Best way to go about buying a LP

[Rockstar216]

This question is more for reference and kind of hits on a topic that was discussed a while back. Now I'm sure we can all agree that a LP has a sound all of it's own and I think most can agree that Gibson doesn't have the best quality control compared to other brands but I'm more or less asking if I wanted to buy a Gibson Les Paul but wanted to be assured I'm buying one that is top notch would one of the customs be the safest bet for quality assurance short of going to the custom shop?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Choosing the LP Custom is no guarantee of a superior guitar. For some, the ebony fingerboard detracts from the tonal recipe when compared to a Standard's rosewood fingerboard.

I doubt that the inlay and binding materials sound as good as either fingerboard wood.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

I think the age old advice stands here as well, if not more, than anywhere - try as many as you can before you part with cash. The one you want will speak to you in a way that the others don't

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

I think Gibson has some of the best quality control, and the materials they use are generally superior to less expensive guitars. The thing that confuses people is that Gibson and Martin guitars come with barely any setup on purpose. Expensive guitars are made for experienced players who are particular about the setup, so they leave that final step to the player. If they cut the nut too low for shredder action, it's too late to set up the guitar for higher action, so they don't do it. This is part of the reason most Gibsons play a little clunky in the store.

Everyone has their own idea of 'best Les Paul,' but I think the cheapest way to get what you want is to try as many as you can in the store, decide which model/neck/tuners/electronics/color, then buy that EXACT model used. Most importantly, decide if you like the thicker 50's neck or slimmer 60's neck, because that really determines the feel of a Les Paul.

 

[Silver]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Be aware that if you want a guitar with the same construction as the ones used by Page, Moore, Slash, etc... then a standard Gibson isn't going to cut it because modern LPs are chambered rather than solid body.

Don't worry though, because if you want 'the sound of rock history' then Gibson created a new brand (Gibson Historic) that will sell you the guitar as it should be made, only at a huge premium.

If this is difficult to get your head around; then imagine if Ford started lowering the quality of their cars until they are all made out of cardboard and duct tape (but kept the price the same, of course)... then a while later, they start producing cars again that are made how you'd expect them to be (out of metal) but instead created a new brand called Ford Historic and doubled the price. That's kinda the same thing.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

On the ones I've played I prefer the 60s neck and what you say about the set up makes sense because I find sometimes the action to be either too low or wayy to high but wasn't sure if it was cause of Gibson or how the store set it up. I thought their was a quality difference between the Customs and Standards but it looks like their are just Cosmetic and hardware differences.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Be aware that if you want a guitar with the same construction as the ones used by Page, Moore, Slash, etc... then a standard Gibson isn't going to cut it because modern LPs are chambered rather than solid body.

Don't worry though, because if you want 'the sound of rock history' then Gibson created a new brand (Gibson Historic) that will sell you the guitar as it should be made, only at a huge premium.

If this is difficult to get your head around; then imagine if Ford started lowering the quality of their cars until they are all made out of cardboard and duct tape (but kept the price the same, of course)... then a while later, they start producing cars again that are made how you'd expect them to be (out of metal) but instead created a new brand called Ford Historic and doubled the price. That's kinda the same thing.

It doesn't matter to me if it's chambered or not because if it's too heavy it won't be even considered but i'm also not looking for NOS or VOS i'm just looking for how to go about choosing and buying a quality one that feels good and plays well by my standards.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

On the ones I've played I prefer the 60s neck and what you say about the set up makes sense because I find sometimes the action to be either too low or wayy to high but wasn't sure if it was cause of Gibson or how the store set it up. I thought their was a quality difference between the Customs and Standards but it looks like their are just Cosmetic and hardware differences.

Most of the difference between Customs and Std's is cosmetic.

You do your own basic set ups, right? Action is a non-issue.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Most of the difference between Customs and Std's is cosmetic.

You do your own basic set ups, right? Action is a non-issue.

Yea but as GJ said about the nut issue I don't want to get one than have to replace it. Having it recut I don't mind and then yes I set the action to my preference.

When I say quality I'm more or less referring to thing like are all the frets dressed properly, are their any rough or sharp edges along the neck, any dead spots things of that nature.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

One thing I look for is a loud resonant acoustic property. I'll walk down the line of Gibsons and strum them with a pick while they're hanging. If they sound dead and plucky, I go to the next one. I only try out the ones that ring acoustically loud.

It's generally true that the higher the price, the better the guitar, but not always. I've owned and played plenty of standard production Gibsons that have the same magic as a CS Historic model. Sometimes, a combination of wood and hardware comes together nicely, and sometimes it's dead as a door nail.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

One thing I look for is a loud resonant acoustic property. I'll walk down the line of Gibsons and strum them with a pick while they're hanging. If they sound dead and plucky, I go to the next one. I only try out the ones that ring acoustically loud.

It's generally true that the higher the price, the better the guitar, but not always. I've owned and played plenty of standard production Gibsons that have the same magic as a CS Historic model. Sometimes, a combination of wood and hardware comes together nicely, and sometimes it's dead as a door nail.

Agreed 100%. And that can apply to any brand as well.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

I have eleven Les Pauls.

First, set a budget.

Play a lot of guitars.

Decide which neck profile you like. They all vary, but basically you're going to be choosing between a '60 Slim Taper profile or a rounded '50s profile. Historic models have a bit more variation, based on the year being reissued. I know my SP Supremes have a different profile than any of my others (both Historics and production models--'60s and "50s necks), and I think the Customs have a similar profile to my Supreme.

Play a lot of guitars.

I have five chambered Les Pauls. If weight is an issue, then by all means get a chambered guitar--it is still a Les Paul. All of mine sound excellent. Some guitars have weight-relief holes (swiss cheese) cut into the mahogany under the maple cap; Historic models come in chambered versions, but they specialize in totally solid guitars make from billets of select lightweight mahogany. There are several design and construction differences from the Historic models opposed to the regular Standard, Traditional, Custom, Classic models. They are SIGNIFICANT, and priced accordingly. Oddly, all of my LPs weigh in between 8.9 and 9.15 lbs.--except two chambered 2007 Classic Antiques (discontinued) from the Guitar Of The Week series that come in at 8.2 and 7.9 lbs. They feel like toys compared to some of the others, but they totally rock.

Play a lot of guitars.

Like some of the posters above, I also look for a loud and resonant guitar. I like to strum the open strings hard and feel for the resonance at the top of the head stock. I look for a guitar that just vibrates madly.

Play a lot of guitars.

Look for something that just feels "special" in your hands.

Play a lot of guitars.

You'll need to make some decisions on cosmetics. Do you like the look of a Custom? Do you want a top with a lot of quilt or flame figure? Expect to pay more for those than a plain top. Can you live without neck or body binding? A Studio Faded might be all you need. I often tell people to buy the most, nicest flame they can afford.

Play a lot of guitars.

Do your homework. There are several good books on the Les Paul guitar, Tony Bacon's is good, Iwanade's "Beauty Of The Burst" is a MUST HAVE; there are others. Hang out on the Les Paul Forum. Ask a lot of questions. Know the differences between a short tenon and a long tenon; a Nashville bridge and an ABR-1. Check out some of the websites, like Gibson's, the Music Zoo, Private Reserve, Wildwood Guitars, Dave's Guitar Shop, et al. Knowledge is power.

Play a lot of guitars.

Always good to have a lot of cash on hand when you are guitar shopping. Be patient, be stealthy. Strike hard and fast when the prey is in range. Bargain, bargain, bargain. Cash talks, BS walks.

Play a lot of guitars.

You can find some good deals used, but "caveat emptor". You must know what you are looking at and what your are looking for. You don't want to pay $1600 for a $350 Chinese knock-off. Know how to tell the difference. Often, you can tell simply by the smell. Seriously. I have doubts about buying a used Paul off E-bay. I have bought some of my G&L Legacys there, but LPs...they are different. I suggest developing a good relationship with your local dealer. The occasional six-pack of micro-brew or a batch of fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies can get you in good standing, lol!

Play a lot of guitars.

If you are desperate for a good deal, don't rule out a guitar with a broken headstock. It's a common occurrence with Gibsons. You may be able to find a great guitar at substantial savings. I have three Gibsons that I bought with headstock repairs--all are stable, and excellent sounding and playing guitars. They were either damaged in shipping or damaged in the store. The finishes were touched amp and the repairs are barely visible. Another LP Historic I bought has slight cosmetic damage from a fall in the store--I bought it for cost. But I do have one rule about these guitars--I will not buy one that has ANY damage to the headstock faceplate. No breaks or even a crease through the faceplate. Damage to the faceplate can be repaired but it is expensive to correct and have the cosmetics right. If you can buy it cheap enough, a guitar with a broken headstock can be a real bargain. AND, a great player.

Play a lot of guitars.

I use Schaller Strap Locks on all my Gibsons--the stock strap buttons are a disaster waiting to happen. Parts can be changed out on a Les Paul--pots, bridges, pickups, tuners, tailpieces--all can be customized. But you're not only looking for the prettiest girl at the dance; you want the one that has that inner beauty, a soul, a loving heart. You can't make a silk purse...etc. Learn how to distinguish between a dead guitar, versus merely a guitar with dead strings. Do budget for a professional set-up. And the trick for getting a great playing LP is making sure that the luthier uses a radius gauge and files the saddles to set the radius of the strings at the bridge to match the radius of the fretboard. Usually this is a 12" radius on a LP. Usually.

Play A LOT of guitars!!!

That's my advice--you may have noticed a common thread. My favorite LPs are my Historic models; I have an R9, an R8 and two the Guitar Center G0 versions--one of those G0s in particular is awesome/great/to die for/the bee's knees. etc. I prefer the rosewood "Standards" over the Customs--over the years, I've never really bonded with a Custom, and they tend to be a little heavier than some of the other models. YMMV. I do like my Supremes though. They benefitted from adding Duncan Seth Lovers, RS Kits and Gotoh LW aluminum tailpieces.

Drool time. Here's a pic of four of mine. From left to right:

2005 '58 Historic Reissue, R8, full Gloss in Washed Cherry, stock, solid body, huge neck, ABR-1 bridge,stock BB 1 & 2;

1996 Classic 1960 Premium Plus in HCSB, weight-relieved, '60s Slim Taper neck, ABR-1, Duncan 50th Anniversary A2 Seth Lovers, RS Kit, LW TP, reflector knobs, aka "Lolita Paul";

2006 LP Supreme in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, maple cap front and back--no control panel on the rear, chambered, Custom neck profile, Nashville bridge, LW Gotoh TP, stock 490r/498t pickups (I hate these);

2007 Guitar Of The Week "Tom Morgan Artist" chambered Classic Antique, all stock, very light weight, '60's Slim Taper neck (smaller and flatter than Lolita), Nashville, '57 Classic/Classic +.






The 'R8 and Lolita:






The Supreme: (I have a second one in the Root Beer finish.)





The girl with her lipstick on crooked:








Happy hunting!

Bill

 

[Securb]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Do your homework. There are several good books on the Les Paul guitar, Tony Bacon's is good, Iwanade's "Beauty Of The Burst" is a MUST HAVE

Tony Bacon's book is phenomenal I just got done reading it. I forgot if it was Tony's quote or someone else's but they came to the conclusion that the Les Paul Traditional is the closest to the classic Bursts than any other "production" Les Paul model. That made me smile as a Traditional owner. With that in mind there are so many different flavors of Les Pauls taste them all.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

What do the R8 and other variations mean? And Lolita looks like what I would go for.

 

[Securb]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

What do the R8 and other variations mean? And Lolita looks like what I would go for.

Reissue 58, 59.....

 

[chadd]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Everyone has their own idea of 'best Les Paul,' but I think the cheapest way to get what you want is to try as many as you can in the store, decide which model/neck/tuners/electronics/color, then buy that EXACT model used.

I couldn't disagree more. Play as many as you can get your hands on and buy the one that speaks to you. Just because it is the same model or year, does not mean that it will play or sound the same. When you find "the one" buy it, even if it costs a couple bucks more than another one. Otherwise, you will just be chasing the feel and sound of the one you let get away to save a couple bucks.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

Back in the day I paid 6 bucks for most of my LP's. I have about 400 of them.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

i have been looking at Gibsons to buy for the last 6 months.... i ended up with an SG Standard in the end as it just rang out loud acousticly... at the store i had played it over a few months and out of the Les Paul's and other SG's i was trying it just seemed above the rest... the other guitar model i was looking at was the New Les Paul Classic with the mid boost switch.... i had been playing 3 different LP Classic's and they did not feel alive as that SG i ended up with... but that does not mean the LP search is over...

but out of the 3 LP Classic's i have seen, one of them had a weird issue... i noticed the humbucker ring for the bridge PU was sticking up... the screws that hold it to the body was not the problem... it looked like they may of sanded the arch top too much in one area and the humbucker ring was not looking like it was able to sit flush... on the low e string side the ring had a gap under it of 3/16's or so... so build quality does still deserve to watch closely...

as far as Custom Shop and Standard Production models all i can say is when i bought a strat paying more didn't pay.... the CS Fender is nice, but it did not blow my mind... a used MIM Road Worn blew the Custom Shop strat away for tone... think i paid $400 for the used Road Worn... i would assume the same could happen in Gibson's range

 

[voggin]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

A good Les Paul is like a good whisky. It might burn you and be a little hard to handle the first time, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never go back to vodka coolers.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best way to go about buying a LP

As Boogie Bill illustrated... Playing LOTS of guitars results in buying LOTS of guitars! :laugh2: