New Gibson LP R8 - Tailpiece issue ?

    I just wanted to make sure that, considering its price, i wasn't sold a dud.
    Rescator, no offence, I appreciate your candour, but (in absence of more experience) I currently still appreciate my VOS Gibson. I actually find it more refreshing than the Gibson worshipping that guitar magazine reviews provide each year, with the new model even more authentic/true than the last one. Even the 2015 ones received top reviews, while net is spread of demo's with the eTuner issues.


    I am still at the Fender/Gibson stage - if my playing (and hearing) improves, i might go up to Suhr or other select brands at that stage. Did anyone see the Mark Knopfler doc ("the 5 guitars')? My R6 P90 I have had for easily 5 yrs now and, compared my Fender, it has been very stable in tuning, and is in tune over the whole neck. Can't say that about my old Ibanez and the newish Fender Road Worn is not stable in E Flat - even after I had it set up by a luthier .
    As documented elsewhere here on forum, I was surprised to find only minor difference in sound between the R6 and the R8 - R6 P90 has a bit less mids. - but maybe this is also a compliment to the R8 CustomBuckers - They are very clear but still warm, and the Tone pots work across the full range, while the R6 Tone knobs seem rather logaritmic (most effect between 0-2 on 10, from 3-10 nearly no effect on tone). Some advised to adjust the P90's, but these are soapbars, not sure one can adjust them.
    I have read up about the horrible eTuning, unstable and quirky, and have avoided them - one of the reasons I stayed with VOS reissues as also they seem to keep their value better and somehow I hope it has better craftsmanship than the regular ones. (My R6 has gone up by 50% in 5 yrs).
    last year i bought a Mex Fender Road worn - just love the thin neck with no lacquer and the Hot Mex pups - my old Fender Am Stdrd is smothered in lacquer.
    (Warning GAS Alert) - I really liked the DutchBurst CC#18, likely I will go up to NL and try the original vintage 1960 LP (valued around 250 K Eur) together with the CC# reissue, as the guy has both - just to compare and compare to my R8 (that has identical pups). That vintage '60 was on many video's (and on Dutch TV) - and had a beautiful creamy crying sound. The owner went on TV and had it played by one of NL top guitarists (who was drooling all over it). However as the CC# series and even the Historic Series seem the have the same CustomBuckers, my tech side that is telling me the extra 2-3 K Eur on top of a VOS Reissue (or CS as they are now called) is marketing bullshit. I mean - how much can 3 kg of wood and some magnets cost ? I'll find out soon.
    Maybe Gibson is overpriced, but with my limited experience, I had the impression that the VOS series seem the best deal. Meanwhile, I am a happy bunny with my R8 and Kemper, and impressed with the Kemper forum for helping me sift through the marketing bull. Now just find a DXR12 / CLR or similar to test.

    Ingolf,
    I went over to get it at Music Store - its huge there ! Was unsure about buying online - not being able to compare. Went in to look for a Cherry or Tea burst, and came out with a Bourbon Burst purely on resonance (other being equal). Seems your Studio Junior model is already sold out in Thomas and Music Store !

    Nice guitar, the Gibson custom shop puts out great guitars. You can experiment with the tailpiece in terms of height as mentioned, some also wrap the strings around the top of the tailpiece for a different feel when bending the strings. Enjoy the new guitar!

    Quote from JVDW

    Ingolf,
    I went over to get it at Music Store - its huge there ! Was unsure about buying online - not being able to compare. Went in to look for a Cherry or Tea burst, and came out with a Bourbon Burst purely on resonance (other being equal). Seems your Studio Junior model is already sold out in Thomas and Music Store !


    Yes, the Junior is sold out now.
    I bought online because Cologne is too far from Hamburg just to drive and test, but As I said I was completely floored with what I got for that in price.

    Quote from lef38

    Other example : http://www.amazon.de/gp/produc…usical-instruments&sr=1-2
    Only 1 LP out of 5 is at EUR 1499, but 2 hours ago it was 4 out 5 !
    You have to pull the trigger very quickly :) Anyway I didn't made a purchase, I'm afraid of the wide neck

    The wide neck is cool actually.

    JVDW,


    I have three Les Paul's, (True Historic R0, '13 R0, CC33). I have tried the tailpiece on the deck and up,about 1/4" off. There is no difference in sustain that I could tell.


    If you do drop the tailpiece onto the deck, make sure to top wrap. The reason is you don't want the strings touching the back of the saddle as it is too much of a break angle and will put too much pressure on the posts and bend it. The other benefit of less break angle, the strings will be easier on bends, feel looser.


    Personally I keep my tailpiece off the guitar about 1/4" and do not top wrap.


    Enjoy your R8, she is a beauty.

    Cheers all. That put my mind to rest.
    I'll have to get used to the subtle difference with the P90's as the R8 CustomBuckers are more clear surprisingly. P90's difference seem mostly scoped a bit in the mids. On Monday am expecting a DXR12 home to test. Curious if it can provide the 'amp in the room' aspect that my HS80 failed at (attack seemed slower of monitors - less percussive sound at loud volume).


    Same for me on my Standard. 1/4" off the deck and no wrap. Maybe I'll wrap for the holidays ;)