Speaking of hollow bodies...

Don O

Don O

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Has anyone played one of these? I walked into Sam Ash back in 1998 and saw this hanging on the wall. Caught my eye right away because I was looking into a black beauty. This one was called a Florentine. Took it off the wall and sat down and played it for about 10 minutes. Great sound and excellent neck. It came home with me that day.

Played it over the next week sitting on that bar stool in the picture. First time I put a strap on it and stood to play it, damn, being a hollow body the neck seemed to weigh more that the body and you had to work to hold the neck up. Ergonomics sucked. Got totally bummed and sold it within a year.

floretine top 2.jpg

floretine front 2.jpg
 
It looks like a lovely Les Paul Custom. I don't think Lesters are known for neck dive,
because they are so dense and heavy. Neck dive would spoil the deal for me too even so.
I'm not a Les Paul guy. To me, a Les Paul with neck dive does not deserve the high prices
that people get for them.

Right now I own one hollow body electric... it's a Chinese made Epiphone ES-339 P-90 pro.
I have to tell you that this guitar balances perfectly. It cost me $339 with no case, so I spent
another hundred on a hard shell Epi case. I've spent more on mods (and case) for this instrument
than I did to buy it, because I like it so well. Epiphones respond really well to upgrades.
Caledonia 2016@100.jpg
So IMHO, a hollow body guitar doesn't automatically have to balance poorly. Sometimes
the designers get things right. Sometimes NOT! That black and gold Lester with the F holes
would have caught my eye too, because I like an unusual instrument with its own unique
voice. But the significant price difference between a $4500 Gibson and a $450 Epiphone
(power of ten) puts them in alternate universes.

This one fits neatly into the 'unusual instrument with its own unique voice" category.
I'd like to hear more about your hollow body Les Paul, because Gibson has seen fit to re-issue them.
They are making them again, maybe with a different model name. And I'll bet the new ones
balance the way we expect a great Gibson guitar to balance... perfectly.

Gibson Memphis ES-Les Paul
 
Col, it was 20 years ago, so I don’t remember much. I do remember a friend playing it and getting George Bensen type jazz tones.

And I paid $2K for in 1998.
 
I think Gibson Les Paul Customs are pretty cool guitars, especially with an ebony FB and them block inlays look sharp.


;>)/
 
BlackSG91 said:
I think Gibson Les Paul Customs are pretty cool guitars, especially with an ebony FB and them block inlays look sharp.


;>)/
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I like them too. I have the opportunity to buy this one at the moment, a 1977
C__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_gibson-les-paul-custom-77_09.jpg but its not cheap & would interfer with me getting a new Les Paul classic when they hit the stores here in Oz, so unless I come into some unexpected cash I'll let it pass. Pity though, I would like. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
I like them too. I have the opportunity to buy this one at the moment, a 1977
View attachment 11980 but its not cheap & would interfer with me getting a new Les Paul classic when they hit the stores here in Oz, so unless I come into some unexpected cash I'll let it pass. Pity though, I would like. Cheers
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Reminds me of Randy Rhoads guitar...that LP is sure a beauty Ivan...Cheers!:dood:



;>)/
 
ivan H said:
I like them too. I have the opportunity to buy this one at the moment, a 1977
View attachment 11980 but its not cheap & would interfer with me getting a new Les Paul classic when they hit the stores here in Oz, so unless I come into some unexpected cash I'll let it pass. Pity though, I would like. Cheers
Click to expand...

Jeez, I would be POUNCING on that. Admittedly, I have a soft spot - my very first good guitar was an identical '77 Custom, got it brand new and played it for many years. Later on I owned another '77 Custom in the same color and now I have a '79 Silverburst.

Classics are nice guitars and all, but the '70's Customs are the best damn guitars I have ever played for heavy music.
 
gball said:
Jeez, I would be POUNCING on that. Admittedly, I have a soft spot - my very first good guitar was an identical '77 Custom, got it brand new and played it for many years. Later on I owned another '77 Custom in the same color and now I have a '79 Silverburst.

Classics are nice guitars and all, but the '70's Customs are the best damn guitars I have ever played for heavy music.
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Thanks gball, your gassing me up real well. It would use up most of my free funds at the moment, but would be nice. I'll have to give it some serious thought. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
Thanks gball, your gassing me up real well. It would use up most of my free funds at the moment, but would be nice. I'll have to give it some serious thought. Cheers
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Nothing that sounds like them. The very voice of 70's hard rock.

Most are heavy but worth it, just be sure you are a fan of the super-low, wide frets before you take one home. They are a bit of an acquired taste. I learned how to play on those frets so I am fine with them but I've know lots of people that struggled with them if they were used to vintage-style frets or the thinner taller Gibson ones.
 
Thanks for the advice gball. I really have to put some thought into it. I get side tracked so easily when it comes to guitars. I was planning on a P90 equipped LP for my next purchase, but, a custom like this doesn't show up all that often over here. Decisions, decisions. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
Thanks for the advice gball. I really have to put some thought into it. I get side tracked so easily when it comes to guitars. I was planning on a P90 equipped LP for my next purchase, but, a custom like this doesn't show up all that often over here. Decisions, decisions. Cheers
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There's that factor too. I don't see a lot in that kind of condition any more and at least here the prices are starting to really rise.
 
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gball said:
There's that factor too. I don't see a lot in that kind of condition any more and at least here the prices are starting to really rise.
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Pricewise, this one is in line with what reverb says a good '77 is worth (AU$'s), but looking further into the guitar I found thisC__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_gibson-les-paul-custom-77_05.jpg
So a trip to a luthier would also need to be figured into the cost . I'll contact a reputable one to enquire as to the cost of a repair before making up my mind. Cheers
 
Good chance that could be a finish crack, not a problem with the wood. It's not unusual with those 3-piece maple necks, but definitely something worth checking out.

I'd also run the full serial number too and doublecheck the year. In 1977 they switched from the stickered S/N like that one there to the embossed 8-digit (YDDDYSSS) type. It's likely that some built very early in 1977 would have had the sticker but probably as likely the guitar is a '76.
 
ivan H said:
Pricewise, this one is in line with what reverb says a good '77 is worth (AU$'s), but looking further into the guitar I found thisView attachment 12012
So a trip to a luthier would also need to be figured into the cost . I'll contact a reputable one to enquire as to the cost of a repair before making up my mind. Cheers
Click to expand...
All you need is one of these... it's even gold plated!

Orbit_N199.jpg
 
gball said:
Good chance that could be a finish crack, not a problem with the wood. It's not unusual with those 3-piece maple necks, but definitely something worth checking out.

I'd also run the full serial number too and doublecheck the year. In 1977 they switched from the stickered S/N like that one there to the embossed 8-digit (YDDDYSSS) type. It's likely that some built very early in 1977 would have had the sticker but probably as likely the guitar is a '76.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for good advice gball, much appreciated. Sorry I didn't answer earlier today, I've had a busy one. Appologies for derailing the thread too. Cheers
 
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