NGDs - 2x Gibsons enter the fold...

stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
24 Dec, 2024
These sort of crept up on me over the last few weeks but both were very keenly priced and absolutely fabulous to look at so here we are (please buy my other stuff in the new year...) Happy Christmas me I guess!! D (but srsly I need to sell some stuff...)

First... Non-reverse Firebird, CS 1965 reissue. This one is 1000% @GavRichList's fault. It desperately needs a toggle switch and I'm going to try P90s, but it plays beautifully, is incredibly resonant acoustically, STAYS IN TUNE EVEN USING THE VIBROLA, and obviously looks incredible. It is like playing an ironing board with surprisingly less neck angle than I expected, but I've got used to it ok so far. Next task will be working out how to do a 1-trip load in with the stupid big hard case.... 




Second, and only because Peach had ludicrous prices once you take the VAT off... Gibson LP Standard 50s in ebony, aka "the Blacktop one"

I've never had a Les Paul Standard before. I'll have been playing guitar 24 years as of tomorrow. I wanted a blacktop for the longest time (recall at least one swoony conversation with @guitargeek62 in a London pub around 2012...) and these are discounted, so probably being discontinued for 2024. It's bloody brilliant. I'm certain to put nicer pickups in, and honestly fairly likely to change the hardware for Faber, but it's up there with the best Les Pauls I've played, and it's in the coolest finish around if you ask me. 

The only weird thing is it's so shiny as I basically never buy properly new-new guitars. I need to get some miles on it asap. 


Comments
Wow. Great effort. I'm not even a little bit jealous.






Teyeplayer Frets: 3568
24 Dec, 2024
Both fantastic choices. Happy Christmas! 
Wow. Great effort. I'm not even a little bit jealous.






Same. Alright for some. I'm getting a Behringer pedal tomorrow!
Oh. And now I want a non-reverse Firebird. Thanks a bunch @stickyfiddle !
JezWynd Frets: 6478
24 Dec, 2024
Couple of lovely guitars, I can see why you bought both - it's difficult to choose one over the other. 
GoFish Frets: 1986
24 Dec, 2024
^^^There's basically zero crossover, had to get them both.

I know you've been after the non-reverse all year and the LP is gorgeous, so HDoubleNGD!!
beed84 Frets: 2548
24 Dec, 2024
I’m really loving that Les Paul. Funnily enough, I’ve also been playing for 24 years and never owned a Standard either. Maybe this is a sign!
stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
24 Dec, 2024
GoFish said:
^^^There's basically zero crossover, had to get them both.

I know you've been after the non-reverse all year and the LP is gorgeous, so HDoubleNGD!!
Yeah they’re about as different as 2 solid body Gibsons can get, which is good. I definitely have some decisions to make in the new year though - most likely a tele, a bass and a Strat on the block
Loobs Frets: 3982
24 Dec, 2024
The LP is ace. I’ve been playing 27 years and never had a Standard. 
dazzajl Frets: 6429
24 Dec, 2024
Both very gorgeous, fabulous work! 
TimmyO Frets: 8402
24 Dec, 2024
That LP looks so good it’s nearly as nice as my Goldtop 

Seriously though - brilliant buy 
Basher Frets: 1291
24 Dec, 2024
Wow! Both stunning but I particularly love that blacktop finish. It's the contrast with the natural sides and back. Surprised they don't do this variant more often.
stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
25 Dec, 2024
TimmyO said:
That LP looks so good it’s nearly as nice as my Goldtop 

Seriously though - brilliant buy 
I very nearly bought an R7 earlier in the year (sadly a dark back one but was exceptional)  and was well convinced that would be the LP for me. But I realised this was less than half the price, and nice & lightweight so worth a punt while this finish is still available. I’m glad I did :)
Neil Frets: 3918
25 Dec, 2024
What a beautiful pair!

Enjoy them. 
Lovely. Very jealous, two guitars I have particular fondness for. Hope you enjoy them  :)
wesker123 Frets: 524
25 Dec, 2024
Love the black LP.
Bet it looks better without the pickguard.
Merry Christmas, enjoy your NGD.
stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
25 Dec, 2024
wesker123 said:
Love the black LP.
Bet it looks better without the pickguard.
Merry Christmas, enjoy your NGD.
Nooooooooo!!!!! 

But bigsby maybe…
Kebabkid Frets: 3445
25 Dec, 2024
Very nice, Mike and great scores.
Well, as you've seen with my LP pickup rewind post, Ash at Oil City could work wonders with your existing ones and to your very specifications and for the fraction of the price of new pickups. 
Congrats Mike, it’s about time you got yourself a blacktop! That NR is just beautiful though - very much my type of thing :love: 
Loobs Frets: 3982
25 Dec, 2024
wesker123 said:
Love the black LP.
Bet it looks better without the pickguard.
Merry Christmas, enjoy your NGD.
Nooooooooo!!!!! 

But bigsby maybe…
Absolutely not. 
Because I feel guilty, I’ll take the Firebird off your hands 
stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
26 Dec, 2024
Because I feel guilty, I’ll take the Firebird off your hands 
You're first on the list if I decide it's not staying :)
Because I feel guilty, I’ll take the Firebird off your hands 
You're first on the list if I decide it's not staying :)
Very much appreciated 
Schmo Frets: 175
26 Dec, 2024
Wow, love that Blacktop LP...congrats on a real beauty !

If you ever want to move it on... ;)
Boromedic Frets: 5330
26 Dec, 2024
Nice Mike, enjoy ;)
stickyfiddle Frets: 29583
26 Dec, 2024
Kebabkid said:
Very nice, Mike and great scores.
Well, as you've seen with my LP pickup rewind post, Ash at Oil City could work wonders with your existing ones and to your very specifications and for the fraction of the price of new pickups. 
Yeah, I think I"d be keen if I was back in the UK. I have a spare Lollar Imperial Low Wind in the parts box already, so that's probably a reasonable starting point, but will live with the stock pickups for a bit first to see what I like & don't like about them