To Flame Or Not To Flame?

[Colt45]

That is the question.
I’m on the fence getting a Gibson 60’s Les Paul with a beautiful flamed top or a 58 reissue plain top.
I’m afraid I’m going to like the plain top for playability and the bigger neck ( and a lot more money); but I love those flamed maple tops.
I’d have to drive roughly an hour and the shop has them both in stock…and both in bourbon burst which I prefer.
Thanks for any input.

[Colt45]

I’m not a giggling musician, just a passionate hobbyist.

[Chickee]

I do love a good flame maple top on a Les Paul. I would be a liar if I said I didn’t.
But I chose a plain top on my 2021 Studio BourbonBurst when offered the choice.

I’m sure you will follow your heart and hands when the moment comes to decide.
Good luck on your journey.

frank d.
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[rmp]

I too like the 50s specs

I also like the 60s flames

so - yea, you need both..

aren't you glad I'm helping?

[Bob Womack]

I like the slim taper necks so it wasn't a problem to me.


Bob

[posternutbag]

Play them both. I have a Custom Shop R8 with the most unremarkable top you have ever seen, but it plays like a dream and sounds fantastic. The day I bought my R8 there was another with identical specs and much prettier top wood, but the “Plain Jane” spoke to me, so I brought her home.

[abn556]

I have several flamed Gibson guitars including a R0 (Historic 1960) so I am a sucker for a nice flame top, but in this case the R8 is a higher grade guitar than the USA 60s model. Made in the Custom Shop, long neck tenon, custombuckers, upgraded caps, just to name a few things. I have 3 Gibson Custom Shop electrics and have found them to be well worth the money.


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[GoPappy]

Originally Posted by posternutbag

Play them both. I have a Custom Shop R8 with the most unremarkable top you have ever seen, but it plays like a dream and sounds fantastic. The day I bought my R8 there was another with identical specs and much prettier top wood, but the “Plain Jane” spoke to me, so I brought her home.

+1. Buy the one that feels and plays the best. Looks should be secondary.

[posternutbag]

This is my R8. Like I said, very unremarkable top, but my understanding is that that is intentional as the original ‘50s bursts didn’t get top shelf woods; those were saved for the high end jazz boxes.

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[Glennwillow]

I think you have to buy that one that feels and sounds the best. I like a flamed top, but to me the feel and sound are even more important.

- Glenn

[Colt45]

I just noticed on the 58 I was interested in has the lightly aging done to it…crackling etc.
Not sure about this, but I guess it all comes down to which one I’m most comfortable with.
My wife is very cool about my guitar hobby and I mentioned to her about a more expensive model…59 reissue and all she said was “wrap it up”.
I appreciate all the comments /pictures here and I do realize it all comes down to which one I’m most comfortable with.

[abn556]

I looked at quite a few Murphy lightly aged LPs and SGs at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. Most were very tastefully done, though I am not a big fan of faux aging in general.

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[abn556]

So what happened? Which one did you get?

[Colt45]

Originally Posted by abn556

So what happened? Which one did you get?

Nothing yet. I am going to the beach this coming week so I might stop in to Russo Music in Asbury Park, NJ to see what they have.
Been there before and usually have a nice selection of guitars.

[ghostnote]

I don’t dislike flamed tops, but going strictly by looks, I’d take a plain top every time. Of course one can’t be buying based on just looks, but I’d be willing to bet that despite how much we play, we still spend more time looking at our guitars than we do playing ‘em.