Flame top grading ?

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Yetimonstor

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LP STD Premium Plus
18SPxk.jpg
5TetiF.jpg


LP Custom
3QG0QE.jpg


Hi Guys !

Would like to get your help on my LP STD Premium Plus and LP Custom here.

I have bought this 2 guitars brand new back in 2006 and the shop told told me:
The STD is a AAA
The Custom is a AA

Are they ? :hmm:
 

rockstar232007

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Yes, according to Gibson specs, which are very subjective.

The whole "grading system" is about marketing; An "AAAA" top is going to command a higher premium, than an "AA", or "AAA".
 

Yetimonstor

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Yes, according to Gibson specs, which are very subjective.

The whole "grading system" is about marketing; An "AAAA" top is going to command a higher premium, than an "AA", or "AAA".


Thank you very much. I always think that my LTD is a AA and my Custom is just and A
 

GeeJay

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FWIW I think that the PP is an AAA top, but it's not easy to assess just by photos.
 

DesolationBlvd

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As an aside to the aside - I saw a PRS DGT "10-top" quilt that looked very underwhelming in the photograph. In person, it was definitely worthy of the "10-top" designation.

I'm not sure I like the new grading system. By using B and C grades, it's implying they're using crap wood. Though I do see knots in some of the lower-grade mahogany...

The old Gibson system could line up with PRS:
A -> non-figured
AA -> standard
AAA -> 10-top
AAAA -> Artist
 

ToneasaurusRex

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Yes, according to Gibson specs, which are very subjective.
. . .

Almost exactly what was in my mind when I read the OP. The AA on the red guitar looks just like an AA top I had once. So the ratings here are consistent with my experience, at least.
 

Left Paw

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All subjective, even at the factory.
 

Yetimonstor

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Thank you very much guys. Play les paul for over 20 years, and have just learned a lot of things today.

So, the beautyful top equal high quality wood. Does it create the better sound too.

I have a 1991 STD wine red with plain top, it is my no.1 guitar. neck broken twice, pots and tuners replaced 3 times. own it from 1992 brand new. Love this axe, will never sell it.

Someone tells me, the early 90's gibson are good no matter what model.
 

KevinB

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The figuring of the maple top has absolutely no influence on the sound. It only has an aesthetic value.

Well, maybe it has some miniscule effect that only a dog or a bat could hear! :shock:

I'd like to think that whoever grades these tops has a lot of experience and maybe even some training, but as the others have said, it all remains extremely subjective.
 

Yetimonstor

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The figuring of the maple top has absolutely no influence on the sound. It only has an aesthetic value.

Well, maybe it has some miniscule effect that only a dog or a bat could hear! :shock:

I'd like to think that whoever grades these tops has a lot of experience and maybe even some training, but as the others have said, it all remains extremely subjective.

Thank you very much
 

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