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Linn Sondek « THE ultimate vintage. »
Published on 02/02/14 at 09:28In 2013, Gibson had significantly improved its LP Traditional by rewarding a solid body (so farewell holes!), Electronic condos with Orange Drop. It seemed almost logical that the Traditional had reached maturity and stage of ultimate development. But they did not count on the willingness to propose a Gibson guitar ever closer historical models and, more specifically, model 1959 presqu'accessible a price in all cases much more reasonable than almost € 5,000 for a requested R9 since it is equipped with microphones CustomBucker and some more historical details, that is to say from the model sold in 2013. Thus appear new pickups on the Traditional 2014 of '59 Tribute, a key piece in a solid rosewood, the oversized strap fasteners; suitcase revives, meanwhile, with the look 57/58: brown outside and pink inside.
The 2014 Traditional therefore offers:
- A solid mahogany body and full
- A solid mahogany
- A rosewood fingerboard and a solid piece
- A solid maple table grade AA
- A kit microphones '59 Tribute
- Orange Drop condos
- An inlay "120 anniversary" on the twelfth fret that will make this model an absolute collector
Here are essentially characteristics for some already on the 2013 vintage.
Of course, the guitar is made in USA and comes with a nice hard case.
The finish is perfect and beautiful sunburst. The guitar weighs lack of balance but for now I can not specify with certainty weight. I say that it is beyond 4.5 kg.
UTILIZATION
The neck profile remains unchanged: it is the good old '50 profile type, well rounded and I especially appreciate. The shape of the guitar is well known and has virtually unchanged for 60 years. A nice consistency but ultimately nothing out of the ordinary as it was perfect in its output.
Getting a good sound is a breeze since only a jack and an amp, I would say any amp.
SOUNDS
LP Traditional having the last 4 years, I think many know the model and can judge the differences.
This vintage 2014 its new pickups is a real new guitar more than just evolution. Both pickups '59 tribute grain gives a significantly different compared to those offered the usual kit Classic 57/57 +. I find them a more assertive character, sounds more "grainy" with more substance and presence. The output level is the same but the pickups react further to volume settings and, as always on the Gibson LP, maintaining a balance of frequencies and perfect definition. Compared to the kit 57/57 +, lower volume changes the overall color and intermediate position more funky sounds and airy, more crystalline is obtained. Volume knobs to bottom, all the roundness of the legendary Les Paul is waiting for you. The overall definition also seems higher. The bridge pickup is a pure delight, revealing less aggressive than the 57 + while providing generous but more creamy treble level. As for the neck pickup alone, it is a world of depth, solid sweetness, slight firmness! Of course, the two tones add many tonal variations, more subtle to more pronounced. Gibson is still very strong and provides a kit of microphones that will become a reference in the shortest possible time. It does not appear yet in parts in Europe but is already in the U.S.; rave testimonials are available on the web. Nevertheless, the whole 57/57 + is not to throw, that one understands!
OVERALL OPINION
I have this LP for 3 or 4 weeks and fell immediately in love. From my point of view, it is perfect and offers almost infinite sonic palette. Like all LP, it responds to particular settings volume and tone. The new pickups to show reactive, full of character and even richer than the '57 Classic, yet most excellent.
The price / quality ratio seems to me as the optimal level of violin, electronics and finishing suffers no negative criticism, so I do it again this choice without hesitation.
Finally, I find nice that Gibson has with this new Traditional with a vintage suitcase, reviving its history. Some may prefer the classic black but the spirit of this guitar that competes more with those of the Historic Reissue range goes perfectly with a brown suitcase.
The 2014 Traditional therefore offers:
- A solid mahogany body and full
- A solid mahogany
- A rosewood fingerboard and a solid piece
- A solid maple table grade AA
- A kit microphones '59 Tribute
- Orange Drop condos
- An inlay "120 anniversary" on the twelfth fret that will make this model an absolute collector
Here are essentially characteristics for some already on the 2013 vintage.
Of course, the guitar is made in USA and comes with a nice hard case.
The finish is perfect and beautiful sunburst. The guitar weighs lack of balance but for now I can not specify with certainty weight. I say that it is beyond 4.5 kg.
UTILIZATION
The neck profile remains unchanged: it is the good old '50 profile type, well rounded and I especially appreciate. The shape of the guitar is well known and has virtually unchanged for 60 years. A nice consistency but ultimately nothing out of the ordinary as it was perfect in its output.
Getting a good sound is a breeze since only a jack and an amp, I would say any amp.
SOUNDS
LP Traditional having the last 4 years, I think many know the model and can judge the differences.
This vintage 2014 its new pickups is a real new guitar more than just evolution. Both pickups '59 tribute grain gives a significantly different compared to those offered the usual kit Classic 57/57 +. I find them a more assertive character, sounds more "grainy" with more substance and presence. The output level is the same but the pickups react further to volume settings and, as always on the Gibson LP, maintaining a balance of frequencies and perfect definition. Compared to the kit 57/57 +, lower volume changes the overall color and intermediate position more funky sounds and airy, more crystalline is obtained. Volume knobs to bottom, all the roundness of the legendary Les Paul is waiting for you. The overall definition also seems higher. The bridge pickup is a pure delight, revealing less aggressive than the 57 + while providing generous but more creamy treble level. As for the neck pickup alone, it is a world of depth, solid sweetness, slight firmness! Of course, the two tones add many tonal variations, more subtle to more pronounced. Gibson is still very strong and provides a kit of microphones that will become a reference in the shortest possible time. It does not appear yet in parts in Europe but is already in the U.S.; rave testimonials are available on the web. Nevertheless, the whole 57/57 + is not to throw, that one understands!
OVERALL OPINION
I have this LP for 3 or 4 weeks and fell immediately in love. From my point of view, it is perfect and offers almost infinite sonic palette. Like all LP, it responds to particular settings volume and tone. The new pickups to show reactive, full of character and even richer than the '57 Classic, yet most excellent.
The price / quality ratio seems to me as the optimal level of violin, electronics and finishing suffers no negative criticism, so I do it again this choice without hesitation.
Finally, I find nice that Gibson has with this new Traditional with a vintage suitcase, reviving its history. Some may prefer the classic black but the spirit of this guitar that competes more with those of the Historic Reissue range goes perfectly with a brown suitcase.