Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on December 12, 2007, 04:26:18 PM

Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Twinfan on December 12, 2007, 04:26:18 PM
Right guys, some advice if I may.  I bought a Signature Les Paul recently and I'm very, very happy with it.  It plays and sounds as good as my Gibson Standard, yet is cost 1/3rd of the price at £375 with a case.  Top stuff.

I've been keeping an eye out for other Signature Les Pauls since I really rate them.  I've seen a couple of plain tops on eBay, and a quilt top in a shop, but I've just come across this flame top for sale.  Brand new at £550:

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/signature_honeyburst.jpg)

What do you all think of the top?  The flame is very tight and straight, unlike my other flame top that has wider, wiggly flames.  I know if it sounds good and plays good then looks are second nature, but I'd be buying this mail order and I can't play it first  :(

What do you think?  Gorgeous?  Flames too small?  Too tight?  Doesn't matter, take a gamble and buy it anyway?

I can't decide if I like it or not.........
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Dakine on December 12, 2007, 04:30:37 PM
I like it and MY sig. played GREAT so think QC on all of em is prob. VERY good, another reason Gibson pulled plug on em.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: dave_mc on December 12, 2007, 04:34:50 PM
at the risk of sounding too sensible, how many les pauls do you need?

:lol:
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: WezV on December 12, 2007, 04:35:35 PM
i like the tight even flame a lot.  i also like wider flame - but that looks nice
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Philly Q on December 12, 2007, 04:40:20 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
at the risk of sounding too sensible, how many les pauls do you need?

Gotta agree with Dave, Dave.  :wink:

But the guitar looks nice, I like the small flames.  It needs a "rhythm/treble" washer on the switch though, I think LPs look a bit funny without them.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: AngusYoung01 on December 12, 2007, 04:50:44 PM
Phitt


I like it  :D
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2007, 05:39:47 PM
:o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o

As jealous as it will make me, buy it mate! Looks fantastic to me.

(And if you don't, let me know who's selling it!!!!! :lol:)

EDIT: I would disagree with Phil about the treble/rhythm washer. I think it suits it without one in this instance.


P.S. I can't find any Sig's on ebay right now; were you referring to ones you'd seen in the past?


Cheers.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: indysmith on December 12, 2007, 05:59:27 PM
if yu can't decide if yu like it or not, then why would yu spend money on it? Chances are it'll be pretty damn similar to ur other one playability and sound wise, so why get another??
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 12, 2007, 06:17:47 PM
It looks amazing really nice LP but i wouldn't pay £550 for it, seems like a bit too much for a Signature LP, you can get brand new jap Tokai LP's for £499 or better ones for about the same price as this Signature from Richtone.
Also you can't play it first so £550 is a lot of money on a gamble.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2007, 06:21:22 PM
Joe that isn't overly expensive for a Signature. I doubt any brand new MIJ LP's at £500 would be miles ahead in terms of quality either.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Will on December 12, 2007, 06:28:18 PM
Hmm, how many LPs do you have so far? and how many are BKPd?
I guess if your doubting it, you could catch up on the upgrades, as its nothing like the bargain that your earlier Sig LP was.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 12, 2007, 06:31:14 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
at the risk of sounding too sensible, how many les pauls do you need?

:lol:


Er Hello .........
TWO of everything
Twinfan is the NOAH of guitars
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2007, 06:33:56 PM
^:lol:

Also, you could sell the Gibson to fund it and have loads of cash left over... wouldn't feel so guilty then...  :twisted:  8)
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 12, 2007, 06:48:35 PM
Quote from: sambo
Joe that isn't overly expensive for a Signature. I doubt any brand new MIJ LP's at £500 would be miles ahead in terms of quality either.


Is it? I don't know much about Signatures i just know that MIJ LP's usually come cheaper than £550. That aside, would you pay that for any guitar you couldn't try first though? It's a lot of money to pay for something that he is not guaranteed to like.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: opprobrium_9 on December 12, 2007, 06:49:20 PM
i almost drooled on my keyboard... wow.  I swear i did a double take when i opened up this thread.  That thing is 410% gorgeous.  You have so many LPs man, but if i had the money i would snatch that up right away.  If worse comes to worse and you hate it, well, it will sell well on ebay.   :lol:
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 12, 2007, 06:56:11 PM
I found another one you may like which is slightly cheaper and looks kinda the same except the flame is less subtle. Though it's similar in colour and also has the pickup selector switch ring missing haha.

(http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/ag/e1/26a2_1.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGNATURE-LP-STYLE-JAPANESE-GUITAR-SUPERB-TONE_W0QQitemZ310007485780QQihZ021QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: indysmith on December 12, 2007, 06:59:27 PM
i can't stand the look of these signatures. the slightly wrong shape eats up at my soul
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: badgermark on December 12, 2007, 07:04:23 PM
Quote from: indysmith
i can't stand the look of these signatures. the slightly wrong shape eats up at my soul


Ha! I JUST noticed the wonky lower horn. Like a bar-steward child of a Les Paul and a telecaster. Telecasters are awesome, so are Les Pauls, but that looks like the red-headed step child you hide away from guests.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2007, 07:08:43 PM
Ha yeah I noticed the odd shape when Nick first got his Sig.

Joe, 'MIJ les pauls' is a subjective term. Of course you can get cheaper MIJ Les pauls than £500, but you can get some that cost £1000+ too.

For a Signature, this is round-a-bout right price area.

And yup I paid a similar amount for my Burny online. And am mega-pleased!!!

You've also gotta remember that the likelihood of him Twinfan being disappointed is less than normal because he already has a Sig (and likes it) and they have a great reputation in general.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Buddha on December 12, 2007, 07:11:29 PM
I much prefer the sig joe posted, gorgeous.  :)
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 12, 2007, 07:14:05 PM
Quote from: sambo
Ha yeah I noticed the odd shape when Nick first got his Sig.

Joe, 'MIJ les pauls' is a subjective term. Of course you can get cheaper MIJ Les pauls than £500, but you can get some that cost £1000+ too.

For a Signature, this is round-a-bout right price area.

And yup I paid a similar amount for my Burny online. And am mega-pleased!!!

You've also gotta remember that the likelihood of him Twinfan being disappointed is less than normal because he already has a Sig (and likes it) and they have a great reputation in general.


Ah right, well then if Twinfan has the money and wants it then he should go for it! Because they look really nice.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2007, 07:15:00 PM
Yeah. And actually I can't make my mind up between the one you posted and the one he posted. Both very cool.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: LazyNinja on December 12, 2007, 07:18:23 PM
I didn't notice the shape difference until Joe's posted that pic either, and I agree I don't like the lower horn. However,

Quote from: indysmith
i can't stand the look of these signatures. the slightly wrong shape eats up at my soul


fair enough, but Edwards' LP shape isn't a perfect copy either. :P
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: indysmith on December 12, 2007, 07:32:09 PM
Quote from: LazyNinja

fair enough, but Edwards' LP shape isn't a perfect copy either. :P

Really?? I can't see any differences - what's wrong on them?
i guess the lower horn could be considered to be ever-so-slightly pointier.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Twinfan on December 12, 2007, 11:23:15 PM
Quote from: sambo
I can't find any Sig's on ebay right now; were you referring to ones you'd seen in the past?


Yep, I was.  They sold a few weeks back.

Quote from: dave_mc
at the risk of sounding too sensible, how many les pauls do you need?


Just one more  ;)

Quote from: will
Hmm, how many LPs do you have so far? and how many are BKPd?


I've got 6 Les Pauls (Standard, Custom and Special) and two of them are BKP'd.  None of the others need them as I'm happy with the pickups they have.

I love Feline's quote re. Noah - I'm having that in my sig  :lol:

Mixed opinions on the Signature LP then.  I was thinking of snapping it up as at £550 it's still a bargain if it's similar to the one I have.  I was thinking a set of Black Dogs might go well in it.....
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Philly Q on December 12, 2007, 11:30:46 PM
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
Er Hello .........
TWO of everything
Twinfan is the NOAH of guitars

Don't forget Noah had two of everything for breeding purposes.

... in a year you could have a house full of mini Les Pauls and RGs.  Ah, the clatter of tiny strings.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: noodleplugerine on December 13, 2007, 01:03:06 AM
He had 2 of all the unclean animals - and 7 of the clean actually.

So if you could Les Pauls as clean, Twinfan would only be Noah if he had 7 of them - In which case, he ought to buy this one if he wants to be Noah!

Also, I think we can all agree that RGs are DIRTY!

And I think he has pairs of RGs.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: hunter on December 13, 2007, 06:18:43 AM
I like the burst on this one. Just the right amount of red and right amount of shadow.

So many LPs, well important is it makes YOU happy!

I am actually planning to cut back on guitars a bit, the restringing is a bit too much as I like to play with fresh strings. I might sell some. What I'd really like to have is a gold top Gibson Kiefer Sutherland and a very classic black V.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2007, 08:46:20 AM
Thanks for all the opinions guys - much appreciated.  I've decided I'm going to pass on the guitar.  It doesn't look as good as the one I have (in my opinion) and I DO have enough Les Pauls  ;)  I'll PM Sambo the details of where it is.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Jonesy76 on December 13, 2007, 09:58:46 AM
I like tight flame like that, but I'm another who doesn't quite think the slightly 'bar-steward son of Les Paul' shape works for me.

My Orville By Gibson and Jap Tokai are far more on the money.

.......and I have 4 LP's........5 if you count the doubleneck that Bob made for me! :roll:  :D
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2007, 10:13:01 AM
The shape is actually les noticeable in the flesh, and I quite like the fact that it isn't an exact Les Paul copy.  It's like a cheap PRS Singlecut  ;)
Title: Re: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Henk on December 13, 2007, 10:32:17 AM
Quote from: Twinfan
Right guys, some advice if I may.  I bought a Signature Les Paul recently and I'm very, very happy with it.  It plays and sounds as good as my Gibson Standard, yet is cost 1/3rd of the price at £375 with a case.  Top stuff.

I've been keeping an eye out for other Signature Les Pauls since I really rate them.  I've seen a couple of plain tops on eBay, and a quilt top in a shop, but I've just come across this flame top for sale.  Brand new at £550:

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/signature_honeyburst.jpg)

What do you all think of the top?  The flame is very tight and straight, unlike my other flame top that has wider, wiggly flames.  I know if it sounds good and plays good then looks are second nature, but I'd be buying this mail order and I can't play it first  :(

What do you think?  Gorgeous?  Flames too small?  Too tight?  Doesn't matter, take a gamble and buy it anyway?

I can't decide if I like it or not.........


If you were not in doubt you wouldnt have to ask, and i always bought guitars i was 1000% sure i needed to have.

I personally prefer a more natural looking flame, its a bit more genuine i think, or even the grain of plain maple can be absolutely stunning up close.

To the question, would you buy this at 550 pounds i would say:

I'd buy this at 500

(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb157/Boshond/DSC_2820.jpg)

I think i actually need 3 of these!!!!!
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: dave_mc on December 13, 2007, 08:15:43 PM
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
Quote from: dave_mc
at the risk of sounding too sensible, how many les pauls do you need?

:lol:


Er Hello .........
TWO of everything
Twinfan is the NOAH of guitars


doesn't that mean he needs seven of the "clean" guitars?

(sorry, I watch QI way too much...  :lol: )
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: _tom_ on December 13, 2007, 08:17:41 PM
Henk, I'm so jealous of that SG, I love how the natural brown ones look and the aged pickup covers look great :)
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Henk on December 13, 2007, 09:02:15 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Henk, I'm so jealous of that SG, I love how the natural brown ones look and the aged pickup covers look great :)


Thnx Tom, the Mules in it have raw nickel covers, now there are '57 Gibson classic/classic + in there i still had, spot on sabbath tone. The Mules are in my custom which has 500k pots, the pots in this SG are the original 250k ones.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: brewboy73 on December 17, 2007, 10:27:28 PM
One cant have too many Les Pauls. They all have their own sonic quality. My two flametops dont sound anything alike. As for the Treble/Neck plate, all it does is hide some if the flame. I remove them and the pickguards from all of my Gibsons. You paid for the top, so show it off.
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: kluson on December 17, 2007, 11:27:15 PM
looks like a great Les Paul to me but I am not the person to ask, I 'd buy it, looks great waht pu's you going to put in?
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: kluson on December 17, 2007, 11:28:12 PM
Quote from: brewboy73
One cant have too many Les Pauls. They all have their own sonic quality. My two flametops dont sound anything alike. As for the Treble/Neck plate, all it does is hide some if the flame. I remove them and the pickguards from all of my Gibsons. You paid for the top, so show it off.


 Oh yes there speaks a man after my own heart. Always room for another Les Paul !
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Jonesy76 on December 17, 2007, 11:59:28 PM
Quote from: kluson
Always room for another Les Paul !


Amen to that brother :D
4 and counting! :twisted:
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: brewboy73 on December 18, 2007, 02:39:05 AM
What are some of the specifics behind the guitar in question? Year, model, is it a signature model, custom shop?
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Twinfan on December 18, 2007, 08:50:45 AM
Quote from: brewboy73
What are some of the specifics behind the guitar in question? Year, model, is it a signature model, custom shop?


It's not a Gibson matey!

It's a Japanese Les Paul copy, branded as a "Signature".
Title: Should I buy this? Advice on flame top Les Paul....
Post by: Henk on December 18, 2007, 10:26:14 PM
Quote from: kluson
Oh yes there speaks a man after my own heart. Always room for another Les Paul !


You bet! Allthough i allready have found THE standard for me im only looking for THE custom........

I allready think i understand the basic difference between the two after 3 customs, now i just have to find something better then the custom i bought last which should be hard enough.....

PS. There are several gibboholics lurking around this forum, allways nice to meet another!  :wink: