I spent my lunch break Friday at the local GC and started with the Epiphones to see if I could get into a LP on the cheap, but that isn't going to happen.  Perfectly good for their price points, but not what I am looking for.

Then I played my ultimate DREAM guitar, a Custom Shop 1968 Ebony Reissue, and I was in love, until I looked at the $7k price tag.  I could technically drop $7k on a guitar, but that is a chunk of cash I don't think I''m willing part with quite yet.

Moving on from the dream guitar, I played the new '50s and '60s Gibson Standards.  I really thought I would like the '50s thick neck, and while it was comfortable, I can't see myself living with it.  The '60s necks were pretty much perfect.  I've found a Wildwood Select '60s that has a hand picked top that I am really lusting after.

I'm at the fork in the road - Drop $7k on a Custom Shop '68 Reissue, or spend half of that on a sweet '60s standard which plays damn near the same.

AS A SIDE NOTE:  Comparing all the ones I played, the Custom Shop felt better, played better, and sounded better than the Standard, but not $4k better if you know what I mean.  It looks like Gibson USA has finally gotten their shit together and are putting out some really nice Standard guitars again.  The Epiphones felt like $800 chinese guitars.  All the right ingredients, but just not executed well.  

So fingers cross I'll hopefully have a NGD post soon.  Just have to make up my damn mind.

I don't play guitar, but thought about picking up a heritage cherry burst 50s or 60s and a Fender 65 Princton Reverb 1x12 to learn on. I think that would be my ideal combo.

Search out a used '68 CS?

It looks like you could slide in closer to the $4000-$4500 range if you went that route.

If you want to check out a WHOLE bunch of Les Paul's that you probably never even heard of, check out Trogly's Guitar Shop on YouTube. He's a huge nerd but a decent player and an absolute Les Paul freak.

I used to know Standards / Customs / Jr.s and Specials but there are SO many others.

He reviewed / has for sale a Les Paul Senior that I would love to own, but it's out of my price range.

That is one of the main reasons that has me wanting a Lp guitar,, that and friends over the years that were musicians that played them. I have played the trumpet and other wind instruments for around 38 years on and off as well as a bit of piano, but never got into guitar.

I'm mainly a Strat guy myself, but have a handful of Gibsons as well. My favorite combination is the Les Paul Junior into a brown Fender Deluxe amp.

Once you figure out what neck profile you like, just go looking for one with a headstock break that was properly repaired (or one that needs repair and you can have it done).

Personally I would never own anything made by Gibson with a mahogany neck and would only look at the 70's customs and such that had the 5-ply maple and the volute.  Mine has tumbled off a stand several times with zero issues which is important for a gigging guitar!

Oh, he's not wrong. I got my Supreme with a crack in the headstock. Perfect repair and I did not feel bad about sanding the neck and finishing with tung oil.

Plays great and feels good for the last five years with no issues. Paid $1100.

#0000 steel wool is great for smoothing out sticky nitro finish on necks.

Have a day dream where you smash the Guitar in store, leave and go buy yourself a nice rifle.

Do eeet!

She just got fresh strings a day ago.
Love this guitar! Attached File

Find a used CS 1960 reissue LP which will have a thinner neck than the 58 and 59 reissues. Why would you want a 68 RI when you can get a 60 RI for the same price? The 60 RI will have better resale value also.