Beating Out a Les Paul?

R

Reservior Dog

New member
Hey so I've recently come into some extra cash and wanted to get a new guitar. I'm typically a fender guy, but do own one really nice PRS semi-hollow. This time I was thinking going the Gibson route. I looked at the local shops and realized that all the gibsons i played on were poorly made, especially bad fretting. Some could still growl like a real Les Paul, but some couldn't and the ones that could were unplayable. So now I'm in the market for a guitar that is better made, but still really gets that thick creamy les paul mojo. I play mostly blues rock and jazz, but basically play all other styles as well.
So my question is, what guitar has the Les Paul tone down solid, has better playability, and (I intend to gig and record with it) is more versatile, and can be had for under 2000 dollars.
Whaddya think?
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

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ESP ECLIPSE-II VB

Swap out the pickups to your own liking and you have a hell of a guitar. It is worth looking into and it's about $1,600.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

I think you need to go to a shop that takes more pride in the stock they carry. I've never had an issue with a shop and Gibson. Maybe one or two out of all they had, but never every single one.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

My favorite favorite favorite les paul type is the Guild Bluesbird. They aren't made anymore so you'd have to go the used route.

Bigger than a regular les paul with a chambered body that just seems to sing. They come stock with seymour duncan 59's too!
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

but also while I'm offering another suggestions: in the Les Paul vein, I've heard great things about the new Godin's but you can't go wrong with a PRS singlecut or a Starla either.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

Carvin CS-6 might not be a bad route to go. Especially if you just want a plain top. Spend a little more and get the Allan Holdsworth pick ups in it. Those are nice.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

When I don't want to play one of my Les Pauls, I play one of my MIK Ibanez GR-520 Ghostriders. They only made these in 1994-95, designed for speed demon Shawn Lane. Rare guitars, LPs are comparatively a dime a dozen. I currently have two, and I love them. I sold this one last year.

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Or, there's my G&L ASAT Deluxe. This one has a thicker tone than your average tele, due to the '59n/TB-4 pickups; but there is a coil-split. This one is very rare--it has Leo's excellently designed Dual Fulcrum Vibrato. It's 9.6lbs., maple over mahogany. It's a little different tone than the LPs--more wide-range and not as focused in the mids. With the DF Vibrato spring cutout--it has a lot of air and resonance--think 335 tone. Too bad it has all that ugly flame--it's embarassing!


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Of course, there's nothing like the real deal Gibson Les Paul. Here are four of my ten. The girl on the right would be really cute if she ever learned to put her makeup on right!



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2005 Les Paul Historic 1958 Plaintop Reissue (R8), Washed Cherry, BB 1&2;
1996 Les Paul 1960 Classic Plus, HCSB, Duncan Antiquitys;
2005 Les Paul Supreme, HCSB, factory 490R/498T;
2007 Les Paul Classic Antique, Tom Morgan Artist Graphic (from Gibson's GOTW series), Classic '57/Classic '57 Plus.


Trust me, when Gibson gets it right, NOBODY does it better.

Bill
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

Well, you like PRS.
So maybe a SC 58. or a used SC 245.

Heritage H150 or H157.

Hamer Studio.

Carvin CS. (Though the body is not quite as thick as a LP.)


For some great copies, look into the Japan market guitars.
Tokai LS160
Bacchus Duke or BLS 59.
(ESP) Edwards or Navigator.
Orville
Epiphone Japan or Elitist. (both series are very nice. Not to be confused with MIC Epis)
Greco
Cool Z
Burny (MIJ ones. Part of Fernandes guitars)
Yamaha Studio Lord.
Aria Pro Leo Parade.
Fujigen/FGN.


Keep an eye on Ebay for MIJs.
Also check out the stores that ship international:
Kurosawa Gakki
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/1
or
Ishibashi U-Box (great for used mij gear)
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/
/
/
/
/
/
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

Reservior Dog said:
Hey so I've recently come into some extra cash and wanted to get a new guitar. I'm typically a fender guy, but do own one really nice PRS semi-hollow. This time I was thinking going the Gibson route. I looked at the local shops and realized that all the gibsons i played on were poorly made, especially bad fretting. Some could still growl like a real Les Paul, but some couldn't and the ones that could were unplayable. So now I'm in the market for a guitar that is better made, but still really gets that thick creamy les paul mojo. I play mostly blues rock and jazz, but basically play all other styles as well.
So my question is, what guitar has the Les Paul tone down solid, has better playability, and (I intend to gig and record with it) is more versatile, and can be had for under 2000 dollars.
Whaddya think?
Click to expand...

Well, you can get some historic reissues for $2200, actually a R8 just sold for $2000 on tgp. These things are solid (no swiss-cheesing), have ABR-1s, decent pickups and can have good frets.

The "secret" to cheap great Les Pauls is old MIJ. Bury, Greco, Tokai and the like. But it can be hard to identify them, nail down year and country made. But if you hit it right you get a great guitar for a great price.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

Have you tried the used LP market? Where I live (Western Canada) you can usually score a used standard for around 1600. Odds are, if the original owner was a player, he'll have had it set up nicely, which might overcome your concerns about the new ones in your local shop. That way you can also buy above your price range, so to speak, and avoid the "driving off the lot" depreciation.

I also think Godins are great guitars. A really interesting company, with very original takes on some classic designs. In a way, I think they are the PRS of today, in terms of innovation. Plus, some of the wood they use is beautiful.

Man, though, your Gibson dealer sounds crummy. I went to a chain in Calgary not too long ago that was the same. They just stuck stuff straight from the box to the wall. One Studio I tried had such high action and a bowed neck that you could have used it for archery. I asked the guy behind the counter if he could adjust the truss rod so I could try it. He said he would if I bought it!! Sure, pal.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

A Les Paul that's better than a Gibson at a similar price point?

That's kind of the PRS mission statement. :laughing:

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Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

Typically, you can look for a "golden era" real Gibson LP, it will feel very old and the playability is not always at its best on these (IMO). You may buy replacement parts. You can also look for a recently built LP, and everyone is going to tell you that they are soooo crappy compared to the old ones that you will either be disgusted and not buy one, or you'll feel guilty that you did cause "oh, you have a modern one".

Then, you could do as the very first post suggested, get an ESP. They scream playability, they are much lighter than a Gibson, and with appropriate pickups, they do whatever you want. seriously, ESP is not only good for metal guitars.

ESP. Do it !
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

How about looking around for a used Gibson Les Paul? Doesn't matter what year it is if it's in your price range and sounds and plays good. I very rarely pick up a new Gibson in a shop that feels right - mostly setup issues (the nuts are always cut too high!) but also just not being played in. I have two 90s Les Pauls, nothing special - just regular production models, but they are set up well and are absolute beauties to play. Save a tree, buy a used Gibson!
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

It's been said that the regular Eclipses don't sound all that much like Gibson LP's due to the thinner body (and cutaways). A 'full thickness' Eclipse, however, should be close. I understand these are not available new in the States but perhaps there are some used ones. I set out to buy one last summer in search for a great LP, but found a Gibson LP Custom Classic that's almost identical specwise (even had EMGs installed) so I snagged that instead. Not sure about if I like the chambering in the Gibson much.. If I were to swap the guitar, an Eclipse I FT will definetly be a top choice.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

The Heritage 150/7 is a very well made guitar with extremely high quality materials. For the money, I'd go with "the original" Les Paul form Kalamazoo.
 
Re: Beating Out a Les Paul?

kherman said:
Well, you like PRS.
So maybe a SC 58. or a used SC 245.

Heritage H150 or H157.

Hamer Studio.

Carvin CS. (Though the body is not quite as thick as a LP.)


For some great copies, look into the Japan market guitars.
Tokai LS160
Bacchus Duke or BLS 59.
(ESP) Edwards or Navigator.
Orville
Epiphone Japan or Elitist. (both series are very nice. Not to be confused with MIC Epis)
Greco
Cool Z
Burny (MIJ ones. Part of Fernandes guitars)
Yamaha Studio Lord.
Aria Pro Leo Parade.
Fujigen/FGN.


Keep an eye on Ebay for MIJs.
Also check out the stores that ship international:
Kurosawa Gakki
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/1
or
Ishibashi U-Box (great for used mij gear)
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/
/
/
/
/
/
Click to expand...


Have you seen or played the FGNs? Id never seen them til I saw one on Ebay yest.. Figure they are prolly good since they have been the maker for years.
 
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