Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

[Diego]

Didn't take any pictures, but I tried one of these bad girls:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-...959-Les-Paul-Reissue-Gloss-Electric-Guitar.gc

Oh well. How do you even start a review of a product like this?
It was very, very good. The price tag kinda stumped me (more than selling my motorcycle + most of my current gear) and the guitar was definitely very, very good.
I couldn't find a single wrong thing with it. Fretwork, the finish, everything was immaculate.

No idea what pickups it has ("Gibson Custom" says the website, what are those?) but it had the sounds of many great albums you've heard for decades.
Raunchy, warm and sweet PAF goodness in both positions. Pure unadulterated rock and roll in the bridge, and sweet tonal bliss in the neck.
I'm not joking there; easily the best neck position tone I've had from any guitar. Just incredible sounding.
Totally unqualified to describe it, other than "HOLY **** THIS IS AMAZING".

The geometry was something new to me. I'd never tried a vintage correct LP and the neck particularly was a bit challenging, just huge.
But it was very easy to play after a while and the response to everything was impeccable. However, its shape, weight, size and construction doesn't really suit me as a player I think.

I can't say it excited me like I thought it would, though. It impressed me but didn't floor me. I don't know what else I was expecting out of it but I didn't find it.
I can tell you I have much better memories of a PRS Hollowbody II I tried for a similarly crazy price tag.

I guess you'd have to be a Les Paul nut to appreciate what I tried today.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

they are great guitars, stupid expensive but still great. if you think that neck is huge, try a 56, 57, or 58 ri, freakin huge! but comfortable for me. the 59 neck is a little smaller, the 60 has a much smaller neck but still bigger than the production 60's slim taper neck

 

[JeffB]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

Didn't take any pictures, but I tried one of these bad girls:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-...959-Les-Paul-Reissue-Gloss-Electric-Guitar.gc

Oh well. How do you even start a review of a product like this?
It was very, very good. The price tag kinda stumped me (more than selling my motorcycle + most of my current gear) and the guitar was definitely very, very good.
I couldn't find a single wrong thing with it. Fretwork, the finish, everything was immaculate.

No idea what pickups it has ("Gibson Custom" says the website, what are those?) but man, those things have that classic sound you've heard on every great album for years.
Raunchy, warm and sweet PAF goodness.

The geometry was something new to me. I'd never tried a vintage correct LP and the neck particularly was a bit challenging, just huge. But it was very easy to play after a while and the response to everything was impeccable.

I can't say it excited me like I thought it would, though. It impressed me but didn't floor me. I don't know what else I was expecting out of it but I didn't find it.
I can tell you I have much better memories of a PRS Hollowbody II I tried for a similarly crazy price tag.

I guess you'd have to be a Les Paul nut to appreciate what I tried today.

You just played a big boy Les Paul.

They are not for everyone.

 

[Diego]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

Certainly it's not for me, I think. I've been thinking about this the last hour or so while staring at the roof.
(Medical leave for today due to a pulled back muscle)

I don't know if it's the right description, but I think it's a bit too monolithic for me.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

if someone gave me one, id happily play it but for $6500 ill pass

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

$6500 is a lot of money for a new guitar... or any guitar.

That said, I really like the Iced Tea finish. Least favorite is Washed Cherry. Which did you play?

 

[Diego]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

$6500 is a lot of money for a new guitar... or any guitar.

That said, I really like the Iced Tea finish. Least favorite is Washed Cherry. Which did you play?

This one was Faded Tobacco. I love the Iced Tea finish as well.
And yeah, the price tag is just... I mean, I distintly remember trying out a PRS S2 Singlecut that wasn't 33% the guitar, but it was 33% the price more or less.
Also, I don't think it quite qualifies as a collector's instrument in order to justify the tag, right?
But it is damn exquisite, I'll admit that.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

They hold their value more than pretty much anything. Depends on year and whatever changes Gibson made.

That said, buy Historics on the used market if at all possible. Guys are always getting rid of fantastic guitars because it just doesn't do the beano/butterfield/kossof/fillmore thing EXACTLY the way they want it to.

 

[Securb]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

I recentlly came across this Natural Flame LP and almost had a heart attack. Talk about beuatiful.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

I don't know about it being a "big boy" Les Paul but it's definitely a rich man's Les Paul. I don't think I'd ever buy one even if I could responsibly afford one. Oh wait, strike that. If I were forced to choose between a colonoscopy or that Les Paul, I'd buy the Gibson. They're both going to feel like an anal probe either way, but the Les Paul would be a far less painful one. Plus, you can always sell the LP.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

That said, buy Historics on the used market if at all possible. Guys are always getting rid of fantastic guitars because it just doesn't do the beano/butterfield/kossof/fillmore thing EXACTLY the way they want it to.

That, and guitar players are stupid and in the top 1% of idiots who buy crap they can't afford and don't really need.

 

[Diego]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

That, and guitar players are stupid and in the top 1% of idiots who buy crap they can't afford and don't really need.

I thought that was smartphone enthusiasts. But yeah, I know what you guys mean.
Who knows? I might buy an old used LP Standard someday if I come across a good deal. Maybe.

I really haven't thought much about this, but I know that maybe a more "modern" Les Paul, or an SG/Explorer or a PRS or maybe even a ****ing Schecter could be my thing tomorrow. Again, who knows?
I'm really not experienced enough to draw the line now, and not close-minded enough to shut any doors at this point.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

My Number One guitars are G&L Legacys, and I have 18 of their various "Strat-body" models. I just love these guitars; I've owned a Leo Fender designed guitar of one brand or another continuously since 1966.

I've also owned several Gibsons over the years, I currently have eleven Pauls and a few 335s. Four of my Pauls are Historics, and they would be my favorites by far. The neck on my R8 plaintop is big; the neck on my R9 feels even bigger. But the neck on my two G0s are PERFECT. They're just slightly fuller than the typical Slim-Taper. The G0s were Tobaccoburst Custom Shop plaintop versions made for Guitar Center.

I have never regretted buying any of my Historics. i bought the R9 used and the others at closeout prices. They have a certain vibe that Gibson USA Pauls don't have. I'm old enough to have played vintage Pauls in pawnshops during the Sixties, and the new Pauls, especially the aged models, really grab that feel.

No, they're not for everyone. They are a big chunk of change, but since I bought so low, they've appreciated by roughly a third. But the new guitars have gotten so expensive, few can afford them. Even if I moved a few guitars, I doubt I'll ever pursue a new one. But I have to admit they are addictive. And when you find the right one....wow!

Bill

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

Take it from a gear nut who's gone full circle more than twice.

The formula of using Gibson, Fender, PRS, Gretsch, Charvel, Marshall, Fender amp, Vox, Martin, Taylor, and boutiques of all the above isn't by chance. It's because there's certain gear that's simply superior.
(I'm including all the gear that's well made for the record... G&L, Anderson, Nash, Bogner, Dr Z, 65 Amps, etc.

I've got a roomfull of Fender, Gibson, PRS, Dearmond, plus killer amps. My favorites have nothing to do with price or forum cred. It all has to do with whatever floats my boat.

The only catch is that all those well made guitars require perfect setups and high end pickups. There's brands equal or better, but the setup and pickups need to be right.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

I've been out of the Gibson Historic Loop for years but I recall there were always dealers that could do quite a bit better on pricing you just have to call as they can't post under sticker cuz Gibson is strict. When I bought my 2010 R8 for $2950 I was offered an R9 for like $1500 more (consider inflation since though). If you gotta have a flametop be prepared to pay more than a plain top or solid color (cuz Gibson can and will). If you want historic features, construction, and playability don't get a flametop and save yourself some money in my opinion. The R9 you posted and price is manufacturers retail price and may be had for less through dealers on say mylespaul.com. Last I knew Eddies Guitars was doing deals on Custom Shops but I don't know if that's still the case. As I said you have to call specific dealers last I heard as dealers cannot post less than full sticker on websites as Gibson is strict.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

the $6500 is map, not list

 

[Aceman]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

First of all - let's be clear: There are guitars 1/6th the price of that that are every bit as good, maybe better.
Also - a guitar in isolation is one thing. But when it is tried in a pack of 5-6 similar guitars, your opinion might be quite different.
Finally - hard to sort the BS from the reality. You can't get away from decades of them telling you about 59 grail guitars, etc, and you knew what it was.

All of the said, if it your thing, and you have the cash - go for it. But I would never ever say it was actually worth that as an instrument.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

The new price on those is silly. And yes they might hold more resell values when expressed in percentage, but certainly not in absolute $$$.

R6, R7 and R8 go for reasonable money used. And Gibson holding hostage the neck profile liked by large parts of the general population (slimmer) to support upsell to the "pretty" R9 is a dick move.

Personally I have a thing for the black R7s and R8s that they made, but my willingness to buy never coincided with somebody selling at a matching price. I also discovered that some of them only have a black top, which also makes me raise eyebrows.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

Personally I have a thing for the black R7s and R8s that they made, but my willingness to buy never coincided with somebody selling at a matching price. I also discovered that some of them only have a black top, which also makes me raise eyebrows.

It only raises eyebrows if you don't understand that in the 1950s when Gibson made a handful of opaque top Standards in red and black as a special order, they were made just like a goldtop with paint on top and wood grain on the back.

The all black standards are a late 60s/Norlin thing.

 

[Diego]

Re: Just tried a lovely Les Paul.

First of all - let's be clear: There are guitars 1/6th the price of that that are every bit as good, maybe better.
Also - a guitar in isolation is one thing. But when it is tried in a pack of 5-6 similar guitars, your opinion might be quite different.
Finally - hard to sort the BS from the reality. You can't get away from decades of them telling you about 59 grail guitars, etc, and you knew what it was.

All of the said, if it your thing, and you have the cash - go for it. But I would never ever say it was actually worth that as an instrument.

Yeah man. I knew that was one of the most expensive guitars I'll ever try, but I really had my eyes and ears opened when trying it, rather than trying to fool myself into it.
It's a terrific guitar no matter what. But I've tried a few Traditional and Standard Les Pauls that, eyes closed and through a nicely tuned amp, I'm sure I'd have some work pinpointing the differences and what's better/worse compared to the Historic.

For that price, I'd rather buy myself a nice PRS S2 of some sort, a nice G&L Strat, a kickass amp and a couple pizzas to celebrate.
And I'd still have some money left.