I met a guy who said his grandfather left him a 1960 Gibson Les Paul. He said he knew it was a 1960 because that’s what was on the pick guard. 😂 I didn’t know much but I knew Gibson didn’t put those pickguards on classic 1960 Les Pauls. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was only a few years old.
Bought my first Les Paul, a used Classic from a local dealer for a very reasonable price in ‘04. Knew nothing about Les Pauls but sales guy told me thought it was an ‘02 based on the serial. Then I learned a couple years later it was actually ‘92 which the forums seemed to respect. Really a great player, one piece plain top with natural aging and I’ll never let her go. Ceramics are hot yes, but if you don’t dime them out every time they do fine.
Nice to finally see some love for the early classics!! I've got a 91 plain top, but it has an incredible book matched knot right by the volume knob which makes it quite unique. Happy Holidays!!!
I've got two complaints about my 2019 Classic. One is that the 3rd fret inlay has risen up enough to catch the E or B string on a bend, and two, the bore holes in the tail-piece are not smooth. When it gets to the high E string, it's not an exaggeration to say that it takes 10 minutes and reading glasses to position a 9 gauge "just right" to pass it through without catching on burrs and bending. I'm a huge Gibson fan, and I have several. But I've got to say, I do understand when people talk about quality issues.
True! We sometimes forget these axes are made by imperfect humans that do the same thing over and over every day, with the same parts whether fretting, sanding, painting. I can see it getting really monotonous.
Fantastic video, coverage and history of the 1960 Classic reissue. This was my first Les Paul purchase at Manny's Music in NYC in late August 1990. Beautiful early model with serial# of 622. Absolutely love the guitar. My son wants it of course, but he will have to wait until I die to be willed to him (if I don't take it with me in my coffin 😉). Thanks for being so thorough with details, I have tried to find more information and history about it, but you did it justice! Keeping it all OG of course. Enjoy yours!
My se custom 24 has a flamed maple center piece of the 3 piece neck and some dancing in it mahogany back as well. my g&l tribute asat classic semi-hollow got a fully flamed neck and fretboard.
I purchased two Classic premium plus’ when they were released, cherry sunburst and tobacco burst. They both had AAA tops, no pick guard and were not only stunning but great sounding and light guitars. I sold them both for about £1200 each ten years ago.
Have a 92 classic with same finish. Can definitely see the thin binding in cutaway on mine. Binding has yellowed with thin cracks making it look really aged. Mine has a cream toggle switch not yellow and l dont have the pickguard. Killer guitar and cranks through a marshall.
Look at the build specs on the 2019 epiphone exclusive deluxe limited run Sg Pro G 400... don't say anything about AAA flamed maple veneer because we then can talk about the veneer Gibson uses on their 335..339..and headstock and backs of the Les Paul.... Classic 60s Era "Solid Guitar" The G-400 Deluxe PRO is inspired by the first generation of SGs made in the 1960s at the legendary Gibson and Epiphone factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan that produced the Les Paul and the Casino. The SG model was originally intended to replace the Les Paul, which temporarily went out of production from 1961-1968. The new G-400 Deluxe PRO is constructed using the same dimensions and build techniques as vintage SGs and features a AAA Flame Maple Veneer top with a Mahogany body and neck with a comfortable 1960's SlimTaper 'D' profile and a 24.75" scale length. The Pau Ferro fingerboard has single ply binding with pearloid Trapezoid inlays, 22 medium jumbo frets, a 12" radius, and an adjustable truss rod with a 'bell' cover.
I own a 2001 Classic that looks exactly like the one on the video. Replaced the pick-ups for some DiMarzios PAF 59 and the tone became more classical than with the original pups. The original pick-ups sounded good anyway, specially the 496R.
I love early 90's classics, I have a lp classic plus from 1994 in the rare Cinnamon burst finish with all gold hardware and no pickguard and I absolutely love it
I dropped Tom Holmes pickups in my ‘99 Honeyburst Classic Plus, also swapped out the bridge for a Faber and went with a lightweight tailpiece, brass thumb wheels, Kluson Revolution tuners, mojo-tone 500k CTS pots, Luxe PIO caps, and 50’s wiring. Each update brought more out of the guitar so I felt it was worth seeing how far it could improve. It’s pretty impressive, and keeps me from lusting after newer models. Thanks for the review.
Happy Holidays to the Trogly family!! I just wanted to say thanks for all the vids and hard work over the year!I think I have watched every one!! Have a good one dude
The early 90's were a great time for Gibson. The time period I am most nostalgic for. In 92 I traded my black 85 Explorer in on a wine red Studio, gold hardware and trapezoid inlays on a ebony board. Great memories of this time in guitars in general. (I was in HS in the early 90's)
I have a very modded ‘93 SG Special. Funny enough, according to a brochure I found, all the ‘93 SGs seemed to get rosewood boards, but the Special got EBONY.😂 Mine needs a re-fret though.
I also have a ‘93 Studio in wine red with gold hardware. My dad bought it for $500 in the late ‘90s. I sold my first truck to buy it when he decided to sell it. One of the best guitars I’ve ever had.
I have a December 14th 89 Les Paul that meets a lot of these specs, 2 piece plain top, 1 piece back, fluffy case blanket. But it's not a classic. And unfortunately got a factory Kahler.
I agree. More room for correct intonation. Easier to adjust intonation since screws are rear facing. Less prone to post lean due to inserts. Just doesn't satisfy the historical traditionalists.
Good point. I hate that ABR-1 bridge with the wire retainer. Sometimes to set the intonation correctly, you have to turn the saddles around. Not sure whos idea that was because the string tension will hold the saddles down. Wire retainer is useless.
I prefer the Nashville over the ABR-1 since I like to top wrap on my Les Pauls and that only works with the Nashville. When I top wrap on an ABR-1it doesn't sound right. I get a strange pinging sound from some strings so I don't top wrap on an ABR-1.
@@davesinger6526 I think too wrapping is kind of a weird practice since it reduces the break angle over the bridge, but the Nashville Bridge overall is a much better bridge objectively, especially compared to an ABR-1 mounted in the historically correct way, which is directly into the wood. The tension can cause the posts on the bridge to lean over time. Also, ABR-1 bridges typically collapse over time (decades) and have to be replaced, they have less room for intonation. There are a lot of reasons why Gibson upgraded away from the ABR-1. The Nashville style bridge is better in every way.
@VidMashUp I like to top wrap mainly because my right hand feels more comfortable while resting on the bridge due to the reduced break angle of the strings. Also, for my Nashville bridges top wrapping keeps the strings from contacting the back edge of the bridge. This isn't a problem with the thinner ABR-1. With both bridges I screw the tailpiece down flush with the guitar top.
FYI - I have a Classic 1991 I bought new then, and the maple top is clearly visible with the thin binding. Nice example, mine is in similar condition, near mint.
The original Classics were great in every respect bar one. The hot ceramic pickups. I swapped 'em out for some PAF clones and the guitar was transformed.
@@brianm9517 I'm in the minority who liked the hot ceramics in my '92 classic plus, but after 20 years, time for a change, tried a Lollar Charlie Christian and P90 pair (humbucker format), jazzy, but too noisy with single coils, ended up swapping in some Frailin Pure PAFs, and switching to a 50s style wiring. Best sounding guitar I've ever played.
Another good film Austin, but surely the saviour of the company is the SG it being the only model that’s been in continuous production since its inception.
Wish I still had my 1963 SG junior! I do have my 1990 Classic that I bought new in April 1990 in mint condition (not an overstatement) still strung with the factory strings.
Cool to see this model pop up. I picked up an ‘89 version a year or so ago. Number 011. Hard to get on with the slim neck but it’s a nice one for sure.
Great 'Classic' video, Austin! My 2018 LP Gold Top Classic has the 'Les Paul model' headstock logo and the Classic truss rod cover in white letters. I changed the Grover tuners to the Gibson Vintage Nickel Machine Heads seen in the video. It's a Guitar Center exclusive due to the added Bigsby 7 Vibramate with the nickel spoiler. It's a non-weight relief boat anchor, possibly 10.5 pounds, but the P90s are insane! I don't gig so the weight is not a big deal...Love these 'educational' vids!
Love those 500T pups. I really REALLY want to try out a Dirty Fingers. I play aggressive stuff and the ceramic humbuckers lend well to it, the hotter, the better… so it would just make sense… I’ve got one loaded in my The Hawk that I would offer to go a review on, but I’ve modded every part on it. Hey Austin, if you want to do a comparison of what The Hawk model WAS vs what it COULD have been, let me know…
Joe Pass uses an Emperor. Epiphone produces a signature model of Pass' guitar. Les Paul used Epiphone guitars for recording from the early 1940s until the late 1950s, even after his signature Gibsons were produced. The Epiphones were highly customized models
I have a 1991 Classic that I put an early 90s set of 57 Classics in. It's a fantastic guitar. Tried out several R7s and R8s that I was thinking of buying, and then sell the Classic. But none of the Historics I've lusted for and tried would feel or sound better than my old Classic. So the Classic has remained by my side. And the neck is just fantastic, it plays itself.
I played one almost exactly like this one at a Guitar Center in 1995, I still remember it. I was in college so didn't have the money to get it, but it was amazing.
I remember the early 2000's LP Classics with the green-ish inlays. Some retailers where I live must have bought a stack of them or got a good deal from Gibson or due to the exchange rate, because they were discounted when new. Unfortunately it's left me with a bit of impression that there is something inferior about them that I can't rationalize. I'd still consider one if it turned up at the right price.
I purchased a LP Classic Goldtop in '93. I wasn't aware that that was the first year for the goldies. Still have, still love it. Only thing is the 1960 print on the pickguard wore off due to sweaty hand. Looked everywhere but can't find a replacement 1960 pickguard.
I bought one of those in 1995 on an impulse, and came to regret it. Honestly it felt like a cheap copy. The most bizarre thing was that the fingerboard had strange ridges on it, as though it had been misplaned or something. It was the guitar that persuaded me to have my dream Les Paul made by a luthier, so I did. Sid Poole.
Many care too much about supposed visual "mistakes" and dont know these ridges as you call it have no impact on anything.. least of all, the sound. No so-called luthier can build you a Les Paul that feels and sounds like a genuine Gibson. Same with copies of Martin acoustics.. money wasted. Hope you didnt pay too much for that thing ;) .. but yeah, what ever makes you happy...
To my knowledge the Classic was marketed as the best USA Gibson Les Paul up until 1997 at least, do you have any info as to when did the Standard reclaimed it's throne?
I just got an amazing flamed top 92 Re-issue classic that I just reviewed on my channel just this week. I LOVE mine...and honestly, I think I'm gonna collect a few more examples from the same time period! Folks on my channel were letting me know that the inlays are celluloid.
My 1992 LP Standard is an amazing guitar.. easily on par with my CS Historics from another great era, 2005-2007 (genuine South Am. mahogany, no Fiji stuff..) The good wood years are no nonsense, you know it when you play them. So I I bought another 3 Les Pauls from early 90s.. just because they are SO good.. they all are, no dud left the factory then...
@@SamuraiFingers When my brother I played with for 30 yrs first strummed the open A chord on that 92 unplugged - he looked at me with disbelief - Wtf is THIS ?? Yeah, true story - and you understand ...
In 2000 AMS we're selling these for 1,200! I purchased 3 of them and thought I'd won the lottery selling them on Ebay to the European market for $1,500 for two of them and $2,400 for the other. Wished i woulda kept one...
Thanks Trogly. Never really understood where the Classic fit in. Im still curious how the new ones compare to the early ones. As far as feel and sound. I know they are a lesser version but I see they are very popular among many. I personally am not interested in the new ones.I own 6 Pauls, a 2010 Traditional, a 2006 gold top deluxe, a 69 or so modified for hums deluxe, a 2014 120th Ann. heritage cherry (mod shop), a 2016 60's Tribute with P-90's (mod shop) and the Epiphone Bonamassa 58. Ive come to realize i prefer the 50s necks over the 60s slim tapers. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Back in 1999 I walked into a nice guitar shop and there was a cherry sunburst classic up on the wall 🥰 I asked them to get it down for me, and before I even played it, I decided, she will be mine. 😉🤣 Another one I kick myself in the ass for selling! 🤬😠 Dumb Bleeper!
Their fretboards always looked rougher especially with the greenish inlays. Just bought a set of hot ceramics from a 92 lpc, covers added so they're a little tamer now slightly lower ohms. Can hardly wait to put em in my 2010 faded sg. The 490s are are okay but uninspiring for my taste
I traded my dad for it. It's Cherry Burst. I sent it to an apraisal place in Nashville, TN and he said that because I replaced the pickups and volume/tone nobs it lost value and went to worth ONLY $3500@@Trog
Thank you for posting this very insightful and informative video. My first Les Paul was a late 90s Classic in Honey Burst. Those ceramic pickups were awesome. Wish I still kept it. 🤘🎸🎸🤘
I owned an early 90’s Goldtop Classic back in late 90’s. It was an OK guitar but I couldn’t bond with the paper thin neck , 10lb body and buzzsaw sounding pickups. I don’t miss it.
Ello I’ve got 2 older classics and just bought a 92’ in amazing shape and it’s being shipped from cold ass Tennessee to nice hot humid south Florida…should I wait to open the case?…should I leave it on the porch a few days to acclimate it b4 bringing it inside to the 50% humidity 72 degrees house? I’m worried about checking…I like it but if it’s a flawless finish not so much Thanks
If I were to buy a les paul it would be a classic. Has all the good stuff like bindings but like the coil taps. They look very traditional but have modern features
I got a 94 gold top classic. body and finish was perfect but it had been neglected 5 hours of cleaning and set up and it looks brand new best £650 I ever spent 😅
Hey trogley have a 91 in honey burst and an 04 in cherry burst unfortunately the pickups were changed out so had to put others in but awesome guitars they are
Did they really rank above Standards when they came out? I remember them being a couple hundred $ cheaper than standards when they debuted, around $1,100 - $1,200 compared to $1,500 for a Standard. Always wanted a coppertop Classic but it was a hard finish to find. Happy holidays Trogly, thank you for all the years of fun and informative videos!
I have a 1990 Honey Burst LP Standard with the Bill Lawrence designed circuit board pickups. It’s a beautiful instrument! Any chance you can review one of those?
Gibson is always known to muck up something in the reissues such that with visual inspection it can be seen as a reissue. The LP Classics are no exception. Look carefully at the outside curve of the cutaway and you will see it purposely cut not-quite-right, has a bit of a "blocky" look. you can even see it in the video of the one Mr. Torgly plays.
Funny to think I’ve been playing for almost 20 years. Those snot green classics were considered pretty gross. Nowadays, they’re finally getting their due. It’s so funny seeing models that people did not like, find their audience. I just bought a 2007 BFG, I remember them being blown out for nothing. I remember GOTW and GOTM and watching musicians friend for the new releases but being a broke high schooler.
Wow, even the “burst” red coloring is correct. It should be a lighter spray on the lower part of the guitar. Not several inches of red with no fade - this is what’s called the “clown burst” that seemed more popular with the norland era burst guitars, and even some modern day sunburst guitars have this look. To be fair, some of the original bursts almost go into “clown burst” territory, I think what really defines clown burst is when the colors are bold and no fade is going on
The Classics from ‘89 to ‘03 are effectively identical. Yes, I know, the “Model” vs “Classic”, snot added in ‘93, and thin vs. thick cutaway binding. Same pickups, same neck, same quality, etc. etc….. The tops, however, changed radically in ‘93 with the introduction of the Premium Plus model. Many PPs have nicer tops than R9s or figured 335s. Personally, I’d trade a PP top for thin binding cutaway any day. I’ve owned many 91 to 03 Classics. My number one is a 2001 Premium Plus in Lightburst. That one goes into the coffin with me. ❤
My 1989 Les Paul Standard in Ebony has no weight relief!! it weighs 10.4 pounds!! great guitar. still plays and sounds great. as for it having a 3 piece top, i cant tell, its black! i payed 950.00 for this ebony standard in 1989 brand new with the brown case with baby blanket. doesnt that price just make you sick these days? i do love that cherry burst classic you have and i love the top and no its not plain. has alot of character in the wood grain. thanks for sharing nice video
The early 90's Classics were great! The absence of the long neck tenon is not really a con, I'll never understand why people obsess about that. Well okay, on a SG it will probably add some (much wanted) stability to the neck, but on a Les Paul it's not necessary and it will definitely not affect the sound one bit. I also will not understand why people insist on "upgrading" the caps on a reasonably modern guitar, that absolutely will not affect the sound either. The only reason to upgrade the caps would be if they're somehow off spec electronically, like if you have a vintage guitar with dried out oil caps.
i bought a Les Paul classic a year ago it cost the same as the standard...so it's nor as good as a standard? i have the J.P. wiring that came stock in this translucent red one
Thanks for the video! I have a 2003 Classic (transparent wine red). Does anybody know of any resources or have information on the exact spec of these instruments?
I had one identical to this sn: O O453, just 30 guitars later, and it was terrible. Somehow it didn’t ring and even tapping the body it sounded dead. I took it for a pro setup and was told that it was just a bad one. They advised me to move it on, which I did. I have an R8 now.
Question @Trogly.. I have one of these from this early nineties era however it has the long tenon neck, flame top and says LPCP in the pickup pocket.. where does that put it in the timeline?
Got to love the 1990s Gibsons! 90% of a custom shop for 25% of the budget. Just bought myself a 98 classic with a plain top. With the 2 piece plain top, proper abr1 bridge and serial number starting with an 8 it’s really just the word ‘classic’ that immediately stands out but otherwise it shares a lot of dna with a R8
congratulations on your videos are a real wonder A 10 to your work.... It only remains to ask if this model has the famous weight relief holes... THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR WISE REPLY.. If anyone knows, I'd be happy if you could let me know
So interesting! I would say the uncovered pickups might have something to do with the same guy in the top hat and his overall resurrection of the Les Paul. So this was kinda like his first unofficial signature run lol
Plain top > figured top for Les Pauls. Leave the heavy flame for PRSs. This is not a knock on PRS. I love PRS, and the heavy flamed top looks good on them. But for a Les Paul, give me a plain top any day.
I met a guy who said his grandfather left him a 1960 Gibson Les Paul. He said he knew it was a 1960 because that’s what was on the pick guard. 😂 I didn’t know much but I knew Gibson didn’t put those pickguards on classic 1960 Les Pauls. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was only a few years old.
Lmao
""Best I can do is 20 bucks." 🗿
If you consider a “few” years 30
@@snowrs1 I met this guy in 1995. 😂 It’s an old story.
Bought my first Les Paul, a used Classic from a local dealer for a very reasonable price in ‘04. Knew nothing about Les Pauls but sales guy told me thought it was an ‘02 based on the serial. Then I learned a couple years later it was actually ‘92 which the forums seemed to respect. Really a great player, one piece plain top with natural aging and I’ll never let her go. Ceramics are hot yes, but if you don’t dime them out every time they do fine.
Welcome to the Classic World!
Those old classics are absolutely killer. I have owned a couple.
"Dime them out" is maxing the volume on the guitar?
Yes.
@@felixfranzen7318 Yes
Nice to finally see some love for the early classics!! I've got a 91 plain top, but it has an incredible book matched knot right by the volume knob which makes it quite unique. Happy Holidays!!!
I've got two complaints about my 2019 Classic. One is that the 3rd fret inlay has risen up enough to catch the E or B string on a bend, and two, the bore holes in the tail-piece are not smooth. When it gets to the high E string, it's not an exaggeration to say that it takes 10 minutes and reading glasses to position a 9 gauge "just right" to pass it through without catching on burrs and bending. I'm a huge Gibson fan, and I have several. But I've got to say, I do understand when people talk about quality issues.
True! We sometimes forget these axes are made by imperfect humans that do the same thing over and over every day, with the same parts whether fretting, sanding, painting. I can see it getting really monotonous.
Fantastic video, coverage and history of the 1960 Classic reissue. This was my first Les Paul purchase at Manny's Music in NYC in late August 1990. Beautiful early model with serial# of 622. Absolutely love the guitar. My son wants it of course, but he will have to wait until I die to be willed to him (if I don't take it with me in my coffin 😉). Thanks for being so thorough with details, I have tried to find more information and history about it, but you did it justice! Keeping it all OG of course. Enjoy yours!
If I had a dollar for every time Trogly said " it's just the wood lottery ". I never have heard anybody else be so lucky with " good wood " guitars.
My se custom 24 has a flamed maple center piece of the 3 piece neck and some dancing in it mahogany back as well. my g&l tribute asat classic semi-hollow got a fully flamed neck and fretboard.
@Suddsy He buys SO many guitars of course he's going to be winning the wood lottery!
I purchased two Classic premium plus’ when they were released, cherry sunburst and tobacco burst. They both had AAA tops, no pick guard and were not only stunning but great sounding and light guitars. I sold them both for about £1200 each ten years ago.
Have a 92 classic with same finish. Can definitely see the thin binding in cutaway on mine. Binding has yellowed with thin cracks making it look really aged. Mine has a cream toggle switch not yellow and l dont have the pickguard. Killer guitar and cranks through a marshall.
Look at the build specs on the 2019 epiphone exclusive deluxe limited run Sg Pro G 400... don't say anything about AAA flamed maple veneer because we then can talk about the veneer Gibson uses on their 335..339..and headstock and backs of the Les Paul....
Classic 60s Era "Solid Guitar"
The G-400 Deluxe PRO is inspired by the first generation of SGs made in the 1960s at the legendary Gibson and Epiphone factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan that produced the Les Paul and the Casino. The SG model was originally intended to replace the Les Paul, which temporarily went out of production from 1961-1968. The new G-400 Deluxe PRO is constructed using the same dimensions and build techniques as vintage SGs and features a AAA Flame Maple Veneer top with a Mahogany body and neck with a comfortable 1960's SlimTaper 'D' profile and a 24.75" scale length. The Pau Ferro fingerboard has single ply binding with pearloid Trapezoid inlays, 22 medium jumbo frets, a 12" radius, and an adjustable truss rod with a 'bell' cover.
I don’t remember these,, my local shop had studios ,standards and customs, but never saw the classic until the modern version much more recently.
I own a 2001 Classic that looks exactly like the one on the video. Replaced the pick-ups for some DiMarzios PAF 59 and the tone became more classical than with the original pups.
The original pick-ups sounded good anyway, specially the 496R.
I love early 90's classics, I have a lp classic plus from 1994 in the rare Cinnamon burst finish with all gold hardware and no pickguard and I absolutely love it
Wow! Dang, I wish we could post pics in these comments. I'd love to see that finish!
Kris Derrig's "fake" Les Paul, the one that Slash used for Appetite, should be in that category as well.
Absolutely.
I dropped Tom Holmes pickups in my ‘99 Honeyburst Classic Plus, also swapped out the bridge for a Faber and went with a lightweight tailpiece, brass thumb wheels, Kluson Revolution tuners, mojo-tone 500k CTS pots, Luxe PIO caps, and 50’s wiring.
Each update brought more out of the guitar so I felt it was worth seeing how far it could improve. It’s pretty impressive, and keeps me from lusting after newer models.
Thanks for the review.
Happy Holidays to the Trogly family!! I just wanted to say thanks for all the vids and hard work over the year!I think I have watched every one!! Have a good one dude
The early 90's were a great time for Gibson. The time period I am most nostalgic for. In 92 I traded my black 85 Explorer in on a wine red Studio, gold hardware and trapezoid inlays on a ebony board. Great memories of this time in guitars in general. (I was in HS in the early 90's)
I have a very modded ‘93 SG Special. Funny enough, according to a brochure I found, all the ‘93 SGs seemed to get rosewood boards, but the Special got EBONY.😂 Mine needs a re-fret though.
@joermnyc Right on, man.
I also have a ‘93 Studio in wine red with gold hardware. My dad bought it for $500 in the late ‘90s. I sold my first truck to buy it when he decided to sell it. One of the best guitars I’ve ever had.
Great trade!! I know exactly how your Studio looks. The wine red with gold hardware is insane!
I bought the same one back then for 425!!
The cork has been sniffed.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of and passion for guitars Austin. May you and your family have a great Christmas and New year.
"The material actually feels vastly different than the ones that came later. Gibson changed to a different breed of muppet for the fur case lining."
LOLOL
Hilarious 👍
Is that what they call the case lining material, 'muppet'?
I have a December 14th 89 Les Paul that meets a lot of these specs, 2 piece plain top, 1 piece back, fluffy case blanket. But it's not a classic. And unfortunately got a factory Kahler.
The Nashville bridge is not a "downgrade"!!!
I agree.
More room for correct intonation.
Easier to adjust intonation since screws are rear facing.
Less prone to post lean due to inserts.
Just doesn't satisfy the historical traditionalists.
Good point. I hate that ABR-1 bridge with the wire retainer. Sometimes to set the intonation correctly, you have to turn the saddles around. Not sure whos idea that was because the string tension will hold the saddles down. Wire retainer is useless.
I prefer the Nashville over the ABR-1 since I like to top wrap on my Les Pauls and that only works with the Nashville. When I top wrap on an ABR-1it doesn't sound right. I get a strange pinging sound from some strings so I don't top wrap on an ABR-1.
@@davesinger6526 I think too wrapping is kind of a weird practice since it reduces the break angle over the bridge, but the Nashville Bridge overall is a much better bridge objectively, especially compared to an ABR-1 mounted in the historically correct way, which is directly into the wood. The tension can cause the posts on the bridge to lean over time. Also, ABR-1 bridges typically collapse over time (decades) and have to be replaced, they have less room for intonation. There are a lot of reasons why Gibson upgraded away from the ABR-1. The Nashville style bridge is better in every way.
@VidMashUp I like to top wrap mainly because my right hand feels more comfortable while resting on the bridge due to the reduced break angle of the strings. Also, for my Nashville bridges top wrapping keeps the strings from contacting the back edge of the bridge. This isn't a problem with the thinner ABR-1. With both bridges I screw the tailpiece down flush with the guitar top.
I would love to see videos on the different pickups, bridges, tailpieces, pots and resistors offered by Gibson. To help I’d the different parts.
FYI - I have a Classic 1991 I bought new then, and the maple top is clearly visible with the thin binding. Nice example, mine is in similar condition, near mint.
Ive owned three 92 Classics. The best LPs I’ve ever owned.
I’ve always loved the early classics. Other than the thin neck anyway. I’m a sucker for that headstock shape with the push in bushing klusons.
I wish i could go back to the late 90s. I remember how much fun I had in the music stores. I used to drool over the les paul classics .
I did too. Should’ve bought one.
The original Classics were great in every respect bar one. The hot ceramic pickups. I swapped 'em out for some PAF clones and the guitar was transformed.
Looking to do this to my '92 classic burst. What PUs did you add?
@@brianm9517Arcane makes a good one (Triple clone) for a relatively reasonable price.
@@brianm9517 I'm in the minority who liked the hot ceramics in my '92 classic plus, but after 20 years, time for a change, tried a Lollar Charlie Christian and P90 pair (humbucker format), jazzy, but too noisy with single coils, ended up swapping in some Frailin Pure PAFs, and switching to a 50s style wiring. Best sounding guitar I've ever played.
Hey Trog, when did the 300K pots come in? I must say I am not a fan. I also prefer the 490s over the 496 and 500.
My SG Standard has the 490R/498T and they're awsum!
Another good film Austin, but surely the saviour of the company is the SG it being the only model that’s been in continuous production since its inception.
Agreed.
I read a few years ago that the SG is still the best selling Gibson guitar.
@@john564hollowayI certainly wouldn’t doubt that.
I don’t even like SGs, but I have to agree with your comment.
Wish I still had my 1963 SG junior! I do have my 1990 Classic that I bought new in April 1990 in mint condition (not an overstatement) still strung with the factory strings.
I picked up a 2020 Les Paul classic in blueberry burst with a AAA top. It's an incredible guitar!
and thus began the second price hike on the old Classics, great
So similar to mine. Its a 2008 classic. Im so lucky to have one of those.
When you showed pictures at the beginning ..... I really liked the "lemon burst" type of color!
Cool to see this model pop up. I picked up an ‘89 version a year or so ago. Number 011. Hard to get on with the slim neck but it’s a nice one for sure.
Great 'Classic' video, Austin! My 2018 LP Gold Top Classic has the 'Les Paul model' headstock logo and the Classic truss rod cover in white letters. I changed the Grover tuners to the Gibson Vintage Nickel Machine Heads seen in the video. It's a Guitar Center exclusive due to the added Bigsby 7 Vibramate with the nickel spoiler. It's a non-weight relief boat anchor, possibly 10.5 pounds, but the P90s are insane! I don't gig so the weight is not a big deal...Love these 'educational' vids!
Love those 500T pups. I really REALLY want to try out a Dirty Fingers. I play aggressive stuff and the ceramic humbuckers lend well to it, the hotter, the better… so it would just make sense… I’ve got one loaded in my The Hawk that I would offer to go a review on, but I’ve modded every part on it. Hey Austin, if you want to do a comparison of what The Hawk model WAS vs what it COULD have been, let me know…
Merry Christmas Guitar community 🤘
And a very merry Christmas to you friend!
Merry Christmas to you, axe brother!
Joe Pass uses an Emperor. Epiphone produces a signature model of Pass' guitar.
Les Paul used Epiphone guitars for recording from the early 1940s until the late 1950s, even after his signature Gibsons were produced. The Epiphones were highly customized models
I have a 1991 Classic that I put an early 90s set of 57 Classics in. It's a fantastic guitar. Tried out several R7s and R8s that I was thinking of buying, and then sell the Classic. But none of the Historics I've lusted for and tried would feel or sound better than my old Classic. So the Classic has remained by my side. And the neck is just fantastic, it plays itself.
I played one almost exactly like this one at a Guitar Center in 1995, I still remember it. I was in college so didn't have the money to get it, but it was amazing.
Never too late still find them for sale
I remember the early 2000's LP Classics with the green-ish inlays. Some retailers where I live must have bought a stack of them or got a good deal from Gibson or due to the exchange rate, because they were discounted when new. Unfortunately it's left me with a bit of impression that there is something inferior about them that I can't rationalize. I'd still consider one if it turned up at the right price.
I purchased a LP Classic Goldtop in '93. I wasn't aware that that was the first year for the goldies. Still have, still love it. Only thing is the 1960 print on the pickguard wore off due to sweaty hand. Looked everywhere but can't find a replacement 1960 pickguard.
nice one, I have a late 89, same color, pickups changed but I have the originals!
I have a 2005 LP classic, only LP ive owned (so far) great gat, changed pups to slash sig. alnicos, med weight 3.9, love it.
I bought one of those in 1995 on an impulse, and came to regret it. Honestly it felt like a cheap copy. The most bizarre thing was that the fingerboard had strange ridges on it, as though it had been misplaned or something. It was the guitar that persuaded me to have my dream Les Paul made by a luthier, so I did. Sid Poole.
Many care too much about supposed visual "mistakes" and dont know these ridges as you call it have no impact on anything..
least of all, the sound. No so-called luthier can build you a Les Paul that feels and sounds like a genuine Gibson. Same with copies of Martin acoustics.. money wasted. Hope you didnt pay too much for that thing ;) .. but yeah, what ever makes you happy...
To my knowledge the Classic was marketed as the best USA Gibson Les Paul up until 1997 at least, do you have any info as to when did the Standard reclaimed it's throne?
I love that 496r tone! Too bad they dont put the 498/490 set in the current ones.
Stevie Via’s birthday is June 6 (1959).
I wish Gibson still made Les Paul Classic. I miss those late 90s early 2000s years of Gibson. Affordable.
I just got an amazing flamed top 92 Re-issue classic that I just reviewed on my channel just this week. I LOVE mine...and honestly, I think I'm gonna collect a few more examples from the same time period! Folks on my channel were letting me know that the inlays are celluloid.
My 1992 LP Standard is an amazing guitar.. easily on par with my CS Historics from another great era, 2005-2007 (genuine South Am. mahogany, no Fiji stuff..) The good wood years are no nonsense, you know it when you play them.
So I I bought another 3 Les Pauls from early 90s.. just because they are SO good.. they all are, no dud left the factory then...
@@tomasvanecek8626 yeah man, as soon as I played mine I could feel it resonating and the sound took my head off! It was "THE ONE"!!!
@@SamuraiFingers When my brother I played with for 30 yrs first strummed the open A chord on that 92 unplugged - he looked at me with disbelief - Wtf is THIS ?? Yeah, true story - and you understand ...
In 2000 AMS we're selling these for 1,200! I purchased 3 of them and thought I'd won the lottery selling them on Ebay to the European market for $1,500 for two of them and $2,400 for the other. Wished i woulda kept one...
That is a beautiful Classic. Merry Christmas Trogly!
Thanks Trogly. Never really understood where the Classic fit in. Im still curious how the new ones compare to the early ones. As far as feel and sound. I know they are a lesser version but I see they are very popular among many. I personally am not interested in the new ones.I own 6 Pauls, a 2010 Traditional, a 2006 gold top deluxe, a 69 or so modified for hums deluxe, a 2014 120th Ann. heritage cherry (mod shop), a 2016 60's Tribute with P-90's (mod shop) and the Epiphone Bonamassa 58. Ive come to realize i prefer the 50s necks over the 60s slim tapers. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Folks need to get the 1990 through 2008 ones. That’s the best run
I have 05 classic w yellow inlays, but who cares?! great gat
Get one between 90 and 93
I still have my 1991 Classic in full bullion gold. Hated it until I put SD Seth Lover pups in it.
Had a 1990 All Gold
How do they decide whether to use a FULL or LIGHT weight tailpiece? Is it just a 'historic spec', or is there some benefit to one v.s. the other?
Back in 1999 I walked into a nice guitar shop and there was a cherry sunburst classic up on the wall 🥰 I asked them to get it down for me, and before I even played it, I decided, she will be mine. 😉🤣 Another one I kick myself in the ass for selling! 🤬😠 Dumb Bleeper!
Wow .. wish you kept it
@@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION oh yeah
Ever reviewed the 2000 Gibson Les Paul SG historic custom shop with tremolo?
Their fretboards always looked rougher especially with the greenish inlays.
Just bought a set of hot ceramics from a 92 lpc, covers added so they're a little tamer now slightly lower ohms. Can hardly wait to put em in my 2010 faded sg. The 490s are are okay but uninspiring for my taste
I've got a les paul classic 1960 that I bought in 1990. It's dated 1989, 57th one made.
I have a '93 Custom Les Paul that was made on April 3, 1993! So, I don't think that Customs were originally created in the late '93.
The CUSTOM SHOP as we think of it today as a separate division was opened in late 1993
I don't see how I can take a picture of it, but I looked up the code on the back and Gibson said that it was made on April 3, 1993.@@Trog
I traded my dad for it. It's Cherry Burst. I sent it to an apraisal place in Nashville, TN and he said that because I replaced the pickups and volume/tone nobs it lost value and went to worth ONLY $3500@@Trog
Thank you for posting this very insightful and informative video. My first Les Paul was a late 90s Classic in Honey Burst. Those ceramic pickups were awesome. Wish I still kept it. 🤘🎸🎸🤘
I owned an early 90’s Goldtop Classic back in late 90’s. It was an OK guitar but I couldn’t bond with the paper thin neck , 10lb body and buzzsaw sounding pickups.
I don’t miss it.
Ello I’ve got 2 older classics and just bought a 92’ in amazing shape and it’s being shipped from cold ass Tennessee to nice hot humid south Florida…should I wait to open the case?…should I leave it on the porch a few days to acclimate it b4 bringing it inside to the 50% humidity 72 degrees house? I’m worried about checking…I like it but if it’s a flawless finish not so much
Thanks
Around three years of perfect production before they changed everything.
History Stutters.
Thanks for all your work Trogly.
i love the pickguard personally. i saw one a long time ago and i always assumed it was some expensive rare model without researching it
The red super strat that Trogly is holding at the beginning is actually a BC Rich ST111. USA.
If I were to buy a les paul it would be a classic. Has all the good stuff like bindings but like the coil taps. They look very traditional but have modern features
What camera do use for filming?
Go back to the top and check out the vid description. He lists everything he uses.
I got a 94 gold top classic. body and finish was perfect but it had been neglected 5 hours of cleaning and set up and it looks brand new best £650 I ever spent 😅
93 all gold classic is my all time dream guitar!
Had a 1990 reissue 1960 LP all Gold
Hey trogley have a 91 in honey burst and an 04 in cherry burst unfortunately the pickups were changed out so had to put others in but awesome guitars they are
Steve Marriott (The Small Faces/Humble Pie) used a Dwight during Humble Pie's early days; it can be heard on the track "I Don't Need No Doctor".[10
my 2017 Classic is gorgeous Seafoam Green two piece top
Those are beauts!
Austin Thank You for great show very Helpful about Gibson!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!
Some of the early LP classics had these very yellowed fretboard inlays, they were even kinda over yellowed.
I think those were late 90s and early 2000s Classics, mine is 05 and got the (piss/green)yellow inlays.
Did they really rank above Standards when they came out? I remember them being a couple hundred $ cheaper than standards when they debuted, around $1,100 - $1,200 compared to $1,500 for a Standard. Always wanted a coppertop Classic but it was a hard finish to find. Happy holidays Trogly, thank you for all the years of fun and informative videos!
I have a 1990 Honey Burst LP Standard with the Bill Lawrence designed circuit board pickups. It’s a beautiful instrument!
Any chance you can review one of those?
Gibson is always known to muck up something in the reissues such that with visual inspection it can be seen as a reissue. The LP Classics are no exception. Look carefully at the outside curve of the cutaway and you will see it purposely cut not-quite-right, has a bit of a "blocky" look. you can even see it in the video of the one Mr. Torgly plays.
Funny to think I’ve been playing for almost 20 years. Those snot green classics were considered pretty gross. Nowadays, they’re finally getting their due. It’s so funny seeing models that people did not like, find their audience. I just bought a 2007 BFG, I remember them being blown out for nothing. I remember GOTW and GOTM and watching musicians friend for the new releases but being a broke high schooler.
Wow, even the “burst” red coloring is correct. It should be a lighter spray on the lower part of the guitar. Not several inches of red with no fade - this is what’s called the “clown burst” that seemed more popular with the norland era burst guitars, and even some modern day sunburst guitars have this look.
To be fair, some of the original bursts almost go into “clown burst” territory, I think what really defines clown burst is when the colors are bold and no fade is going on
I love these educational ones. Thanks for posting!
Does the 2000 model classic apply for the things said here ?
The Classics from ‘89 to ‘03 are effectively identical. Yes, I know, the “Model” vs “Classic”, snot added in ‘93, and thin vs. thick cutaway binding. Same pickups, same neck, same quality, etc. etc…..
The tops, however, changed radically in ‘93 with the introduction of the Premium Plus model. Many PPs have nicer tops than R9s or figured 335s. Personally, I’d trade a PP top for thin binding cutaway any day.
I’ve owned many 91 to 03 Classics. My number one is a 2001 Premium Plus in Lightburst. That one goes into the coffin with me. ❤
great video, but I can´t find the amp do you used ... thanks for add. information about this
Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue
I owned two early 90s Classics. Sold them off but they were very cool guitars.
My 1989 Les Paul Standard in Ebony has no weight relief!! it weighs 10.4 pounds!! great guitar. still plays and sounds great. as for it having a 3 piece top, i cant tell, its black! i payed 950.00 for this ebony standard in 1989 brand new with the brown case with baby blanket. doesnt that price just make you sick these days? i do love that cherry burst classic you have and i love the top and no its not plain. has alot of character in the wood grain. thanks for sharing nice video
Bought a Les Paul standard for eight hundred dollars in 1989. Still have it.
The early 90's Classics were great! The absence of the long neck tenon is not really a con, I'll never understand why people obsess about that. Well okay, on a SG it will probably add some (much wanted) stability to the neck, but on a Les Paul it's not necessary and it will definitely not affect the sound one bit. I also will not understand why people insist on "upgrading" the caps on a reasonably modern guitar, that absolutely will not affect the sound either. The only reason to upgrade the caps would be if they're somehow off spec electronically, like if you have a vintage guitar with dried out oil caps.
i bought a Les Paul classic a year ago it cost the same as the standard...so it's nor as good as a standard? i have the J.P. wiring that came stock in this translucent red one
Thanks for the video! I have a 2003 Classic (transparent wine red). Does anybody know of any resources or have information on the exact spec of these instruments?
I had one identical to this sn: O O453, just 30 guitars later, and it was terrible. Somehow it didn’t ring and even tapping the body it sounded dead. I took it for a pro setup and was told that it was just a bad one. They advised me to move it on, which I did. I have an R8 now.
When plain tops look better than flamed tops !
This is a beautiful finish
Question @Trogly.. I have one of these from this early nineties era however it has the long tenon neck, flame top and says LPCP in the pickup pocket.. where does that put it in the timeline?
might be one of the Custom Shop produced Classics
Got to love the 1990s Gibsons! 90% of a custom shop for 25% of the budget. Just bought myself a 98 classic with a plain top. With the 2 piece plain top, proper abr1 bridge and serial number starting with an 8 it’s really just the word ‘classic’ that immediately stands out but otherwise it shares a lot of dna with a R8
congratulations on your videos are a real wonder A 10 to your work.... It only remains to ask if this model has the famous weight relief holes... THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR WISE REPLY.. If anyone knows, I'd be happy if you could let me know
another great portion of guitar knowledge! thanks a lot!
So interesting! I would say the uncovered pickups might have something to do with the same guy in the top hat and his overall resurrection of the Les Paul. So this was kinda like his first unofficial signature run lol
Slash first got an "unofficial" signature of 4 red guitars in 1990 - so very possible!
@@Trog yes! Totally forgot that cuz he just kept em for himself... Maybe his order was the a-ha moment that kick started the Classic line
Plain top > figured top for Les Pauls. Leave the heavy flame for PRSs.
This is not a knock on PRS. I love PRS, and the heavy flamed top looks good on them.
But for a Les Paul, give me a plain top any day.