Gibson Les Paul: An alternative view.

[Scotty477]

I bought my Gibson Les Paul (Classic) 8 years ago (from new) after wanting one for about 20 years!

My guitar is rock solid, sounds great and I doubt that I'll ever sell it ....

But...

Given what I know now about other guitars and drawing from experience on a variety of different guitars I've played, I would say that If I were in the same position now as I was 8 years ago, I would possibley not buy a Gibson Les Paul.

Don't get me wrong. I love the one I have but I'm pretty sure ... scratch that .. certain that other - some less expensive - guitars are out there that will perform exactly the same and be of at least similar quality (if not better) than a Gibson LP.

If I was the fanciful, dreamer type I could speculate about going back 8 years in time and stopping myself from buying my LP. Of course my past self (looking much lighter and fitter) would object and quite rightly want me to give him .. erm .. myself an alternative to buying a Gibson Les Paul.

At this point lets fast forward to present day and pose the same question. What alternatives are available to buying a Gibson Les Paul? If you had say .. £1200-£1500 and wanted a Les Paul type guitar (or similar), with a mahogany (not basswood ..   ) body and neck and a maple cap, what would you go for?

I know what guitar I would select.

It isn't exactly a Les Paul shape but I would buy a Yamaha SG2000, or SG3000. The only difference is that they are double cut, which isn't exactly a problem.

Every one that I've played has been terrific. It doesn't matter if it's new or old, they are just solid and sound great. All the materials and hardware are as per a Gibson LP with the addition of being able to split the pick ups.

That's my view on the subject. The only thing I would add is that going back to the scenario from 8 years ago, my past self will very possibly still buy Gibson. Even after being told that it isn't worth it etc etc

Why?

Because it's a Gibson ..... and that is without a doubt the company's biggest selling point.

What other alternatives would you recommend to a Gibson LP, in order to get that LP tone?

[Mr Ed]

Fernandes, either the Ravelle (for a modern shape) or Monterey (for that LP shape) - all mahogany guitars, rosewood boards, good hardware and tone up the wazoo!

[Twinfan]

Excellent post.  I'm in almost exactly the same 'place' as you.  I bought a new Gibson LP Standard 10 years ago with some inheritance money.

What would I do today?  Probably buy a used Gibson Historic LP if I wanted to go Gibson, or more likely I'd buy a PRS Singlecut.

[Mr Ed]

I'd take that PRS Singlecut money and buy TWO Fernandes'. ;)

[goddamn electric]

Im looking to buy a les paul at the moment, why do i want one?because its a gibson les paul, ive always persuaded myself out of buying one in the past and bought guitars more suitable or that i felt were better but ever since i started playing ive gone through phases at least a couple of times a year when i want one, these usually pass but i always end up wanting one again. so ive finally decided i will find one i really like and save myself the trouble of looking for one for months only to stop myself from buying one for another 6 months! i cant justify buying a les paul style single cut without it being a gibson, even if it was a better quality guitar because i'll always end up wanting the real thing aswell.

[jibidy]

With that money for a guitar i would get a damn nice ibanez prestige i reckon. As long as i had enough to get some BKP's aswell!

[Scotty477]

Im looking to buy a les paul at the moment, why do i want one?because its a gibson les paul, ive always persuaded myself out of buying one in the past and bought guitars more suitable or that i felt were better but ever since i started playing ive gone through phases at least a couple of times a year when i want one, these usually pass but i always end up wanting one again. so ive finally decided i will find one i really like and save myself the trouble of looking for one for months only to stop myself from buying one for another 6 months! i cant justify buying a les paul style single cut without it being a gibson, even if it was a better quality guitar because i'll always end up wanting the real thing aswell.

That's exactly where I was 8 years ago. I can't argue with your position because of that but I would recommend at least comparing some others with a Gibson LP before you buy one  :D

[Gizmo]

I love my classic LP too but if i'd been a bit more knowledgable at the time I wouldnt have bought it. I love the rich thick tone of my LP and feel of the neck now it has been ugraded, BD + Mule

Likewise my Deluxe US strat.  The neck PUP on my strat is so sweet but recently i've been looking at PRS's. I know they cost a lot but the build quality is truely stunning and they're so versatile. Great LP and strat sounds.

Thing is though, its the name gibson and fender and our hero's played them. So even if we'd not bought them we'd prob end up owning one a bit later anyway.

[Henk]

If i didnt get into the whole Gibson vintage deal because i was totally captivated by a 50's LP i tried and which set the benchmark for anything to follow, i would probably still play something like my Aria Pro II SG model i had back in the beginning, exept for cr@ppy pickups it was genuinely brilliant to play/slap around.

[MDV]

I'd take my £1500 to a luthier and get him to make me a les paul that can makes people faces explode with one note.

[Mr Ed]

I'd take my £1500 to a luthier and get him to make me a les paul that can makes people faces explode with one note.

So... a guitar with a shotgun in?

[goddamn electric]

i thought about having a luthier make me a replica of a les paul, logo and all, (in the same way in which slash's main les paul back in the day wasnt a gibson) which would probably cost around the same if not cheaper than buying one of the historics and it would mean i could specify certain preferences. not sure how keen making replicas like that a luthier would be, or if its even legal in the custom guitar market, i'd imagine its not.

[Twinfan]

:lol:

[Mr Ed]

i thought about having a luthier make me a replica of a les paul, logo and all, (in the same way in which slash's main les paul back in the day wasnt a gibson) which would probably cost around the same if not cheaper than buying one of the historics and it would mean i could specify certain preferences. not sure how keen making replicas like that a luthier would be, or if its even legal in the custom guitar market, i'd imagine its not.

I could happily do ALL that apart from the logo, I wouldn't ever want a Fibson.

[Sailor Charon]

Hmmm....
Well, the SG supreme has a maple cap... :)