Gibson HP - worth it or not?

Mr Grumpy

Mr Grumpy

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So, it may be guitar buying time again - a trip to Seoul to try out some Gibsons on the 21st.

These are a few on my try out list:

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(2017 standards)

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(2017 studio)

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(2017 LP classic)


&, Korea over the last two weeks seems to have been shipped a lot of 2017 HP models which are at discounted prices (still not cheap...).

Buying an SG standard which comes with plastic inlays and a crappy nut kinda winds me up. The HP versions come with the adjustable titanium nut (which I really like), mother of pearl inlays (which I really like), cut away neck joins (particularly useful on the LP, and I like this feature), crazy strong cases/or strong gigbags (not sure about these and the extra weight of the big metal cases!) and metal bits such as knobs and truss rod cover (which I don't like, but are easily replaced).

Here are a few that I'm gonna check out:

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(2017 standard HP)

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(2017 special HP)

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(2017 tribute HP)

So, what do you think about the value of the HP models? Pricewise, the goldtop tribute above in HP version costs about the same as a 2017 LP studio, and the 2017 SG special HP costs about the same as a 2017 SG standard while the HP SG standard costs about $1700.

I'm meeting a couple of guitar playing friends for beers and shopping on my birthday weekend, so it's quite likely I'll come back with something Gibson (and the wife is away, so she won't know!).
 
I went thru the same search last year. Played the SG HP + T, and the LES PAUL Classic HP + T.

I loved all four, and feel they were worth the asking price. To me it came down to the frets under or over binding, and the nut selection. I ended up with the LP classic T....it was a difficult decision. I don't mind nibs, so I went a bit more traditional.

It all comes down to personal preference, and in my opinion the quality vs value is worth it with the 2017 lineup. I just prefered the T
 
I think the HP "upgrade" makes a bigger difference with a Les Paul mostly because you are getting the Axcess heel. Not as much value for me in the SG range so I wouldn't be intersted in one of those. And at least for me it would have to have the tuners replaced (Schallers) as well as the nut (Graph Tech) so that is additional cost. Overall, HP is a non-starter for me, even though I love that heel.

From what you posted I would gravitate toward the LP Classic.
 
Just my two cents:

First of all, it all depends on what type of guitar you really want.

A one-pup P90 rocker? If so, the SG or LP Juniors will both be great, but what you prefer will be down to a few factors. The SG is probably a bit lighter, and has better upper fret access. The LP looks like a classic junior, and the SG is, well, an SG. And we know SGs are the coolest guitars on planet earth. I guess the pickup is the same in both of them, and by looking at your pictures it seems like the pickup placement is about the same on both. I'd be surprised it there was a world of difference between them, sound wise. I don't know about the neck profiles, but they might differ. The biggest issue I have with Juniors is of course the lack of a neck pickup. But that's just really a question of priorities.

Les Paul Classic or SG Standard? What guitar do you REALLY want? An SG or a Les Paul? They are probably the two coolest guitar models ever made (purely personal opinion, of course), so what you really need is both. But if you are going for one, just think hard about what you really want. Lesters in general have a darker tone due to pickup placement, SGs are brighter and have better upper fret access. If you want a Les Paul, I would have no qualms buying a Classic. They look great, and if you want them to look closer to the "proper" Standard, new knobs, a TRC and pickup covers will take care of that. Give it some gold reflector knobs and you are in 1960 burst land right away. The Tribute model is a bit cheaper, but the HP version is dearer than the Trads, so I don't know how that works out money-wise. I'm sure it is a great playing guitar. I have no experience with the HPs, but there are no features on them that I personally consider essential. I like neck binding, by the way. In general I'm a fan of classic Gibson looks, so one of the Juniors, an SG Standard (trad) or the LP Classic would be on my list.

Whether the nuts, bridges, frets etc. are of good enough quality for you, I don't know, but personally I have yet to find fault with the bridges or nuts on any or my Gibsons. (Ok, so a couple of them have non-stock bridges and one has a replacement nut, but that's because of other factors than Gibson quality.) I have never had problems with string buzz, intonation or tuning stability with any of my (pre-HP) Gibbos.

Ehat pickups are in the humbucker guitars? Being a model with no hope for any cure I wouldn't necessarily think too much about it, but if you're not looking to change anything (which, knowing a bit of your guitar history, I find highly unlikely) that would be a consideration as well.

My priority list would probably be like this.

SG Standard (Trad. version, cherry finish)
Les Paul Classic
SG Juinor
Les Paul Junior

All four are great guitars (as are the rest of the guitars you are listing), so which one you bond the most with might also be the deciding factor in the end.

Happy hunting!
 
Gahr said:
Now, another important issue:

What ambassador title should Mr. Grumpy' have?
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Well I'll be a code monkies uncle! The Grumpster just jumped into ambassadorship secretly and stealth like. Gahr, since you noticed this, how about you start a thread to find him a new title?
 
I just know Mr. Grumpy will never find peace of mind before he has bought an SG Standard. The Junior will ease his cravings for some time, but he'll be on the prowl for more guitars after a little while. The SG Junior giver me serious GAS, though.
 
Bocc69 said:
I went thru the same search last year. Played the SG HP + T, and the LES PAUL Classic HP + T.

I loved all four, and feel they were worth the asking price. To me it came down to the frets under or over binding, and the nut selection. I ended up with the LP classic T....it was a difficult decision. I don't mind nibs, so I went a bit more traditional.

It all comes down to personal preference, and in my opinion the quality vs value is worth it with the 2017 lineup. I just prefered the T
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Good advice, thank you. I have seen a LP classic goldtop, but at $1800 it's not cheap! I really want a goldtop...

syscokid said:
Tip:
The more beer you drink - the bigger your budget will be..
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That's terrible advice, Sir - I do not need a custom shop Les Paul and not being able to eat for the next 6 months! :D

JohnnyGoo said:
That SJ JR or that Les Paul Classic gets my vote.
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Yeah, they are 2 of my 3 favourites.

BlackSG91 said:
SG Junior!
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Yep.

Dave Sloven said:
I would go for the Junior
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Yeah, if it was Pelham blue or white then I'd certainly go for it, but at $400 more than an SG standard they are pricey (get great reviews from everyone who bought them though.
 
gball said:
I think the HP "upgrade" makes a bigger difference with a Les Paul mostly because you are getting the Axcess heel. Not as much value for me in the SG range so I wouldn't be intersted in one of those.
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That's a really good point.

Gahr said:
Just my two cents:
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Great post that one; very informative.

Gahr said:
I just know Mr. Grumpy will never find peace of mind before he has bought an SG Standard. The Junior will ease his cravings for some time, but he'll be on the prowl for more guitars after a little while. The SG Junior giver me serious GAS, though.
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See, this is kinda the point. The 2017 standards are great guitars, and at $1100 dollars are not a bad price for a standard. &, as you know, I must one day have a standard, but these SG juniors don't come around that often and if I don't get one now then I might not be able to again. &, the classic goldtop is bloody lovely.

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Currently $1870, but they have a one day sale on Sunday, so they might drop the price... (I can't get to the shop, so would have to order unseen - I bought twice from there before and both times the guitars were good and well set up, arrived within 48 hours too).
 
Mr Grumpy said:
That's a really good point.



Great post that one; very informative.



See, this is kinda the point. The 2017 standards are great guitars, and at $1100 dollars are not a bad price for a standard. &, as you know, I must one day have a standard, but these SG juniors don't come around that often and if I don't get one now then I might not be able to again. &, the classic goldtop is bloody lovely.

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Currently $1870, but they have a one day sale on Sunday, so they might drop the price... (I can't get to the shop, so would have to order unseen - I bought twice from there before and both times the guitars were good and well set up, arrived within 48 hours too).
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Honestly, I've played the Les Paul HP and Tributes and the new Studio. All of them played equally well. Just pick the one that looks better to you...and feels right of course!
 
Mr Grumpy said:
That's a really good point.



Great post that one; very informative.



See, this is kinda the point. The 2017 standards are great guitars, and at $1100 dollars are not a bad price for a standard. &, as you know, I must one day have a standard, but these SG juniors don't come around that often and if I don't get one now then I might not be able to again. &, the classic goldtop is bloody lovely.

650_128.jpg


Currently $1870, but they have a one day sale on Sunday, so they might drop the price... (I can't get to the shop, so would have to order unseen - I bought twice from there before and both times the guitars were good and well set up, arrived within 48 hours too).
Click to expand...

Oooooh! Goldtop. Even better than the Classic burst. That would definitely be a contender. when I bought my LP Traditional goldtop I was considering getting a Classic. As I said, I'm partial to traditional looking Les Pauls, and with that Classic, all you need are pup covers, gold bell knobs and a blank TRC, and Bob's your uncle. It is simply lovely. The '57 Classics in there are great as well (but knowing you I guess you'll do some swapping...).

Personally I would have a hard time deciding between the cherry SG Standard and the Classic Goldtop!

Now, regarding the SG Jr. you are right. They don't come around that often and you'll probably always be able to get hold of a Standard. But even if the Jr. is a very cool guitar, I would get the guitar I knew would most likely be my number one axe first. Personally that would be the SG Standard or the LP Goldtop. (Right now though, being a lucky sod, I have both a Les Paul Goldtop and a Derek Trucks SG, so I'd get the Junior SG. Or I might look around for a two-P90 Goldtop or SG Special...)
 
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