl inlays, neck would be 0.81-0.85 or 86, and instead of the bridge straight to the output jack, I'd have a mid boost of some sort, but this is as close as it gets. Love it. Which colours was this available in? And what's the going rate on non-signed ones?
iirc they come in alot of finishes your different flavours of burst and such. i got desert burst and the thing looks like a violin, the tops in this era are absolutely stunning, even the normal not plus top ones. ive not really noticed any tone problems with the pots and stuff but for ease of maintenance might switch mine to a wiring harness instead of the pcb. i picked mine up in 2019 for about £1000 in andertons used so i imagine you wont be far from that price still if youre willing to wait for one. personally my only issue with mine is that it loves to finish check but thats not a big deal. overall you will not regret it they are beautiful
Be aware that lacquer, and some other paints, will react strongly with a Sharpie and blur a LOT, and run if it's vertical. You can use lacquer if you do several dust coats followed by full coats. Do enough coats so you don't wet sand or buff through the signature!
I own a 2010 standard HC. And a 2013 traditional in iced tea I believe. I like the traditional better it feels like a les paul should. But the standard is a good guitar to. But I prefer the traditional ❤
Fastest way to devalue your guitar is to have it signed (other than smashing it). Anyone could have signed that guitar. Can’t be proven plus it looks ugly on such a nice top. Don’t deface guitars! Great video 👍
I had Doug Aldrich sign my Les Paul Standard on the back cavity plate. The guitar also has the Doug Aldrich signature Suhr pickups. I wouldn't have anyone sign anywhere else on a guitar though.
The only one that I’ve seen with a decent value was a Strat copy with an ‘80s NY Mets paint job, signed by the ENTIRE 1986 roster. That was worth something because it was signed Sports memorabilia.
Agree with the plate signings. You can buy a spare plate for when you are playing. Also, you don’t need to lug the whole guitar when getting the autograph. 👍
I for the life of me can't figure out how signatures behind the bridge wear off...I got a guitar with a signature that I didn't really mind but suddenly one day I realized half of it was gone and I still don't know how it happened so slowly that I never noticed
i have one of these earlier year ones with the grovers in desert burst. I play it to absolute death. i have absolutely no idea what the spec purists are talking about saying they arent good. are the collectible? most certainly not. but that is by far and away the most fun £1000 i have ever spent.
How much did this sell for? I have an old ‘72 deluxe signed by slash. Curious what it may go for. Not original finish. Signed by slash, 2013 but no skully. Original electronics, replaced bridge. Old chainsaw case.
That Slash guitar looks like an Agile 2000 I got at a pawn shop for $199. Of course the Agile has a 1/2 inch maple top built it does have a Maple neck.
Did I hear right that the other push pull on bottom outside is for a treble bleed? I like the multiple tones I get with my traditional pro III having the coil split options . I wouldn't mind owning this baby. Being an older guy I like having the Epiphones D style neck. It's less stress on my hands and fingers .
2008 to 2016 Standards have the long neck tenon along with the modern "wagon wheel" weight relief. For solid back you're thinking of the Traditional.. it was solid 2013 to 2015 then 2017 to 2019.
That blanket statement is incorrect. 2008 was the start of full chambering. I’d assume 2008-2011 were chambered, 2012-2013 run spec sheet reads as solid body from the manufacturer. I’d need more research on when modern weight relief starts but I’d hazard a guess it was after this run
@@Trog To be more specific chambering started late 06 (around October.. look for under 200 date number if you want 9-hole weight relief instead). For standards the 08-11 chambereds have a cool "puzzle" locking neck tenon. When they switched to modern weight relief in '12 they still had the regular long neck tenon until ultra modern weight relief was introduced in 2017. Standards got that until the ownership change in 2019
@@Trogusing wayback from 2012 gibson les paul standard... "A carved maple top (Standard grade on opaque finishes, AAA-Premium figured on trans finishes) contributes clarity and sustain, while a mahogany body adds depth and richness and new modern weight relief enhances resonance and reduces weight." On the sidebar of the spec sheet it incorrectly says "solid mahogany body" so I can understand the confusion.
Wait, so did the standards eventually turn into classics and the new standards not have the push pulls? I have a classic with those same pot configuration. I love my AFD slash guitar, it would be cool to have him sign the back of the headstock.
I’ve had a tone-pros tailpiece have the little set screw shake loose over time on me, and only on the treble side by the knobs (this was a Schecter C-1 E/A). That was kind of annoying. Edit: I wonder if the mahogany looks so dark because there’s overspray of the finish.
Some people like their guitars signed because it means something to them, and it’s not about resale value,and that’s cool It’s not my thing What’s nuts is getting a $300 guitar signed and asking $10,000+ for it Not a charity thing I’ve seen it happen That’s just greed
@@hippiebiker3399 not an ethical way when they overcharge that much, and they may ask those prices and not get them, which hopefully they don’t But resell things? If done honesty? Sure, go for it.
I really Love how many tone possibilities there are with that guitar. I think those who didn’t understand the variety in that guitar were so limited in what they did themselves. I love the clean splits with this guitar. If Gibson offered this sort of thing with the locking tuners & electronics on a few models without the price hike, it would help push them to the next level.
So you don't think they tried to clear over the signature, and that's why it looked like it did under the black light ? It was probably being rubbed off because of oils from the skin, and they wanted to preserve it.
Troglodyte implied that this LP has no weight relief . I think this is probably 9 hole Swiss cheese relieved. My understanding is that Gibson started doing that in 1982. The chambering method(s) were later . I’m sure they’re some totally unrelieved-maybe this one is. Curious.
@@Trog Mine (same model, but 51-st day birth) got one-piece body (at least I can't see any joint on it), but with modern weight relief. I saw it when I put it through an X-ray at the airport.
What we really need is, a high quality product with a lower price… I think any company can do what Gibson does in the 1000-1500 range… anything over than that, even the custom shop has no reason to charge more than that….
@@cataclysmicconverter I just have to say, who cares where it was made, as long as the quality is up to par, a good example is Eastman guitars…. Extremely high quality, better than Gibson has ever produced, but at a fraction of the price….why?
@@cataclysmicconverter skimp on what exactly?? A few more dollars an hour.. it doesn’t add up to the prices…I am an owner of a few Gibson myself… so I’m not bias too much…
Austin. I find this funny. Cause my e-mail is trying to send you pics of my collection and in it is an AFD epiphone and a Washburn EA96 which is signed by Tom keifer 😂😂 I started sending them about an hour ago. Before you put this video out. But I don't have a computer. I do everything on my phone.
@@cataclysmicconverter haha very funny. Ain't nothing wrong with an epiphone. Trust me. I've played both. And yes I wouldn't mind having a "Gibson" epiphones are just as nice. Mine are not stock. Except for my afd and my bonamassa black beauty
@Trog Most definitely. After seeing the back of that Les Paul, it is far more similar to the color of the Trans Amber on my Flying V. (2016 Sweetwater exclusive. Only 500 made.)
So I guess to some people, a guitar with a straight through neck with a 50's profile, a volute and straight string pull design would be the ultimate in stability and tone.
If it’s not red, exactly 24.69420 scale length, ABR-1 equipped, with locking tuners, all solid platinum hardware, dinosaur bone nut, kissed by Jesus in America, and all one piece of the same tree, it’s terrible and will never be as good as you think it is 🤪
Anybody that pays a premium for a "signed" guitar(specially those shit instruments all over the net) deserves what they overpaid for! "Maybe" a documented "played by the artist"(on stage or in studio) is an exception. I see hundreds of "autographed guitars" for sale, signed by actors, models, & other "non-players" on shitty sub-$100 instruments. I have had the opportunity to meet THOUSANDS of famous(& some not so much)musicians, artists & actors. I've even sold(& did work on) several instruments, for pros. I never bothered any of them for a single autograph, w/one exception. When I saw Les Paul play in NYC, I got him to sign a card, for the man who 1st taught me to play in the 70's.
Nice work Trogly, but I must complain a bit. No reviewer has done it right yet- dial OOP and both Split, thin and spanky - PULL THE BYPASS!! Sorry for screaming, but there are reviewers who say What is that for? The most blaring difference in sound and tone is when dialed for thin, then pull bypass for vast change . BTW, I am LP guy who gives two hoots about "tradition". Sorry for ranting. : {
Excellent condition eh? I'm not picky at ALL personally. I believe guitars should be played, not looked at (unless it is literally a museum....I mean cmon) but I would be PISSED about that headstock with its stand chips. That's some B.S. and I hope you let them know it Trog.
