straightblues Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 I am thinking about buying a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop R4 (54 historic reissue). It it is Les Paul Goldtop with P90's and a wraptail. I have my eyes on a minty used one $1,900 that sounds and plays great. I am looking for something to get those bitting Freddie King type P90 tones on. Should I buy the R4 or is there a similar Hamer that will get me there instead? If anyone has experience with the R4 let me know you thoughts.
hamerhead Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 You need therapy.................because you had to ask. Buy it.
RobB Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 I have my eyes on a minty used one $1,900 that sounds and plays great.Where's the conflict? Buy it. You can always sell it for what or more than you paid and buy a Hamer that won't even get you close to the sound you're looking for.LPs kick ass. Buy it...
mkadowaki Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Buy it, I got one. Hamers are great, but only a Les Paul will sound like a Les Paul.
serial Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Buy it. I have one and love it. Putting new pickups in mine tonight although the stock ones aren't bad.
JES1680 Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Another buy it vote. I've got one and it's an amazing guitar. I love the wraptail bridge. These are great deals used. Mine was right around $1900 as well.
kizanski Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 I loved mine! It was one of the heaviest Les Pauls (so that makes it one of the heaviest guitars) that I have ever touched, but it played and sounded great!
DavidE Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Seems universal. You're a dolt if you don't buy it. ;-
serial Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Damn-didn't know so many of us had these-that pic of Kiz' makes me want another one!
straightblues Posted January 24, 2007 Author Posted January 24, 2007 Thanks guy for your approval guys. I am shocked that this many Hamer fans have one of these. I guess I am in. Looks like I will need to sell a couple things to make it happen. I will post them here shortly.
cmatthes Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Ditto on those. Serial's VOS R4 is light, mean and easy to love.It changed my mind.
Brooks Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Too bad Serial ruins it by using a Line6. ...said the guy who gigs w/ tech21's!! i know, i know, TM60's kick ass (i used to have a TM10). ps- buy the LP!!!
serial Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Awright Brooks! My R4 just got even better. I installed a Lollar bridge pickup in it last night. I wasn't UN-happy with the stock Historic PUs, but they could have been better. The Lollar is noticeably better. This guitar's going to be getting a lot more abuse now!
straightblues Posted January 24, 2007 Author Posted January 24, 2007 Can someone tell me the diffences between the VOS and non-VOS.Hey JES 1680 does yours have a dark back? What is the difference with the dark back ones?
serial Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 As I understand it, VOS (Vintage Original Spec) refers to a different finish. I prefer the VOS finish-it's less glossy and has a subtle bit of aging (subtle enough that some I've seen can pass for shopwear). I've read that Gibson uses one or two fewer coats of clear topcoat on it and that there's a different list price (slightly lower) for it, but since the R4 is no longer a regular item, I don't know that it applies to that model (it didn't when I got mine). All new R4s are plekked which seems to be a good thing-mine intonates very well with the wraptail (mine's an '06). I think that they started that in '06. As for the "ageing" on the VOS, there is some slight dulling of the nickel and on some I've seen, a trace amount of what looks almost like rust staining. Not in a bad way, mind you. I assume that it's something like a slight acid treatment. The color on the VOS goldtops looks "richer" and more authentic to me compared to the non-VOS and looks more like the old 50s goldtops I've seen or played. The difference with the darkbacks is that the back is darker. I don't like that look at all personally, but for a while, that was apparently a selling point. I have yet to see an original 50s goldtop with backs as dark as the ones Gibson Historic does.
ac15 Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 I almost bought one a couple years ago, but bought my first Hamer instead....a tobacco sunburst Monaco III. I'm quite happy with it but still dig the 54 Goldtops.
murkat Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 A. As I understand it, VOS (Vintage Original Spec) refers to a different finish. B. I've read that Gibson uses one or two fewer coats of clear topcoat on it.C. the R4 is no longer a regular item, D. All new R4s are plekked, I think that they started that in '06. As for the "ageing" on the VOS, there is some slight dulling of the nickel and on some I've seen, a trace amount of what looks almost like rust staining. I assume that it's something like a slight acid treatment. a. yup, slight diff finish, "treatment" to the finish.b. yup, and then the "treatment".....c. sure it is, depends on the demand, namm just happened, orders are in, wait till you see the R6's with a light tobacco finish hit the streets.... remember the old Pro's in the 70's only with a rosewood board and mahogany neck... killerd. VOS for 06', everything being plek'd 07'. yup, vos will have aged hardware, some dull, some surface rust, some.................
cmatthes Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 I am trying SO hard not to cave and buy one.Now, if I could score the single pickup R4 (ish) LP, I'd drop everything...
serial Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 The R4 is still "available", but not available as a regular Historic item from what the Gibson site says-it looks to be a special order. One dealer I spoke to about them said that they weren't available at all, which I doubt. More likely, they didn't have any in stock. I brought mine out to rehearsal tonight and good lord did it sound great with the Lollar in the bridge. I LIKE that!
murkat Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Now, if I could score the single pickup R4 (ish) LP, I'd drop everything...I havent seen one of those come down the pipe for some years.......
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