AmpliFIRE said:
Thanks! I'm actually most interested in the 59 RI neck profile. Are there any models that have the same neck profile and long neck tenon? I'm not sure that I need the Brazilian Rosewood board.
I can't say this is universally true, but I've got two Gibby's (2001 R9 and 1989 std) and two Tokai LS's (82 LS100, 83 LS80).
Both of the Gibson necks are thicker (deeper, more round profile) than the Tokais. The 100 is thicker than the 80. The 80 I'd characterize as close to a Gibson 60's profile, ie on the thinner side. My R9 neck is a freakin' baseball bat!! Huge! Almost too big. Nice in the higher registers, but bordering on uncomfortable at the nut. I've gotten used to it though. It does sound fantastic, and (apologies to all of the purists here) overall it is the best guitar I own, looks, sound and playability considered. Hands down it is the best sounding, and it has a beautiful, authentic looking top.
Keep in mind that my R9 was billed as "thicker than many of the R8's we've had in the shop" when I bought it. I would imagine that my LS100 is probably comparable to something in the R9 neighborhood, as is the '89.
I like em all for feel. It depends on the mood, but sometimes that LS80 neck just fits like a glove. Sometimes it feels like a toy. The R9 usually feels a little awkward immediately, but that soon wears off.
As I recall, both of the Tokais have medium tenon's (don't hold me to that). The R9 is long, the '89 is short. I don't detect any difference between them that I could attribute directly to tenon length, and in fact I think the '89 has better sustain that any of the others. (I gauge this by how long I can sustain the bend up - and wiggle down - vibrato on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"). The '89 will maintain a fairly consistent volume level through this manuever. The others fade to varying degrees. I think some of this is convoluted with fret radius and action, as well (ie damping).
That's a sampling of the spectrum from my point of view...