Les Paul Special versus Classic

[MDS]

Hey guys!

I'm going to try this question again, but this time I kinda know what I'm talking about. I really like the 60s slim taper neck, which both of these guitars have, and I'm likely to change pickups either way, so that difference is negligable. I love the visual appointments of the Classic, but at this point it isn't worth $1000 to me over what I can get a special for. The only other different I've noticed is that the Classic has a maple cap and the Special doesn't.

So what do you guys think of the Special without the maple cap? Too dark? Not enough bite/cut?

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

a little late afternoon bump?!

 

[fusion101]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Throw a jb/jazz set in the special and your set screw spending an extra 1000, although i most suggest hamer and carvin over any les paul

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I've owned and played Carvins and they just plain don't do it for me. I WANT them to, but alas, what can I say....I was playing this sweet lookin' cali carved top at the factory the other day, and it played well, and looked great, but the tone was just not doing it for me. No life, kinda bland. The body didn't resonate at all. Very much reminded me of the DC-127 I owned for a couple of years...oh well...

I do like Hamers, however I'm really interested in getting a single cut Gibby...I've got a great semi-hollow DC axe...

 

[slash857]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I've owned and played Carvins and they just plain don't do it for me. I WANT them to, but alas, what can I say....I was playing this sweet lookin' cali carved top at the factory the other day, and it played well, and looked great, but the tone was just not doing it for me. No life, kinda bland.

i heard the deal with the carvins is that the pickups have no mojo. i heard that from someone on the forum actually. as for the special, yeah itll sound cool with the jb/jazz set. the special is a good guitar for the price. its probably not worth spending the extra thousand like i did. :smack: o well im still happy with mine.

 

[mnbaseball91]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I can't tell you about the LP Special, but the SG Special I played was worse than an Epi G400. The neck was an absolute nightmare, the body didn't resonate at all, it wouldn't stay in tone, and it just plain had bad mojo. Maybe it was just a bad one, but make sure it's returnable if you get the special.

 

[fusion101]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Let me just say something about the carvins, CHANGE THE F#CKING PICKUPS

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I changed the pups in the one I owned and it helped, but there was still something significant lacking for me. Regardless, I'm not looking for Carvin plugs.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Aren't the specials made from different wood? i mean a different sort of mahogany...
I think it's like the specials are made of heavier mahogany and therefore need those holes in the body... not sure if the classics don't have those holes or just the custom shops

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Holes in the body? I'm not sure what you mean. Can anyone elaberate?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Les Paul Standards and Classics have "weight relief holes" drilled into the body, 9 to be precise....right around the area where your forearm rests when playing, and above the pickups. The problem is scarcity of lighweight Mahogany. Honduran Mahogany is very expensive, and other forms of Mahogany are not as light and porus as Honduran. Therefore, Gibson reserves the lightest weight pieces of wood for Historic and Custom Shop/Artist models. The others get the weight relief holes, which are less than an inch in diameter and have no effect on the tone.

As far as the Mahogany being different on the specials vrs the Standards and Classics, I couldnt say. I think it would be safe to say that they come from different stockpiles as the bodies on Specials are nowhere near as thick as a Standard or Classic. In my opinion, Specials will have a tone much closer to an SG, or an Explorer due to the lighter weight of the body, and no maple cap.

The tone is not better or worse, just different. If you really want the sound of a Les Paul, then you need to get the real deal that weighs in at 8+ lbs and has a maple cap. I think it's worth the difference. I also think everyone should have a Special, Standard and an SG, but that's just me.

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Thanks, Jeff. That is exactly the kind of Les Paul Expert report I was looking for. I didn't realize the body was soooo different from the traditional Les Paul approach. I'm definitely into getting an LP, not something sorta like an LP, so this really clears it up for me. THANKS!

Now I just need to find one I can afford!!

Mike

 

[deftgala]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Thanks, Jeff. That is exactly the kind of Les Paul Expert report I was looking for. I didn't realize the body was soooo different from the traditional Les Paul approach. I'm definitely into getting an LP, not something sorta like an LP, so this really clears it up for me. THANKS!

Now I just need to find one I can afford!!

Mike

Check "JeffB"

He's got a beautiful Cherry sunburst for a great price he's selling...

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Jeff's advice is on point. The tone of the Standards/Classics etc... is just different. Defintely more SG like (darker to my ears). I had a Special with HB's and a DC Special w/ P-90's. Both were about average build quality. Certainly nothing to brag about, but okay. Of the two, I liked the DC better. I don't know why, it just had a better feel (Plus the stock Gibson P-90's sounded great in that guitar).

One point I will make is that the tone is distinct. Not only because its a flat top and is thin in comparison to a Standard or Classic, but also due to the fact that there was very little finish/lacquer (I had the faded series). Sometimes, less finish is a good thing tone wise, at least IMHO.

Hope this helps.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I agree with Jeff on this one. A classic sounds like a LP should. The special sounds good to, but in a different way.

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Jeff's advice is on point. The tone of the Standards/Classics etc... is just different. Defintely more SG like (darker to my ears). ....

Are you saying you think the Classic and Standard sound more like an SG than a regular Paul? I'd think those two, based on namesake alone, would be pretty standard LP tone.

I think it is weird how the Classic has the most modern humbuckers and thinner neck. You'd think the classic would be like an oooooold LP...

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

No, the tone of the Special is darker and more SG like than the Standards and Classics. I agree about the pickups in the Classic though. I don't quite get the hot ceramic idea. They would go immediately if I got a Classic.

 

[MDS]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

Cool...that makes more sense....I'm not sure about the Classics pickups...I have a thread in the Pickup Lounge regarding these pups. In my limited playing in a TSL I actually really liked the pups in the Classic. I was getting really nice clean tones and searing lead tone. I was in a pretty rockin' mood at the time and appreciated the big sound a screaming harmonics I was able to get out of it without much effort...I may replace them, but I'd probably look towards a ceramic Duncan after that experience...

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Les Paul Special versus Classic

I have a 99 LP Classic. I thought the stock ceramic HBs were not too bad at all, but they could get a bit harsh at times. The neck pup is clearer than the 490R. Nevertheless, I just replaced them with a set of Antiquity HBs, which are absolutely great -- the only issue with them is that the bridge pup may not be hot enough for some folks. If you search for a used Classic you'll save several hundred dollars, which brings it more in line with the Special. I did not care for the one LP Special with HBs that I tried, but YMMV.