Author Topic: Possibly the best Les Paul in the world (Read 3098 times)

Underground_Player · « **on:** June 03, 2006, 02:35:39 PM »

I've just been playing a goldtop Les Paul (apparently aged by Tom Murphy...must be a Custom Shop) and it's not just the best Les Paul I've ever played, but the best electric guitar I've played in my life. And I've never really liked LPs before :o I've got an old-looking LP Custom here to compare it to and there's just no contest...I haven't even plugged either guitar in but the sound of the goldtop is so out of this universe that I'd happily mic it up at an acoustic gig! The neck's massive as well, yet totally comfortable. It even looks fantastic.

Right that's the end of the blog for now...I've told everyone in the flat how good it is and had to tell more people, so here you are! I suppose if there's a point to this post it's that Gibson still make awesome guitars....but probably only £££££ custom shop ones!!

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2006, 02:50:48 PM »

I wouldn't judge a guitar as the best electric guitar I'd ever played without plugging it in first, although it sounds like it's ripe for BKPs

Whose guitar is it? i bet it's stupidly over-priced....

Underground_Player · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2006, 03:32:35 PM »

It's owned by a guy called Julian Deane, who was the guitarist in Toploader. It's being lent to one of my flatmates.

Just plugged it in, and it's dissappointing

Long live Strats!

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2006, 03:40:01 PM »

I have only played one goldtop I liked, and it was a reissue. I think it has something to do with gold guitars though personally though. Being a carpenter I love wood tones as opposed to paint. *shrugs* Wish the guitar would have held up for you.

Underground_Player · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2006, 03:54:37 PM »

Y'know I'm kinda glad it didn't....I can now go after an EC Strat with a clear conscience!
As to the cost of that Goldtop - I don't know what it is exactly but I know I'd have to sell all my gear (and possibly a kidney, and my soul) to afford it!

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2006, 03:58:36 PM »

Tell me about it. I have gone to Studios just for the cost and the weight is less on my bad back, but they are still high. I got lucky and got a fine Gibby Studio from eBay as of recent, but other than that I have not bought a Gibby in four years because they are so high.

*edit*

I do have to say that I would go with an EC Strat over the goldtop. I know I may get flamed for that, but hey! At least I am honest. :lol:

hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2006, 05:01:12 PM »

Quote from: Underground_Player

Just plugged it in, and it's dissappointing

Long live Strats!

ROTFL !!!!!!

:D

Searcher · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:47:35 PM »

Quote from: Underground_Player

Just plugged it in, and it's dissappointing

Long live Strats!

Amen, brother!

Although, to be honest, I haven't liked Strats much since the early 90s. And the 80s ones didn't grab me either. It's 60s or custom shop for me.

So, yeah, I don't own any Strats.

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:58:30 PM »

Strats are getting better. They started to go downhill in the 80's with their "bowling pin" Strats, and that is around the time Leo Fender left and helped to form G&L. Then in the 90's they got a little worse, and then they went and bought Jackson, Guild, and Gretcsh, with Guild being the first (don't quote me here) and then shite out junk until about a year ago, then they got better. I was the first to say that if it didn't say Custom or American Deluxe it was trash, but now I have to change my outlook a little. Granted I still have to look to find a good one, but I won't throw them out the window anymore. :lol:

fps_dean · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2006, 01:14:21 AM »

Quote from: BleedMarshall

Strats are getting better. They started to go downhill in the 80's with their "bowling pin" Strats, and that is around the time Leo Fender left and helped to form G&L.

Leo Fender left in 1965 when he sold the company. And to be correct, they started going downhill in 1965 and probably have never had a lower point than the late 70s. I'd say they were quite a bit better from '85-'95 than they are today, but some of the 50th anniversary strats were promising.

As for Gibson, I have played a few of the current custom shop Les Pauls, and a real 1960 Black Beauty. I have to say the best of the lot was a year old (new at the time) '58 reissue custom shop Les Paul. Aside from having the super fat '58 neck, everything on that guitar was absolutely perfect. Even the binding on the fretboard was perfectly aligned to the fretboard. The price tag was a bit high at $2500usd or maybe a little less, but it was well worth the extra $600 or $700 over a LP Standard/Classic.