May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

[Ed Hunter]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

+1. I've come across many vintage guitars. While some are great, the ones I came across were unplayable by today's standards. I have a 1986 Les Paul Custom that I really have to send away for an overhaul, it sounds great but is unplayable compared to my PRS

glad you said it. beyond the collectible aspect some are real dogs

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

I have been fortunate to have played a 57 Goldtop (amazing guitar, scary good..stunning. Best Les Paul I have ever played) a 58 burst (damn fine guitar) a 59 (second best Paul I have ever played) and a 60 (Piece of junk)

[Mr 9finger]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

I have been fortunate to have played a 57 Goldtop (amazing guitar, scary good..stunning. Best Les Paul I have ever played) a 58 burst (damn fine guitar) a 59 (second best Paul I have ever played) and a 60 (Piece of junk)

Yeah, before the time of CNC's, it really was a case of, "You really want to get one that was made on Tues, Wed, or Thurs. Mondays, the guys are still hungover and Friday's they're too worried about working on their next hangover".

[blueman335]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

Some Bursts are better than others, same goes for PAF's, which had various coil pairings and magnets. Some were magic, and in others things didn't mesh as well. The tuners back then were not of the quality that we have now. And of course it depends how a 50-year old guitar has been cared for and stored (dry, humid, cold, hot, etc). Let's hope this one is one of the better specimens. Playing a vintage guitar should be fun.

[whatshisname]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

I don't expect any usable comments, as in this cases people already think it's gonna be great just because it's old.

I service many old guitars prepping'em for an annual Trade Show, and many of them aren't playable and some couldn't even be fixed. Some are so out of whack that it physically hurts hear'em be played by some self-declared "specialists" in vintage instruments and tone. Not one single word 'bout being beyond useless to make music. Many of them even got SOLD for big bucks. Every year I shake my head in disbelief...

But hey, don't mind me; I'm just a grumpy old fart...

You're absolutely correct, however, how many times do most people ever get to play a real vintage Les Paul. Even if it's not one of the "good ones", it'll still be a cool experience for him.

I've mentioned before, that I have a friend that has a nice collection, and I'll never forget the first time I got to play one of his. It was like holding a piece of history.

Besides, the guy played it for over 50 years, so I'd like to believe that if it was a dog, it wouldn't have stayed with him for that long. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Wattage]

Re: May get the chance to play a 1958 LP....

I am very fortunate to have a couple of good friends that always have cool vintage stuff around. Enjoy the experience, really look at the instrument, the patina, the wear, etc Listen to how it sounds with open ears, really try to take the instrument in instead of just being in awe. It isn't always easy to do trust me.

Say thank you too!