Should I Buy a Les Paul?

[jonnymangia]

I bought an SG Standard a few months back and I'm still not thrilled with the tones I'm getting out of it. Ideally, I wanted a Billy Gibbons/Beano, nice thick bottom with a nasty biting top, and I thought the SG, (which I think is far more comfortable to play than an LP) would provide those tones. After numerous pup replacements (now I'm on a 59 bridge / Pearly Gates neck) I'm about to give up. I just think it's too thin sounding. Considering I am going for the Rev Gibbons vibe, which LP would you recommend if I go down this road?

PS - The funny thing is that I bought the SG thinking that since Iommi and Angus used it, it def. gave out fat, thick tones. However now that I go back to listen to my AC/DC records, I've realized that Angus really doesn't have a thick tone. It's cutting and nasty, but kind of thin, especially on the live album "If You Want Blood".

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Go TRY OUT guitars. See what works for you. I like Les Pauls, other people don't. You have to try them.

 

[Hoss]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

i'll second that and add to it a bit...go play some at a place that carries the exact amp you are using at home...or, if it's small enough, bring it with ya to plug the guitars you are trying out in...if you're looking for a specific tone that is.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

I have tried them. I think they have the best sound for rock and blues, but they are pretty uncomfortable due to the weight. Plus the tones that I love - Beano - Gibbons - Slash, early rock - all came from LP's.

 

[MDS]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

If you like the tone of an LP, not much will replace it. I just bought an LP because I just had to have that tone and nothing else was getting it for me. I guess I also bought because they kick ass.

Mike

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Check out the Tokai Love Rock. I played one in a music store not long ago and it gets pretty authentic LP tones. Still doesn't play as good as my Heritage but, good all around guitar.

If you feel like exact specs get Heritage to make you a LP.
Check out my thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=26457&highlight=custom+heritage+les+paul+arrives

Also check out Kaknight's thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=7981

Our pauls are very similar.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Yes, you should go buy a LP. (applying jedi mind trick)

I have 3, you should have at least one. Just take your time and find one that suites you.

LPs arent heavy or uncomfortable. Now quit your crying and take your steriods like a good boy.

 

[Watroba]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

+1 to the Heritage.

Gibson had an old factory here in Kalamazoo, MI. Once they abandoned it, I believe Heritage started making guitars there. For these reasons, you can bet on a LP knock off that actually sounds and feels like a real one. From my personal experiences, they play as good as any Gibson. But I'm no LP expert, nor do I have much taste in them, so I advise you to try them out first.

 

[Chace]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

I absolutly loath the things personally, they do nothing for me in any way. I think they're uncomfortable to play, dont sound anything special, bloomin heavy (i'm used to poplar and basswood) and I even dislike the fat neck... HOWEVER... Even I must admit that if you are after an LP tone.. the only thing thats gunna give you that tone is an LP. I would advise you to buy a 2nd hand model.. just make sure you give it a good checking over before you purchase, I wouldn't trust the quality of newer Gibsons.

 

[tone?]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Les Pauls are real nice guitars. Sorry if i step on anyones toes but i wouldnt touch the new ones unless i played a ####load of them till i found a good one.

im not experienced in Pauls but of what ive seen the standard factory ones suck for the money.

i have to disagree with you about the Angus tone. its is pretty darn huge. and most of the rythym is his brother playing with real heavy gauge strings. check it out its true.
Malcom has come out with most of the killer riffs.
just remember that these guys played these really good custom/vintage instruments not the off the shelf crap that is out now. or the stuff off the shelf then was total quality compared to now.

Like other said there are some great Paul copies that actually do the job better.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

i really do not like gibsons, and especially do not like les pauls, but try them out. pick a day where you can spend like the whole day trying out gibsons and other guitars on all different amps.

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

ESP Eclipse anyone?

 

[MDS]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

I found the necks to be to big for my liking for years, but then I discovered the 60s Slim Taper neck. I love the feel of that neck. If you're worried about baseball bat necks, look for one of the Classics or a Standard with the thinner neck.

Mike

 

[gripweed]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Just do it.

Keep the SG while you're at it. The one with the most guitars wins.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

I'm thinking the amp may be a culprit here - I am using a Marshall AVT20. I think I am going to move over to the world of tubes and get a Peavey Classic. Anyone play an SG through that?

BTW - I definitely think Angus' tone sounds thin on some of the early stuff. Check out the solos on the live record - "If You Want Blood". Compare that to early ZZ Top or Clapton/Bluesbreakers and it's a world of difference. Disclosure - I love Angus - he's the tastiest soloist in hard rock. But Mal is the one providing AC/DC's bottom.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

If you feel like exact specs get Heritage to make you a LP.
Check out my thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=26457&highlight=custom+heritage+les+paul+arrives

Also check out Kaknight's thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=7981

Our pauls are very similar.

Wow the Heritage guitars look amazing. Thanks for the heads up. Do they make these in a goldtop?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Les Pauls work for me. Many years ago, before I ever had an LP, I had an SG and liked it a lot. Last year (after playing an LP exclusively for the preceding seven years) I went out looking for a new guitar. My first thought, remembering my old one fondly, was an SG. I played quite a few and was disappointed every time - they just didn't resonate and come alive in my hands like an LP does. I tried a few other guitars too...... then I bought another Les Paul. I haven't regretted it for a moment.

Get a wide comfy padded strap and marvel at the way the Les Paul hangs perfectly in the playing position!

And for Billy Gibbons/ Beano tone........? You know it makes sense! :naughty:

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

The one with the most guitars wins.

Then either jolly, xssive, or GJ wins. :laugh2:

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

Les Pauls are real nice guitars. Sorry if i step on anyones toes but i wouldnt touch the new ones unless i played a ####load of them till i found a good one.

I think that's safe to say about ANY brand.

im not experienced in Pauls but of what ive seen the standard factory ones suck for the money.[/QUOTE]

You should try them out here in America. If my English guitar friends are any indication, I understand the overseas market gets only sloppy seconds from Gibson. I would bet Greece is the same.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?

I haven't seen anything in recent LPs to make me particularly lust after a Gibson version, but the overall style of guitar definitely offers a lot. Luckily, there are a lot of great LP-style instruments out there from other manufacturers at pretty much any price range you might be considering. And (arguably) unlike Gibson, you'll be getting more than your money's worth with most of those options, whether it's Heritage, ESP, Edwards, Tokai or even Agile. I've played instruments from each of those manufacturers that felt and sounded as though they should be at least one step further up the pricing food chain. If you need the exact right shape and name on the headstock, though, there ARE good Gibson's out there. Like everyone else is saying, go play them and find one.