Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

[MetalManiac]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Well..it IS a Les Paul, but I say Les Paul with a Jumbo Stainless Steel Refret.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Yeah, I can see the PRS raspiness being due to the pickups, but I'm a bit hesitant to get one and hope that the SD pups fix that problem cuz you can't really return it afterwards (unless I put the original ones back in, I suppose, and hope nobody notices...). But that's why I have the good folks here at the forum to help me out !.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

A jumbo stainless steel refret can change the tone of the LP that much? What exactly does it do?

 

[noisenet]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

The ESP Eclipse can do it. And the LTD EC-1000 isn't that far behind. I wouldn't knock the EMG 81/60 combo until you tried it, either. It is more versatile in a LP design since the thick body has so much natural warmth.

In my experience, you'll never have true max shredability unless you have a 25.5" scale (and preferably a bolt-on or neck thur design), but the Eclipse is a seriously hot rodded LP and brings huge, girthy tone into the equation, which many shred guitars lack. The actual selling price of new Carvins is quite high, but they can be fantastic values when used. The CS and CT series guitars are prime for what you describe, and the ESP Horizon is an interesting fusion.

You should definitely look at the ESP LTD EC-1000. The guitar is a beast! Plays amazing and sounds killer. Additionally, the body is a little thinner and that cuts down on weight considerably! I've been playing them for years and now own 5 of them. love 'em.

As for the statement "you'll never have true max shredability unless you have a 25.5" scale (and preferably a bolt-on or neck thur design)" - I gotta call BS on that one LOL!!!!! It's all in what your hands like. Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake (and Dio prior to that) shreds the hell out of a Les Paul.

To further back up my claim, this just kinda happened when I was shooting a walkthrough video for an iPad based amp simulator app (BIAS from Positive Grid). This is an EC1000 with JB/59 combo plugged directly into an iPad via Apogee jam and recorded in Logic Pro with no post processing. Even though it's an amp sim (and using a model of a Marshall JTM 45 no less), I'd say it's pretty beefy. Through my Marshall rig these guitars sound fantastic!

 

[noisenet]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

This is another EC1000 with the same pickups (JB/59) into my modded Marshall DSL100 going for a Van Halen type sound at EXTREMELY low volume. Low enough that I had to turn the amp and cab (with mics on it) away from me because the sound of the pic on the strings was louder than what was coming out of the amp. Photo of where the volume control is set is at the end of the video.

I'm planning on doing another video this week where I'll be using yet another EC1000 - this time loaded with Duncan P-Rails to showcase the versatility of my current rig

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Dean deceiver

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

its mainly all in the player. you give a player like EVH or Warren DeMartini a les paul and i bet you they could shred the hell out of it. Doug Aldrich is also a good shredder that plays a les paul

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Doug Aldrich Whitesnake solo (on a les paul): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXr1TDzViBk

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Get an old Hagstrom Swede from the '70's. They're basically LP copies, but the necks are stupidly thin, if that is really what you want. If you really find the Gibson '60's neck fat (it isn't; even their '50's neck is thin), then an old Swede is all I can think of, short of a Warmoth build with a Wizard neck profile.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Thanks for the videos noisenet, they definitely help! Great recs everyone, I'm looking forward to this search

 

[synzzzer]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Get an old Hagstrom Swede from the '70's. They're basically LP copies, but the necks are stupidly thin, if that is really what you want. If you really find the Gibson '60's neck fat (it isn't; even their '50's neck is thin), then an old Swede is all I can think of, short of a Warmoth build with a Wizard neck profile.

It's funny that I found this suggestion because I was going to suggest it too! Actually I have one of the new Ultra Swedes from Hagstrom. It's this one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/hagstrom-ultra-swede-electric-guitar

It's a smaller, lighter body. It's also a thinner body. The neck is a very flat D neck that really doesn't come on any other guitar. I "stole" mine with the tweed case for $190 used. I'm still thrilled over that score. I know it might be tough to find a dealer near you, but definitely try one out. It seems to "correct" all the problems you have listed.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Part of the problem with this question is that from what I understand, most of the tone comes from the neck. It seems that you are trying thinner necks and the tone is getting thinner. You might want to try something that has a little thicker neck, but not the traditional Les Paul neck. Or try a thinner guitar and put some darker or thicker sounding pickups. I think a Custom would be perfect for your needs.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

moar pickup. Less neck.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Part of the problem with this question is that from what I understand, most of the tone comes from the neck. It seems that you are trying thinner necks and the tone is getting thinner. You might want to try something that has a little thicker neck, but not the traditional Les Paul neck. Or try a thinner guitar and put some darker or thicker sounding pickups. I think a Custom would be perfect for your needs.

Too bad this is a myth... Want a nice case in point? The neck on Jimmy pages 59 les paul has been shaved extremely thin. I remember playing Ibanez S540s years ago and ever thought they were any thinner in tone than any other floyded guitar. If you subscribe to the theory (and i dont necessarily do) that the more vibrations the more tone a larger piece will absorb more and a smaller piece will be able to vibrate more.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Some of those Ibanez wizard profiles are so ridiculously thin, they distort your perception of neck thickness.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Try an SG for sure. They're more growly than rich though. personally, Godin makes my favorite playing guitar thus far. If you like ibanez, maybe look at the ART series. I don't remember what that double cutaway ARTs are, but I want one pretty bad. ESP/LTD are faster necks too, and you get a very shapely LP variant out of it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

^^^ well said, i have the Ibanez Artist ARZ800, and it has the sound of the les paul, and the shreddines of the ibby. And the access to higher frets (24) is superb.

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

I'm an ESP cat, but what about a Washburn Parallaxe PXL10WA? Comes with dunc's and no heel as well. 650 clams. 24.75, 24 frets, ebony.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

My vote goes for the ESP. I own an ESP LTD EC-100 deluxe and it is my pride and joy right now. It looks and almost feels like a les paul but the neck is much easier to play on and allows for quicker playing and shredding. It is a lot lighter than most of the les pauls i have ever played, and the EMG combo is pretty spot on. It comes in a couple of eye catching colors, and stock with the EMGs or Duncans, next time you go to guitar center I'd recommend at least picking one up to try it out.

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

How about the Fender FMT carved top tele? They're light, slim and playable while sounding very meaty.

They also used to make a spalted top version.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Advice on a fast-playing, not-Les Paul-but-close guitar?

Well, looks like checking out the ESP is definitely in order, that seems to have the most votes! But many of the other guitars looks sweet too; I was particularly impressed with the Ibanez AR-style guitars, this guy's tone using one (with a SD SH-5 Custom no less) is pretty awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_PD66PHyVY

That carved top Tele also looks damn sexy!