Les Paul 8s

**TedBPhx** · 01-08-2023, 01:23 PM

Does anyone else remember a Rule of 8s for Les Pauls? 8lbs, 8k pups, and a third that slips my mind? Can’t even imagine what it could be. Something to do with neck shape?

**hotpepper01** · 01-08-2023, 01:39 PM

No idea anymore what the 3rd rule would be. But, having had a 1980s LP Custom, I would highly recomment Tim Shaw pickups above any others.

My former 1980 LPC (still miss her today)
Les Paul 8s-1980-lpc-3-jpg

**rob taft** · 01-08-2023, 01:56 PM

There is no third. It was just 8lbs and 8K resistance.

**WilliamScott** · 01-08-2023, 01:59 PM

String gauge?

**TedBPhx** · 01-08-2023, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by rob taft

There is no third. It was just 8lbs and 8K resistance.

That must be it. My memory fails again.

**fep** · 01-08-2023, 04:42 PM

$8,000 ?

**Cunamara** · 01-09-2023, 01:10 AM

8#, 8K and $8K.

**Doctor Jeff** · 01-09-2023, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

8#, 8K and $8K.

8 gauge strings?

For the string benders out there.

**st.bede** · 01-09-2023, 04:37 PM

According to Gibson, to really get tone out of a lp, you most own 8.

**Vihar** · 01-09-2023, 05:08 PM

The 3rd eight is the last digit of the year 1958.

**bluejaybill** · 01-09-2023, 06:44 PM

8 pounds for an LP is pretty light, the old Honduran on a burst might come in that way, and maybe some custom shops today, most are more like 8.5, and there's nothing wrong with that, unless you intend to pick it up.

Mine is a bit more than that, still no too bad, but a 4 hour gig and I would feel it.

Oh, and yes, PAF's should be around 8, I have a pair that read 7.75 and 8.

**icr** · 01-09-2023, 06:52 PM

I have 1974 and 1976 Norlin Les Paul Customs. Mabye there is a rule of "7" for those...7.7k, 1970s, and 7kg

**Doctor Jeff** · 01-09-2023, 07:24 PM

I was about to post about how dang expensive these are these days, but then I found a catalog from 1980, and they were generally priced around $999. So they are actually a little cheaper today ($2700 for LP Standard) than they were 40 years ago adjusted for inflation.

I’m surprised. Back when I was a young guy, LPs were falling out of favor, as the Led Zepp fanboys grew up and new wave and punk took over. I had an idea they were not priced too high. I would imagine your run-of-the-mill used LP didn’t command a premium.

Kind of like vintage Mustangs at the same time (late 70’s). Of course now vintage LPs and Mustangs are like unobtanium.

I am still surprised they cost so much now or then, cause they can’t be expensive to make compared to archtops and other higher-end guitars.

A bit off-topic but the prices for MIA Fenders also seem through the roof—saw a RI highly relic’ed Tele last weekend that they wanted $4500 for. Looks like anything made in America is $$$.

Thank goodness I’ve got all the Gibsons and Fenders I can use right now.

**Stringswinger** · 01-09-2023, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

A bit off-topic but the prices for MIA Fenders also seem through the roof—saw a RI highly relic’ed Tele last weekend that they wanted $4500 for. Looks like anything made in America is $$$.

Thank goodness I’ve got all the Gibsons and Fenders I can use right now.

I feel the same way. It is time to stop spending and play what I have while I can.