Should I Buy a Les Paul?
- Thread starter jonnymangia
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báratta
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
*Subjectivity Cap On*
I find my recently acquired SG Special to be more usable than my LP Custom Plus. The beauty of the LP is not in question (unsurpassed/buy them to look at them) but my SG has this open, living and resonating tone that the LP fails to deliver. I’d play around with a few amps before I sold up and made another purchase.
Samuel.
*Subjectivity Cap On*
I find my recently acquired SG Special to be more usable than my LP Custom Plus. The beauty of the LP is not in question (unsurpassed/buy them to look at them) but my SG has this open, living and resonating tone that the LP fails to deliver. I’d play around with a few amps before I sold up and made another purchase.
Samuel.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
knowing you know what you know, you know... Man, I gots a way with words...
Fix your post Zhang! For a second I thought you were saying YOU were inexperienced in Les Pauls! Even if you NEVER touched an LP in your life, just knowing you know what you know, you know more about "the Les Paul story" than most Gibson dealers!Zhangliqun said:
knowing you know what you know, you know... Man, I gots a way with words...
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M
martinsixstringcustoms
Guest
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
Maybe I've been lucky, but every new Les Paul I have purchased has been stellar. And yes, I've purchased some without playing or seeing it first.
Maybe I've been lucky, but every new Les Paul I have purchased has been stellar. And yes, I've purchased some without playing or seeing it first.
Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
Yeah, I have 3 amazing LPs. A 95 Wine Std, a 98 Honeyburst Std and a 2001 59 re-issue. The Wine had Phat Cats, the Honeyburst has a CC and a PGn and the 59 RI has Antiquitys. I haven't had any fret or nut work done, no sharp edges and not a flaw on any of them when they were new. The 59 RI I shopped for but the other two I pulled right off the rack, played them and that was it.
I see great examples of LPs all the time and other than a loose set-up here and there which is to be expected from a mahogany neck I don't see the tore up examples that many people seem to find or mention and I check out a lot of LPs.
To each his own I guess. I own or have owned Teles, Strats, Ibanez, Conklin, PRS and a few other guiitars/makers and it's all good to me. A Gibson LP is the only place I find "that" tone.
Yeah, I have 3 amazing LPs. A 95 Wine Std, a 98 Honeyburst Std and a 2001 59 re-issue. The Wine had Phat Cats, the Honeyburst has a CC and a PGn and the 59 RI has Antiquitys. I haven't had any fret or nut work done, no sharp edges and not a flaw on any of them when they were new. The 59 RI I shopped for but the other two I pulled right off the rack, played them and that was it.
I see great examples of LPs all the time and other than a loose set-up here and there which is to be expected from a mahogany neck I don't see the tore up examples that many people seem to find or mention and I check out a lot of LPs.
To each his own I guess. I own or have owned Teles, Strats, Ibanez, Conklin, PRS and a few other guiitars/makers and it's all good to me. A Gibson LP is the only place I find "that" tone.
hans-jürgen
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
Considering the weight of a Les Paul it's a myth that they "have to be heavy" to sound good (rather the opposite is true for me), just look for the light ones around 4kg - they exist, also when considering a copy like a Tokai Love Rock.
Considering the weight of a Les Paul it's a myth that they "have to be heavy" to sound good (rather the opposite is true for me), just look for the light ones around 4kg - they exist, also when considering a copy like a Tokai Love Rock.
Watroba
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I have an AVT150 and I find it to be an extremely thin amp. The classic series is a good line, but won't get very heavy. It has that slightly overdriven tube disto, and unless you go stompbox city, it won't do meet your high-gain needs. Come to think of it, I've found to be a relatively thin amp also. Try it for yourself.
I have an AVT150 and I find it to be an extremely thin amp. The classic series is a good line, but won't get very heavy. It has that slightly overdriven tube disto, and unless you go stompbox city, it won't do meet your high-gain needs. Come to think of it, I've found to be a relatively thin amp also. Try it for yourself.
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JeffB
Let it B
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
BINGO! I'm a big guy, and the weight of a Les Paul would not normally bother me, but I also have disc issues in my back..once you find the right strap..a Les Paul just "hangs' perfect and you won't notice the weight.
Besides if I can handle one with a bad back, all you young studs should quit yer cryin!
:laugh2:
As for your SG. It's either the individual guitar or your amp (highly likely) or a combo of the two. A good SG through a good marshall*will* sound big, fat, and nasty. Les Pauls are really not *that* much fatter sounding, it's just they have much more complex sounding mids.
Also it's hard to make studio vs. live recording comparisons. Too much magic can go on in the studio to thicken things up.
Simon_F said:
BINGO! I'm a big guy, and the weight of a Les Paul would not normally bother me, but I also have disc issues in my back..once you find the right strap..a Les Paul just "hangs' perfect and you won't notice the weight.
Besides if I can handle one with a bad back, all you young studs should quit yer cryin!
:laugh2:As for your SG. It's either the individual guitar or your amp (highly likely) or a combo of the two. A good SG through a good marshall*will* sound big, fat, and nasty. Les Pauls are really not *that* much fatter sounding, it's just they have much more complex sounding mids.
Also it's hard to make studio vs. live recording comparisons. Too much magic can go on in the studio to thicken things up.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I had a buddy who had a mid-80's LPC with the stock Gibson branded Kahler trem. The guitar weighed close to 12.5 pounds and it sounded thin and weak. Another friend had a black LPC that used to have a Kahler in it. Underneath the stop tailpiece was a hole almost big enough for a pack of cigarettes. He kept one of those bright red haired troll dolls in there. He said it was the source of his guitar playing power. :laugh2:
I had a buddy who had a mid-80's LPC with the stock Gibson branded Kahler trem. The guitar weighed close to 12.5 pounds and it sounded thin and weak. Another friend had a black LPC that used to have a Kahler in it. Underneath the stop tailpiece was a hole almost big enough for a pack of cigarettes. He kept one of those bright red haired troll dolls in there. He said it was the source of his guitar playing power. :laugh2:
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I remember Steve Clark had this killer cardinal red reverse Firebird VII. He was one of the "cool guitar" guys before being a "cool guitar" guy was cool.
I remember Steve Clark had this killer cardinal red reverse Firebird VII. He was one of the "cool guitar" guys before being a "cool guitar" guy was cool.
JeffB
Let it B
revsorg
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I think you hit the nail on the head there. I've regularly played a Les Paul, an Explorer, an SG, a Strat and a PRS McCarty through my Rivera and have managed to get a gorgeous tone out of everything except the Strat, and I think that's down to my Strat currently having a set of pickups that I don't like.
I'm not saying the Rivera is the answer, but I think finding an amp that does what you want might be the place where you can make the biggest improvement in getting the sound you want.
jonnymangia said:
I think you hit the nail on the head there. I've regularly played a Les Paul, an Explorer, an SG, a Strat and a PRS McCarty through my Rivera and have managed to get a gorgeous tone out of everything except the Strat, and I think that's down to my Strat currently having a set of pickups that I don't like.
I'm not saying the Rivera is the answer, but I think finding an amp that does what you want might be the place where you can make the biggest improvement in getting the sound you want.
DesertRose
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
well, take a look at me. Will I buy some more LPs if they ain't good enough ? =)
well, take a look at me. Will I buy some more LPs if they ain't good enough ? =)
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
Oh...but it *IS*
:laugh2:
I do find my chubster prefers high output pups though. 500T's sound awesome...498T awesome...EMG HZ...well..better than they did through my other amps Single coils and BB's just don't sound nice under high gain...can't figure out why. They sound awesome on my POD XTL, through the Vox, using a sansamp, other amps at the store...whatever...but they just get real thin and kinda crap out on the Rivera cept on the clean channel or the gain dialed low on the agin channel...? :shrug:
revsorg said:
Oh...but it *IS*
:laugh2:
I do find my chubster prefers high output pups though. 500T's sound awesome...498T awesome...EMG HZ...well..better than they did through my other amps
Single coils and BB's just don't sound nice under high gain...can't figure out why. They sound awesome on my POD XTL, through the Vox, using a sansamp, other amps at the store...whatever...but they just get real thin and kinda crap out on the Rivera cept on the clean channel or the gain dialed low on the agin channel...? :shrug:
No effects
New member
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I own an LP Standard (Jazz/JB) and an SG Special faded (59n/JB) and each has its merits. As some have said before, the LP is nice and thick and the SG has a more open feel to it, so depending on the song, each will have its place. That being said, I just bought a G&L Legend and am going to have to let the SG go (I will never win the "one who has most guitars" competition), because I personally like the LP better and get a lot of compliments for its tone. As far as you trading in the SG for an LP, I think you might indeed want to plug into a better (tube) amp first. If you're on a budget, check out the old Traynors (I have two of them), including the YBA-1 Bassmaster, which is the poor man's plexi and trust me, you will never again question having purchased the SG.
I own an LP Standard (Jazz/JB) and an SG Special faded (59n/JB) and each has its merits. As some have said before, the LP is nice and thick and the SG has a more open feel to it, so depending on the song, each will have its place. That being said, I just bought a G&L Legend and am going to have to let the SG go (I will never win the "one who has most guitars" competition), because I personally like the LP better and get a lot of compliments for its tone. As far as you trading in the SG for an LP, I think you might indeed want to plug into a better (tube) amp first. If you're on a budget, check out the old Traynors (I have two of them), including the YBA-1 Bassmaster, which is the poor man's plexi and trust me, you will never again question having purchased the SG.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
Should you buy a Les Paul? Yes, then buy a strat, a tele, a 335, Martin, McCarty, keep the SG, add a G&L, a Warmoth strat, a dobro, a mandolin, a few more strats, another couple Les Pauls, a Marshall, a Fender, Vox, a boutique amp, a classical acoustic, a drum machine, 14 pedals, a few pieces of rack gear, 35 Duncans, and a new house to put it all in.
Should you buy a Les Paul? Yes, then buy a strat, a tele, a 335, Martin, McCarty, keep the SG, add a G&L, a Warmoth strat, a dobro, a mandolin, a few more strats, another couple Les Pauls, a Marshall, a Fender, Vox, a boutique amp, a classical acoustic, a drum machine, 14 pedals, a few pieces of rack gear, 35 Duncans, and a new house to put it all in.
Re: Should I Buy a Les Paul?
I have probably owned 13 to 15 Les Pauls, including - but not limited to - Customs, Standards, Classics, Studios, RI's, etc. etc. They have been manufactured in the '70s, '80s, '90s, and '00s. Needless to say I like them. My all time fave was an '89 Standard with a repaired crack in the headstock, and Gibson '57 pickups.
I have never had a problem with a LP sounding too thin. Some heavier gauge strings can be a simple solution to that kind of problem ( Gibbons himself uses 8s, go figure ). To my ear, I have heard ALOT of Strats that sounded too thin. If you are affraid of wrestling with heavy strings, get a top notch pro to do a quality set-up. 11's can feel like 9's, and get rid of the buzz etc. at the same time. It's really worth it, and is so much cheaper than a new axe.
I 100% agree that you need to play as many as you possibly can, preferably with a rig that closely approximates yours. Unfortunately, that may mean going to a big chain dealer, and looking at alot of newer ones, cuz theyre the ones that have the kind of large inventory that would be helpful.
I have probably owned 13 to 15 Les Pauls, including - but not limited to - Customs, Standards, Classics, Studios, RI's, etc. etc. They have been manufactured in the '70s, '80s, '90s, and '00s. Needless to say I like them. My all time fave was an '89 Standard with a repaired crack in the headstock, and Gibson '57 pickups.
I have never had a problem with a LP sounding too thin. Some heavier gauge strings can be a simple solution to that kind of problem ( Gibbons himself uses 8s, go figure ). To my ear, I have heard ALOT of Strats that sounded too thin. If you are affraid of wrestling with heavy strings, get a top notch pro to do a quality set-up. 11's can feel like 9's, and get rid of the buzz etc. at the same time. It's really worth it, and is so much cheaper than a new axe.
I 100% agree that you need to play as many as you possibly can, preferably with a rig that closely approximates yours. Unfortunately, that may mean going to a big chain dealer, and looking at alot of newer ones, cuz theyre the ones that have the kind of large inventory that would be helpful.
