What is it about the Les Paul...

[machinegun22]

that makes it more powerful and cut thru better? I recently played a gig using an Ibanez superstrat and being the amateur that I am, didn't bring a backup. I broke a string about halfway through the set and I used my singer's Les Paul Studio for the rest. Anyway, after the set I talked to my brother and he told me that when I played the Les Paul, I was much louder and clearer than when I played the Ibanez. And I didn't change any of the settings on my amp or pedal board when I switched guitars. Any ideas?

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Ibanez pickups are beyond horrible, that might be part of the reason why everyone said your guitar was clearer with the LP.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Because Les Pauls are the most perfect guitar (I didn't say they are perfect, I said most perfect). They are heavy, but that's just because they are better. LPs can do any kind of music (Strats are close though, regrettably, but they're not as pretty).

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

hmmm, i still prefer my jacksons with duncans in them. prefer them alot more than any LP i tried.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

There is something magical about a slab of mahogany w/t a carved Maple cap on it? I'm more of a Fender bender myself,But IMO no guitar collection is complete W/O a LP. I tried out for a band years ago. The other guitarist played a Strat into a Twin. I Instinctively grabbed my Strat w/t a Lil'59 in the bridge and plugged into the studio's 50 watt Marshall. Sounded O.K. for a few tunes, BUT ! when I pulled my Lester out and plugged into that same Marshall...WHOA! That guitar just fulled in any sonic void that band had! I got the gig the next song after playing with the LP.:banana:

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

they're just big and full-bodied. Way more wood vibrating with each strum than an Ibanez with a Floyd Rose or whatever.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Well yeah, they are better then most Ibanez "Super" Strats.

It looks like you found your match. I'm happy for you. :dance:

 

[Mephis]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Because Les Pauls are the most perfect guitar (I didn't say they are perfect, I said most perfect). They are heavy, but that's just because they are better. LPs can do any kind of music (Strats are close though, regrettably, but they're not as pretty).

Most perfect?

Ahahahaha they're dark and muddy. I hardly consider that the "most perfect."

Weight has little to nothing to do with making something better.

Play funk 49 with an LP and make it sound authentic.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

You're dark and muddy.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Les Pauls p0wn.

Les Pauls are l33t.

Les Pauls r0x0r.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Darn right!

 

[jmh151]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Go on Youtube and look at some recent Whitesnake concerts with Reb Beach and Doug Aldrich. Doug Aldrich's Les Paul sounds HUGE. Reb Beach's Koa Pensa Suhr superstrat is very thin in comparison.

 

[MikeS]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

You cannot get the full effect on a youtube video... if you get a chance, try to find Live In the Still of the Night DVD and watch that on a good home audio system. Aldrich's LP sounds massive.

 

[doctadre]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Fact is, Les pauls are the heaviest and "biggest sounding" guitars out there. They are a full 2 inches thick in the center, and the humbucker pickups are just loud and powerful, more output. Thats why it sounds louder than most guitars, and that nice tone can cut through, because it is thick.


While they definitely have their place in pretty much any type of music involving electric guitars, I still like to have coil tapping and single coil tones available. Something about them fenders and single coil guitars can cut through as well, but in a different way, with different frequencies rather than thick tones.


I prefer PRS style guitars as my favorites, since you can get that variety. Of course, no collection is complete without at LEAST one Les paul and one Fender!


Dre

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Sometimes in the right hands they're just the right tool for the job.

Sometimes, in other hands, they're just not.

I find I get a lot of ground covered with mine.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

that makes it more powerful and cut thru better? I recently played a gig using an Ibanez superstrat and being the amateur that I am, didn't bring a backup. I broke a string about halfway through the set and I used my singer's Les Paul Studio for the rest. Anyway, after the set I talked to my brother and he told me that when I played the Les Paul, I was much louder and clearer than when I played the Ibanez. And I didn't change any of the settings on my amp or pedal board when I switched guitars. Any ideas?

Les Pauls have mids.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Grab a copy of Beauty of the Burst and it gets into the specifics of why a LP sounds like it does....however only the Historics and old LPs have some of those things going on (long tennon).

Luke

 

[Forbes]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

You're dark and muddy.

Lol, don't agree about pauls but that got a giggle out of me.

Does your ibanez have stock pickups? I know mine became a whole different beast with a pickup change. I imagine if you put the ibanez pickups in that paul it would probably be just as lost in the mix.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Only A Gibson Is Good Enough.

 

[metlking]

Re: What is it about the Les Paul...

Only A Gibson Is Good Enough.

'Nuff said.........though I have alot of Fenders too!