Author Topic: SGs and LPs (Read 17282 times)

grrrpoop · « **Reply #90 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:01:36 PM »

Buckethead doesn't seem to find upper fret access to be an issue on his LP, and he shreds like a crazy man.

But he does have freaky long alien fingers.. :?

Jonny · « **Reply #91 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:24:50 PM »

Quote from: grrrpoop

Buckethead doesn't seem to find upper fret access to be an issue on his LP, and he shreds like a crazy man.

But he does have freaky long alien fingers.. :?

Well there's nothing to be said there! I probably have the smallest pinky ever.

Will · « **Reply #92 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:56:59 PM »

I think its a matter of how much you work on it, Randy Rhoads didn't have the longest fingers, but he could stretch, and go right up the top of his LP, which apparently had a HUGE neck...

ilÿti · « **Reply #93 on:** January 15, 2008, 09:18:20 PM »

Quote from: Will

I think its a matter of how much you work on it

Yes it is. And don't be Slash and think you have to slung the Les Paul to your knees in order to be cool. Play it where it's comfortable. I like the feel and look of single cut guitars and I've got used to reaching the high frets. That said, if I had the dough now, I'd rather invest in a single cut with some kind of "heal-less" design (Feline Lion, Carvin CS) or LP-DC style for the more chop-intensive material. Al di Meola is certainly capable of melting faces on a Les Paul, but even he plays PRS these days.

Prawnik · « **Reply #94 on:** January 24, 2008, 03:06:16 PM »

Tastes differ: I never have played a PRS that I liked, all the ones I have played sounded too modern to me. But that is precisely what other people love about PRS. And Fender Custom Shop stuff screws up the vintage details so badly that I have been reduced to building my own Strats to get the little stuff right.

Of course, YMMV.

When I was into shredding, my old Les Paul was my main axe. The upper fret access didn't give me any trouble; I guess I got used to it.

Again, YMMV. Don't let me or anyone else on a message board tell you what guitar you can or cannot play. Solicit others' advice but listen with your own ears.

Dakine · « **Reply #95 on:** January 24, 2008, 03:41:11 PM »

Quote from: Prawnik

Tastes differ: I never have played a PRS that I liked, all the ones I have played sounded too modern to me.
Again, YMMV. Don't let me or anyone else on a message board tell you what guitar you can or cannot play. Solicit others' advice but listen with your own ears.

EXACTLY!

Also, upper fret access is just summit ya gotta learn to get around (less you have teeny tiny fingers/hands). PRS have a nice rounded heel too.

Oh and talking bout PRS. They now sound VERY vintage if wanted.
New SC245 case in point;

MrBump · « **Reply #96 on:** January 24, 2008, 03:46:58 PM »

Quote

...its not aactually that hard fretting and bending fret 22 on a les paul - its just hard to shred up above like the 15th fret because your hand is at an awkward angle...

I've seen Gary Moore string bending so far on the upper register of a Les Paul that it's OBSCENE! Lack of frets never held him back...

Mind you, he does have fingers like a navvy...

ilÿti · « **Reply #97 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:02:16 PM »

If I bend the 22nd fret higher than D to F#, the string breaks. This has happened to me so many times it's not even funny.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #98 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:58:54 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

Quote from: Prawnik
Tastes differ: I never have played a PRS that I liked, all the ones I have played sounded too modern to me.
Again, YMMV. Don't let me or anyone else on a message board tell you what guitar you can or cannot play. Solicit others' advice but listen with your own ears.

EXACTLY!

Also, upper fret access is just summit ya gotta learn to get around (less you have teeny tiny fingers/hands). PRS have a nice rounded heel too.

Oh and talking bout PRS. They now sound VERY vintage if wanted.
New SC245 case in point;

That looks nice but then again it's not that far removed from a real Les Paul, which you can get for considerably less than the cost of a PRS SC245, which I think is around the £1800 mark.

In saying that I'm certainly not knocking the 245. I've no doubt it does a great vintage tone. My point is that for a lot less bucks (Gibson LP Std) is the tone going to be any different - and can the SC245 get that modern PRS tone as well as vintage?

Dakine · « **Reply #99 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:19:12 PM »

unfortunately PRS seem close to Mesa when it comes to pricing in UK :(

SC245 is about same price as Gibson LP Standard here.

As for can it do modern? Not as well as a SC or SC250 but AS well or better than an R series LP!

Of course a LP studio can get vintage'y etc.

But comparing an LP Std. to a PRS SC245 is IMO (and I own both) not in same ballspark. The PRS is WAY better made and finished and indeed DOES have the classic LP sound in spades. NOT knocking a GOOD (read good here) LP Std. BUT the PRS has CARE built into it. Also notice it's heel joint, much easier for higher register playing.

As said, own both and SC245 is new so secondhand is hard (when used LP's are everywhere, just not good ones) so price is a big point, but, all being equal, the PRS is basically what every Gibson should be IMO.

Prawnik · « **Reply #100 on:** January 25, 2008, 01:25:49 PM »

I am 6'4" and have hands like a 10 year old girl. Somehow I am able to play the upper registers of a LP. Maybe because I did not know this was not possible when I started doing it.

That some PRS guitars try to look vaguely vintage I agree. To me they look like a modern attempt at vintage but obviously many like them. To me they do not sound vintage at all but that isn't considered desirable by everyone.

Far as Gibsons go - I have not noticed QC improving as you move to more expensive models. I have played cr@ptastic Custom Shop Gibsons and sweet Studios, and encountered defects at all price points. Jimmy Page even played a Studio on stage at times in the 1980's, and I think he could afford a more expensive guitar if he wanted.

dave_mc · « **Reply #101 on:** January 25, 2008, 03:08:25 PM »

Quote from: Machinehead

That looks nice but then again it's not that far removed from a real Les Paul, which you can get for considerably less than the cost of a PRS SC245, which I think is around the £1800 mark.

In saying that I'm certainly not knocking the 245. I've no doubt it does a great vintage tone. My point is that for a lot less bucks (Gibson LP Std) is the tone going to be any different - and can the SC245 get that modern PRS tone as well as vintage?

if you're willing to go with a japanese copy, you can get a "real" les paul for around £450.

Quote from: Dakine

But comparing an LP Std. to a PRS SC245 is IMO (and I own both) not in same ballspark. The PRS is WAY better made

i agree, based on the prses and gibsons I've tried (never been able to try a SC. But as you say, pricing is a bit like mesa... kinda daft.

Dakine · « **Reply #102 on:** January 25, 2008, 03:51:04 PM »

Dave,
unlike an amp though 'importing' a guitar is way more sensible. I have even been told/know of dealers who sell new to outside USA (shhhh ;)) and that makes them quite abit cheaper.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #103 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:27:34 PM »

I would imagine that those kind of dealers would sell more makes than just PRS, making all the guitars quite a bit cheaper - so no real advantage is gained there.

Everyone's tastes vary but I'd have been a lot happier if PRS had at least tried to make it look a little less like an LP copy - in relation to the body.

Gibson QC has improved markedly in recent years, although it was pretty poor that it was allowed to slide in the first place. For £1800 I would certainly haggle a bit in a store and walk out with a Gibson LP Custom over a 245 any day. As a long time Gibson LP player I don't even notice the neck joint anymore.

As I said YMMV though ...

To Dave

I did say 'real' LP ....

All joking aside I would buy a Loverock as a backup guitar. I havent heard a lot of bad things about them.

The real competition for my attention always comes from the Yamaha SG series. I always get a GAS attack when I see one. Quite why Gibson don't do a guitar in this style I do not know. The Gibson SG is an entirely different beast and the DC's just aren't in the same ballpark.

Dakine · « **Reply #104 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:52:15 PM »

Quote from: Machinehead

I would imagine that those kind of dealers would sell more makes than just PRS, making all the guitars quite a bit cheaper - so no real advantage is gained there.

Everyone's tastes vary but I'd have been a lot happier if PRS had at least tried to make it look a little less like an LP copy - in relation to the body.

Gibson QC has improved markedly in recent years, although it was pretty poor that it was allowed to slide in the first place. For £1800 I would certainly haggle a bit in a store and walk out with a Gibson LP Custom over a 245 any day. As a long time Gibson LP player I don't even notice the neck joint anymore.

As I said YMMV though ...

To Dave

I did say 'real' LP ....

All joking aside I would buy a Loverock as a backup guitar. I havent heard a lot of bad things about them.

The real competition for my attention always comes from the Yamaha SG series. I always get a GAS attack when I see one. Quite why Gibson don't do a guitar in this style I do not know. The Gibson SG is an entirely different beast and the DC's just aren't in the same ballpark.

Was answering Dave on the 'cost' issue. Has nought to do with anything else they sell. MANY US manufacturers BAN selling outside the US for fear of taking away dealership.

As for LP Custom. Sure, bout same retail it seems. But owning BOTH an LP and PRS myself, I know which I would take. Apart from the looooooooooong search to find a 'good' LP I find the 'whole' PRS guitar more satisfying.

As for copy, maybe it's because it's such a popular/iconic shape? Just like Strats. ALL guitar companies/lutheirs are in the game to 'make money' therefore making what sells. Why not make a strat/LP shape? Gibson found to their cost that shape of body is not the issue, it's headstock.

Again, YMMV but I have yet to find ANY PRS (se or USA) that was'nt finished and played perfectly, more than can be said for Gibson (although again, NOT anti, I OWN two Gibsons!).

Maybe the Danes will sort Gibson out! Here's hoping.