Gibson RR model unveiled

[juray]

Pretty sweet!!!
http://www2.gibson.com/Gibson.aspx

[The Flying Dutchman]

Nice!

Strings
The Randy Rhoads 1974 Les Paul Custom is fitted with genuine Gibson strings, sizes .009-.042.

I'm suprised it comes with a set 009-042 strings. (instead of 010-046 or thicker)
They did research Randy's original?

[Whipper]

Simply beautiful... a very fine tribute model. But with the $7-9K price that people are claiming it is, I may as well be dreaming about a Bugatti Veyron in my garage.

Interesting point about the string gauge. I guess they still have to cater to what's in demand most.

[juray]

Here's the weird thing - I remember DuBrow once saying over on .tk a long time ago that Randy's Les Paul was a '75 - maybe even PM said that too - can't remember - either one or both said it was a '75...Gibson is touting this as a '74 - maybe dating it from the pickups, pots, serial number they have some indication that it was a '74 who knows...I think it's interesting that there are no shipment totals for 1974 white customs...kinda bizarre...unless of course, my source is wrong...

[GUITARIDOL5682]

This guy here made a good valid point...

Why make a guitar that no one will buy?
What I mean is, the Jackson RR5 is a Randy Rhoads signature too, and it's a great metal guitar.. but it doesn't burn a hole in your pocket that's big enough to fit a velociraptor in, it delivers sound and it looks like a bloody mean machine with the ivory and gold finish.
The Fender Clapton Signature costs 1/5th of this guitar, so does the Yngwie Signature and the Jeff Beck signature.
You can have all 3 if you want, and still have enough money left to buy a Marshall stack, so why, oh WHY will anyone in their right mind buy this guitar?
So, why build a guitar that no one will buy?
I love Randy Rhoads, and I love Gibson, and I love every other guitarist that has used Gibson, but I'm pretty goddamn sure that they didn't pay $9000 for their Gibson.
Besides, why buy this guitar when Randy never even used it?
It's a tribute.. he didn't design it, he never even touched any of the parts, and in all probability, Randy wouldn't have bought it himself if it cost him $9000.

Seriously Gibson, grow up, build a guitar that sounds good and is affordable to people who actually play on stage.. not to people who want it as a novelty to keep in their living room.

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

there is a very detailed discussion of this at tk.

My thoughts were/are that Gibson tried to repair their reputation after the 70's Norlin era. Many, many people regard this era of their building sub par with any other decade. You can pick 70's Gibson up relatively cheap because of this reputation too.
It is 'a reputation' and I have played some lovely 70's Les Pauls, but, I find it quite cynical (and funny in an aghast way) that Gibson, because their is a market for it, to reproduce this guitar...

and not only reproduce it, but reproduce it with a whopping price tag.

You can pick a 74 Gibson just like Randy's (and genuinely from the era, not pretend) for c.£1500.

Besides, why buy this guitar when Randy never even used it?
It's a tribute.. he didn't design it, he never even touched any of the parts, and in all probability, Randy wouldn't have bought it himself if it cost him $9000.

That is how I feel

Matt

[Axeman1956]

I was savin up for this guitar. Only got up to 3,476 dollars. Still wouldn't be able to afford it even if I doubled my money. GUITARIDOL, you make a great point. It's sooooooooooo expensive that even if I purchased it, I wouldn't be able to play it because all I would hear in my head was the sound of the guitar falling and breaking in half.

[JAY]

This Gibson is a total RIP OFF! My genuine 74/75 cost me @$3500 and to modify like RR : Tuners-$100
Abr-1 bridge $100
Brass toggle and poker chip"vintage" used from the 70's $20
brass backplates $75 bucks
total mods; $295 I skipped engraving the pickgaurd so add another $10.
And just for the record I dreamed of finding a LPC cream like Randy's for over 20 years and the cool factor of owning the same color and year is a dream BUT my 1980 cherrybust custom is a far superior guitar -playability and tone. I'm thinking of selling my pinstripe V with a stencil kit to spell RANDY RHOADS AND A ROLL OF HOCKEY TAPE TO COVER THE BACK FOR $6000 AND CALL IT A TRUE REPLICA
I am happy the tribute guitars and amps are being released(and I own most of them) but this gibson is hardly a custom model-it's bone stock with minor cosemetic differences. The wording of the add to make it as though it is a magic era for Les Pauls is %100 BS.They don't even have a flight case for the guitar only a stencil signature-this guitar should be priced at $4000 tops

[DMRX]

I cant afford one,but thats Rad!!!!I cant wait to see the pics of the "Worn" version,because thats the one guitar we havent seen ,but I do remember a pic of Delores holding it in an 80s HM Book.Its cool,but its not like if you have one you can magicaly play like Randy.Id totally get one if money wasnt a problem
I just am curious because the PDV @ the Rock Hall was beat up pretty good & it blew my mind at the time (in 97 the 1st time it was there) before the Japan Doc & we could see the guitar up close on that.I also thought it was awsome seeing the Tape & Scratches on the Concord too!
I though this was Rad

[RR-ElectricAngel]

Don't suppose they make those for lefties? LOL In my dreams maybe...

[wareagle]

Oh yeah 7k is reasonable... 0.o and 3k for aging... i wonder if they charge for the strings...

[Whipper]

Perhaps this explains the harsh pricing -- gotta cover that hike in insurance premiums somehow! :

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/F ... -Icon-824/

[Jazznroll]

"but it doesn't burn a hole in your pocket
that's big enough to fit a velociraptor in,"

TEN POINTS for that i almost s#it my self laughing....

Gibson are getting up there own colon thogh with prices like that, i doubt slash payed ten grand for the lp on there first album afterall he was just a mortal peasent just like the rest of us.

[DMRX]

I will mention it Again,watching Randy Bending the neck in the few videos that weve seen,& thinking of the Countless hours he spent playing that LP.I cant believe that it didnt seem to have too many tuning problems & the neck took all that abuse,leads me to believe what a Quality guitar it was,as for the "Expert Craftsmanship" that goes into the replicating of EVERY nick,ding, & Chip in it,its Hardly too badly priced,in comparison to a high end regular Studio,Custom or Standard Les Paul

[David Denson]

To put this in a bit better perspective.
Remember the hand re-created Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein, and Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar that went for around $25,000..with all the little marks, including cigarette burn marks, etc.?

$9880 for this LP is merely a fraction of those outrageously priced diamonds....er, guitars.

Though true, I still could not afford one at $9880...and not even the VOS at $7056 for that matter. My only point is...for the folks who do have a few thousand lying around collecting dust...this is the guitar to have....not the EVH, or SRV. It is a bargain in that price range, and at that artist level!

But like some of you said, you may as well get a used early 70s Gibson LP Custom, and call it a day.

As for myself, I'm happy with my 1983 creme colored Burny LP Custom; sounds killer, plays like a dream, stays in tune, and has the mojo and feel. Even if I was rich, I still wouldn't plunk down more than $3000 for any guitar. That includes custom made. There are excellent guitars to be had, custom made or not for less than $3000. End of story.