G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

[Jeffrec]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

Couldn't happen to a "nicer" bunch of guys... :chairshot

Clapton has said that he liked the neck of that particular Les Paul better than any other Les Paul he'd ever owned. And that he gave up on Les Pauls because after it was stolen he couldn't find another one exactly like it with the same sound and shape and feel to the neck. So he switched to the early 60's SG that he used with Cream.

Then, a few years ago, he said he'd found a Les Paul just like the one that was stolen. I'm guessing this new model will feature a neck shaped like that one: A little less of a thick 50's shape and more of an early 60's shape to the neck. That's my favorite Gibson neck shape too. Wide enough so my fingers aren't crowded but not to wide and thick enough to get the tonal benefits of being thick enough but not to thick.

My '60 ES-355 was the best Gibson I've ever owned but was stolen thirty one years ago in Denver. I wonder if it might have had that same neck shape as Clapton has referred to because it was just perfect for me and I'm pretty sure both were 1960 Gibson guitars.

My 2001 Gibson ES-335 dot also has that very early 60's neck shape - even though it's supposed to be a replica of a late 50's "Dot".

Nice overview, Lew! Peter Green also commented that he liked the shape of Clapton's LP better than his own ('59 vs '60's shape difference I would imagine).

I also read that about Clapton's assessment of the guitar. After his was stolen he talked Andy Summers into selling him his LP, which Clapton said was pretty close. I think he still has that one......He should use it more often. I'm a little tired of the Clapton/Strat thing.


Jeff

 

[blueman335]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

After his was stolen he talked Andy Summers into selling him his LP, which Clapton said was pretty close. I think he still has that one......He should use it more often. I'm a little tired of the Clapton/Strat thing. Jeff

A big plus one on that! I would love to hear Clapton with an LP, SG, and 335 as his main guitars again, and get back to his Bluesbreaker/Cream tones. That's what made his reputation. Not that 'Lay Down Sally' sound. He's played Strats long enough. What's his number, I need to give him a call: 'Eric baby, we gotta talk...'

 

[DoronEsh]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

A big plus one on that! I would love to hear Clapton with an LP, SG, and 335 as his main guitars again, and get back to his Bluesbreaker/Cream tones. That's what made his reputation. Not that 'Lay Down Sally' sound. He's played Strats long enough. What's his number, I need to give him a call: 'Eric baby, we gotta talk...'

IIRC you said you were a big guy. If that is true, then a personal visit, preferably in the middle of the night, in some back alley, would be much more efficient.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

It looks like they are modelling it on this guitar which is one that he was photographed with most at the time. The point is that Eric didn't have an epiphany and buy a Les Paul, he got one because Mayall had three already and he liked the sound John got. According to Mayall there were five Les Pauls and a couple of 335s in the studio and no one remembers who used what for which track. One of the guitars was probably the one Mickey Moody has as Mickey got it from a guy who got it from Mayall and told him that it was the one used on Bluesbreaker however Mayall recognised the guitar but didn't know which Eric had used for that.

May I ask where you got this info???

I read a lot of interviews with both Eric and John from this time about the Beano album and no other LP's or 335's or even other guitars were brought up for that matter and while we're at it I've looked at a LOT of pictures and that LP is the only guitars I've ever seen in pics from the session(s)...

As stated in this thread in another post early shots of it show it with nickel covers some w/o but it is the same guitar.

Also, while we're at it Eric bought a Les Paul becasue Freddie King was pictured on the cover of an album holding a Gold Top Les Paul and Eric wanted an LP because of that album...

 

[blueman335]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

IIRC you said you were a big guy. If that is true, then a personal visit, preferably in the middle of the night, in some back alley, would be much more efficient.

6'5" and 250 lbs. I doubt that Eric's over 5'10", if even that. I can be very persuasive. :14:

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

May I ask where you got this info???

Also, while we're at it Eric bought a Les Paul becasue Freddie King was pictured on the cover of an album holding a Gold Top Les Paul and Eric wanted an LP because of that album...

I've read that too. He only got a sunburst because he couldn't find a goldtop in London at the time.

 

[Bludave]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

I have mine on order!:joke:

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

I think these Gibson RI of artist models is shameful. They're really no different than a normal custom shop model or USA line guitar, aside from finish... Joe Bonamassa said he wanted an LP ready, out of the box. All the specs sound like nothing freaking new to me, and I love Joe B. I just dont get it.

 

[John_L]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

May I ask where you got this info???

I read a lot of interviews with both Eric and John from this time about the Beano album and no other LP's or 335's or even other guitars were brought up for that matter and while we're at it I've looked at a LOT of pictures and that LP is the only guitars I've ever seen in pics from the session(s)...

Both a 'Guitarist' feature with Micky Moody from the 90's and mostly from Mayalls comments on the BBC's Blues Britanica last year.

 

[John_L]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

I think these Gibson RI of artist models is shameful. They're really no different than a normal custom shop model or USA line guitar, aside from finish... Joe Bonamassa said he wanted an LP ready, out of the box. All the specs sound like nothing freaking new to me, and I love Joe B. I just dont get it.

I think Peter Green is right not to put his name to anything.

 

[John_L]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

If Gibson offered to issue a Peter Green Model Les Paul, Peter would be crazy not to take them up on it. I sure would - I need the money. :1: I'll bet Peter could use a little more Green too.

Well Peter doesn't like money. All of his money from music goes to his foundation which helps people with mental illness. If he were to have a Les Paul he'd want all the money to go to the foundation and not make a huge profit for Gibson (and look at the lawsuit Gibson have against Warwick over the Entwhistle bass which was for charity to see they want money however they can get it) besides which Peter's attitude to the Les Paul is frosty. When people ask him about it the most he'll say is it's Gary's.

 

[Stratman]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

What a joke...

The guitars been gone for years now and nobody, not even Eric knows for sure even what year it was!

What the hell are they going to base it off of...I mean the only think they can do it get the colour close, the funky pickups and past that it's a roll of the dice!

I'm a big fan of Gibson in general and Eric and that tone is deserving of a tribute but i'm serious they have nohting to go off of...

Not to mention that I'm starting to wonder how many more stupidly priced LP's they can come up with!

Another rip off reason to screw people by our friends at Gibson.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

Not a guitar I'd ever get but..

..man I forgot how much I loved that album. Beano at that time completely turned around my guitar playing. That was some serious playing and tone. I'm not one to judge a musician at all, but every once in a while I'd like to see some of that passion from Clapton now and again.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

I forgot how much I loved that album. Beano at that time completely turned around my guitar playing.

Right after you finishing listening to the Beano album (in mono, natch!), give "A Hard Road" a spin. Enjoy the similarities. Enjoy the differences.

 

[AlexR]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

A hard road seems almost like an ensemble piece than Beano. Green had the somewhat unenviable task of replacing God, and it almost seemed like he was overawed. Pity really as he was/is one of the greats.

 

[John_L]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

A hard road seems almost like an ensemble piece than Beano. Green had the somewhat unenviable task of replacing God, and it almost seemed like he was overawed. Pity really as he was/is one of the greats.

Green is a much better person than Clapton always was always will be. Eric is not half as good as he thinks he is, not as good as Peter or Mick Taylor and he is a nasty bit of work. On top of it not only is he a racist he supports far right groups in the UK (the British National Party and the English Defence League) now for a lot of people on this forum that means nothing. However I live on the front line in a part of London where the far right have a toe hold. What ever Eric does in music it is overshadowed by his ignorance.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

All the shots of Mayall era Clapton show him with this guitar. Some with covers, some without, but it's the same guitar. I don't think Mayall's memory is accurate here.

How in the world can you be sure that "it's the same guitar"? Black and white, crappy, grainy photos and even the man himself wouldn't know for sure.

This is like marketing "the pickup" Eddie Van Halen used on the first VH record.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

I think the single thing that irks me about their custom models is the pickup configuration. Many other brands go for more of a 'this is an almost exact rewind of the pickups in the original guitar' but you know for a fact that Gibson will just slap a Burstbucker 1 and 2 into the guitar and say 'Original PAF tone just like Eric might have kinda sorta used".

I tend to view these models as eye-candy and advertising not for direct-sell money.. sort of a 'This is what we can do at the top of our game, but hey.. look at our standard line.. for a 1/5th of the price you can get many of the same specs including the wood, top and pickups that make the sound". Sorry if that's a little bit unclear but what I am trying to get at is.. these high end models aren't really being created for the sake of being purchased, I think its just a form of advertising for the brand, bringing in new fans who like the affiliated band or musician, and especially accentuating the parts that are common on most Gibson guitars in the 'features section'.

So suddenly you look at one of their other guitars and go 'Hey this has a maple top and burstbuckers just like the Clapton guitar..." and thus they indirectly sell the standard models.

...if none of that made sense, I'd like to add that I've been awake for about 23 hours at this point.

 

[RavenMadd]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

money makes the world go round!

 

[LedSabbath]

Re: G-word to Release Clapton "Beano" Les Paul

+1

Plus I'd rather see em do a 335 or one of those wicked psychedelic SG's like this 'un

They already did an ES-335.