Modern-feeling alternatives to a Les Paul?

[orpheo]

I knew some of his are super thin, even his ES35-shaped one.
But I also think he makes three or four different singlecuts, with opera-style names.
Not sure they're all that thin. Of course all of them might be.

You're right. I should have searched two seconds longer.

 

[orpheo]

You're right. I should have searched two seconds longer.

It's not that uniquely contoured, by the way. Frank Hartung has been doing this for years before Zelinsky or Dean started doing it

 

[Aceman]

Hard toi find a more modern Les Paul than the ESP or LTD EC1000's IMO.

Love them. JB/59 pickup combo is awesome in them.

 

[NegativeEase]

It's not that uniquely contoured, by the way. Frank Hartung has been doing this for years before Zelinsky or Dean started doing it

NO! Dean Zelinsky invented everything -including the internet -just ask him.

 

[NegativeEase]

It's not that uniquely contoured, by the way. Frank Hartung has been doing this for years before Zelinsky or Dean started doing it

That git is sweeeeeeeeeeet BTW

 

[weepingminotaur]

And I would totally agree if I was going purely on feel. At least on the scale lenght. I like the feel of a 25.5" scale lenght way better for fast palm-muting.

But I do prefer the feel of a Tune-O. I like the fact that they're raised slightly off the body. However, I'm not one of those guys who can't adapt to a low-profile bridge. I mean, after all, I also have an Esquire. But to be completely honest, I like the simplicity of having just two points to adjust the action on a Tune-O.

I do like a thinner neck and bigger frets, but I do think big part of the tone of a Les Paul is in the thick clunky body and the scale lenght. I find the more you lenghten the scale, the more Fendery almost twangy rather than Gibson growly guitars start sounding.

Don't get me wrong. I do like a good Super Strat. I wouldn't mind adding one to my collection. I used to have a Rob Scallon Chapman. Great guitar! But not very Les Paul-sounding.

I suppose it depends what you want out of the guitar. If you're looking for a Les Paul *sound*, yeah, I don't think the Chapman will necessarily give it to you (haven't played it myself, so I can't say). But if you just want a great-looking single-cut that doesn't have a thick neck or chonky heel and does have modern features, then it's up your alley.

I love Les Pauls, but I also love a good single-cut no matter how LP-ish it sounds!

 

[Ascension]

Just specked out a Kiesel SC3 on the builder with a pair of Duncan Antiquity P90's in solid Black. It was built with a 24.75 scale 22 fret neck, Mahogany neck and body, ebony board, with Stainless med jumbos and it came in under $2200.. Both the 24.75 scale and Duncan Antiquity P90 options were introduced at NAMM. Dare you to find a better modern Les Paul at anywhere near that price!