Wednesday, July 1, 2009

About time...


This is probably the most iconic LP out there, maybe only rivaled by the Peter Green/ Gary Moore LP. It's about time Gibson reissued it.

22 comments:

Wilhelm said...

Ahh...the Pearly Gates. What's one of these gonna set you back?

You think there's any chance that gibson is gonna start selling the Rolf Kasparek (of Running Wild)sunburst Explorer? Used on such recordings as "Under Jolly Roger", "Pile Of Skulls" and "Port Royal"?

Anders said...

There's a special "Running Wild" issue out now. Metal Hammer Magasin or something like that.

Anders said...

And no, I don't think we're gonna see a custom shop Roffe K-man signatur form Gibson in the near future.

Don't know how much the PG model will set you back, but I'll guess 3 or 4 times the price of a regular '59 custom shop reissue. That's a pretty steep for a set of SD Pealy Gates humbuckers and a slightly(?) different neck profile.

Anders said...

Wilhelm: Are you as outraged as I am because Gibson didn't get the "bald" spot near the controls at the lower bout right? The part without maple flame?

Wilhelm said...

Well damn. No appreciation for the true classics.

In truth, I don't really see why not, considering that Mr. kasparek's axe is more heavily modified than the PG.

I've always had an axe (pun intended) to grind with the signature - you bet your ass SIGNATURE - guitar models with no extra features outside of different pickups and a name on the headstock. Who in the hell would opt not to save 15 k by purchasing the base model and add hotter pickups?

Wilhelm said...

Dude YEAH..how dare they

Better yet; is it already worn out in the same places as the original PG, or does Ibanez have the market cornered on that one?

Anders said...

Better yet; is it already worn out in the same places as the original PG, or does Ibanez have the market cornered on that one?

The picture says the 50 first one will be aged. I guess that Gibson will replicate the wear on PG for those.

Anders said...

In truth, I don't really see why not, considering that Mr. kasparek's axe is more heavily modified than the PG.

Yes, why not. Even freakin' Kieffer Sutherland got a Gibson signature of sorts.

Wilhelm said...

Jack Bauer? What would qualify him for a signature model geetar?

/then again Clapton has one, so why not

Anders said...

Yes, I think Kiefer has an ES-24 or something... ;-D

Anders said...

And the prices for the PG Les Paul models are in. Prices in NOK:
Signed and aged: 169.000
Aged: 93.000
VOS: 73.000

Fromt his I gather that mr. Gibbons signatur is worth approx. 76 000 NOK.

Wilhelm said...

Like I said; I don't see the point of buying signature guitars without a proven collection of features not found in other models.

If you buy a new LP (none of that "We keyed the guitar body, poured beer in the electronics, smashed it against a stage floor and glued the neck back together so as to approximate the real conditions of an old, stage-worn instrument"), smack in some PG pickups, show up with it at a ZZ concert for Mr. Gibbons' signature and then apply a layer of laquer, you get a much better guitar with a personal connection to your fave guitar player.

Anders said...

Amen to that, brother.

Still, you're not gonna see this guy shell out 167 000 NOK for any guitar in the near future. Even the original Pearly Gates.

Wilhelm said...

...are you saying that you're gonna be hanging around the loading docks the next time ZZ comes around, lookin' to get a five-finger discount on the original? :-)

Wilhelm said...

Would there be a crossover appeal for the concept of pre-aged and worn signature guitars?

Would rally fans buy Subarus (or whichever brand he's currently driving) with rust damage and suspension wear pre-applied - not by Solberg, but by the factory?

Anders said...

Don't the rally drivers fix their car between the races? I think they look brand new at the start of each raise.

But, you have "worn" jeans and aged guitars, so why not cars?

Wilhelm said...

.."worn" Air Jordans?

All physical attributes of a shoe that's been used for 100 hours of intense physical activity?

It's actually more incredible that some douches are willing to shell out for "worn"-looking guitars (can't remember what for example Fender labels their old-looking strats) that don't even have some extra hot electronics and a signature.

There's one born every second

Anders said...

Fender labels their old-looking strats

Road Worn. That's their new, cheap, worn guitars produced in Mexico. If it's done in the custom shop, you have the choice between three degrees of aging: Relic, NOS (New Old Stock) og Closet Classic.

The problem, and the only reason to shell out for an aged Fender, is that you in some cases can't get a guitar with the same spec's without the relic job. Too bad, since you actually pay extra for the relic job. I don't mind a beat up guitar, but then I do expect to pay less for it then a new/ mint one. That's how it works in the vintage guitar world.

That said, I really love the patina you get when the nitro cellulose clear coat ages...

Wilhelm said...

Two Words, bro: Custom Shop

Or, being that more is indeed and by definition more: Jackson Custom Shop

Anders said...

Take a look at Fender Custom Shop. See how many of the guitars there you can get WITHOUT any aging... Not many.

And if you hire Fender to build you a one off, I guess that price would be even higher then the production custom shop models.

As for the Jackson Custom Shop: I does look more like an actual custom shop where they produce the guitar you requests. With all those options, I don't know who many different models there are in theory, but it must be many. But, alas, it's a no-dice for me. They don't offer the Action model any more...

Wilhelm said...

Grover and his merry men and women down at Jackson geetar will be more than happy to build whatever axe you want.

They might even resuscitate the Action Jackson model - just for you

Anders said...

Somebody is lucky enough to get a kick start on their musical career...