Hey guys.
A bit of background for anyone that cares:
Over the last 14 years or so I've amassed a decent guitar collection but I've noticed that for the last 18months or so I've only really been using a small selection of them with either of my bands, so I've decided to have a cull and keep what I actually use sell the rest and buy myself something nice.
I've been watching hundreds of Les Pauls on Ebay and Gumtree (UK Craigslist basically) for the last few months as apart from it being a Les Paul, I had no specific model or spec in mind. Then a few weeks ago I got put intouch with a private dealer about an hours drive or so away and we got talking.
I told him I wanted a Les Paul, no black or white finishes, but that anything else was fair game. I went to his place over the weekend and there were about 12 or 13 Les Paul cases sat waiting for me. It's pretty safe to say I was like a kid in a sweet shop :D
Well, after a few hours of trying out several Les Paul Standards and Customs, a Goldtop 70s Deluxe, a Goldtop R7 and a Sunburst R8 I made my decision and paid my money.
The final 3 were an 02 Flametop Standard (which I eventually discounted in the end due to the thinner neck, a shame as I'm a sucker for a Flame Top), a 92' Wine Red Standard and the Plaintop Sunburst R8. All 3 were lovely playing and sounding guitars but the R8 just sounded that little bit sweeter and felt that little bit more resonant in my hands so I went for that. I felt at ease with it straight away, like I am with my 98' Standard that I've had almost 12 years now.
Excuse the shoddy pics, they're taken on my phone and I'm rubbish at photos anyway:
It's a 2007 Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard Reissue R8 in, according to a check with Gibson as no-one was sure, Faded Tobacco Burst. I have no idea at all what the pickups are, I can only assume they're stock but I haven't pulled them yet to check. It's got the odd nick and dent on the back and 1 on the neck so it's no case queen, buyt I gig all my stuff anyway so it'd pick some up eventually anyway.
At the minute I have a pair of Mules in my Cherryburst Standard so what I'm thinking of doing is putting those into this guitar and then getting a Super Distortion pair or Super Distortion/Super 2 set to go into my other Standard as I always wanted to be Ace Frehley
