Search for new LP - your opinions please

[Brian G]

Hi - I presently have a set of Crawlers in another guitar (Carvin CT3), but I've now started the search for a Les Paul to go with that and my CS Strat. The LP will almost certainly be a candidate for the BK treatment.

I've looked at and played a few, from Standards to Customs to even a Supreme (chambered - what resonance, but only played in unplugged). I will consider paying for a Custom Shop if it's really worthwhile. I'd like something with a little pizzazz, but preferably not over the top. The sound I'm interested in is somewhat vintage, capable of that creamy, full overdrive but clean and open when called for.

Can those of you with extensive experience with LP's share your thoughts . . .

1. The Supreme was great unplugged - never got around to plugging it in. Does anyone like Supremes, or is this a "non-LP"? (Would have to come to terms with those gold-colored frets, though . . .).

2. Can a Studio be expected to sound the full measure compared to good Standards, Custom Shop's etc.?

3. I understand that current-production Standards, etc. are drilled with weight-relief holes. Without knowing for sure, it seems to me that the best LP's are not "weight-relieved" - any comments?

It should be clear from the above that I'm trying to narrow the search, so your thoughts are welcome - I'm not prepared to buy from eBay, for the obvious reasons.

Thanks,
Brian

[jt]

:D I allways thought that the  difference between a Studio & a Standard was that the Studio had no binding ?

The problem with LP`s is that they vary between each batch. With Gibson now building down to a price it`s impossible to now how well a "Gibbo" will do untill you`ve put `em through  there paces.

Also when you BK it you`ll change the sound of the thing from the original any way. If that`s the case you might be better buying a second hand one that feels right then Mule it  :P  And if that`s the case why even bother buying a Gibbo any way why not get a really well made "Copy" Tokia, Yamaha, Greco, Ibanez even Epithone make acceptable LP copys & your going to BK `em so they`ll sound great & wont cost you a fortune.


 :D  8)

[FELINEGUITARS]

Twilight Odyyssey finds the answer........

(ok - I'm being cheeky and shameless here)

[TwilightOdyssey]

That LP DOES kick major booty!!!

[Johnny Mac]

^ I had a go on that LP and it's fantastic!

[Antag]

The problem with LP`s is that they vary between each batch. With Gibson now building down to a price it`s impossible to now how well a "Gibbo" will do untill you`ve put `em through  there paces.

Totally agree.  During my search for "my ideal Les Paul" I played dozens of different LP Stds - some were very nice instruments & many were absolutely dreadful.  It wasn't just poor setups (which are mainly the shop's fault), there were plently that had no resonance or sustain whatsoever & sounded really dull even with new strings.  There were varying degrees of the most godawful microphonic feedback (not such a big deal as I always intended to change the pickups).  Fingerboards & fretwork in particular were highly variable.

In the end I found a really nice Std that ticked all my boxes for spec, weighs a ton, sustains forever & sounds absolutely fantastic :) it now has a Nailbomb bridge/VHII neck & is one of my favourite guitars :)

IIRC I found something similar when I bought my Flying V in the early 90s - had tried a few not liked them then played one that was nothing like the others, loved it, & bought it :)

In other words, buy whatever takes your fancy for looks/style/colour etc but don't buy it unseen!

[38thBeatle]

Hello Brian, I must admit when I was reading your post I was thinking "Feline" with a set of Mules. If it has to have Gibson on the headstock fair enough but the Feline guitar I saw at the London Guitar show( which TO is holding aloft) was a beautiful piece of workmanship. As you are in Canada, however, I could understand you perhaps wanting to keep things North American.

[PhilKing]

Hi Brian,  I tried a lot of Les Pauls last time I bought a new one (back in the early 90's), but I had a friend who worked at Sam Ash, and she let me in the back to try all the ones they had!  There was a huge difference in them.  All I can suggest is to try as many as you can.  There is a difference in the weight relieved models, but I had it done to one of mine when it was renecked and it made it sustain for days!  Don't worry about the sound of the guitar plugged in.  Find one you like accoustically and that has the feel you want.  Once you have that, you can get the sound you want by changing the pickups.

I traded in the new one many years ago for a 71 55-Custom Limited Edition.  I would look at second hand guitars, rather than new.!

The custom shop guitars are a bit overrated, unless you pay for a real custom build, though I have heard really good things about the VOS series.

[keith]

Hi Brian +1 for trying as many as you can till you find what you like. Iwas lucky with mine was only the third Standard I tried and I bought it off Ebay but the guy selling it only lived ten minutes away from me and it felt great when I tried it. I changed the stock Gibsons for BKP zebra Mules so now it is even better. There are some pics so check it out ,hope you find what you want. http://photos.wanadoo.co.uk/album/2324601
cheers
keith

[HTH AMPS]

+1 on trying out many guitars - it really opens your eyes when you see how different specific Les Pauls play/sound/feel.  I did this when I got my LP std 12 years ago & it paid off - it's still my main guitars when others have been & gone.  It's nothing special either, just a plain black '91 LP std but it plays great with excellent resonance & always sounds amazing plugged in.

 :twisted:

[Brian G]

Thanks all for the comments, particularly PhilKing's as you responded to my question about chambering, at least a bit. Even from the little "shop playing" I've done, it's clear that every sample is a bit different. Yesterday I noodled with roughly 8 samples of various LP models (unplugged), and what shocked me was that the one that felt the best and felt the most resonant by far was a Supreme. Now, I think of this model as being the "trollip" of the lot (gussied up and ready for a few evening clients) . . .

The salesguys were also adamant that the Supreme was built by the Custom Shop, and I don't think it is, based on Gibson's websites.

I'm going back into the jungle to hunt for the wild and elusive Gibbo . . .

Brian

[Davey]

^ I had a go on that LP and it's fantastic!

i quadruple that!


and that pic always cracks me up!

see.. that's what i call a great weekend.. it makes you laugh even when it's long over
:D

thanks guys!

[PhilKing]

^ I had a go on that LP and it's fantastic!

i quadruple that!


and that pic always cracks me up!

see.. that's what i call a great weekend.. it makes you laugh even when it's long over
:D

thanks guys!

You are in the pic too - I just see you at the back - probably talking to me on the BK stand!

[snipesace]

don't know what store you are shopping at, but supremes are NOT made in the custom shop, I can guarantee you that, though they are very nice guitars, but, not custom shop.

[Bird]

Here's a good article for anyone shopping for an LP

http://www.dinosaurrockguitar.com/interviews/MrX.shtml   :twisted: