Les pauls.

[DoomBuggi]

Weight-relief started around 1982/1983. Every Gibson USA Les Paul between 1982 - 2007 is weight-relieved. They do not have solid-body construction.
Anybody out here who could confirm this piece of information?  I have a '95 and '05 Standard, which definitely do not feel weight relieved!  What's more, on passing through Heathrow recently the '05 had to go through the X-ray, and I don't recall seeing any evidence of weight relief then.
If anyone can say whether this proposed deception by Gibson is correct, please do!
If I'm not right, I'm wrong.

The research that I have conducted seems consistent.  The only sure way to know is to contact Gibson directly and ask them about the history.  I know they are selling the newer les pauls (some models) in the advertisement that specifically list it as chambered. 

Every thread I have read is consistent to the to the text of the link that I have posted.  The question really is, does it matter?  If a guitar sounds good, it is good.   I you like it, then that is all that matters.  I love my 91 Les Paul, its heavy as hell, even if it is weight relieved.  Still, it sound better than most Les Pauls that I have played on

Gibson Link;
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/GearAndInstruments/Chambering%20the%20Les%20Paul_%20A%20Mar/

weight relieved


weight relieved


Cloud 9 (59 reissue) chambering (left), les paul with a p-90 in the neck (right)

[ericsabbath]

[Philly Q]

Is it possible they have a "target weight" for a body and they don't weight-relieve any which are already below that target?

I know that's highly unlikely, as it would involve an extra process of weighing each body - it's probably much easier to just swiss-cheese them all.

[Madsakre]

I think i know that shop ^^

[Dmoney]

pretty interesting.
I've never been concerned with weight until recently, since I've stopped being a band regularly I've not played as much. A 4 hour practice with my les paul custom after 2.5hrs doing weights and cardio at the gym was a bit much. Also, the shoulder my strap goes over is much bigger than my other shoulder! I bet in future ill end up with some gibson induced hunchback.
I actually quite like a heavier guitar though.

[ericsabbath]

I

[Alex]

pretty interesting.
I've never been concerned with weight until recently, since I've stopped being a band regularly I've not played as much. A 4 hour practice with my les paul custom after 2.5hrs doing weights and cardio at the gym was a bit much. Also, the shoulder my strap goes over is much bigger than my other shoulder! I bet in future ill end up with some gibson induced hunchback.
I actually quite like a heavier guitar though.

I myself was always very thankful for my SG for that reason - just a lot easier on the back.

The typical customer for the higher-priced LesPauls is probably not the fit 18-year old, but rather the 30+ dad. Weight relief is a good idea I guess from Gibson's view point.

[Philly Q]

With all that chambering, it's amazing they're still as bloody heavy as they are!

How come PRS can still make Singlecuts around the 8 to 8.5 pound mark?

[DoomBuggi]

With all that chambering, it's amazing they're still as bloody heavy as they are!

How come PRS can still make Singlecuts around the 8 to 8.5 pound mark?

The Chambered ones are super light.  The weight relief ones are still pretty heavy.  My 91' Les Paul weighs exactly 9 lbs, 15 ounces (4.08 kg, 425.24 grams), and its weight relieved.  I have played some long sessions standing and it doesn't ever kill my back (I'm 32 y/o). 

[kellar]

If you can convince yourself to deviate a bit from the Les Paul design, ESP's are a great alternative at less than half of the price. I have had several and have never been disappointed. All of the hardware is top of the line and they sound great. It's true that most of their lineup is geared towards the metal enthusiast, but they have several models that lean on the vintage side. I play mostly classic rock and blues on mine but you can really go anywhere with it. I prefer the EC-1000 series to the Eclipse. I have played both and the quality/difference is very minimal. the EC-1000's are much cheaper. I got my last EC-1000 from zzounds.com on sale for $599 which is an absolutely ridiculous price for that guitar. They come fitted with a JB/SH-59 set which I was never fond of but have managed to get on with in this guitar. Check it out.

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars/ltd-standard-deluxe/ec-series.html

[kellar]

http://denver.craigslist.org/msg/2795213583.html

Been eyeing this one for some time. Right around the corner from my house.

[Philly Q]

If you can convince yourself to deviate a bit from the Les Paul design, ESP's are a great alternative at less than half of the price. I have had several and have never been disappointed. All of the hardware is top of the line and they sound great. It's true that most of their lineup is geared towards the metal enthusiast, but they have several models that lean on the vintage side. I play mostly classic rock and blues on mine but you can really go anywhere with it. I prefer the EC-1000 series to the Eclipse. I have played both and the quality/difference is very minimal. the EC-1000's are much cheaper. I got my last EC-1000 from zzounds.com on sale for $599 which is an absolutely ridiculous price for that guitar. They come fitted with a JB/SH-59 set which I was never fond of but have managed to get on with in this guitar. Check it out.

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars/ltd-standard-deluxe/ec-series.html

I've asked this before of other members, but since you've posted I may as well get another opinion:

How do you find the neck shape on the EC-1000?  I prefer a chunky neck, so "Thin U" doesn't sound promising to me....

Apart from that one thing, they look like very attractive LP alternatives.

[Sancho]

Aren't the Tokai built in Korea now?

Mine say Made In Japan on the headstock. But I know there are different series.

And how are those Edwards Les Paul?  I have been really curious.  I knew about them awhile back.  Since then the prices have gone up significantly.

They are labeled Made In Japan as well. They're good guitars, but they are a tiny bit smaller than Gibsons. Which is a bit weird. But they're excellent guitars and good value for money.

[Madsakre]

i've had 1 ESP and 3 ltd's through the years.
All of them had their own problems. Horrible workmanship imho. What you get for the money is alot of expensive hardware, but minimal workmanship/quality control.

I will never buy a esp again.

[Philly Q]

i've had 1 ESP and 3 ltd's through the years.
All of them had their own problems. Horrible workmanship imho. What you get for the money is alot of expensive hardware, but minimal workmanship/quality control.

I will never buy a esp again.

Reading your response and Kellar's, I've seen this a lot when ESP is discussed - they really do seem to divide opinion!

I've never owned an ESP or LTD, but I have had a lot of Edwards guitars - which on the whole I've been pretty happy with.  My impression is that the Edwards guitars stay pretty close to the Gibsons they're modelled on, but ESPs are probably ultimately a bit too "modern" for my taste.