Les Paul owners: advice...?

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

That's your R8? Looks amazing!

Yup, that's my R8. Just picked it up recently.

To the OP, also a little above your budget, but if you don't mind an ebony board, you can look at mid 2000s Les Paul Supremes. Make decent offers, some sellers may bite. I didn't pay the full asking price for my R8. I made a reasonable offer and saved cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I have 11 Les Pauls: four solid Historics; two each of the weight-relieved 1960 Classic Premium Plus guitars from the mid-1990s; two 2006 chambered Supremes; two 2006 chambered Classic Antiques; and a 2001 chambered Elegant.

The Classic Antiques are right around 8 lbs., but the others all weigh within a couple of ounces +/- of 9 lbs.

If you like the Slim-Taper neck, then the 1960 Classics or the Classic Antiques are good. Good platforms for modding. The 1960s I like are from '92 to '97. Plain tops are the cheapest, and the flamed Plus models will push $2k and beyond. If light weight is a priority, the Classic Antique is a good way to go, but they "feel" light and comparitively fragile compared to other Pauls. Only made them for a couple of years, some were from the Guitar Of The Week Series and have special finishes. Google the Tom Morgan Artist Classic Antique, or the Fireburst...these are the ones I have.

Supremes got the bling, and a thicker body with a maple cap also on the back. I see these starting at about $2,000 and up. Elegants will typically push $4k.

If you're really lucky you can get a Plain-top R7 or R8 for less than $2,500, but flame will cost you. R9s and R0s will be the lightest and the most expensive; the R0 has the thinnest neck.

Standards are always good, but some years have odd features. Traditionals offer more traditional features, and Studios can be had for WAY under $2k, if you can live without binding and bling.

Without a doubt, my Historics are my faves; two of them are just exceptional. Then the 1960 Classic Premium Plus guitars and the Elegant. I think the Historics are worth the extra $$$, but I bought mine several years ago and got great deals on them.

Flame is a good thing. If you're buying one to keep with an eye on investment, the buy the bestest, flamiest LP Ayou can find as they hold their value the best.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Aceman]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Nakroth; While Bruce's axe is superb, probably a bit high end based on what you said.

Might I suggest that you get an ESP LTD EC-1000 instead. Cheaper, better quality at a lower price. Comes with Duncan JB/Jazz.

Or, if you REALLY want Gibson, try something from the Melody Maker line. Or maybe even a "The Les Paul" made out of Walnut. Much more SG player friendly...

 

[chadd]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Nakroth; While Bruce's axe is superb, probably a bit high end based on what you said.

Might I suggest that you get an ESP LTD EC-1000 instead. Cheaper, better quality at a lower price. Comes with Duncan JB/Jazz.

Or, if you REALLY want Gibson, try something from the Melody Maker line. Or maybe even a "The Les Paul" made out of Walnut. Much more SG player friendly...

I hate to disagree, but I absolutely have to. I own a couple LTDs and have had ESPs before and no LTD that I've ever seen, played or heard is in the same class as one of the Historics.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Chadd is right. A Historic Les Paul is a guitar for a lifetime. Yes, they do vary, but find the one that speaks to you...that special guitar that inspires you, and you'll have a keeper.

All of my Pauls are "special", but my Historics...wow!

Bill

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I do think, though, that a fellow SG player might have a very hard time changing over to a LP, which is why I do agree with the general gist of trying a thinner one or a flat top model. I once played a Special Humbucker (or whatever Gibson was calling a Les Paul Special with humbuckers instead of P 90s circa 1997?) and loved it, and that was when I only played SGs for a few years.
By contrast, my friend's then-new LP Custom felt thick and awkward. Loved the way it looked, but had no interest in playing it.

 

[Securb]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Nakroth; While Bruce's axe is superb, probably a bit high end based on what you said.

Ace thanks for the love on my axe. The OP said his budget was 2K when the time comes. My guitar falls below that number.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I hate to disagree, but I absolutely have to. I own a couple LTDs and have had ESPs before and no LTD that I've ever seen, played or heard is in the same class as one of the Historics.

While I totally agree with this... the Ltd EC1000s are excellent instruments and with the right pickups could be very SG-ish. I had two of those, four EC400s, and two ESP Eclipses and all were excellent. In fact, I don't spend time regretting having sold instruments, but if I could have one back it might be the satin black Eclipse that I sold. That thing was awesome. No... it wasn't an LP and certainly didn't sound like my R0. But for straight ahead rock in an SG vein it was as good as anything I've ever owned. I find myself missing that guitar more than any other that I let get away. Plus, I picked it up for the same price as a new EC1000 runs (about $850). Awesome guitar.


Btw... if you want a Gibson that feels, plays and sounds similar to a Tele (but better), why not consider a Nighthawk. That's exactly what I'd be looking for if I had your requirements. In fact, I'm in total Les Paul mode these days, but I still want to look into a Nighthawk in the near future.

 

[tabeck5]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

If you really want a player that is both comfortable and easily moded, get a Yamaha AES620, it is what a Les Paul would be if it were allowed to evolve. Classic LP shape but contoured body, comes stock with a SD JB in the bridge which pairs with just about any neck pickup SD offers. My only (minor) gripe is the jack location but other than that I love this just as much as my LP.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I bought my Custom Studio because of the switch location
Down around the knobs
I never could get used to the upper horn switch
I kept hitting it while playing

 

[orpheo]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

or go to a luthier, lay down your budget and have him make you a singlecut guitar. Unless you really need a gibson?

 

[kherman]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Another thought would be a Kiesel CS.
Thinner body, belly cut, contoured heel, etc.
Choose your woods, fret wire, bridge, hardware, inlays, etc..
For an up charge you can request them to go through the wood and select lighter pieces.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Gibson has been using the prewired circuitboards instead of separate hand-wired pots, so you basically have to gut the thing to use anyone else's pickups. I don't know when that started. I think the whole baked maple and or layered fretboards began around 2011 for a couple of years.

Can't you just add the quick-connectors to any regular pickup? I believe you can do it but need to be careful with the colours as Gibson messed with the bridge colours but not the neck ones on the connectors (I was checking this out because I was doing the opposite and putting a couple of newer, quick-connector fitted Gibby pups in an older guitar without the circuit board).

 

[Open lane]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

My mid 90's is my #1. Put a set of antiquities in there. Only one problem: heavy as hell. Still, i wouldn't change it if i could!

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

If you're an SG guy and concerned about weight and ergonomics, am kinda surprised no one has recommended a Les Paul Doublecut, or a Hamer Doublecut of some kind.

I have a LP Studio DC with standard Les Paul humbucker pickups (the dreaded Gibson 490/498, which I actually like, though I'm apparently the only one), and a doublecut Hamer Special with P-90s (Duncans came stock; Hamer Specials also came with humbuckers, both types are out in the used market):

I have a TV Yellow Les Paul Special doublecut in process, should get it next week:

I think that any of the above choices would be good for LP tones for an SG player. And like I said, Hamer has both flat-top (less weight) Specials with humbuckers, or their "Studio" (a doublecut with a maple cap more like a Les Paul Doublecut).

 

[Aceman]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I hate to disagree, but I absolutely have to. I own a couple LTDs and have had ESPs before and no LTD that I've ever seen, played or heard is in the same class as one of the Historics.

Well Chadd, I have to disagree with your disagreement. Read everything he said. The guy does not dig big thick heavy Les Pauls (and don't tell me how "relatively light" the historic will be). And he wants to spend <$2K. He doesn't want vintage. I guess when he asks for a non-ceramic pickup with soft bass and round highs with prominent midshipmen's you'll suggest a Custom?

So you are basically telling him to get a big heavy and extremely expensive Les Paul, that he probably won't like and is planning to mod the hell out of. Remind me not to ask you for suggestions about anything....

I have played a crap ton of EC-1000's. Not a damn thing wrong with them except they lack scent of cork to deeply sniffed. He can spend ~$600, get a guitar that is way more in line with his thinner, lighter SG preferences, and likely already has Duncans. And if he doesn't like it can flip it for $400.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

Chadd is right. A Historic Les Paul is a guitar for a lifetime. Yes, they do vary, but find the one that speaks to you...that special guitar that inspires you, and you'll have a keeper.

All of my Pauls are "special", but my Historics...wow!

Bill

No Bill, Chadd is wrong. Read the OP. IF anything he wants the Ultra Light (Less than $2k Bruce?!?!?!?!). He even more likely wants a Melody Maker, a Double Cut or whatever. Everything about the guys's post screams "I don't love Les Pauls..." So stop suggesting ultimate Les Pauls!!!!!!


I get it - I'm as big of a Les Paul fanboy as anyone here. The guy does not want "The Les Paul of a Lifetime" he wants a Les Paul that is like an SG and that he will mod. :smack:

 

[Securb]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

IF anything he wants the Ultra Light (Less than $2k Bruce?!?!?!?!).

It is $2099, I got mine slightly under 2K. Seeing all of the gear sites have 15% off coupons flying around all the time it can be had under budget.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPCT16

I have a LP Studio DC with standard Les Paul humbucker pickups (the dreaded Gibson 490/498, which I actually like, though I'm apparently the only one)

Probably one of my favourite pickup combos. Not only do I have that set in my SG and one of my Les Pauls. I also have 498Ts in two of my Ibanezs. I hope cork sniffers contiinue to bash these pickups. It allows me to pick them up on the secondary market on the cheap.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

While I am not an LP guy at all, my biggest concerns would be balance and weight. I remember the half-balsa LP Lites of the 90s (?) which were a good weight but had poor balance. Once I realized every LP is bound to be over 8lbs, I started looking at other things. But with your budget, you should be fine.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Les Paul owners: advice...?

I have one of those Les Paul DC Studios, it's a decent guitar, but not really my cup of tea. Not a big fan of the wrap around bridge, as for the sound of say it's about 60/40 Led paul/ SG. It is pretty good in weight marginally heavier than my SG, but still slightly lighter than my chambered LP Studio. IIRC the DC's are chambered as well, or at least the Studios are.