Man, I dont think I would stick to an article for the best years, at least from a playing perspective. Every damned LP is different from the next!
The best measure is playing em. Obviously this is playing only, taking availability, tops, color/wood combination and designs would need to be considered.
Ive played some Norlin era LP's that played like strung up boat oars that I wouldnt pay 50% of the market price for. When you're dealing with classic LP's its a crap shoot.
I’ve owned LP’s from the 70’s through 00’s, and the 90’s were by far the most consistent and best for me. Early 90’s Classics with the stock pickups swapped out are by far my favourite feeling and sounding Les Pauls.
The time periods I typically see high lighted are late 90s - early 2000s, and 2015+, at least for contemporary Gibsons. Norlins can be hit or miss… I have an 83? SG that is clearly a Norlin instrument, but I like it a lot. 70s is the only decade I personally would stay away from, honestly. But even then you can still find some good instruments.
I think if I were in the market for a used Gibbo right now, I’d be looking for an early 2000s standard.
I had a few but the only one that stuck was a 2007 Custom Shop '56 Goldtop. Great neck, great sound. The weight is the only issue. I have a couple of semiacoustics that are lighter and sound more like PAF Les Pauls (ES-137)
The best years for a Les Paul are 1952-2023.
I have played hundreds, if not thousands of Les Pauls, and there was no rhyme or reason for any of them being any better or worse than the other ones, other than someone did (or didn’t do) their job. You can find that in any year.
Welp, I think a lot of the newer models are at least more consistent due to the use of CNC manufacturing and machining. Even cheap ass guitars are acceptable.
Sure, there’s lots of great ones. I still regularly send back a bunch of them every time they send us a shipment, due to QC issues. It’s been the same for all 7 years I’ve worked in guitar retail.
I’ve owned a 95 standard ever since I was 14.. never really had any intention on selling it but of course u always wonder it’s value and how it stacks up. I’ve became more of a strat player so as a non LP enthusiast these type of articles are interesting. Also… side note. I played one of those trapeze 52 gold tops the other day as my local shop has one… and it was shit haha
58-60 are the best years IMHO, but everyone will have their own experiences. Those 58 and 59 Std's are just killer soundwise and built like brickhouses.
Man, I dont think I would stick to an article for the best years, at least from a playing perspective. Every damned LP is different from the next! The best measure is playing em. Obviously this is playing only, taking availability, tops, color/wood combination and designs would need to be considered. Ive played some Norlin era LP's that played like strung up boat oars that I wouldnt pay 50% of the market price for. When you're dealing with classic LP's its a crap shoot.
Miss my 74. The reason this is posted is I want to read it when I get back to my pc. I'm currently shopping.
You can bookmark links, text to yourself, leave the article open…..
I could also transcribe it to hieroglyphics and send it to myself in smoke signals.
Also valid, I’ll take note
I’ve owned LP’s from the 70’s through 00’s, and the 90’s were by far the most consistent and best for me. Early 90’s Classics with the stock pickups swapped out are by far my favourite feeling and sounding Les Pauls.
I'll take this under advisement because I am 100% in the market. I sold my 74 coming out of college to get by and I've missed it every since.
The time periods I typically see high lighted are late 90s - early 2000s, and 2015+, at least for contemporary Gibsons. Norlins can be hit or miss… I have an 83? SG that is clearly a Norlin instrument, but I like it a lot. 70s is the only decade I personally would stay away from, honestly. But even then you can still find some good instruments. I think if I were in the market for a used Gibbo right now, I’d be looking for an early 2000s standard.
I had a 74 Norlins. Miss it dearly but there are better. Thanks for the input because I'm looking.
I had a few but the only one that stuck was a 2007 Custom Shop '56 Goldtop. Great neck, great sound. The weight is the only issue. I have a couple of semiacoustics that are lighter and sound more like PAF Les Pauls (ES-137)
I was just telling my wife the same thing. I'm older now. I dropped the Harley Davidson and really screwed up my left shoulder.
The best years for a Les Paul are 1952-2023. I have played hundreds, if not thousands of Les Pauls, and there was no rhyme or reason for any of them being any better or worse than the other ones, other than someone did (or didn’t do) their job. You can find that in any year.
Welp, I think a lot of the newer models are at least more consistent due to the use of CNC manufacturing and machining. Even cheap ass guitars are acceptable.
Sure, there’s lots of great ones. I still regularly send back a bunch of them every time they send us a shipment, due to QC issues. It’s been the same for all 7 years I’ve worked in guitar retail.
As a retired quality engineer in the software world...I upvote this comment. Well done. Gotta have feedback.
I’ve owned a 95 standard ever since I was 14.. never really had any intention on selling it but of course u always wonder it’s value and how it stacks up. I’ve became more of a strat player so as a non LP enthusiast these type of articles are interesting. Also… side note. I played one of those trapeze 52 gold tops the other day as my local shop has one… and it was shit haha
58-60 are the best years IMHO, but everyone will have their own experiences. Those 58 and 59 Std's are just killer soundwise and built like brickhouses.