Les Paul tone Problem

[lpclassic29]

Heya guys, Im in need of some advise. I have 2 LP classics, 1 plays and sounds beautifully and the other is pretty much far from it. It's as tho the harmonics are nothing like the other. It's much more harsh and less smooth. I've read some stuff on the net about having them set up just right in order to get the whole tone and playability package out of them. Is this true? Pickups, neck, bridge, etc. have to be just perfect? I seem to have no problems with my other LP and i treat it the same way. Any ideas and tech help to turn this strung up log into the guitar it should be? Thanks guys.
LP

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

I am no tech but have you tried maybe raising the pickups? lowering them? try to meassure the height of the pickups on the one that plays nice and try to match it.


Good luck!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Have you compared them acoustically?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Because of their short scale, LP's are a mess, tonally and playability-wise, if they don't have a completely dialed in setup.

I'd suggest spending a few bucks having a bone nut installed and pro level setup done on that LP. One rule of thumb I go by is to put the lower output vintage PAF types in your guitars with the best wood, and use your higher output pickups on the guitars that sound thin or lifeless. At least the hotter pickups will make up for the tonal deficiency somewhat.

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Because of their short scale, LP's are a mess, tonally and playability-wise, if they don't have a completely dialed in setup.

I'd suggest spending a few bucks having a bone nut installed and pro level setup done on that LP. One rule of thumb I go by is to put the lower output vintage PAF types in your guitars with the best wood, and use your higher output pickups on the guitars that sound thin or lifeless. At least the hotter pickups will make up for the tonal deficiency somewhat.

Sounds like good advice to me!

The state of the nut and frets will have a noticeable effect on the string's harmonic response.

 

[Voxman]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Because of their short scale, LP's are a mess, tonally and playability-wise, if they don't have a completely dialed in setup.

I'd suggest spending a few bucks having a bone nut installed and pro level setup done on that LP. One rule of thumb I go by is to put the lower output vintage PAF types in your guitars with the best wood, and use your higher output pickups on the guitars that sound thin or lifeless. At least the hotter pickups will make up for the tonal deficiency somewhat.

That`s a good rule of thumb

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Assuming both are stock, I would measure the pot values on the one that is bright to be sure they are in spec

 

[lpclassic29]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

i do have a bit of fretting going on. it seems if i raise the bridge, the action is just to high. neck adjustment? and how do i go about measuring the pot values either? what exactly is a bone nut? would the lsr roller nut do a better job by chance? thanks guys, you rock
lp

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

i do have a bit of fretting going on. it seems if i raise the bridge, the action is just to high. neck adjustment? and how do i go about measuring the pot values either? what exactly is a bone nut?

See my comments here on Harmony Central

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1238790&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

would the lsr roller nut do a better job by chance?

Ooh, no!

 

[lpclassic29]

Re: Les Paul tone Problem

Thanks for all your help guys. When I get this figured out, I'll post the results. You rock!
LP