2016 Les Paul Tradition - Traditional Weight Relief - Wildwood

[donnycraven]

Anderton's in the UK now has the 2016s up and available for pre-order.

Gibson Announce New 2016 USA Guitars! | Andertons Blog

Capt Lee has always seemed to be pretty well connected with Gibson and he lists them as being Traditional Weight Relief as well. And as can be seen on the Anderton's website they even have a section quoting info from Gibson that states "Traditional Weight Relief". I called Gibson again, hoping maybe their Cust Svc would actually have the specs now. The guy I spoke with only had "some" specs for the Trad. He was able to confirm the 57/57+ pickups (which my ear already confirmed for me), but still wasn't able to confirm weight relief or not! UGH!!! He did say he thought they (Gibson) would be officially releasing the 2016 specs "soon"... so we'll see. I did thank him (as a proxy for Gibson in general) for making the LPs "right" again in 2016s... and asked him to pass that on up the food chain!

Anyway, my own 2016 Trad is 9lbs even and lighter than my 2014 non-weight relieved Trad... so now, with Anderton's stating Traditional Weight Relief, I am definitely believing they are indeed so.

He had a cool picture of new line up, I hate the Flying V.

Why must they always change something?

 

[Lindseyp]

I thought the entire point of the Traditional was no weight relief. That's what the word "traditional" refers to. If it's got holes it needs a new name, it's not traditional.

 

[Justin_Case]

The first Traditional was a mid 2008 introduction, in reality was a recreation of the Standard from 1981 to 2006. The 9 Hole Weight Relief method was used, in mid 2006 and 2007, the Standards were Chambered.

2008 saw the intor of the "08 Standard " with it's own Chambering and Tenon designs. These were in production till 2012.

In 2013, 14, and 15 Gibson did no weight relief at all on the Traditionals. 2016 back to 9 Hole method.

 

[tzd]

I thought the entire point of the Traditional was no weight relief. That's what the word "traditional" refers to. If it's got holes it needs a new name, it's not traditional.

Like Justin_Case said in the previous post, the original Traditional and the Standard that it replaced all had 9-hole weight relief.

 

[donnycraven]

I thought the entire point of the Traditional was no weight relief. That's what the word "traditional" refers to. If it's got holes it needs a new name, it's not traditional.

A "Traditional" Les Paul is a Les Paul that has been the same since about 1976. It has a 50s rounded profile, Ground Plate wiring, a Nashville bridge and 9 hole weight relief. That is the Les Paul they have been traditionally making for years. It should actually be called a "Standard".

 

[redcoats1976]

would you be mad if i told you my epi tribute plus is non weight relieved,has gibby 57 and 57+ pickups and weighs in at 9 pounds?sure,its not nitro finished,and wasnt made in USA,but its hard to justify the large price difference for a guy that plays in the living room.(flame suit on)

 

[1allspub]

I thought the entire point of the Traditional was no weight relief. That's what the word "traditional" refers to. If it's got holes it needs a new name, it's not traditional.

Since the Trad's introduction (in 2008) only 3 model years have had non-weight relief (2013, 2014, 2015). So the Traditional Weight Relief (aka 9 Swiss cheese holes) is far more the common occurrence.

And it's also important to keep in mind that the Trad was not designed nor claimed to be a representation of any of the 52-60 LPs. It's always been intended to represent the Standard LP from the post-Norlin years. And the vast majority of those came with 9 Swiss cheese holes.

 

[donnycraven]

would you be mad if i told you my epi tribute plus is non weight relieved,has gibby 57 and 57+ pickups and weighs in at 9 pounds?sure,its not nitro finished,and wasnt made in USA,but its hard to justify the large price difference for a guy that plays in the living room.(flame suit on)

I wouldn't be mad, I would be very happy that you have a great instrument that suits your needs.